A look at cell phones in London

I’ve moved to London for some professional and personal adventure.

While spraying malt vinegar on my fish and chips today, I had some thoughts on the use of mobile phones in this city as my device buzzed from a letting agent’s texts. 

Transplanting oneself from a country boasting the most expensive mobile bills in the world to a city with £5 pay-as-you-go phones exposes some stark differences.

First, connectivity is as easy as giving a name, email and a few pounds in London. One could be a complete nomad with no fixed address, yet still be reachable. In Canada, getting a contract can feel like giving away a first born. Owning a cell phone also connotes some degree of disposable income.

Cell phones are ubiquitous in London. It’s for that reason online housing spammers are so easy to spot - con artists are the ones who don’t list numbers. Everyone else reaches for their phone before email.

In my flat hunting quest, I’ve also learned about the near complete reliance on text messaging by letting agents. If you call them, they’ll often text back. Some vacancy ads on the streets even give numbers to text so they can send images and info back. It’s quite nice for those of us who pay less for texts than minutes.

Considering how inexpensive my current plan and phone is, I was shocked to see I didn’t have to pay for voicemail, I could see the numbers for missed calls, and even access the web for 30p a day. Further, I can top off my plan with the phone itself.

I’m feeling a little spoiled. When I realize that the Canadian situation is an exceptional one, however, I also feel a little slighted as a Canadian.