Hi,
I am traveling from US to the following countries next month (Germany, Austria and Italy). I have an unlocked blackberry phone which I want to take during the trip.
Just for emergency purposes, I might have to make a phone call during my trip within these countries. What is the best way to use mobile phone ?
Is it better to buy a SIM card and use it with my blackberry or buy a pre-paid phone in germany once I land (obviously no contract) ?
Thanks
Maybe one of our German contributors (Andreas, Mark) can respond to this. Last August, I bought a Penney-Mobil SIM in Munich. It was actually T-Mobil service, but offered a lower prepaid rate with Penney-Markt. I had to call a number to activate it, which I did. The operator I talked to only spoke German, which was fine because I spoke enough German to activate the card. I used the address of the hotel I was staying in. He must have known from my accent that I was an American, but he let me activate it.
I then bought days on a €20 pre-paid card (the smallest available), which should have been good for eight days at €2,50/day. After four days of use, it told me I had to add days (four days would have been the T-Mobil rate of €5/day). Before I flew back, I called Penney-Mobil and asked them what happened. They indicated that somehow it had not been recognized as a Penney-Mobil SIM, but a T-Mobil SIM.
That was no problem because I still felt I had gotten my money's worth (on data), but she also told me that I, as a non-citizen, was not supposed to have been able to buy and activate the SIM, that they were only for German residents.
So my question is, can we use these prepaid phones, or not? Was that just a Penney-Mobil rule, or a German law (maybe since 9-11)? Are we breaking the law by using them in Germany.
the next question, which you haven't answered yet, is do you have service with AT&T or T-Mobile or is this just an unlocked phone with no service?
Lee,
I have a theory (yet unproven) that the restriction you found with the German SIM may only apply to plans that allow data access. I don't believe there are any restrictions on non-residents using voice PAYG plans, as these are readily available in most countries in Europe as well as with the "travel SIM" firms.
I've never seen a PAYG data plan here, as all users have to sign onto at least a one-year term. I'm assuming the same situation exists in Germany and other countries?
Cheers!
If you buy SIM card(s), then you can use the phone you know how to operate, you can keep your contact list (if stored in the phone and not the SIM) and you don't figure out what to do with an additional phone.
If you don't plan on using it a lot, I get a SIM from a provider that covers all three, even if the rate is a little higher. You would keep the same number that way if you had to give it out.
We bought a T-Mobile 10pound SIM card (10bp credit) in London, used it to text our friends to arrange dinner, called when we needed some help getting to the restaurant. Then used it in Ireland to book a hotel room in Galway when many of the B&Bs there were booked. I think it still has 6bp left on it.
I just up graded my verizon phone to one with a sims card that I can use when I travel in Europe this summer. That way I kept my same phone number and my phone has all my contacts. I plan on putting in my hotel numbers as many small inns and b&bs want you to confirm a few days ahead of time when you will arrive. I ope this is a good way to go.
