Best company in each country to buy a prepaid SIM from

Submitted by brad on Sun, 2005-06-26 21:14

This special forum topic exists to help people identify the best local company to use for a temporary prepaid GSM SIM card when you visit that country. If you research this, put your results here. In particular look for the best results for a short term visitor, who thus won't care much about when the minutes expire and may or may not care when the number expires. A typical cost to compare would be the cost of the card and say 60 to 100 anytime minutes. However, if there is a major difference for somebody planning mostly night/weekend calling, note that.

Here are things to note in your comment:

  • Company and their URL
  • Price for SIM, price for a cost-effective prepaid card
  • Ease of getting the card
  • Other companies to check if this one isn't convenient
  • When will cheapest minutes expire, and how long after that does number expire
  • Can you refill from overseas (ie. with non-local credit card)
  • For comparison, cost of a prepaid account including (probably subsidy locked) phone. This bundle can be cheaper than an unlock and a naked SIM.

Important note: If you have any affiliation with a company you talk about or link to you must disclose it. No affiliate links allowed Furthermore, you must post your prices. (Create an account so you can come back and edit your posting when they change) and they must be one of the best deals out there. We want real information on the best deals, not self-promotion or typical vastly overpriced cards.

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David

Sat, 2006-05-20 07:39

I was just in Japan myself a couple weeks ago and was very surprised to learn that my tri-band GSM phone would not work there.
It turns out cell networks in Japan and S. Korea are in some kind of strange format which is different from everywhere else.
It is possible that there is some way around it, but I didn't find it. My phone was just sitting in my bag most of the time - all it would do is search for network - and fail.
I would rent a phone - definitely.
I suggest doinf so at the airport. That way you can return it there and use it the whole time.

Asia

Thu, 2009-01-22 00:22

Regarding cell service in Japan. If you have a 3g phone you can use it in Japan, you just need to add international roaming service with your?local carrier. But be warned its going to be expensive. I myself have a iPhone 3g (unlocked) and Im trying to look for a prepaid 3g sim card while here in Japan...so far no luck...Softbank offers a prepaid sim card but I have not had a chance to track down a Softbank store...If and when I do Ill check back with my findings.

Btw: At Narita airport there are a few Kiosks that offer to rent 3g sim cards...Im not sure of the names of them but I know one is super expensive and one is pretty cheap. I got to try the sim card and it worked but I didn`t have a credit card to use. They wanted to put a $300- hold on it...oh well...so close but yet so far.

Anonymous

Tue, 2011-03-01 05:39

Asia,

If you're still looking. Softbank has prepaid phones you can buy (you can't buy the SIM by itself). I myself just got another prepaid phone today thinking that I could get data on my unlocked iPhone 4.... Nope! No data whatsoever, so you're basically just getting phone and SMS service.

Prices start at about ¥3000 just for the phone (charger is sold separately which is around ¥1100 and you'll have to get a charge card which is at minimum ¥3000). I'm still looking for a SIM which will give me phone/SMS + data.

brad

Tue, 2006-04-25 01:25

I've never seen a rental that's not a ripoff. Sims can be bought on every street in Japan from what I recall, but I didn't shop. I think you'll do fine. See the algorithms above for finding companies if you want to pre-check on the web.

Arthur

Fri, 2006-08-04 15:07

"I've never seen a rental that's not a ripoff. Sims can be bought on every street in Japan from what I recall, but I didn't shop. I think you'll do fine. See the algorithms above for finding companies if you want to pre-check on the web."
In Japan maybe, but in Europe things are moving...
Check this for Germany:
www.rentmyphone.com

Anonymous

Tue, 2008-08-19 00:55

japan's network is largely CDMA, the only foreign phones that will work are newer 3g models. however it is almost impossible to get a sim card if you are not a resident. renting is a much better short term option.

Anonymous

Thu, 2008-09-11 04:55

Japan's Softbank and DoCoMo are 3G networks running UMTS 2100mhz. 3G phones from most parts of the world roam fine on these two networks, not AT&T Cingular or Telstra as they, for the most part, run UMTS 850mhz.

Anonymous

Sun, 2009-02-01 16:59

There are a few Att phones that will work, you just need to make sure they have the 2100 bandwidth.

Gilles

Wed, 2010-10-27 01:28

In 2008 i was told that only local residents can get phone service in Japan, so my only option was renting a phone. Only partly true. Softbank welcomes foreigners and offers a good phone the 822P. I forgot the price but not expensive. Maybe $60. Certainly worth it if you stay for more than 2 weeks. You can make the phone menu mostly english which helps. In addition, for 300Y a month, you get unlimited email send. You get a free softbank email address anyway. No 3G.
I came back in 2009 and reactivated my service on the spot with a recharge I had bought in 2008.
Now I'm going again and plan to do the same. I checked their website and they still offer the same phone, by the way. They also have newer 3G phones.

Remember that english is rarely spoken in Japan. I went to one of the few recommended branches for foreigners in Harajuku area (big shiny store) and it took some patience. But was worth it.

Number is maintained for slightly more than 1 year, apparently.

Anonymous

Sun, 2006-05-07 03:11

I didn't exhaustively research the options, but did buy two NRJ mobile SIM cards in France. Paid 30 euros for the first one at a tabbaco shop (aka independent newsagent) but found a second one for 15 euros at a small mobile shop in a mall. Both came with about 5 euros worth of call credit. Can't remember the exact rates, but they were reasonable with a discount for in-network calling or texting. As in the UK and perhaps the most of Europe, incoming calls are free.

Orange is also quite popular in France and their SIM cards cost 30 euros as well. There is a Phone Warehouse in France with apparent connections to the UK Carphone Warehouse, but they didn't have any SIMs for less than 30 euros or the great deals on unlocked phones that Carphone Warehouse offers in the UK.

MrG

Thu, 2006-05-11 18:08

Go here: http://www.lefrenchmobile.com/france_mobile_6_months.htm
The basic card is 20 euros and comes with 30 min TT... ,24 Euro/min for in country calls.

YNa

Wed, 2009-01-14 21:43

Dear All,

I am going to france for 12 days. Can anyone recommend me where I can get a sim (cheap price and good coverage)?

Thanks

Jan

Tue, 2010-03-23 14:54

I'm trying to research the data plans available on the prepaid cards, and I'm seein per hour charges. Is there a good prepaid pay-by-the-megabyte plan available? One reference I found is for 45€ for 100MB at Bouygues. That is quite expensive! By comparison, Belgian Base gives you 500MB for 10€.
Does anyone know if there is anything like that in France?

Cheers,

J

brad

Tue, 2010-03-23 19:42

The typical roaming rate for people with postpaid accounts if $15 per megabyte in most countries! So sadly, 45 euros for 100MB is a "very good" price in comparison, a lot of people would be happy to get it. 500mb for 10 euros even better of course.

Though once you leave the country expect it to get worse.

Anonymous

Sun, 2006-05-14 23:40

There is a company in Japan called GoMobile and can be reached at www.gomobile.co.jp
I've recently visited Tokyo on two separate trips and wondered how I would keep in touch and wether or not it would be even possible to get a cell phone while in country. It was only after I returned home to Hong Kong and was browsing an English magazine I'd picked up in Tokyo that I discovered GoMobile. They seem to have excellent rates and high quality phones available with very little hassle involved in the actual transaction of paying for the phone, having it delivered, and ease of use. And for those living in Japan and traveling abroad, there are also packages that are offered.

As for Hong Kong - as other people have posted on this website - it is extremely easy to find temporary SIM cards. In fact, you can simply pick one up from the 7-Eleven on most street corners for 100 HKD to 200 HKD and up to 400 HKD I believe is the limit. These cards are so simple to use and make it possible to have a phone number, text message, voice mail, and other options depending on the actual SIM that you purchase. Phones can also be had quite cheap here in Hong Kong, depending on wether you purchase a brand new phone or something of a model a little older. Obviously, older models, which I may add are fully functional and right out of package, are far cheaper than the newest of those on the market. Most can be had from a huge electronics store called FRONTIER, but one can also find smaller shops where older models can be purchased for under $100 USD. SIM cards purchased in Hong Kong often carry coverage in surrounding countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. This makes it quite easy for anyone traveling on a short vacation to Southeast Asia to have a phone and SIM card.

Hope this helps!

Anonymous

Tue, 2006-05-16 05:51

Hi. My parents are traveling out from Australia for 8 weeks and going to UK/France/Italy/Germany/Spain etc. Can anyone recommend a good/reliable pre-paid SIM card they can use so people back home can contact them and one that works all over Europe?
Thanks in advance.

Jim

Mon, 2006-05-22 08:17

Leaving for France today.. need to get sim card. IN FRANCE .can ANYONE buy a prepaid Sim Card ? If so where? I heard that you had to show local address in France and ID to buy one in France. There are providers on the Net that have the cards.. how do they get them.. or is it easy to stop at some cell phone store and buy a prepaid sim card... Please let me know asap.

Thanks

Steph

Tue, 2006-06-20 15:52

You can get NRJ, Virgin or Debitel without a french address.

Darshak

Sun, 2006-06-18 07:28

Hi Brad,

Great idea & wonderful of you to help people. God Bless YOU!

Could U pls. tell me what are the 2 or 3 best(cheapest!) SIM cards that I can buy in Swizerland to call overseas (mainly Australia!)I will be in Switzerland for only 9 days, totally.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards

Darshak Mehta,
Sydney

Brendan Dwyer

Sat, 2006-07-08 18:27

Hi mate, I am travelling to Toronto and Montreal in late July thru August. I have done some research and it looks like FIDO is the best option for a prepaid SIM. My question is whether or not buying the SIM in Toronto will mean that I pay higher call rates when I am using the phone in Montreal? Toronto is my first stop, so I would obviously like to be contactable there. However I am uncertain if, when I arrive in Montreal and make local calls there,(and because the number I'm using will have a Toronto prefix) I will in fact be charged more per call if the call is deemed to be "long distance?" Hope this does not sound too confusing!!

brad

Sun, 2006-07-09 11:56

Just about every mobile company I have seen considers local calls to be local to the region your phone is physically in. Of course, people calling you pay LD to dial your remote number. For the A and B original cellular companies, there used to be what were called "roamer access numbers" which were local numbers in every city that gave you a dial tone for calling cell phones which were roaming in that city. Use of these has faded away.

But you should be fine with your TO cell phone in Montreal, as long as Fido has good coverage. Fido coverage is less than Rogers, even though they are now a subsidiary. There is a $5/month fee you can add to get the full Rogers coverage.

Lutringer

Fri, 2006-08-04 15:04

Just check this website out: www.rentmyphone.com
Brand new company based in Munich
Remember that with a prepaid sim card the rates are around 2 euros per minute to call to the states. This one starts at 15 cent per minute.
Prices are very flexible depending on quantity and lenght of renting time...
VPN Possible (less than 8 cent from cell to cell)
24/7 Personal service.

Anonymous

Mon, 2006-09-04 23:04

I have purchased a cell ph in Ecuador (during a trip) and would like to activate it in Canada (i.e. buy a SIM card) and keep it as back up cell to be switched on any time is needed

would anyone suggest any method?

cell is a regular NOKIA

Thanks

m

Anonymous

Sat, 2006-12-09 13:19

I have been down the purchase pre paid before going to Canada route before and although the customer service from Rogers was excellent, the coverage that they had was not the same as Telus in certain areas that I visited.

Does anybody know if it is possible to purchase a sim only from Telus before visiting Canada, or should you just buy a pre paid sim when you arrive.

Thanks for any help in this matter.

Graham.

brad

Sat, 2006-12-09 19:45

Telus, and Bell Mobility, are CDMA carriers. They do not use SIM cards. If you have a CDMA phone that supports additional NAMs, you can sometimes add a Telus NAM to the phone, but that's getting harder to do both because fewer phones support the extra NAMs and because even when they do, any vendor-locked phone has funny vendor tweaks in it which make it hard to take it to another carrier, even a non-competing carrier in another country.

For international roaming, GSM is where it's at, even though CDMA is superior technology. Get a cheap, unlocked GSM phone from eBay, from a prepaid vendor or check at your local youth hostel.

Angela

Wed, 2010-01-06 14:24

Telus has now gone 3G so you can get a SIM card now. They also have the best coverage in the Rocky Mountains if you are going to be in Western Canada. Otherwise all providers have equivalent service.

Supachoke Kowong

Sat, 2007-02-17 07:13

THAILAND

You can get a new sim just anywhere (convenient store, department stores and shopping malls). There are 3 networks in Thailand for pre-paid mobile; One-2-Call, Happy and True Move. Each offer different packages at different prices. Call charges are normall most expensive during 5PM to 10PM when traffic is the heaviest. For one-time visitor, I would suggest True Move, cause they normally have the best rate. For frequent visitor, I would suggest you get "SIMPLE" sim from Happy. "Simple" charge 2 Baht per minute 24 hours, and the benefit is that every time you top-up your sim, they will extend your number for 2 years, so you can keep the same number for your next visit. Receiving calls is free in Thailand.

For Traveller to Japan. System used in Japan is CDMA, so you will have to get a quad-band phone to be able to use your phone in Japan. Certain Nokia has this feature.

Dave

Tue, 2008-08-26 19:34

Can I buy a sim card at Suvarnabhumi International Airport?

Raphael

Sat, 2010-06-19 15:25

Yes you can! I bought a Happy card last time I was there.

Bianca

Sat, 2011-03-19 22:29

I have an IPhone 4 which uses a micro sim, do these companies offer the micro sim?

Anonymous

Thu, 2007-04-12 18:28

I have a mobile from Greece (COSMOTE) whose pre-paid card is running out of talk time. I will be in France, and would like to use it. Can I buy a SIM card in France to recharge it? Also, if someone from France needs to call me while I am in France, do they need to dial any digit before the country code of Greece (30)? Any info will be appreciated...leaving tomorrow!!!! Thanks.

David

Fri, 2007-05-04 12:33

This card is like a prepay card but has the rates and features of a postpay card. This is one of the few no-contract cards that lets you get data.

Company and their URL: call4care in USA (www.call4care.us)
Type: naked SIM
Networks used: Uses any available GSM network in USA
Price for GSM SIM: $25 for activation
Cost of minutes: 15c to US and 20c to Europe (40c mobile)
Services: Data (50c per 100kbytes), SMS (15c)
Auto load: $10 per month gives bundled 60 mins of calling
Contract: none - cancel anytime, no termination
Expiry of minutes: 30 days
Expiry of number: never (if no cancelation)
Ease of getting the card: via web - no SSN needed, just credit card
Refill from overseas: (ie. with non-local credit card): yes (auto)
Phone: requires unlocked GSM phone (850/1900MHz)

mkyousuf

Mon, 2009-12-14 05:20

I plan to travel to USA for about a month.
I would be making few calls but would be receiving a lots of calls.
Does anyone know of a pre-paid SIM with free receiving ( no hidden charges)

Veronika

Sun, 2007-05-06 19:12

There are three main GSM operators in Russia: MTS, Beeline, Megafon. You can choose any, each company may provide free SIM cards: the money you pay for SIM will be put to your account. The minimal price is usually not higher than 10$. There are always new tariffs available, so the terms of card's availability period may vary. You can also experience difficulty paying by credit card. There are specialized shops everywhere in the city, in which you can buy the SIM card. Passport may be required.

Anonymous

Tue, 2008-12-16 09:48

I can't find where to purchase an MTS prepaid sim, only Megafone. I need MTS as I heard someone had an locked iphone 3g from the us, went to russia and put in an MTS sim and the phone worked as MTS is an approved carrier of the iphone.

Any truth to that and where can I buy an MTS prepaid sim?

yuri

Sat, 2010-06-05 12:17

If you are going to use your phone in russia outside moscow- the roaming rate will drain your prepay much much faster than you would think. So, if you are not going to stay in moscow, but mostly in some other place- get your phone/sim card there, not in airport. On the beeline last february, with a prepay of 500 rubles (~$20), after I flew to Tomsk, it was enough for about 20 minutes. Being used in the US to no roaming fee anywhere, I didn't expect that, and the kiosk who sold me the card at the Domodedovo airport, didn't tell me about it, even though I asked them if it's going to work over there. It worked alright until money ran out.

Anonymous

Tue, 2007-06-19 19:03

How would I go about buying a SIM card so I can use my New Zealand bought phone in Canada?

brad

Tue, 2007-06-19 21:10

You need the phone to be unlocked. There are shops all over most towns who will do that for you for $20 to $30, and others around the web who will do it if you trust them to send the phone. For many phones you can buy unlocking software on ebay if you have the download cable, but a lot of that software is pirated, so be sure of the reputation of your seller. In some cases your local carrier will give you the unlock code if you just say you are going out of the country. T-mobile did that for me.

Next, you just go to a Fido store or Rogers store. Fido stores are a bit harder to find, but they have a page on their web site to find them. Ditto Rogers, which is a bit more expensive than Fido but otherwise the same. There you can buy a SIM and some initial airtime for it.

Mukesh Sundaram

Wed, 2007-06-20 22:38

Can be bought at any roadside shop that exhibits a mobile company logo (Airtel, Reliance, Hutch, Spice, ...).
You are required to provide a photograph, an address, and a proof of that address. Technically, the address can be anywhere in the world. Practically, it would be best to have it in India (and for this reason, getting a local acquaintance would be the way to go). The government has become stricter about the photo and proof in light of recent security situations, and the phone companies comply.

Prepaids are useable in a "circle" which is usually a state in India. So, if you buy your prepaid in Bangalore, you would be roaming if you go to Chennai, Mumbai or anywhere outside the state of Karnataka. Airtel & Reliance have the best coverage. Others are not as widely deployed, but are probably a bit cheaper.

When within the home "circle," inbound calls are free. Outbound calls are Rs. 1-2 per min (which works out to be about 1.25-2.5c/min) anywhere in India. Calling the US or other international destinations works out to be around 20c/min--your mileage will vary. Roaming charges apply to both inbound and outbound calls. Outbound calls when roaming cost a bit higher.

Practically speaking, if you spend any time in India, get a local SIM card and make sure you have a tri-band unlocked phone.

It is most useful to have a mobile phone when using a local hired car (which comes with driver). The driver usually has a cell phone, but is loath to make calls to you. You can call him if needed. However, the "missed" call concept works well--indicate to him that you are ready for pick up by letting it ring twice before hanging up.

Mudit

Sun, 2009-04-26 22:24

Security situation has meant that you ought to have an Indian address and Id before applying for a SIM Card. Additionally, they require the address to be of the same city/circle for which you are seeking the connection. Like for example, if you are in Delhi and require a SIM Card for your India trip, you have to provide Delhi address in your name(or the person's name in whose ID you're getting a SIM Card).

if you're a first time foreigner and do not know anyone in India who can do this for you (for an Indian with a Photo, ID and address proof it takes less than 5 minutes to get a new SIM!!), its better to opt for a card from some company who can lease it out to you. You can try Matrix- A company that probably sells this to you.

And yeah, almost all networks are decent (AIRTEL, VODAFONE and RELIANCE-CDMA/GSM are the leading providers though). Cheapest are always those are launched recently (AIRCEL for example in Delhi!!)

Happy Talking!!

YOGA for ALL

Sun, 2009-12-06 21:33

I have had many sim cards in India with many companies. I even now hold a BSNL 7 year sim that I bought for less than $7 and came with talk time to boot! I've been told by many that this card also has free roaming throughout the country but I have newer seen it actually work in that way because I prefer to use AIRTEL for most of my calling. The 7 year card gives me a back up working where AIRTEL doesn't and working for me when I land to call friends for pickup.

I absolutely despise Vodafone and do not recommend but for a short time, who cares. Mudit is correct about the strictness of the companies due to government. You can buy a card and activate it with skimpy ID's but it will work only for a couple of days at best (outgoing) and probably a week incoming if the company isn't satisfied with your paperwork. They will pay you a visit at your address to see if you really live there. You might be able to do a hotel but don't count on it working out for long unless the hotel has a success rate.

AIRTEL has special international packages for calling USA and everywhere else. Beginning 2009 I called USA on a card costing RS/100 ($2+) and received something like 40 minutes talk time, anyway whatever it was it was ridiculously affordable. You won't get this with the other companies. They also have unlimited data plans for $7/month and the same plan can connect your laptop to the Internet over blue tooth if you have a phone that will do that. AIRTEL is more affordable for both data plans and normal local calling. All simm cards give free incoming calls for the life of the simm as long as you are still in the home state.

If you're going to travel with the same simm, be sure to top it off before you leave home state. Leaving the state will put you on roaming costs incoming & outgoing but most of all you may not be able to add talk time to your simm or you may but it might not be guaranteed to work and once you spend the money it's gone.

There is customer service in India and sometimes they will do a lot for you but compared to CS in USA forget about it.

**Note**: This user has indicated he retracts the positive review after negative experiences with AirTel.

Sandy

Wed, 2010-01-20 11:50

Is it possible to buy a sim card here in the US before going to India?

Anonymous

Tue, 2007-06-26 08:26

For Ireland, go with meteor if you are going to do a lot of international sms as their rate is half that of other providers. I wouldn't really recommend any of the networks for international call rates, but meteor is better than others on that too

I've heard that their coverage isn't so good in more remote areas, but I was based in Dublin so it was fine.

an added bonus is they have an agreement with t-mobile in the UK that gives good rates there, you just have to make sure you tell them you want to access their good UK roaming rates (this is important if you'll be going over the border to northern ireland, as much as if you'll be going to england etc)

david

Sun, 2008-06-15 16:55

I'll second the recommendation for Meteor. Not only did it work well at a reasonable price but it' super easy to buy more minutes as you need them either at all kinds of retail stores or the Gazillion Meteor shops in most towns.

Johnny

Mon, 2011-07-04 09:26

Meteor abolished their roaming charges for roaming in Europe completely a couple of months ago, so they're even more of a bargain at the moment, cheap sim card too.

So for example if you were planning on travelling across Europe for the summer, you could pick up a meteor sim and use it liberally in all European countries and still pay the same as you would in Ireland.

Hopefully other networks will follow their lead.

brad

Fri, 2011-07-15 21:19

It does look like a good plan, though data seems to be 99 cents/mb while roaming. Much better than US rates but not as good as many euro data roaming plans I have seen which are about 50 cents.

Anonymous

Wed, 2007-07-04 08:09

Anyone know of a good place to buy a sim in Portugal? I'll be in the Porto/Braga area. My phone is quad-band and already unlocked.
Thanks!

brad

Sat, 2008-02-02 19:42

On a recent trip to Germany, I chose the smobil SIM available at Schlecker drugstores. The stores are everywhere. At the time they had a 2 for 1 deal on their regular SIM deal, which is 15 euros with 10 euros of airtime. The 2 for 1 was a fabulous deal, and the really good thing about it was that they only charge 1 cent/minute for on-network calls for the first 30 days, so since we got 2 SIMs for our two phones, we could all each other for effectively nothing. This is handy if you often use cell phones as a couple to meet up after you go in two directions, or if you lose each other. However, there is no English documentation.

(However, if this is all you need you may simply look for a plan that has affordable texting between the two of you, which smobil also does.)

Some other good SIMs to look at include tchibo, which includes unlimited on-network for 4 euros and 89 cents to the USA. Most companies are quite expensive for calls out of Europe, up to 2 euros/minute. One exception is the blauworld SIM which is sold in the airport, it is 9 cents/minute to the USA or other countries with the ever-sneaky 15 cent connection charge. However, if you think most of your calls will be to your home country, this is a good one to look up. Blau has a regular card too, with 20 euros credit for 20 euros, ie. a free SIM.

The MVNOs seem to do much better deals on a short term SIM, in particular wrt how much credit you get when you buy the SIM. In the end you largely care about how many minutes to the places you want you get for the price of the SIM, since you may never refill.

When I went to Austria, smobil charged me 58 cents to make calls, 29 to receive. Not too bad. Of course, calling European mobile phones is always expensive from the USA, 30 US cents/minute is about as cheap as you will find it.

Rick

Sat, 2008-02-23 19:34

Prepaid SIM cards can be bought at just about every neighborhood grocery or supermarket; Globe and Smart are the best providers. A SIM usually should cost no more than 100 pesos; it can be reloaded for any amount over 10 pesos.

Donna traveling

Sat, 2008-02-23 22:20

I have a GSM unlocked phone. I am travelling to Argentina and Chile in about two weeks. Should I buy a SIM card before I leave or wait and buy it there? I looked at a couple of sites for buying SIM cards online for specific countries. Most seem to be based in the USA. I am in Canada. There isn't time to get the SIM card delivered before I leave unless I pay significant shipping charges to ensure speedy arrival.

Any comments would be most welcome. Thanks in advance

Shannon

Mon, 2008-03-10 14:41

I am traveling from the USA to Romanina this summer and want to take my t mobile phone but just want to buy a prepaid sim card. I sure don't want to use the t mobile intnational from here as I will be broke. Any body know if they sell them in the airports or where at?

Thanks

Anonymous

Wed, 2010-05-19 08:46

Hi,

In Romania you can get Orange, Vodafone or Cosmote prepaid;
The best choice is to buy Orange, it is around 5USD the prepaid SIM card with some credit on it.
You can buy it from airport or from any newspaper or orange shop or any shop with the Orange sign on it.
The best part with Orange you can activate a offer(bundel) with 5 EURO/month so you'll have
100 national or international minutes+25 national SMS(international minutes only on fixed line in Europa and fixed line +mobile in US and Canada). If not used minutes expire 1 month after activation.
To change language *100*9# =>select your language
To activate bundel *100# =>choose offer=>nat +int=>100 natand internat+25 sms or ask someone from orange shop to do it for u
Check credit *133#

enjoy talking

Babs

Wed, 2008-06-04 12:52

What is the best prepaid simple card in Poland with easy capability to increase minutes. Am I better buying the SIM card in Poland Vs. buying them in the US?

Omar Khan

Tue, 2008-07-15 06:14

Hi, in the UK we have sim-only deals, which are like packages with contracts, i.e. free minutes for a fixed-rate per month. You do not receive a phone, just the sim-card, and in exchange the user is only tied into a one-month contract and can leave the company at any time once latest bill is paid.

I am interested to know if any such deals exist in France.

Please note that I am not interested in:

- long-term contract packages with a mobile phone included; nor
- pre-paid credit sim-card only offers.

Thanks.

Anonymous

Tue, 2008-07-22 13:49

Do I need a specail SIM card to use my phone as a modem in Canada? Just got a Treo 650 GSM to use internationally. Hopefully I can download email from a US number through my phone. Has anyone done this?
Many thanks!

Anonymous

Wed, 2008-08-13 20:47

Going on a short (one week) trip to Ecuador and I would like to know the best place to get a sim card. It needs to work in Tena, Ecuador for calls to the USA. Any advise would be appreciated.

Little Scruffs

Sat, 2008-08-16 07:44

Hi, My daughter is going to Italy for a month in September. Should she take an unlocked pay as you go phone and purchase sim card there and what sort of cost would it be. If we text her is it local rate or if we phone her? thank you in advance

Joe

Thu, 2008-10-30 14:42

Does anyone know the best way to go about getting the best deal on a pre-paid SIM card for calls within Italy and back to the USA from Italy? The options I have found to purchase them prior to my departure are not that great of a deal. I hear you can buy them in Italy as well for perhaps a better rate. I leave in a few days, so any prompt help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Jane

Thu, 2008-11-27 17:19

Can I use the 3G phone i bought in Australia in Japan. If so, how easy is it to by a pre-paid japanese sim card in Japan? are they available at Narita airport? Or will I simply have to use very expensive global roming on my 3G phone? thanks

Mark from Canada

Fri, 2009-01-09 12:42

I have an unlocked world phone and a Fido prepaid sim. I am willing to switch to a monthly plan. I will be traveling to the Czech Republic in the spring. I want to have a working cell phone with me so I can make both local calls and calls back home (Canada). I may be interested in having a mobile data plan too. Allot of decisions remain unmade.

My question is: Would it be better to switch to a monthly plan with Fido and just bring my phone OR, ... would it be better to purchase a prepaid 'Go' sim from the Czech Rep.

BTW, the instructions with the 'Go' sim is for me to wait until I arrive at my final destination and then insert the sim and activate on the phone. Minutes are good for 90 days?+/-. Cost $53.00USD with $22.00USD balance on sim.

Please help this GSM Noob.
-Mark

brad

Sat, 2009-01-10 13:19

But you can usually, especially in places like Eastern Europe, buy a SIM from shops on the street for a fair bit less than $53. The only problem may be whether the vendor has good English, and whether the manuals for the phone company are availble in English. Check on the web to see all the GSM providers in the town.

You will pay a lot less for your local calls, and probably a lot less for your calls back to Canada, enough to make it worth it if you plan to use many minutes. Still, for calls back to Canada you are better off using Skype or similar from your laptop.

Megan

Wed, 2009-01-14 16:59

Telestial is horrible.
I see many recommendations for telestial. I want to share our story so others won't share our fate. Our daughter purchased a Motorola v600i with Passport Plus plan from Telestial for use on a trip as an intern in Uganda working on TB research. She chose this phone after careful consideration because she would need the phone in London for a few days, then Dubai and then Uganda. She worked on line and with calls to the company who assured her the phone would work in Uganda.She arrived to find her cell phone did not work. On Sunday morning we called Telestial in Boston (since she can't call) and, with our daughter on chat (sporadic internet service), worked through a number of proposed solutions, none of which worked. The support person said a technician was required The call never occurred, nor did they call me as the additional point of contact to say the call would not happen.

Once I called the company back, they said the technician really would call so we set up a chat near a phone in an office with somewhat regular phone service. They called back to say that, despite their website stating they carried service in Uganda and multiple assurances from their phone reps that they carried service in Uganda, it seems they actually don't. Her phone is useless. o
I called Telestial to see about the refund and it was denied by management (with no contact to us), who refuses to discuss issues with customers. The only way to get a refund is to pay international shipping charges from Uganda, and wait for the phone to arrive back in US, if it ever does. Telestial recommends not sending from Uganda.

So, a young woman is stranded in Uganda with no working cell phone due to false advertising and a poor customer support network. The cell phone was for safety reasons while traveling in the field. All calls and help were generated and coordinated by us. Telestial takes no ownership of the problem they created and are keeping hundreds of dollars hostage, nor do they want to see an equitable or appropriate outcome to a bad situation.

I strongly recommend not using any Telestial product.

Sultan

Wed, 2009-06-10 23:00

Apparently, Telestial does not have a roaming agreement with the operator in Uganda. This is a problem no technician can solve. It is a process that takes good amount of time and testing before launching the service.
The best choice for your daughter would have been to take a Thuraya satellite phone or Thuraya dual mode (sat/GSM) phone. It works in London, Dubai and Uganda. She could use her own GSM sim card in which case she would be roaming in Thuraya. Roaming in Thuraya is on the average lower than roaming into other GSM or mobile network. If in doubt however whether her national GSM SIM service provider has a roaming agreement with Thuraya, she could use Thuraya SIM with a Thuraya number. The beauty here is that she will be carrying the smallest satellite phone in the world, they say, with one number that works everywhere in the coverage. You could check www.thuraya.com for coverage and roaming partners.

Karen

Fri, 2009-01-16 18:05

My daughter will be travelling to Switzerland next month for a 3 month school exchange. What would be the suggested, most reasonably priced, prepaid SIM card?

forSwitzerland

Tue, 2009-05-19 19:07

I think its fairly standard...

At the airport (e.g. Zurich) and other major spots there is a cell phone shop whose name I forgot (NOT Vonage although they may have it too) that sells SIMs using the Swiss national telecom company's service. Any airport employee is likely to know where it is.

The voice charges seemed reasonable at the time (a year or 2 ago). (Data charges at the time seemed cheap but turned out to be confusing and not cheap in practice.)

Jean

Sun, 2009-01-18 16:17

Hi

I am travelling to the UK, with a stop at Kuala Lumpur. I have one phone locked to Optus prepaid and the other unlocked.

If I use the locked Optus phone - can I receive calls from Oz?
I just want to ring the phone and hang up so my family can call me on a landline and vs/vs.

The unlocked phone - what would the best sim to buy in the UK before I go, so I will know my number?

The UK sim will be used to make/receive calls in the UK mostly.

Is there a carrier in the UK that has cheap local rates and rates to Oz?

Thanks in advance for your valued advice, regards Jean

Anonymous

Mon, 2009-02-09 07:34

Talk Mobile have a sim card where you can call Australian landlines for 4p a minute. You can buy them at a store called Carphone Warehouse, which is a big chain on most high streets.

Joseph Steinmaier

Thu, 2009-02-05 04:38

For Germany I got a Blau prepaid SIM-card, provided by www.germansimcard.net
The coverage in the cities is excellent and I had everywhere 3G network.
It is very important for me having always an internet connection and the data plan is also very convenient.

All networks 9 cent/min
SMS 9 cent
1 MB 0.24/cent
1 GB 9.90 euro
You can refill the credit with bank transfer (takes 5 days)

Compubit

Thu, 2011-04-07 19:06

I recently bought a Blau SIM at Saturn in Munich - after some angst on getting it activated (the instructions had 2 different addresses to go to - and I went to the wrong one...), I was able to setup my account and add my US-based credit card to it and top it up with no problem. Coverage was great in cities - but on the train between Munich and Berlin (and Munich and Füssen, and Munich and Salzburg) - coverage was only in the cities (out in rural areas, I might have voice, but 3G was long gone...). I also have a Vodafone Sim - better coverage, but higher rates...

I'm happy with both - and I know I have a German number I can use - just have to remember to use the phone twice in the next year. I figure a 1 Euro/month text isn't bad to keep the phone active (if I do it monthly...).

Jim

Jean

Tue, 2009-03-10 17:42

Hi
Two people from Australia, travelling to Kuala Lumpur and UK seeking info for a sim for UK and Malaysia, to use with an unlocked Nokia.
Can you please tell me the best sim for receiving calls free and making local calls in the UK?
To save money on international calls, my family could ring my mobile, then I call them back with a landline pre-paid card.
Is this the best way to go?
Two of us are travelling, so cheap call from mobile to mobile would be good too.
Thanks in advance!
Regards Jean

Emms

Sun, 2009-03-22 21:24

Hi y'all.

I'm moving to Australia for a year, so I'm trying to decide whether or not to get a SIM card here (mailed to me here in Vancouver from eBay) or to just pick up there.

On a slight sidebar, I picked up a fantastic phone that is a Quad band GSM cell phone (able to use in all countries around the world) that holds two SIM cards at once so I don't have to keep switching back and forth. I got it off a nice ebay store http://stores.shop.ebay.com/x-man0802__W0QQ_armrsZ1 with a really nice guy who runs it- Daniel, just bent over backwards to help me.

Anyhow. I found many cards on eBay: Telstra, Optus , Virgin Mobile, Vodafone all for very cheap.

The thing is how to choose, how to know what is good. It will be for a year so I want a phone number that will last me the year. I also want to be able to top up online (bank payment through a local bank) or credit card (my card will be Canadian)or be able to get more minutes in some easy way.

I may be travelling more so any advice on cards for Trinidad, UK, China, or New Zealand will help also.

Thanks

E

Anonymous

Sat, 2011-01-15 16:41

GoTalk do cheap international calls and free gotalk to gotalk mobile.You can buy and topup online.

Andrew

Sat, 2009-03-28 05:42

My Friend came to visit me here in the DR and the charge for an emtpy sim card was going to be 20usd. We were able to buy a entire phone for only 12usd with 9usd credit. That is only 3usd for a brand new phone. The company is called CLARO.

Peterjohn

Fri, 2009-05-01 10:15

I have rented mobiles when in Japan and found that the instructions that came with the thing and the cell interface was in Japanese. It became very painful to use the mobile and it was very expensive. They are obsessed with playing games on the darn things and every time you turn it on, its tempting you to a game or cartoon. They had a huge deposit required and I felt like I was carrying a gold brick around in my pocket.

Now days, when in Japan about once a year, I just revert back to old days and walk around naked without a cell in my pocket and stick to Skype. The Japanese are very resourceful in finding out where you are if they want.

Verizon, my home carrier, claims that their international roaming service now works on a quad band device. Verizon is okay for those calls to clients and traveling companions to let them know about an appointment or where you standing at the train station, but the costs are prohibitive for longer calls. Also, if you forget to turn the mobile off during the night, you'll get incoming call from the USA at 3:00am from those you forgot to tell that you are in Japan. The new Verizon Storm, competitor to Iphone, is supposedly a quad band and I'm told by V that it works in Japan. Well, if true, this a leap forward.

Finally, I think my Verizon international tri band now works in Korea.

Best,
Peterjohn

Nick

Sun, 2009-05-03 02:57

I'm an Australian who recently came back from the states, i was there for a short period of time and my aussie SIM card was not roaming enabled so I had to get a prepaid SIM from states, within international terminal where I arrived the only shop I could see was T-Mobile and the cheapest option was to get a $69USD pre-paid sim card and use it in my own mobile phone
within two days only credit balance became zero, I've only called australia for maybe around 5 minutes or so, my family used to call me the most, and as soon as credits become zero, I was not able to receive any calls which was a real surprise for me, that's not how pre-paid works in Australia, even if you don't have credits you can still receive calls in here, tried to recharge my mobile online using hotel's wifi connection but T-mobile's stupid website kept asking me to enter 5 digit post code number and choose an american state even tho i had Australia chosen as country.. tried to do it over the phone and their customer service with their hard to understand Spanish accent after half an hour told me that they can't process foreign issue credit cards..
anyway I ended up in another T-mobile shop and got $50 credits and didn't ever call Australia again and let my family to call me only when it's really necessary...
by the way, when I went to shopping centres I checked out mobile phone stores and saw a lot of pre-paid [SIM+mobile phone+some credits] packages by different providers for around $50 bucks and that's when I understood how rip off T-mobile is

stay away from T-mobile

and a piece of advice for travellers coming to australia, if you are going to stay mainly in city/metro areas, Optus is a good choice however if planning to travel around the country defiantly get Telstra

brad

Sun, 2009-05-03 12:18

Cell phone companies tend to rip you off on calls overseas. This is particularly true in the USA/Canada where local customers either make almost no overseas calls, or are immigrants who make more and care about it. Because so many don't care the price is often huge, and you have to shop for plans that do a better job.

I have found that everywhere I have bought SIMs they have had the annoying rule of requiring a local credit card as an anti-fraud mechanism. You have to go into the shops and buy refill cards. Fortunately they are common.

One way around the overseas charges is to also get a calling card (also sold in all the shops) but that is a pain to use. Another alternative is to use something like rebtel.

Catriona

Thu, 2009-06-11 09:03

Hi, I am going to Germany and Netherland for a month. I will call back to Australia but mostly to Hong Kong. I am now using Optus pre-paid. Any pre-paid sim card can work both in Netherland and Germany or will it be cheaper to have two separate local sim card? Can I buy the prepaid sim cards in Perth before I leave? My mobile is Sony Ericsson's W800i.

Thanks!

Jon

Tue, 2009-07-14 06:15

For Spain you can pick up SIM cards at www.SIMsforSpain.com

The Best SIM card for Spain is the Lebara SIM card (www.lebara-mobile.es), it's easy to use and easy to register. Offers great rates in Spain and to the rest of the world. If you need Data than the MasMovil SIM card (www.masmovil.es) offers amazing data rates and also low cost calling

Current rates for these SIM cards, and mostly all the pay as you go SIM card for Spain can found at www.SIMsforSpain.com

Bexta

Mon, 2009-08-17 23:07

Hi everyone,

Heading to Europe (from Australia) for 8 weeks and will be all over the place really - not just one or 2 spots. Need a prepaid sim card that I can also use my (unlocked) iPhone and use the data capabilities to update Facebook and travel blog, etc whilst on the travels!

I think predominantly I'll be texting, and occasionally making a call back home. Need something where I can recharge relatively easy all over Europe...

Any suggestions? I leave in 5 weeks...so need help quick! :)

Thanks,
Bex

Anonymous

Wed, 2010-01-20 08:44

I cant answer the all over europe question but I can say the all consider themselves 'small independent eu nations' and you get into roaming if you go from say spain to portugal to france. I found it extremely easy however to just jump to a new sim in each place i went. But I would imagine that vodaphone might cover most over your territory...
anyone?

Anonymous

Sat, 2009-08-22 09:05

There's now a better option than the card for making long distance phone calls. The TracFone, to be had at Walmart and serviced for about $45 a month, lets you make calls to over 100 countries at local US rates. And it covers all of North America, which means Mexico, the US and Canada. This means that it allows you to set up a local number in either of the three countries and call another TracFone while billing as US local calls. Great value for cheap calls in one third of an entire continent!

:)

Fri, 2009-09-04 13:35

As an expat pommie, when I last visited the UK I got a Lebara SIM, which seems to me to offer the best rates by quite a long way. Their domestic call and text rates are good, but best of all are their international rates, which are similar to what you get from a calling card or skype but you can dial abroad direct from your mobile. Since they are aimed at the 'ethnic' market the main outlets for these SIMs and topups seem to be independent convenience stores - in the UK there used to be a term for this kind of outlet, but it's certainly not appropriate (and it's not 'corner shop') - internet cafes, those places that will unlock your phone for you, etc, and you can also topup at supermarkets and anywhere with that green topup logo.

Lebara is also available in some other European countries too (like Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, other places beginning with S maybe?).

I noticed recently that Lebara is now also available in Australia with similarly great rates (although I'm not sure what network they use, which is always something important to consider in oz as reception can be poor on certain networks in some areas).

Now the USA....jeezus what a rip-off - let me get this right.....you pay for receiving texts?!

Rachel

Tue, 2009-09-08 13:14

Hi,

I'll be in Spain for about a month. I've been looking for a way to pre-pay for a cell-phone that will allow my boyfriend and parents to call me inexpensively from the U.S. (or for me to call them from Spain). I am having a lot of trouble comparing the rates and there doesn't seem to be any way to just buy minutes and a phone and be done with it. Any advice?

-Rachel

Anonymous

Fri, 2009-09-11 23:46

Hello,

Going to be in Greece for 2 weeks and trying to figure out affordable data plans. AT&T wants $200 for 200 MB per month. What is my best bet?

If I want to buy a prepay or pay as you go sim card any suggestions or advice? How easy are they to find?

Totally lost about this and flight is Sunday! Any help is greatly appreciated.

Mindy

Anonymous

Wed, 2010-06-09 11:37

Mindy,

I am curious what eventually happened with your trip. I have the exact same needs and I would be very appreciative of any advice you (or anyone else) can share.

Thanks,

Joe

Dianne

Tue, 2009-09-22 00:42

Going overseas for a couple of years i need to unlock iphone, to get a sim card, anyone have any ideas how to that, Thanks

Spokane

Thu, 2009-10-15 13:42

Can the Simm card be easily purchased in Paris?

Anonymous

Sat, 2009-11-21 20:22

We at www.universalsim.com offer the product you will all love, get an international cell phone package that includes a unlock GSM cell phone and a global Sim card with coverage in 220 countries, so you can travel the world with one phone and one phone number. about pricing it might be a bit more expansive in some countries than the local Sim card, but the convenience of getting USA support and you don't have to worry about refilling your international cell phone with more minutes and you don't have to buy a Sim card in every country you visit makes it unique . get Free incoming calls in 80 countries and calls beck to the USA is only 0.59 cents a minute in most countries.package starts at $39.00 that includes a international cell phone and global Sim card this is the most convents way to go today

brad

Sun, 2009-11-22 12:49

The rates are quite a bit more than domestic SIMs so people had better value not having to buy highly.

Anonymous

Fri, 2010-01-15 14:28

I'm in Aus and there are numerous Pre-paid services that give you value for money, and their sites are heaps easier to explain what your paying for.

Check out each of these to see which plan best suits your travelling;
Vodafone - www.Vodafone.com.au
Telstra - www.Telstra.com.au/Telstra+Pre-paid
Virgin - http://www.virginmobile.com.au/mobile-plans-pricing/pre-paid-plans/
Woolworths - http://www.everydaymobile.com.au/edmobile/wps/portal/mobile
Optus - https://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_woRHS&FP=/personal/mobile/prepaidmobile/callingoffersandrates&site=personal
or even Crazy Johns - http://www.crazyjohns.com.au/prepaid/

I personally use Optus Pre-Paid with the Turbo Cap, you pay $30 but get $400 worth of value, the rates are a little higher than telstra (the other leading brand), however, for me, as a local, that $30 lasts at least a month and I use my phone everyday for calling, if you were just texting it would last heaps longer. The expiry is 30 days but you can top up for as little as $10.
If you are travelling aruond the service is pretty good nation wide, you don't need to get a new phone for every state.

Another thing to note is that you can buy a sim almost anywhere; in the branded phone stores, super markets, news agent, 7/11 or convenience stores and any petrol service stations. Top ups are easy as well, even online.

Best of luck and happy travelling

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