Originally Posted by JonboyDC @ Macrumors

I'm just finishing a 12-day trip in France, and thought I'd share the results of my efforts to get a non-roaming data plan on my iPad.

1) Go to an SFR store when you arrive and purchase the €9.99 Pret a Surfer iPad 3G+ kit. It gives you a microsim and three days of data service. You'll need an ID (my US drivers license worked fine) and a French address (my hotel address in Paris worked.)

2) After you check out, but before you leave, insert the new sim. You will then need to activate through iTunes. They were able to do this for me at the store.

3) In Settings, go to Cellular Data, select APN Settings, and enter "websfr" in the space for APN (without the quotation marks).

4) Turn the iPad off and on. You should now have data. Don't leave the store until it works -- I had to come back three times to get all of this info and make it work. If it doesn't work for you, make the salespeople call tech support for you.

After the first three days, it will cost €6 per day. But you enter a code at the beginning of each 24-hour period for which you want data coverage, so you can take on the cost only for the days you need it, and in particular on those days you don't have wifi. (A subscription would be cheaper, but it requires a French ID and French bank account.) Here's how to do it:

1) Buy a Passe Journee for each 24-hour period you think you'll need it at an SFR store. (If you buy too many, no worries -- they're good for two years.) For each pass, you will get a receipt with a code on it. The only way I found to get a pass was in a store -- didn't see a way to do it online.

2) When you need another 24 hours of data, go to Settings, select Cellular Data, select SIM applications, select Solde/Recharge, select Rechgt Coupon, and select Par Texto. Enter the code from the receipt, and hit the send button. It will send in the code. Then turn the iPad off and on. You now have 24 hours of data. (The receipt also gives a number you can call to activate the code, but I never got it to work.)

The biggest hassle of using the iPad here is that the auto-correct gets screwed up -- in many apps, it thinks you are typing French, even though the language is set to English.

Originally Posted by ShopAround

Can anyone recommend an unlocked USB dongle that I can use with my ASUS eee netbook in multiple European countries? I'll be in Ireland, England, France and Italy in the next six months or so and I know I'll need a new SIM for each country but am hoping to buy just one USB dongle and pop the SIMs in and out as needed. I've seen a few online but was hoping someone with actual experience using one could make a recommendation.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ShopAround

Can anyone recommend an unlocked USB dongle that I can use with my ASUS eee netbook in multiple European countries? I'll be in Ireland, England, France and Italy in the next six months or so and I know I'll need a new SIM for each country but am hoping to buy just one USB dongle and pop the SIMs in and out as needed.

Originally Posted by ShopAround

Can anyone recommend an unlocked USB dongle that I can use with my ASUS eee netbook in multiple European countries? I'll be in Ireland, England, France and Italy in the next six months or so and I know I'll need a new SIM for each country but am hoping to buy just one USB dongle and pop the SIMs in and out as needed. I've seen a few online but was hoping someone with actual experience using one could make a recommendation.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by stimpy

Maybe try Vodaphone? They are in all the countries you list.

Originally Posted by Global_Hi_Flyer

Buy an unlocked MiFi unit.

It will eliminate the overhead of the data software on your netbook. I have an eee netbook and have seen the data manager software consuming up to 8% of CPU. Wifi on the netbook doesn't consume much CPU.

I'm very happy with the MiFi solution for Europe.

Originally Posted by ShopAround

I thought that would be the solution, but I'm told that each country is locked to its own network, so for example, the one I'd purchase in Dublin wouldn't work with an Italian SIM in Milan.

Originally Posted by ShopAround

I was trying to avoid that - they're expensive and it's another thing to schlep around with me - more cumbersome than a little USB stick.

If I do go that route, can you recommend the particular brand or model that works for you? And were you able to buy it unlocked or did you have to do that yourself?

Originally Posted by Global_Hi_Flyer

I have a Novatel MiFi 2352. I paid about $120 for mine on eBay. It came unlocked, with accessories. I upgraded the firmware - firmware was available through one of the carrier web sites (and through a couple of other options on the internet).

You're right, it's larger than a stick. But it allowed me to use my Android phone while out on the town (the mifi is smaller than a blackberry) and my netbook in the hotel room. The netbook - an Asus eee - runs much faster on wifi than on a Sprint or Verizon USB stick (I've tried 'em both). That's attributed to the data manager software that the sticks want to use.

YMMV, and you certainly can get a stick. I find the mifi to be more flexible, though.

Originally Posted by ShopAround

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I'll have to keep looking for an affordable MiFi - the unlocked ones I'm seeing online are in the $200-$300 range.

Originally Posted by Dubai Stu

Remember you can also run your MiFi off a USB port like a modem if you are so inclined. I've done it with my CDMA MiFi once in a while, e.g. where there is only one outlet, etc. If someone has a CDMA and GSM/HSPA MiFi, I'd love to see a camera pic of the two side by side to compare the size.

It is a little pricey, but I wonder if you could put an iPhonetrip SIM rental into a MiFi?