Global GSM Prepaid Overview - Great for travelers!

[Snackers]

I just went to telna's site and it seems too good to be true. Basically you can get a years worth of text messaging (max of 1000 per month) for a total of $19? That is amazing especially for someone who wants to keep a this for emergencies or to keep a # parked. Many people now text more then talk. I might get this. Has anyone tried this service or know exactly how it works? Do you pay for the sim and it comes activated for a year? Do you need to put money in an account or have a cc on file for call charges or text overages?

[djinks]

Quick Facts
Country: Germany
Network Name: O2
Website: URL GOES HERE
Product Name: O2 Prepaid-Surfstick
Owned by/Major partners: O2
Operational Frequency: GSM, UTMA, HSUPA
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): 20 Euro (included with Surfstick – maybe special price)
Prepaid Package Validity: 7 days from activation
CSD access: Yes/No
GPRS access: Yes
EDGE access: Yes/No
SIM applications: Yes Mobile Partner Manager
Manual included: Yes German
Refill amounts: 25 Euro 1 month (5GB XL pack)
Availability: O2 shops, Media Markt, Saturn
Competitors: Tshibo, Vodafone, T-Mobile

3-inch USB device

Buying:
The Good:
Looks good. The technical staff at SATURN were able to activate and install in right away. A good thing too, as there were several steps that I would not have guessed from the German docs (my German reading skills are limited). The Surfstick comes with one week (500MB) of free data, but I elected to purchase and activate the XL pack for 5GB over one month. That is where the extra steps cam in. I still have the extra week coupon to use later if needed. I did not leave until I saw the internet come up on my laptop.

O2 has stores everywhere and also sell product through many of the big box stores like SATURN and Media Markt. They will activate and install for you. This was very helpful for me.

I consider O2’s product better than Tchibo’s products. While O2’s product usually costs a bit more than the Tchibo stick, you get in-store support, including activation. With Tchibo there was no in-store technical support, only telephone support (in German, no English of course). I tried the Tchibo product first but was unable to activate it, even with telephone support and returned it. (This was partially my fault as I did not know the PIN, and thought it was the online 4-digit password that I supplied during registration.)

The Bad:
Although a data pack is loaded/activated on the SIM, (in my case the 5GB, one month XL pack) HSUPA speeds are possible in many areas and data is unlimited for the time period purchased. However, after the specified data limit is reached, speed is reduced to 64kbps for the remainder of the time period.
The stick will disconnect after a period of inactivity, so be prepared to reconnect occasionally.


Usage:
The Good:
HSUPA speeds of 3.5 – 4 mbps were experienced at my location. The stick is rated for up to 7.2mbps.

The Mobile Partner Manager software provides speed and data usage statistics for you, so you always know how much data you have used, per day, month, year. Statistics are separate for mobile (UTMS/HSUPA) and WiFi use. I’m not sure if the stick does WiFi or whether the software functions are intended for other O2 products as well.

The Bad:
After activation, when I tried to use the stick where I was staying (a residence in the suburbs of a moderately sized town), I could only get UTMS speeds (250 – 350 kbps). However the next day, I was up to HSUPA speeds (3.5 – 4 mbps). I‘m not sure why the first day was so slow, but I have been happy since then.

TIPS:
Bring your passport with you to the store. They will insist on seeing that befor selling the Surfstick. I had to fill in a full form, with address where I was staying etc. (Note Tchibo does not require this registration, at least in store. They will most likely not take US credit cards. Bring cash (Euros) or a Euro Card.

Bring your laptop and get the techies to set it up for you. Don’t leave until you see the internet on it and understand how to turn it off/on and load the SIM.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Did not try a mobile phone, but a similar experience with O2 mobile phone SIMs in Germany is likely, at least for the data packs.

[djinks]

O2 main website
http://www.o2online.de/

O2 Surfstick without contract
http://www.o2online.de/nw/internet/p...surfstick.html

O2 Surfstick with contract (6-month)
http://www.o2online.de/nw/internet/s...k-angebot.html

[mommusic]

Snackers, I don't use telna mobile but I have considered it.
The low yearly cost and free text messages certainly sounds appealing.
They mention Tmobile service and that doesn't work in my area.

Here are some rates (in US) and I think you can sign up right on the website, I assume they will need
a CC number for the billing. I currently use their Long Distance service and I pay my bill with CC.
http://www.telnamobile.com/index.php...2&country2=232

Here is a FAQ if you want to read some more.
http://www.telnamobile.com/index.php...elnamobile_faq

[centsible99]

I found some really great sites when I ran a cellphone store in Michigan. The list will indicate the type of carrier etc. check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...vice_providers

[kimmykimmy]

I am a frequent traveler and I have found out how to make roaming cellular calls from overseas at a much less expensive rate. Prepaid global SIM cards and Internet calling accounts for iPhones are just some of the convenient products with low cost per minute rates offered on this website www.intouchsmartcards.com They helped me with an affordable global SIM card that I could use almost anywhere in the world. They are very knowledgeable, have the best service I have found and cheapest call rates for quad band GSM phones. The SmartFree Quattro international SIM card works everywhere I travel.

[StarGSM]

Hey !!!

Great Post,

its nice hub for travelers in which get information about global GSM prepaid.

[burgi]

Quick Facts
Country: Romania
Network Name: Connex GSM
Website: vodafone.ro
Product Name: Connex Go!
Owned by/Major partners: MobiFon S.A. (Telesystem International Wireless Inc., Vodafone Group plc.)
Operational Frequency: 900 MHz GSM
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): 5 US$+VAT (about 250.000 lei depending from the lei/US$ exchange rate) with 5 US$ initial credit
Prepaid Package Validity: 180 days from activation +180 days only for receiving
CSD access: Yes (optional)
GPRS access: Yes (optional)
SIM applications: new SIM cards only ("Entertainment", "SMS Group" and "Financial")
Manual included: in Romanian
Refill amounts: 6, 10, 15, 21 US$
Availability: Connex corporate stores, Connex dealers, postal offices and gas stations (for top-up cards)
Competitors: Orange RO, Cosmorom

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
It's quite easy to buy a prepaid card.
Connex dealers can be found in most towns. It's very easy to top-up, postal offices gas stations and some other shops can provide refill cards.

The Bad:
You must recharge for at least 12 US$ to extend the validity period.

Usage:
The Good:
Connex is the best provider for GSM coverage in Romania. Tariffs are quite cheap, SMS work well, international calls and int'l SMS are available too.
The available credit is directly shown on the phone (Nokia models, for others via phone menu).

The Bad:
Neither WAP access (CSD/GPRS) nor Roaming are pre-activated. To activate each of them, you must call Customer Care (*222).
Roaming partners are only a few european ones.
Domestic and international calls are charged as follows: the first minute is charged for by adding up to a full minute, only after the first minute, you are being charged by the second.

TIPS:
1)Remember the fee timetable: Monday-Friday 07:00-19:00 = normal, Monday-Friday 19:00-07:00 = discount, Saturday,Sunday and legal holidays 00:00-24:00 = discount.
2)Call to Connex networks are cheaper than calls to other domestic networks.
3)Listening to your vocal message box, by calling 333 or 334, is free of charge.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
As far as I used it, Connex offers the best value for money. Coverage is spotty only in mountain areas.
Orange has quite good coverage too, but it's less easy to find.
Being it so cheap, and being roaming rates so high, tourists are highly recommended to purchase a local SIM card (if you don't strictly need to be reached at your homeland mobile phone nr.), which can be popped in every unlocked GSM900 phone.

Connext is now vodafone.

[Relztrah]

Is Orange Dominicana the only major provider in all of the Dominican Republic???

I was there earlier this year and met a lot of people using Claro. I am returning next year and would like to get a cheap prepaid phone for voice and text only. Has anybody compared Orange to Claro as far as prepaid options, coverage, dumbphone selection, etc?