Latest posts for the topic "Smartphone data abroad."

Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:12:04 GMT

Just thought i would give you guys a tip regarding using your smartphones abroad.

If you are like me and cannot survive without your iPhone (other phones are available) and wish to use it abroad then you are probably already aware of the EXTORTIONATE costs carriers put on data.
Last year O2 were charging me GBP3 per MB and i stupidly downloaded a work email with a 5mb attachment....you do the maths.
Anyway normally i come back to a GBP50 - GBP80 bill i that is using it sparingly.

Well this year i discovered O2 are offering an EXCELLENT deal. You sign up for a new bolt on which is GBP1.50 a day when you use data overseas. That gives you 15mb for that day.
If you turn your data off for a day and don't use it you do not get charged.

So in ADH this year i used my iPhone for the usual email (no attachments thank you very much) and Facebook and was always just under the 15mb allowance. It worked really well.

So for the 7 days it cost me GBP10.50 for 105mb. Pretty good value wouldn't you say?

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:47:12 GMT

Thanks for that Snapzzz. I always say I won't use my phone when I'm away but then there's always something that needs looking up, then something that needs checking, etc and I come back to a silly bill. I'll definitely look into this deal before I go this year.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:51:59 GMT

I don't know the exact costs, but Orange offer a similar service.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:25 GMT

Orange has a plan called the EU data bundle.

You can choose between a 30 day bundle or a monthly bundle. The price of your bundle will depend on how much data allowance you choose. You can choose a GBP15 bundle giving you 30 MB of data or a GBP50 bundle giving you 150 MB of data or a GBP150 bundle giving you 500MB of data.

Not as good as the o2 deal.

Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:37:37 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:
If you are like me and cannot survive without your iPhone (other phones are available)

Like what?? :lol:

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:39:32 GMT

Oh I think I will look into the 02 one. I have been warned that where I am going for Summer Hols I could come unstuck as my phone could well pick up from two different networks one of which I am told will be very expensive.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:45:41 GMT

RoseR wrote:Oh I think I will look into the 02 one. I have been warned that where I am going for Summer Hols I could come unstuck as my phone could well pick up from two different networks one of which I am told will be very expensive.

That shouldn't matter Rose, when you are abroad YOUR operator sets the tarrif not the local operator.

Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:46:24 GMT

TowerBridge Andy wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:
If you are like me and cannot survive without your iPhone (other phones are available)

Like what?? :lol:

Yeah sorry, there is no substitute for the iPhone

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:53:54 GMT

I usually spend time on holidays looking for somewhere with wifi to log on to email etc, so this O2 deal sounds good. I take it you just call them up and add it on?

I wasn't aware there were any other phones available other than iPhones these days.....

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:01:26 GMT

You have to text

DATA to 2020

You then get this reply

"Thanks. We'll set you up now. It can take up to 24 hours to add to your account so we'll confirm when it's done....."

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:02:47 GMT

Mekka wrote:You have to text

DATA to 2020

You then get this reply

"Thanks. We'll set you up now. It can take up to 24 hours to add to your account so we'll confirm when it's done....."

Thats the one.

Its really reasonable. If you go over 15mb you will get a warning message. If you go over again, you will be moved up automatically to a higher priced service: GBP5 per day for 50 MB per day.

can't say fairer than that. I used it in ADH and got the arming at 16meg.

Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:55:32 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

TowerBridge Andy wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:
If you are like me and cannot survive without your iPhone (other phones are available)

Like what?? :lol:

Yeah sorry, there is no substitute for the iPhone

...other than an Android devise of course. Offering personal customisation iSheep can only dream of... )

Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:05:30 GMT

Smokey Barr wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:

TowerBridge Andy wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:
If you are like me and cannot survive without your iPhone (other phones are available)

Like what?? :lol:

Yeah sorry, there is no substitute for the iPhone

...other than an Android devise of course. Offering personal customisation iSheep can only dream of... )

Constantly quoted but a useless argument. My iPhone (jailbroken) does everything android can do and more. Plus its an iPhone.
Android is for iPhone wannabes.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:45:34 GMT

In Val Thorens at the moment. I bought an Orange (France) sim card at Lyon airport for 5 Euros. For a further 5 Euros you can get unlimited data connectivity for 7 days. Working well for me.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:43:48 GMT

I love the way this has got personal between iPhone and Android owners.
Personally I wouldnt consider buying anything other than an iPhone.
its well made, does exactly what I need it to, nicely designed fits in the portfolio of other apple hard and software I have (iMac, iPod, iTunes etc) and I feel looks a lot better than a lot of the inferior quality android phones available.
A mate of mine would argue differently, hes an IT dude so probably knows better than most, but I still cannot see past an iPhone.
And thats not just me, I think.....

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:52:32 GMT

I am paying GBP5 per 20mb max 7 days on t mobile. Am on my second lot. Prob cost GBP10 in total. Bargain, esp as uploaded pic to Facebook and emailed them home.

Plus, a tiny bit of j2 ski forums :)

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:55:39 GMT

...and Iceman is android....with smokey, not an isheep

Each to their own.....but people will always go for the flash, shiney ones....iPhone

If I could role eyes I would at this point :)

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:00:22 GMT

Quick tip:

If you use you iPhone for taking photographs then even if you have a data plan you may want to consider disabling the iCloud/photo stream feature on the iPhone. otherwise every photo you take will be uploaded to the cloud eating up your bandwidth.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:53:25 GMT

Or just disable the 3G and aim for a bar with wireless (any excuse for a pint). Not always possible of course (to find the wireless, not the pint)

Dobby (4 days and counting)

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:55:59 GMT

dobby wrote:Or just disable the 3G

Not what you want if you are on the new plans.
I was just pointing out how your phone could eat away at your 15mb limit without you knowing.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:10:07 GMT

Snapzzz, you are so right. Forget to disable roaming and your 15Mb limit has had it......Friends had lots of roaming apps and forgot to disable them when abroad. V expensive for v little gain

Cheers

Dobby

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:59:02 GMT

For the record, FQ is also a droid, and works in IT :wink:

Also, Orange seem to do a similar deal to O2. Just checked my account and I can decide between paying GBP3 for 30mb a day, not charged if not used, or.... paying GBP15 for 30mb a month :shock:

Hmm, think the GBP3 a day one will be best.

One bit of advice for people considering these. If you opt into one of these bundles, your European data cap is removed. So once you go over the top of the bundle you can potentially get unlimited bills at full euro data rates. I strongly advise you install a data monitor and know how it works and set it's limits correctly before you go.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:02:44 GMT

Vodafone gives me 25mb free per day in foreign countries.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:36:35 GMT

Pablo Escobar wrote:Vodafone gives me 25mb free per day in foreign countries.

Interesting. I see you need to be on a contract with over 1200 minutes for it to be included, otherwise it is GBP2 per day for 25mb.

Sadly, I dumped Vodafone a few years ago, as their coverage in my area was terrible and their customer service was appalling :(

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:25:31 GMT

O2 cap your data at GBP40, after warning you via text at GBP20.
Surf away!

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:02:40 GMT

randyrat wrote:O2 cap your data at GBP40, after warning you via text at GBP20.
Surf away!

That is Nearly correct.
The standard charge is GBP3 per mb and once you hit GBP20 you are warned. Then once you have used GBP50 you will not be charged anymore. But if you continue to use data they will switch it off.

So on the standard plan you would get about 19mb for your GBP50! That is crap.
Why wouldn't you sign up for the plan that charges GBP1.50 a day for 15mb?

Incidentally I checked my bill and they only charged me 1.25 a day...not sure why.. :-)

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:04:22 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Incidentally I checked my bill and they only charged me 1.25 a day...not sure why.. :-)

Because the other 25p is the VAT and will probably be in a different total :lol:

The one issue which bugs me with these add ons, is that once you sign up, your data cap is removed, potentially leading to horrendous bills if you are unfamiliar with the way your phone works.

Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:11:11 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

TowerBridge Andy wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:
If you are like me and cannot survive without your iPhone (other phones are available)

Like what?? :lol:

Yeah sorry, there is no substitute for the iPhone

HTC Desire HD is a substitute :)

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:14:18 GMT

Far Queue wrote:

Because the other 25p is the VAT and will probably be in a different total :lol: .

But that would be GBP1.20 then surely?

Far Queue wrote:
The one issue which bugs me with these add ons, is that once you sign up, your data cap is removed, potentially leading to horrendous bills if you are unfamiliar with the way your phone works.

That cannot really happen.
If you go over 15mb then they warn you, if you do it again they automatically move you to a GBP5 a day tariff for 50mb a day (thats a good deal) and on top of that everybody has a maximum cap of GBP120 for data in a month.

if you are using more than 50mb a day then you are not skiing enough!

Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:14:54 GMT

boo_yay wrote:

HTC Desire HD is a substitute :)

Not in my opinion

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:20:32 GMT

I reset my statistics before every trip.

On the iPhone it's done by going to -

Settings - General - Usage - Cellular Usage. The Reset button is at the bottom of that page.

I will be resetting it every day under the plan Snappzz alerted us to.

A useful app is Onavo. It shrinks (don't ask me how) the amount of data you use whilst browsing. Within the app it will give you a rundown on how much data is has saved, quite surprising as I haven't noticed anything missing form the browsing experience since I've had it. It is now available for Android as well. www.Onavo.com

Whilst in Budapest at the end of December I received the usual welcome text giving me costs of calls, texts and browsing, GBP3 per MB. 2 Days later I got a text telling me I was browsing outside Europe and would be charged GBP6 per MB. A day later after 1MB of usage I got a text stating I had reached GBP20 worth of usage. I took screenshots of my usage after that to argue my case with O2. When I rung them ready for a fight I was told that these were a glitch in the system and my total charges outside the UK were GBP3.75. It has made me a little wary and I will definitely be watching what I use from now on.

Thanks for the iCloud tip Snapzzz. That could have caught me out.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:28:42 GMT

I'm sure these phone operators are making a mint on data roaming abroad. I switched on data roaming (iphone) on the 1st day for a short while and KAPOW! GBP20 spent in a matter of a few minutes.

Fortunately our apartment hosts generously gave us a dongle to use with our laptop and we were able to check weather/converse with our children on facebook etc in the evening for free.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:29:53 GMT

To change the mood a little (to quote Squeeze), I personally find that one of the joys of being on holiday is that I can switch off my mobile and forget it for the week. But then I'm very old-fashioned.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:31:19 GMT

Mekka wrote:I reset my statistics before every trip.

On the iPhone it's done by going to -

Settings - General - Usage - Cellular Usage. The Reset button is at the bottom of that page.

I will be resetting it every day under the plan Snappzz alerted us to.

A useful app is Onavo. It shrinks (don't ask me how) the amount of data you use whilst browsing. Within the app it will give you a rundown on how much data is has saved, quite surprising as I haven't noticed anything missing form the browsing experience since I've had it. It is now available for Android as well. www.Onavo.com

Whilst in Budapest at the end of December I received the usual welcome text giving me costs of calls, texts and browsing, GBP3 per MB. 2 Days later I got a text telling me I was browsing outside Europe and would be charged GBP6 per MB. A day later after 1MB of usage I got a text stating I had reached GBP20 worth of usage. I took screenshots of my usage after that to argue my case with O2. When I rung them ready for a fight I was told that these were a glitch in the system and my total charges outside the UK were GBP3.75. It has made me a little wary and I will definitely be watching what I use from now on.

Thanks for the iCloud tip Snapzzz. That could have caught me out.

I reset mine daily too.

iCloud:
If you go into Settings -> iCloud -> Documents & Data, there is an option to allow it to use cellular data. If you turn it off, it shouldn't be an issue.

Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:31:31 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

boo_yay wrote:

HTC Desire HD is a substitute :)

Not in my opinion

Agreed

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:42:30 GMT

billip1 wrote:To change the mood a little (to quote Squeeze), I personally find that one of the joys of being on holiday is that I can switch off my mobile and forget it for the week. But then I'm very old-fashioned.

It's hard to disagree with this sentiment. However, I did enjoy watching us whizz along at 190 mph on google maps (in the train mind you, rather than on skis)

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:16:07 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Far Queue wrote:

Because the other 25p is the VAT and will probably be in a different total :lol: .

But that would be GBP1.20 then surely?

Nope. GBP1.25 will produce 25p VAT at current 20%. Therefore GBP1.25 plus 25p = GBP1.50 as quoted :-)

Snapzzz wrote:

That cannot really happen.
If you go over 15mb then they warn you, if you do it again they automatically move you to a GBP5 a day tariff for 50mb a day (thats a good deal) and on top of that everybody has a maximum cap of GBP120 for data in a month.

if you are using more than 50mb a day then you are not skiing enough!

Cannot comment for the others, but the contracts all look similar. Orange specifically state that if you sign up to one of the roaming deals, the EU data cap is removed. Once you exceed the amount of your deal all data is then charged at full rate (GBP3+ per mb) witn NO limit and I doubt any warnings :shock:

Orange Roaming Bundles

Quoted from that page..

Just to let you know, when you take this bundle, we will remove the EU data limit of 16MB, giving you unlimited web browsing on your mobile. Remember, once you have used your bundle allowance, you will be charged GBP3.07/MB which will be uncapped

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:37:55 GMT

Far Queue wrote:

Nope. GBP1.25 will produce 25p VAT at current 20%. Therefore GBP1.25 plus 25p = GBP1.50 as quoted :-)

Sorry , you are quite right.....my maths is a little rusty

Far Queue wrote:

Cannot comment for the others, but the contracts all look similar. Orange specifically state that if you sign up to one of the roaming deals, the EU data cap is removed. Once you exceed the amount of your deal all data is then charged at full rate (GBP3+ per mb) witn NO limit and I doubt any warnings :shock:

I just spoke to o2 to clarify their position on this and this is it:

GBP1.50 a day for 15mb.

If you go over 15mb you are warned.

If you go over 15mb again you are moved to a GBP5 a day tariff for 50mb a day.

If you go over 50mb in a day you will be warned.

If you go over 50mb a day again you will be moved onto the standard tarrif from that point and charged at GBP3.07 per mb and this will be capped at a monthly spend of GBP40 after which data is suspended until the next billing cycle.

So for me, O2 is a winner. Its good to know that if all does go tits up you are capped at GBP40

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:45:11 GMT

Iphone the only way for me now.

Vodafone 25MB per day free usage abroad and call costs capped at 75p, basically a connection charge, the rest of the usaage off the normal tarif.

Those of you with ipones don't forget you can switch the data push to manual and the email content you can exclude images which reduces the amount downloaded hugely. If the Cellular Data is switched off then email etc. restricted to WiFi access.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:46:39 GMT

billip1 wrote:To change the mood a little (to quote Squeeze), I personally find that one of the joys of being on holiday is that I can switch off my mobile and forget it for the week. But then I'm very old-fashioned.

To a certain extent i agree with you. I certainly leave my work mobile at home.
But my phone is much more than a phone.
I use it heavily for other things such as Facebook (not just being nosey) for sharing my holiday with my family back home. I used to have to ring my grandparents everyday (they worry) but now i post online or email a pic.
In ADH i used the livecam360 app to check the webcams at altitude to see where to go to escape the mist. That is awesome.
I also use the maps to follow my progress on transfers.

And of course writing my diary of shame on J2Ski......expect volume 2 shortly! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:48:07 GMT

Mekka wrote:A useful app is Onavo. It shrinks (don't ask me how) the amount of data you use whilst browsing. Within the app it will give you a rundown on how much data is has saved, quite surprising as I haven't noticed anything missing form the browsing experience since I've had it. It is now available for Android as well. www.Onavo.com

Onavo would be very useful while abroad - you will definitely save on data usage and hence on massive bills when you get home.

However - I used Onavo for a while in the UK - and it turns out that Onavo's gateways are not in the UK (I think they are in Ireland), and therefore sometimes you will find that certain content is not available. For example, BBC iPlayer - it sees your phone as being outside of the UK, and refuses to let you watch anything. I'm sure there are other examples of websites etc which have location-specific content.

I have stopped using it now, as I never seem to reach my data usage allowance anyway, so there is no need to have the inconvenience of not being able to see certain UK-only content. But I might re-visit it again before going away next month...

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:48:54 GMT

Oh, and btw i just installed an app to allow FaceTime over 3G so i can FaceTime my family from the top of the mountains. My gran is 85 and loves the Alps although she has never been there.....shes going to love it..... Wibble

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:26:10 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:Oh, and btw i just installed an app to allow FaceTime over 3G so i can FaceTime my family from the top of the mountains. My gran is 85 and loves the Alps although she has never been there.....shes going to love it..... Wibble

Whats the app called?

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:27:58 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

billip1 wrote:To change the mood a little (to quote Squeeze), I personally find that one of the joys of being on holiday is that I can switch off my mobile and forget it for the week. But then I'm very old-fashioned.

To a certain extent i agree with you. I certainly leave my work mobile at home.
But my phone is much more than a phone.
I use it heavily for other things such as Facebook (not just being nosey) for sharing my holiday with my family back home. I used to have to ring my grandparents everyday (they worry) but now i post online or email a pic.
In ADH i used the livecam360 app to check the webcams at altitude to see where to go to escape the mist. That is awesome.
I also use the maps to follow my progress on transfers.

And of course writing my diary of shame on J2Ski......expect volume 2 shortly! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

I have to have my iPhone with me on holiday as I run my own business and cannot afford to miss a call or email. Normally I fanny about finding wifi bars, but having this knowledge will now allow me to be able to use roaming for email, facebook, and live webcams without worrying about silly prices.
I thought I was reasonably up to date with my iPhone 4 but it seems I am still learning.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:46:34 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:Oh, and btw i just installed an app to allow FaceTime over 3G so i can FaceTime my family from the top of the mountains. My gran is 85 and loves the Alps although she has never been there.....shes going to love it..... Wibble

Whats the app called?

It's called 3G unrestrictor.
It fools all apps into thinking they are on wifi when they are in fact on 3G.
It's available on the cydia store, you have to jailbreak your phone.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:47:59 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Snapzzz wrote:Oh, and btw i just installed an app to allow FaceTime over 3G so i can FaceTime my family from the top of the mountains. My gran is 85 and loves the Alps although she has never been there.....shes going to love it..... Wibble

Whats the app called?

It's called 3G unrestrictor.
It fools all apps into thinking they are on wifi when they are in fact on 3G.
It's available on the cydia store, you have to jailbreak your phone.

Now youve lost me.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:36:23 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Now youve lost me.

As you probably know Apple like to keep a tight grip on their set up and therefore only allow what they deem to be acceptable Apps on 'their' app store and 'their' devices. Which is why you will often hear Android fanboys screaming on about how they can do this and do that where we cannot.
I can see the argument from both sides. Apple like to keep control as it makes for a reliable 'just works' system and they reap all the rewards of that.
Android on the other hand please their users with the 'do what you want with it' attitude but that comes at a price.
Because Androids marketplace/app store allows anyone to write their own apps and post them up for download they have seen an increase in mobile virus's and malware which is not good.

But aside from that there have been perfectly good apps refused by Apple for other reasons. EG: Amazons Kindle app was recently pulled from the app store as it offered users a link to download its books directly from Amazon. "whats wrong with that?" you may ask.....Well Apple insist that all sales go through their systems......and that gives them 30%.....crafty.

So Apple can be a bully boy....but thats just business.

Jailbreaking, is the process of removing the limitations imposed by Apple. It allows users to gain root access to the operating system, allowing users to download additional applications, extensions, and themes that are unavailable through the official Apple App Store. A jailbroken iPhone can still use the App Store, iTunes, and other normal functions, such as making telephone calls.
It all sounds really geeky but it isn't. You just run an app on your computer and it does it all for you. You then have another app store called 'Cydia' where you can buy and install apps that do many wonderful things.

Its important to note that it does no permanent changes to your phone....it is not chipping or modding the way people hack xboxes or wii's. Any problems and you just restore with iTunes and you are back to how you were.

The main reason i use it.

MyWi - This app allows me to tether my iPad to it and use the iPhones data connection to give internet access to my iPad. This is great because i am on an unlimited tariff...i love it when camping.

3G unrestrictor - allows all apps that normally only work on wifi to operate on 3g.

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:44:49 GMT

Crikey.
Thanks

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:11 GMT

Not sure if ths has already been covered...

Im on orange. I Use the EU package. GBP3 per day for 30mb of Data. If you dont use any data in a 12am - 12am period then there is no charge. I have used this service many times and find it quite competitive with other providers.

Not a great package if you are using less than 1mb a day....

Re:Smartphone data abroad.

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:35:22 GMT

Snapzzz I thought everything on Cydia was free? I know it's very useful for apps such as tomtom. I think this is about GBP50 through apple but it's free in Cydia. However does jail breaking your phone still carry the risk of bricking it?

Re:Smartphone data abroad.s

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:26:29 GMT

crispyapplepie wrote:Snapzzz I thought everything on Cydia was free? I know it's very useful for apps such as tomtom. I think this is about GBP50 through apple but it's free in Cydia. However does jail breaking your phone still carry the risk of bricking it?

Many I the apps on Cydia are indeed free, they are generally small system tweaks such as allowing you to add 5 items to your dock and stuff like that. But they also host a legitimate store where developers host their work that you can buy, stuff that apple do not like. I am more than happy to pay for that.

Jail breaking does allow you to install apps such as Tom Tom that you can download (illegally) for free from various sources. But I do not do that. That is stealing.
Jail breaking is not all about pirate software, it's about doing other things with your device. Jailbreaking is not illegal, downloading and installing copyrighted material is.

As for bricking. Well I don't know anyone personally that has had this problem. If you get any issues you just dock it with ITunes and restore.