[consolidated] Prepaid SIM cards outside USA
May 24, 2011, 1:13 pm
#106
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May 27, 2011, 1:13 pm
#107
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
UK - Back when our cell phones were not GSM, we used Adam Phones in UK for short term cell phone hire several times. They were reasonably priced and had very good customer service. However, if you have an unlocked GSM phone I suspect you can do better with a local SIM card.
May 30, 2011, 4:25 am
#108
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: VS Silver; BA Blue; HH Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 779
UK - Back when our cell phones were not GSM, we used Adam Phones in UK for short term cell phone hire several times. They were reasonably priced and had very good customer service. However, if you have an unlocked GSM phone I suspect you can do better with a local SIM card.
Jun 5, 2011, 11:02 pm
#109
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL-Gold, Starwood. Previously AA Gold and United Premier Gold, and OnePass
Posts: 179
I will be going to Macedonia and Croatia in August. I have an unlocked iPhone, and I would like to acquire a sim card ahead of time for data use in both countries.
Ideally, if there was one network that did reasonable roaming in both countries, I would be willing to pay for that. If not, I would like to acquire two separate sim cards, one for macedonia, and one for croatia.
What would be the best network/networks for this, and could I get them shipped to the US ahead of time, so I wouldn't need to find them and deal with a language barrier there?
Ideally, if there was one network that did reasonable roaming in both countries, I would be willing to pay for that. If not, I would like to acquire two separate sim cards, one for macedonia, and one for croatia.
What would be the best network/networks for this, and could I get them shipped to the US ahead of time, so I wouldn't need to find them and deal with a language barrier there?
Jun 11, 2011, 1:36 pm
#110
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: TPA
Posts: 282
I will be going to Macedonia and Croatia in August. I have an unlocked iPhone, and I would like to acquire a sim card ahead of time for data use in both countries.
Ideally, if there was one network that did reasonable roaming in both countries, I would be willing to pay for that. If not, I would like to acquire two separate sim cards, one for macedonia, and one for croatia.
What would be the best network/networks for this, and could I get them shipped to the US ahead of time, so I wouldn't need to find them and deal with a language barrier there?
Ideally, if there was one network that did reasonable roaming in both countries, I would be willing to pay for that. If not, I would like to acquire two separate sim cards, one for macedonia, and one for croatia.
What would be the best network/networks for this, and could I get them shipped to the US ahead of time, so I wouldn't need to find them and deal with a language barrier there?
Jun 12, 2011, 9:05 pm
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
For the U.S., if I have a pre-paid T-Mobile SIM, and I subscribe to the $1.49 daily data plan from an Android phone can I remove the SIM, install it in an air-card in a notebook and use it, or is there some sort of IMEI 'linkage'?
And/or, can I USB tether my Android phone with the T-Mo SIM (w/ data) to a notebook and utilize dial-up 2G?
And/or, can I USB tether my Android phone with the T-Mo SIM (w/ data) to a notebook and utilize dial-up 2G?
Last edited by transpac; Jun 14, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Jun 15, 2011, 8:48 am
#112
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: PR Premier Elite
Posts: 1,950
Philippines
SMART http://smart.com.ph
Getting a SIM
They are sold EVERYWHERE. For SMART, you probably want a "SMART Buddy SIM". These are generally like 40 Piso (92 US Cents) with no prepaid time. You can buy prepaid airtime EVERYWHERE by buying SMART "Load" cards in 100 Piso, 300 Piso, 500 Piso ect. When you are buying prepaid airtime you ask for "Load" so people will know what you are talking about.
To activate MMS/GPRS/3G and automatically set your APN's
Compose a SMS with the text SET <handset model> and send it to 211.
Example: SET Desire for HTC Desire.
When you receive the settings, accept them and away you go.
If you particular phone is not supported try similar phones from the same manufacturer as the settings are probably compatible.
To get the list of models supported for a particular brand, text SET <brand> and send to 211.
Example: Text SET HTC and send it to 211.
To get the list of all supported handsets, text SET LIST and send it to 211.
If automatic APN configuration fails you can set it up the hard way with settings here. http://smart.com.ph/corporate/suppor...S+settings.htm
Prices:
Data is priced by "time' which is annoying with most smart phones unless you sign up for one of the unlimited plans. Fortunately signing up for unlimited plans is cheap and easy.
No unlimited plan. Each data access starts the clock on 30 minutes of unlimited data for 10 Piso. This is usually an extremely bad set up for most smart phones since they tend to randomly use small amounts of data in the background.
Unlimited plans. You definitely want to activate one of these.
-Unlimited Internet for 1 day. 50 Piso ($1.15/day)
Compose a SMS with the text "Unli 50" and send it to 211.
-Unlimited Internet for 1 week. 300 Piso ($6.90/week)
Compose a SMS with the text "Unli 300" and send it to 211.
-Unlimited Internet for 1 month. 1200 Piso ($27.60/month)
Compose a SMS with the text "Unli 1200" and send it to 211.
You should receive a text acknowledgement of activation.
SMART http://smart.com.ph
Getting a SIM
They are sold EVERYWHERE. For SMART, you probably want a "SMART Buddy SIM". These are generally like 40 Piso (92 US Cents) with no prepaid time. You can buy prepaid airtime EVERYWHERE by buying SMART "Load" cards in 100 Piso, 300 Piso, 500 Piso ect. When you are buying prepaid airtime you ask for "Load" so people will know what you are talking about.
To activate MMS/GPRS/3G and automatically set your APN's
Compose a SMS with the text SET <handset model> and send it to 211.
Example: SET Desire for HTC Desire.
When you receive the settings, accept them and away you go.
If you particular phone is not supported try similar phones from the same manufacturer as the settings are probably compatible.
To get the list of models supported for a particular brand, text SET <brand> and send to 211.
Example: Text SET HTC and send it to 211.
To get the list of all supported handsets, text SET LIST and send it to 211.
If automatic APN configuration fails you can set it up the hard way with settings here. http://smart.com.ph/corporate/suppor...S+settings.htm
Prices:
Data is priced by "time' which is annoying with most smart phones unless you sign up for one of the unlimited plans. Fortunately signing up for unlimited plans is cheap and easy.
No unlimited plan. Each data access starts the clock on 30 minutes of unlimited data for 10 Piso. This is usually an extremely bad set up for most smart phones since they tend to randomly use small amounts of data in the background.
Unlimited plans. You definitely want to activate one of these.
-Unlimited Internet for 1 day. 50 Piso ($1.15/day)
Compose a SMS with the text "Unli 50" and send it to 211.
-Unlimited Internet for 1 week. 300 Piso ($6.90/week)
Compose a SMS with the text "Unli 300" and send it to 211.
-Unlimited Internet for 1 month. 1200 Piso ($27.60/month)
Compose a SMS with the text "Unli 1200" and send it to 211.
You should receive a text acknowledgement of activation.
Jun 15, 2011, 11:22 am
#113
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: GRU / SXB
Programs: FB Plat, CX Diamond, TK Elite *G, EK Gold, EY Silv, Amex Cent, R&C 5C, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Avis PC
Posts: 1,077
Blau.de have a great Data roaming plan priced at €4.99 for 50 Mb valid 7 days anywhere in Europe!
It's almost cheaper to use this German carrier in France than a French one!
I wrote a post about that on my blog
http://superfr8d.blogspot.com/2011/0...were-like.html
;-)
It's almost cheaper to use this German carrier in France than a French one!
I wrote a post about that on my blog
http://superfr8d.blogspot.com/2011/0...were-like.html
;-)
Jun 20, 2011, 8:15 pm
#114
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 332
I'm trying to get my hands on a SIM card for Austria, and according to PrePaidGSM.net, it looks like Three (Drei) Mobile is the way to go. Question is this: unlike other countries, it doesn't look like I can order SIMs on eBay. I suppose I can walk into a 3 store in Austria and get a SIM card without a problem, but why aren't they available online?
Jun 23, 2011, 9:18 am
#115
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Programs: DL 2MM/PM, HH LT <>, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,283
Jun 24, 2011, 12:51 am
#116
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QFF, Velocity, Asiana
Posts: 296
Does anyone who has used AT&T GoPhone with an iPhone know if it's possible to top-up and buy data/txt packs using the myAT&T app for iPhone?
Would make things pretty simple if you can. Also, are they friendly with foreign credit cards?
Would make things pretty simple if you can. Also, are they friendly with foreign credit cards?
Jun 25, 2011, 2:51 pm
#117
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3
I will be going to Macedonia and Croatia in August. I have an unlocked iPhone, and I would like to acquire a sim card ahead of time for data use in both countries.
Ideally, if there was one network that did reasonable roaming in both countries, I would be willing to pay for that. If not, I would like to acquire two separate sim cards, one for macedonia, and one for croatia.
What would be the best network/networks for this, and could I get them shipped to the US ahead of time, so I wouldn't need to find them and deal with a language barrier there?
Ideally, if there was one network that did reasonable roaming in both countries, I would be willing to pay for that. If not, I would like to acquire two separate sim cards, one for macedonia, and one for croatia.
What would be the best network/networks for this, and could I get them shipped to the US ahead of time, so I wouldn't need to find them and deal with a language barrier there?
Also, Vipnet and Tele2 offers cards with extremely cheap international calls (only few cents per minute), you can find the English labels on most kiosks in many cities - these cards are specially made for tourists, and they're prepaid, meaning you don't have to leave your personal data, passports, etc. and you buy tokens to recharge the SIM.
Jun 27, 2011, 9:58 am
#118
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL-Gold, Starwood. Previously AA Gold and United Premier Gold, and OnePass
Posts: 179
Hi, in Croatia you can buy bonbon card for about 3€ (20 kuna). Then, buy token (called "bon" in croatian) of 80 kuna (11-12€). And then, you can buy 1GB of data valid for 30 days, costs 60 kuna.
Also, Vipnet and Tele2 offers cards with extremely cheap international calls (only few cents per minute), you can find the English labels on most kiosks in many cities - these cards are specially made for tourists, and they're prepaid, meaning you don't have to leave your personal data, passports, etc. and you buy tokens to recharge the SIM.
Also, Vipnet and Tele2 offers cards with extremely cheap international calls (only few cents per minute), you can find the English labels on most kiosks in many cities - these cards are specially made for tourists, and they're prepaid, meaning you don't have to leave your personal data, passports, etc. and you buy tokens to recharge the SIM.
I am still trying to figure it all out, but it looks like I have a few options.
Jun 27, 2011, 10:56 am
#119
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 332
I'm trying to get my hands on a SIM card for Austria, and according to PrePaidGSM.net, it looks like Three (Drei) Mobile is the way to go. Question is this: unlike other countries, it doesn't look like I can order SIMs on eBay. I suppose I can walk into a 3 store in Austria and get a SIM card without a problem, but why aren't they available online?
Jul 2, 2011, 11:21 am
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
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Posts: 21,603
Any suggestions for a sim card to use in Zimbabwe?