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  #1  
Old 7 Dec 2015
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cell phone sim in Europe
Hi -- I'm headed back to Europe and Morocco again this summer, and am looking for a good cell phone solution. I carry an Iphone 6, and I want a sim that I can use to communicate with European places (friends, hostels and hotels, Etc.). I am not very interested in using it to call back to the United States. I do want something that I can use throughout Europe as I ride my VStrom through several countries each summer. I don't want a solution that, while cheap for me per minute of calls, is expensive for my European friends to call me. I have used Eurobuzz in the past. I am looking at Telestial. I am wondering if any other travelers have found a good solution to this dilemma. On a side note, I think the European laws have changed so that a sim bought in one country is now seamlessly workable in all other countries. Does anyone out there have any information on this? Thanks.
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Old 7 Dec 2015
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Smile simming in euro land.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Youngs View Post
Hi -- I'm headed back to Europe and Morocco again this summer, and am looking for a good cell phone solution. I carry an Iphone 6, and I want a sim that I can use to communicate with European places (friends, hostels and hotels, Etc.). I am not very interested in using it to call back to the United States. I do want something that I can use throughout Europe as I ride my VStrom through several countries each summer. I don't want a solution that, while cheap for me per minute of calls, is expensive for my European friends to call me. I have used Eurobuzz in the past. I am looking at Telestial. I am wondering if any other travelers have found a good solution to this dilemma. On a side note, I think the European laws have changed so that a sim bought in one country is now seamlessly workable in all other countries. Does anyone out there have any information on this? Thanks.
Hi Ron, any sim from the major providers will work all over Europe. I live in Amsterdam & use Vodafone pay as you go. Have used it all over Europe. In Morocco I buy a local sim, also pre pay, but to be honest it doesn't save much over my Dutch sim .

Laws have changed here but more for standard roaming charges.

I use free wifi hot spots, available everywhere, also in Morocco. I have an android & use Viber & whats app, free text & phone. I also use voip. Some local providers may block these free telecom services, though, kinda spoil sports .

Google the major providers & compare their prices. Don't think that you can get an abonnement, think you need an European address & bank account

I also use skype on my laptop.

You could also just buy local pre pay sims in countries where you are staying longer, may save on roaming charges.....

Save journey keep the black rubber bits pointing down
Vince
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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Thanks Vince:

Then, as I understand it, if I buy a Vodofone SIM when I arrive in Germany to pick up my stored motorcycle, it will be good throughout Europe due to the new law. Am I understanding that correctly?

Ron
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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If you mean the abolition of roaming charges within the EU then no , that won't happen until sometime in 2017.
Any German simcard will work anywhere else in Europe , although data roaming is not cheap. Personally I just head for the nearest shopping centre or petrol station whenever I need to use wifi outside my home country, never been a problem anywhere, particularly in eastern Europe .
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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Actually, all I was interested in was the phone service for calls and text messages, not the data. I do use WiFi for data, but I can find it pretty much throughout Europe. I don't know. Maybe I need to look again at the plans offered by Eurobuzz and Telestial. The problem with them that I see is that 1) both use a UK service which, I assume, means that people calling me will incur long distance fees and 2) although calls are inexpensive for me to make, I think anyone calling me will be charged a premium. Does anyone have any recent experience with these companies. I had Eurobuzz last summer and had a hard time making calls on it while in Scotland and Wales.
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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https://www.netzclub.net/

offers 150mb fast free internet and unlimited slow internet in germany. you can also charge money and use it to call every were in europe.
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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UK Mobile Networks & Tariff Reviews | Ken's Tech Tips

There were about 20 mob phone service providers in the UK last time I looked.
The guy who writes the reviews above keeps on top of what is happening in the UK market.
For PAYG, he was recommending 3,2,1 provided by the "3" company, again last time I looked.
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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Hi Ron, I must have misunderstood, its really only data that gets pricey, although there are usually 'holiday' offers for short periods . Roaming charges will be abolished completely in 2017, however calls and messages have already been drastically reduced . If you have an English or German simcard then your friends will have to call to the respective countries and you will pay a few cents per minute to receive , however it's not a big deal. Some shopping around should get you the bet offer in England or Germany . I've seen reviews come up here for different universal' sim card services, however with the recent reduction in Roaming charges they seem kind of expensive compared to any basic mobile plan. With a UK number your friends can call you cheaply using Poivy or similar VoIP apps .
Just to give you an idea, I use Three Italy, with a 3GB data allowance that I can use for free wherever 'Three-Hutchison' operates . that includes the UK but I'm not sure where else. If I'm outside Italy it costs me 24c per minute to make calls and 6c to receive .
I'm quite sure there are comparable prices elsewhere , as you can see it's nothing to really worry about.
All the best.
Antonio
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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Originally Posted by Donmanolo View Post
Just to give you an idea, I use Three Italy, with a 3GB data allowance that I can use for free wherever 'Three-Hutchison' operates . that includes the UK but I'm not sure where else. If I'm outside Italy it costs me 24c per minute to make calls and 6c to receive .
I'm quite sure there are comparable prices elsewhere , as you can see it's nothing to really worry about.
All the best.
Antonio
That "three" is probably the same company as the UK version.
I suspect that, in preparation for the end of roaming charges in legai terms, the companies are updating their rates now.
I looked at this a shortish time ago and the "Three" 1-2-3 offer included no extra charges for using the UK service to call a list of 18 other countries, including the USA, from memory - it's all shown in my earlier link.
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Old 8 Dec 2015
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just checked out your Telestial link which beats anything I could suggest, price-wise. I really doubt your gonna those rates.

If you go that route Id be interested to hear your feedback on call quality . . .
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