Ok, now how do I add more time to my Norwegian SIM card (Telenor RingKontant) from outside Norway? I just discovered that Telenor will no longer accept a US credit card on their website, which was how I paid for my last refill. I will not be in Norway before the number expires if I don't reload -- which is in a couple of days. Obviously I should have reloaded on my annual trip in February; that not being the case, any brilliant ideas from the collective font of wisdom?
Is there any cheaper way to get an Italian SIM before arriving in Italy than something like Telestial ($40 with 5 Euro airtime)? And is there a way to add airtime to the card before arriving in Italy?
I know it's much cheaper there but I'd really like to get my parents set up with a phone and service so that they don't have to deal with anything. I also gather that getting a SIM in Italy may be slightly complicated because of regulations requiring you to have a special fiscal code as well as show passport id. So I just want to find the cheapest way to get everything set up in advance. I looked on ebay and it didn't seem to be much cheaper and would ship from Italy so might be too late.
Just used the SIM card from free global SIM for the first time on a two week trip (freeglobalsim.com and about a dozen other sites that all look the same but have different names). It was time for me to get a roaming card instead of country by country leaving with wasted minutes, I need to be reachable, but don't make or get many calls.
You don't pay for the card, only the airtime, which was a draw for me.
Isle of Mann telephone number, decent rates, free incoming in many places, all the usual stuff.
With the exception of Mother's Day, Sunday the 13th the card worked flawlessly, never had a problem getting or receiving calls. Voice mail worked, etc. Mother's day there was a delay of about 45 minutes for the calls to go though, but as that's an insanly busy phone day I'm not overly concerned about that, all the others went through in seconds.
My only hassle with them was their customer service, which pretty much didn't exhist. I got the SIM, but they send the phone number and PIN number separatly, didnt' get those. Many e-mails, and several phone calls, still they wouldn't respond. An e-mail to their credit processor saying I was going to reverse the charge if they didn't get me the information I needed to use the thing had an answer the next day.
So if you have time to deal with the back and forth if you don't get the number and PIN, it's a good deal, if you need something to work out of the box with no time to waste, I'd probably consider something else next time.
Hi,
I suggest to buy a prepaid SIM card in Europe.
You can choose the best rates and offers and avoid paying 50$ for something that can be bought for 5-10$.
Programs: United Premier Exec, AA Gold, Marriott Silver, Hilton Gold, Continental Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,039
Whats the best SIM for traveling the UK, and really using 3g? I am going to be using voice back to the US a bit, but mostly using the net with my N95...do any of these prepaid SIMs come with good 3g data costs?
I will be in the UK--London prior to going on to Paris and then returning back to UK-London to finish up a vacation. I would like to buy a SIM (that preferably) works in both places (but am willing to buy sep cards if i have to). I have a Motorola GSM Razr V3 unlocked phone and all I think I need now is the right SIM. My unlocked phone has no other service attached to it, I have the phone for only travel purposes. From what I have read in this thread I should buy the card when I arrive in Europe (and seems UK maybe cheaper). After reading the thread I still have a few questions (and this is my first experience with using any cell in Eurpore)...Thanks
1. Why do they require the passport? I have read that one should come prepared with a Xerox of the passport with the hotel address 'cut and pasted' or added.
2. Are the SIMS universal (physically fitting all phones--and your focus should be buying the best plan/service SIM card)?
3. It seems Orange comes up the most, any thoughts here?
4. After I put the SIM in will they provide instructions on what to do next, I have read on some sights that you have to dial a code to get it started. But this advice does not seem to be universal.
1. Why do they require the passport? I have read that one should come prepared with a Xerox of the passport with the hotel address 'cut and pasted' or added.
Some countries require positive ID to issue a phone. Many of the roaming sims do not. In italy for example, the information on your passport is used to generate your unique "ID" number
Quote:
2. Are the SIMS universal (physically fitting all phones--and your focus should be buying the best plan/service SIM card)?
Any sim should work in any unlocked phone. There are a few that are not compatible with a few very specific models, but those are mostly the roaming ones that are call back sims (you call a number, it dials you back when it's ready to make the call)
Quote:
4. After I put the SIM in will they provide instructions on what to do next, I have read on some sights that you have to dial a code to get it started. But this advice does not seem to be universal.
Some sims require a pin code every time the phone is turned on, others do not. It's not a problem if getting it in an english country, but at the very least, try to get the menus in english if you don't understand the language the sim wants to be in.
There is usually a little card with dialing instructions, voice mail instructions, etc.
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Costco General Member
Posts: 19,318
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jet City Woman
Hello,
I will be in the UK--London prior to going on to Paris and then returning back to UK-London to finish up a vacation. I would like to buy a SIM (that preferably) works in both places (but am willing to buy sep cards if i have to). I have a Motorola GSM Razr V3 unlocked phone and all I think I need now is the right SIM. My unlocked phone has no other service attached to it, I have the phone for only travel purposes. From what I have read in this thread I should buy the card when I arrive in Europe (and seems UK maybe cheaper). After reading the thread I still have a few questions (and this is my first experience with using any cell in Eurpore)...Thanks
1. Why do they require the passport? I have read that one should come prepared with a Xerox of the passport with the hotel address 'cut and pasted' or added.
2. Are the SIMS universal (physically fitting all phones--and your focus should be buying the best plan/service SIM card)?
3. It seems Orange comes up the most, any thoughts here?
4. After I put the SIM in will they provide instructions on what to do next, I have read on some sights that you have to dial a code to get it started. But this advice does not seem to be universal.
The other questions were answered by cordelli. I can add that I have been quite happy with Orange UK and they have good rates and decent customer service. I havent tried roaming to France with them.
__________________
"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 190
Quote:
Originally Posted by joelfreak
Whats the best SIM for traveling the UK, and really using 3g? I am going to be using voice back to the US a bit, but mostly using the net with my N95...do any of these prepaid SIMs come with good 3g data costs?
I use vodaphone with the passport feature. It has data for 3g. You may be able to use your American credit card to top up if you have a UK address. It took some work with CS, but it was done in a few minutes. You can check the data cost on http://www.prepaidgsm.net . It will give you a link to all the prepaid companies. If you fly into LHR there is a vodaphone store in terminal 1. You may or may not be able to get through security to go to the terminal. If not there are plenty stores in London.
__________________
Happiness is a good scotch, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman.
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Costco General Member
Posts: 19,318
Quote:
Originally Posted by joelfreak
Whats the best SIM for traveling the UK, and really using 3g? I am going to be using voice back to the US a bit, but mostly using the net with my N95...do any of these prepaid SIMs come with good 3g data costs?
I use Orange for data. ScottC, I believe it was, said that it wasnt true 3G but it seems fine for most use. They also have good voice rates to the US.
__________________
"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
Just returned from Europe. I had multiple problems with "Freeglobalsim.com". I would get the SIM card without its phone number, PIN code, etc. I would have to email them to get the information. Then, once in Europe, I tried to top-up and received multiple "security issues" when doing this online in Italy. I called and emailed and was promised a 2 pound addition to my account to cover my need to call my son who we accidentally separated from. This did not happen.
I then tried for the next 4 days to top-up online, got server database error web pages every time. "Customer support" replied with "sorry, we are working on it".
Needless to say, we finally went to an FNAC store in Paris and got an Orange SIM plan and used that.
Lesson learned.
Tim in U.S.
1. Why do they require the passport? I have read that one should come prepared with a Xerox of the passport with the hotel address 'cut and pasted' or added.
The line I've always heard is that it's an anti-terrorism measure. Of course, in France, it's pretty hard to do anything without some form of identification.
Quote:
2. Are the SIMS universal (physically fitting all phones--and your focus should be buying the best plan/service SIM card)?
As far as I know, one size fits all.
Quote:
3. It seems Orange comes up the most, any thoughts here?
I am a regular subscriber of Orange France which offers pretty good service throughout France and the rest of Europe. Most of my French friends and colleagues are on either Orange or SFR.
I always say that the purpose of Orange customer service seems to be to make Verizon look good. If you do not speak fluent French, don't even try to call them. In one of their "boutiques," you might have better luck finding someone who speaks English.
Quote:
4. After I put the SIM in will they provide instructions on what to do next, I have read on some sights that you have to dial a code to get it started. But this advice does not seem to be universal.
If you buy a SIM card from the carrier's store or an electronics shop (e.g. FNAC, Virgin Megastore, etc.) you can have a salesperson set up everything for you. In this thread are detailed instructions I have previously left for buying a SIM at CDG.
After you read them, feel free to ask anything else.
This thread is great if you have days to browse the various bits of info... BUT... most of us do not.
The original posting didn't come right out and say it... we ALL want the same thing... the SIMPLEST and CHEAPEST solution.
Calling...
Because people are roaming from country to country there is no simple and cheap solution. Only cheap... buy a SIM card in for each country. Or simple... buy a world SIM and take out a 2nd mortgage for the rates.
Receiving...
All incoming calls are free... just have your destination party call you right back... you'll only use one minute per call.
Data...
WiFi or Internet Cafes. If you have to have a data plan and your company makes you travel THEY should be paying for the plan. If it is your business and you are too cheap to pay for it... you are in the wrong business.
I finally got my UM SIM and CBW service. Now, my (final!) question is, am I charged rated from a Liechtenstein phone or mobile to whatever number I call? Also, since UM is essentially a call back service as well, am I getting two call backs?
Or simple... buy a world SIM and take out a 2nd mortgage for the rates. 
