I will be going to England, France, Germany this month. I want to get some SIM cards for the different carriers that correspond to those countries. Can anyone offer some advice? Do I need to pre-order the sim cards now, or can I just wait until I get there. Which cell phone companies have the best coverage in those areas? I will be mainly staying near London, Paris, and Hanover in northern Germany. I tried emailing someone earlier that had posted this same question, but he never responded.
For the uk, check out giffgaff. Pay 30 days at a time, no contract, 250mins, unlimited texts and unlimited net for £10.
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
I used Virgin Mobil while in France. I stopped into an electronics store and bought a pre-paid SIM card for about 20 Euros. I don't recall minutes or data, that was 3yrs ago, but no need to pre-order. I think Orange offers similar deals.
Vodafone if U want buy only one sim for all EU countries whit passport option and mobile data benefit shipped also in any airport VODAFONE POINT.
Inviato dal mio Galaxy Nexus
Hi and Greets von Germany,
Little Info:
You can go to every Carrier (all have acceptable coverage, all okay in Towns (Internet and Calls), some better in the Countryside).
Easiest way:
Go to the carrier shops, most of them give simple prepaidcards for 1€-5€, they will activate them in the shop. you will need to load some cash to them (usual 15€).
Cheaper Way:
Go to a Discounter (eg ALDI, LIDL, Penny and many more). All have thier own Prepaidcards with cheaper Rates. Activate (over Internet) and talk
At ALDI you pay 12,99 for StarterSet including SIMCard with 10€ balance, Activation at internetcafe takes 1 minute. 9ct for Minute/SMS.
Internet Flatrate 2,99 (150MB UMTS, slowdown afterwards)
Internet Flatrate 6,99 (500MB UMTS, slowdown afterwards)
Any Questions left?
Related
Hi!
I'm moving from Finland to Netherlands in few weeks and I've looked all over the internet for a decent provider I could grab my tp2 from. After comparing different mobile operators I've decided to go Vodafone for extremely fast and reasonable priced 3g data plan. My problem is that I really don't want to get Vodafone branded touch pro 2.
So if you know where I could get an unbranded, English touch pro 2 with vodafone NL SIM (don't mind if it's 2 years contract) please help me a bit? I know that I could just buy the phone for the list price and get a SIM-only contract from vodafone but I don't feel like paying 700 hundred euros right now so that's why I'm actually looking for these 2 years contracts.
Thank you very much for your time,
-ili
Iliuthenin said:
Hi!
I'm moving from Finland to Netherlands in few weeks and I've looked all over the internet for a decent provider I could grab my tp2 from. After comparing different mobile operators I've decided to go Vodafone for extremely fast and reasonable priced 3g data plan. My problem is that I really don't want to get Vodafone branded touch pro 2.
So if you know where I could get an unbranded, English touch pro 2 with vodafone NL SIM (don't mind if it's 2 years contract) please help me a bit? I know that I could just buy the phone for the list price and get a SIM-only contract from vodafone but I don't feel like paying 700 hundred euros right now so that's why I'm actually looking for these 2 years contracts.
Thank you very much for your time,
-ili
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Click to collapse
You can get something like that in every dutch telecom shop, both online and IRL. I got an unbranded TP2 with a T-mobile contract from an online shop.
Dank je wel Kassad! Can you recommend any online shops? I've found this smartphoneshop.nl and it seems to be decent one?
smartphoneshop.nl has very good service. I have purchased from them before.
I got mine from www.simshop.nl. They had the best price and have very good service. You pay about 6 euro's for the phone when you get a 2-year subscription of the 27.50 euro (200 minutes or 400 SMS) plan (first year half price) and 9.50 for 3G data. All included I pay 32 euro's a month.
The phone comes unlocked and unbranded, don;t know if they sell the WWE version though (but they answer their mail quite fast so you can always ask).
I'd never take a 2 year subscription. It's a major scam I believe. Without the phone you can have a SIM-only subscription for let's say 15 euro's per month. You pay 17 euro's more per month. That's 12x17 = 204 euro.
I paid 100 euros for a 1 year subscription. So you pay 100 euros more.
A 1 year subscription is always the cheapest. Sometimes a loose phone is cheaper but not always (depends on your client status at the operator). A 2 year subscription is what they make the nice profits from,
I do not know i every single phone is unbranded at KPN.
But i got my two weeks ago and it is unbranded.
Why i chose KPN is they have the best radio connection i my village.
And (correct me if i am wrong) although they aint have the fastest 3g but they are the only one whit ni download limit.
V6-Maniac said:
I do not know i every single phone is unbranded at KPN.
But i got my two weeks ago and it is unbranded.
Why i chose KPN is they have the best radio connection i my village.
And (correct me if i am wrong) although they aint have the fastest 3g but they are the only one whit ni download limit.
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Click to collapse
They never have branded phones is correct.
They certainly don't have a fast internet connection but they do have download limits. It's a fair use policy. They still do not allow streaming. It's getting more and more difficult for them. It's been only since a few months they have allowed you to watch youtube movies. Some people have had serious bills for that because it was streaming according to Hi/KPN.
vdKarel said:
They never have branded phones is correct.
They certainly don't have a fast internet connection but they do have download limits. It's a fair use policy. They still do not allow streaming. It's getting more and more difficult for them. It's been only since a few months they have allowed you to watch youtube movies. Some people have had serious bills for that because it was streaming according to Hi/KPN.
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Click to collapse
I am aware of that streaming is not allowed.
Although i do not stream alot i never got a large bill or warning.
I also use my phone "so now and then" as a modem which is not allowed.
But it is pitty, but only kpn is the only provider i can get here.
Al the rest have a damm bad reception.
Hi,
I'm off to Switzerland shortly on holiday and would really like to take my Desire and use my internet based applications (Endomondo, Picassa etc).
I'm currently with T-Mob who state that data transfer using their SIM cost £7.50 per MB, which I seriously do not want to risk.
Can anyone recommend a cheap (ish) Swiss based SIM card that has a competitive data rate. I've tried Swisscom, Sunrise and Orange, but they are either too expensive (one was 0.10CHF per 20KB!!!) or it doesn't state the cost.
I've noticed there is a Migros shop nearby who sell SIM but they also don't state the data rates.
My fall back plan is to disable data on the phone and let GPS record everything but then only upload when I find a free wifi zone.
Leaving on Sunday so would ideally like to find the answer beforehand.
Really appreciate any help / advice
I can recommend
- Sunrise Prepaid SIM Card
- Sunrise surf
www1.sunrise.ch/Angebot/Sunrise-go-dayflat-pul3bAqFI.obkAAAEkYZFQzDCg-Sunrise-Residential-Site-WFS-de_CH-CHF.html
You will pay 20CHF first and this is directly your prepaid money you can use. For the "Sunrise surf" option you pay 7.50CHF/Month and you have 250MB included.
Best ist if you go to a sunrise shop (Zürich Airport or somewhere else maps.sunrise.ch/shopfinder.php?lang=de&objID=Address&val1=8000&val2=&val3=&val4=) and tell them you want those two things and they will arrange that.
have fun in Switzerland,
Dave
JBristowUK said:
I'm currently with T-Mob who state that data transfer using their SIM cost £7.50 per MB, which I seriously do not want to risk.
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This is incorrect. Since you are on T-Mob UK, you can just get one of their Euro Internet Boosters (see here). According to the FAQ, it is valid in Switzerland.
It's probably more expensive than a local PAYG solution (£10 for 50mb), but it is much better than £7.50 per MB. I'd suggest that you keep mobile internet turned off though unless you actively want to use it to keep the usage down.
Regards
Dave
These are both really useful thanks. I may leave the data off until I can find a sunrise shop. If there isn't one local I'll opt for the T-Mob £10 solution. I've just spoken to them and apparently the phone will prompt me to purchase either of the 3 packages. Makes it quite simple and certainly cheaper than my current charges.
Thank again.
JBristowUK said:
I've just spoken to them and apparently the phone will prompt me to purchase either of the 3 packages.
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Click to collapse
I can confirm that it does work. When I went to France a couple of months ago, I was unable to get email etc on the phone until I'd opened up a web browser and "bought" a Euro Booster.
Regards,
Dave
Hi,
next month i'll move to London for work and i'm starting to look around for a good phone operator with convenient internet data plans.
Since i still don't know how long i'll stay, but i still need a UK phone number, i'd like to buy a sim without contract and pay an extra each month for a data plan.
Any advice is welcome, i was looking on orange and t-mobile sites but i'm sure there're other carriers around the uk.
Thanks in advance
3 are looking good with the One Plan but no idea on what they're like as a company
Sim only contracts can be cancelled at any time with one months notice. They start from £10-15 and you get much more for your money over payg with an internet add on.
I used to be with 3 on a sim only £15 contract, 300 minutes, a gig of internet, and unlimited texts.
I am on the o2 pay as you go network and I top-up £15.00 each month which gives me unlimited internet access and virtually unlimited text messaging. I signed up to this offer some time ago but certain that even now the plan is the same. On the whole I have been with o2 for many years and not encountered any major problems.
Regards
Scott
Three are good but their customer service is horrible. Your best bet is probably O2 as you can get pay and go offers or a month contract.
Orange and T-Mobile have merged and you will be able to use either network. For 3G, Three have the best network, followed by Orange/T-mobile, Vodafone then O2. I have no idea about deals, but whatever deal you go for, you will need a decent signal
Thanks guys
Ok, i'll start looking on Three site then, but if sim contracts can be cancelled with one month notice i'll probably look for one of those then.
EDIT:
T-Mobile plans are interesting, with 10£/month you get a sim with 100 minutes and 100 sms included each month plus one "booster" for free, since i need a data plan with them i can get one for "free".
Looks interesting, atleast i got a base price.
What is the best way to travel abroad with the GNEX? I'm currently on AT&T with an unlocked GNEX and plan on going to France in the next few months. Would it be better to setup international roaming with AT&T or find a prepaid sim from a French cell provider? In my situation, having a solid data connection>voice minutes.
Would the gnex automatically setup the correct APN's for a particular carrier or would they have to be manually entered? Also, since this is a "pentaband" device, wouldn't I be rocking a 3G connection?
A couple of years ago when I visited Israel, I setup international roaming with AT&T which worked flawlessly with my iPhone 3GS, albeit only Edge speeds. What sucked is coming home to an $800 cell bill..lol.
Local SIM > international roaming. The fees are outrageous on roaming. Its even better if all you care about is data. You can get good cheap options with data-only SIMs.
Go with local sim unless you absolutely have to keep your US number in use while you're there.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
romaing agreements arent usually too bad for calls and texts for 'normal usage' - they tend to be next to useless for any sort of data usage.
I am from the UK and get a pitiful 25mb a day when i travel to europe, so data services are usually switched off until i check my email etc or find decent wifi.
So if you are going to need a lot of data usage probably a prepaid local sim is the way to go.
I dont know about france (most of my travel is to italy) but always get your sims from the official stores - not the independent ones (i have waited 3 days for sims to be activated).
you should also be able to just stick the sim in and be good to go.
Thanks for the replies!
Yep your phone will set itself up for the new provider once you insert the new simcard. Failing that you could always ask someone in the shop for the manual settings just in case.
In any case you'd be getting a full 3g or h/h+ service on your GN just like I do in the UK.
Rik.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I use TMoUS. I always just roam. Its a pain to send everyone I would need to a new number. I just eat the cost as part of my trip budget.
Sent from my GSM Galaxy Nexus on TMoUS using Tapatalk
I've been out of the country pretty much the entire time I got my Galaxy Nexus, I've been roaming on Swisscom and using WiFi. I'm going to Paris in a few days and I don't expect to have WiFi so I'm going to get a prepaid data SIM. That's what I did when I went to London earlier this year. I texted over Google voice used Whatsapp, twitter Facebook because I knew I wouldn't have WiFi most of the time. You can also tether to other devices such as a tablet or laptop.
If you do decide to pick up a local SIM card, you will need to bring (as a minimum) your passport to prove to the local government that you aren't hoarding SIM cards and selling them to third world country terrorist organizations. Some places won't even accept cash, and will require a credit card when a non-EU citizen is buying a SIM Card.
...and most of the place you go to buy a simple SIM card are NOT the places you are gonna want to leave your credit card number with. Shop wisely (i.e. T-Mo, Vodaphone, Citrus, etc chain stores...) and keep an eye on your credit card statements.
Check with AT&T as well about switching to an international plan for the length of your duration. They were willing to switch my wife's plan when we moved to Germany, but the rates weren't all that attractive. In the end, we simply just bought a new SIM card as you suggested, as the data limits imposed by AT&T USA in Europe were ridiculously (250M / month).
One more piece of advice, do not expect to "leech" onto open WiFi hotspots with the same frequency as the USA. There is a heightened sense of internet paranoia (in Germany at least) and VERY FEW people leave their WiFi networks open. If you DO happen to find an open WiFi is usually because there is a third party proxy involved in getting a valid IP address.
Good luck and have fun!
Best bet is to use an old dumb phone, setup roaming and put your AT&T sim in there. Then you'll at least receive urgent calls. Then pick up a local Pay as you go sim, and use it in your nexus for data. I personally keep an unlocked nokia 6100 handy, as its small and has great battery life on standby and talk time.
Don't worry too much about all this passport, terrorist business, its NOTHING at all like that. Just walk into any big carrier's store over there and they'll sell you a sim no problem at all. No passport, credit card, or ID needed. If you try and buy 10 or 50 or something they might impose a limit. Its got ZERO to do with terrorists or third world countries, and more to do with GSM gateways where people route minutes using VOIP and GSM boxes. If you only buy 1 or 2 sim cards they won't ask you anything.
There's a few countries in the east and africa where they insist on ID, and that's due to them being used on the black market for crime. I think its fairly obvious france isn't one of those countries lol.
I travel a lot for work, so I know first hand.
EDIT: Yeah you'll get full 3G, and since its a GSM nexus you'll get HSPA+ too. Roaming data is usually over £1 or $1 a mb, so don't even bother. A local sim will probably give you unlimited (possibly capped at 3gb) for a 10 or 20 EURO topup. (haven't checked rates recently).
If you do travel a lot and only need data, you can also pick up a world sim (there's loads of them so check thoroughly), and for a £50 credit per month (about $75) you get unlimited data in most countries.
Europe is great for prepaid sim cards with decent rates for calls and really good prices for data especially if its only for a short while on vacation. Just bring your phone into one of the many cell shops and they will be more than happy to program the new SIM and also add whatever money you want on the card. Too easy. I have separate SIM cards for Germany, Italy and The Netherlands.
While most European countries have a very simple process to get a data enabled SIM, it is almost impossible in France. I tried 5-6 shops during my vacation few months ago with no luck. Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Belgium, Germany were all a breeze (most airports and train stations sold data enabled SIMs for around 10 euros)
Get a local SIM card or use xcomglobal for a MiFi.
I am in Europe often and either way works great.
Skickat från min ASUS Eee Pad TF101
Overseas right now, picked up AT&T international traveller feature and only using WiFi for data with a local backup SIM handy for trips. Just not worth the inconvenience to use two phones personally.
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I am planning a trip to England this summer and possibly France as well. One of the main reasons I purchased the GSM Galaxy Nexus was the pentaband radio and it's ability to work everywhere.
What I would like to know is what plans are you guys (and I think I have seen one lady here as well) who are in Europe are using. I will be looking for a plan that would be good for up to 2 weeks, I don't really care about having too many minutes or text messages but Data is a must. I estimate 2GB of data use when traveling, knowing I will be able to use a lot of hot spots too. Not living there I do not know what the regional carriers reputations are, who has the fastest network etc.
I have been doing a little research and it looks like most carriers offer good prepaid sim only plans, I could just use some local knowledge for this.
Thanks in advance...
bmolloy said:
I am planning a trip to England this summer and possibly France as well. One of the main reasons I purchased the GSM Galaxy Nexus was the pentaband radio and it's ability to work everywhere.
What I would like to know is what plans are you guys (and I think I have seen one lady here as well) who are in Europe are using. I will be looking for a plan that would be good for up to 2 weeks, I don't really care about having too many minutes or text messages but Data is a must. I estimate 2GB of data use when traveling, knowing I will be able to use a lot of hot spots too. Not living there I do not know what the regional carriers reputations are, who has the fastest network etc.
I have been doing a little research and it looks like most carriers offer good prepaid sim only plans, I could just use some local knowledge for this.
Thanks in advance...
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Click to collapse
I'm from Texas and just moved to the UK... I'm sure you will find many great pay&go sim cards..... I prefer o2.... just go to the web site or shop and get a sim... you can bolt on as much data as you need and the calling/sms start around 15 pounds.....
I would recommend Three whilst in the UK if you need lots of data. Their coverage is excellent in most places for 3g/HSPA+ I get 5-7meg in most places I go. Other UK networks aren't that great for data speed.
Go to https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order for a free pay and go SIM.
A £15 add on gets you UNLIMITED DATA, 300mins to UK landlines and any UK mobile network, and 3000 texts for 30 days.
They have other add ons too(make sure to select pay as you go phone). http://www.three.co.uk/Discover/Phones/Get_better_value_with_an_Add_on
It's free to receive incoming calls on any UK mobile network by the way. If you go to France you would be best off finding a SIM card for a french network too as it will cost you to receive calls to a UK SIM card whilst outside the UK.
Hope this helps.
Rik.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
My €0.02...
It also depends on where you're going... 'Europe' is a mish-mash of different countries with different carriers, plans and systems.
If you're travelling to multiple European countries on your visit, and especially if you don't want to change your phone number all of the time, it may just make sense to get a Vodafone pre paid SIM.
Whilst Vodafone aren't the least expensive, they are the most expansive across Europe. Dealing with one company can often just be simpler.
If you get a Vodafone pre paid SIM and load on the "Passport" service you can then buy a data bundle that will work pretty much across Europe at a lower rate (but still somewhat expensive - expect around €10 for 25MB). Casual roaming data rates can be as high as €10 per *single* MB.
I don't think you'll get this flexibility on another carrier but I could be wrong.
Finally... price also depends on where you get your SIM card from in the first instance. With this approach you only buy one SIM and the country where you buy it establishes the price you pay across Europe. If you purchase in Turkey or Greece (for example), you will pay less than if you purchase in the UK or Netherlands (per min and per MB typically).
Edit: Here's an old article... http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/index.php/cheaper-data-roaming-with-vodafone
Thanks for the replies. It is surprisingly overwhelming looking at how many prepaid options there actually are in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. In the States prepaid sims are almost non existant, and when you do find some service that offers it Data is super expensive.
Here is another question. I saw that the 3 Mobile prepaid sims do not allow for tethering. Has anyone with a GN been able to get this to work, or will I have to pay for hotel wifi the whole time? I haven't seen if O2 blocks this, I will have to look into that as well.
Most don't seem to allow tethering on pre pay but they don't disable the option on your phone either(they just stick it in their terms). I think you'll be OK. The worst they can probably do is take off pre paid credit if they found out.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Hi bmolloy, how was your trip?
like u, im planing a trip cross european, basicly france, london, budapest and barcelona; so i have de same cuestion, what is de best option for me?
here in mexico i have an option to contract traveler plan but the cost is huge, is 20MB for 52USD, if i cant find an option y will buy this one.
i will loking into the vodafone options and i imagine i will have to buy that there in europe.
tnks for all guys