Global GSM Prepaid Overview - Great for travelers!

**bmwf1techie** · 08-12-2004, 02:30 PM

Argentina

Quick Facts
Country: Argentina
Network Name: Unifon
Website: http://www.telefonica.com.ar
Product Name: Unifon Activo
Owned by/Major partners: Telefonica
Operational Frequency: 1900 GSM
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): $20 Argentina Pesos
Prepaid Package Validity: 60 days
CSD access: No
GPRS access: No
SIM applications: No
Manual included: No
Refill amounts: $15, $20 (Argentina Pesos)
Availability: Unifon Stores, many pharmacy locations
Competitors: CTI Movil, Personal

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
I was in Argentina for a week and wanted to pick up a local prepaid SIM for use in my unlocked SE T68i. There are lots of Unifon locations all over the Buenos Aires area. The great part is that the SIM card is cheap, it cost me $20 Argentina Pesos (About $6 US). Plus, it included $50 Argentina Pesos (About $17 US)worth of free airtime. Best value by far that I have come across for a prepaid SIM.

The Bad:
The first time I walked into the store asking for a prepaid SIM, they proceeded to tell me that I would need to bring in the phone so that they could check to see if 1) the phone is unlocked, and 2) make sure the phone is not a stolen phone. Apparently, the cell phone theft rate is insanely high in Argentina so they are not very trusting when it comes to just handing any random person a SIM card.

Usage:
The Good:
UNIFON works well all over the Buenos Aires area, including about 60 miles outside city limits (Zarate area). Signal strength remained strong and worked well inside my hotel elevator and inside my hotel room. Plus Argentina is caller pays so when I had friends and family call me from the US, no airtime was deducted.

The Bad:
No GPRS or CSD included with plan.

TIPS:
1) Take your phone and passport with you to the Unifon store. They will ask for these two things before they sell you the SIM.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I would definitely recommend Unifon for prepaid service for anyone traveling to Argentina. The SIM card is real cheap and it includes free airtime. And coverage is very good throughout. Can't get much better than that.

**mspalacios** · 08-13-2004, 12:52 PM

Quick Facts
Country: EL SALVADOR
Network Name: DIGICEL
Website: http://www.digicel.com.sv
Product Name: Digicel prepago
Owned by/Major partners: DIGITEL, Venezuela
Operational Frequency: GSM900
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): USD 10
Prepaid Package Validity: Does not expire as long as you receive or make a call every 90 days. Prepaid balance does not expire as you long as keep the service current.
CSD access: No
GPRS access: No
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: No
Manual included: Yes (Spanish)
Refill amounts: USD 5, 10, 20, 50
Availability: Widespread coverage, all major cities/highways, beaches!!
Competitors: Personal (GSM1900), and soon Telefonica (GSM1900) and Telmovil (GSM1900).

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
Easy to buy SIM starting package in San Salvador (Just go to Galerias Escalon). Saw another service center in Metrocentro in San Miguel. Prepaid cards available widely.

The Bad:
Took 5 days of repeated nagging to get voicemail activated.

Usage:
The Good:
Outsanding value and coverage. They charge by the second. If you use their carrier for long distance (must prefix the number with 166), your calls to the US/Canada cost the same as if it was a local call in San Salvador! Email (503xxxxxxx@digimensajes.com) included. SMS to local CDMA carriers works fine. Love the fact that pre-paid card balance does not expire and their SIM does not expire as long as you receive or call out every 90 days.

The Bad:
Your GSM compliant phonebook entries do not work, as the + sign confuses the service. You must use a three digit long distance carrier as prefix to dial long distance.

TIPS:
They charge for voicemail retreival (*80). Use a landline (760-1180).

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Tried Personal first, and they demanded to see my receipt for the phone to activate prepaid service with my own terminal. Of course I did not have it, who travels with their phone receipt? Too bad, as I understand they now have GPRS.

**Ulysses** · 08-13-2004, 11:25 PM

Quick Facts
Country: Ukraine
Network Name: Kyivstar
Website: http://www.kyivstar.net/
Product Name:Ace & Base
Owned by/Major partners:Kyivstar
Operational Frequency: GSM 900, GSM 1800
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): 60 Hriven (~12 dollars) w/ 15 Hriven credit.
Prepaid Package Validity: Number never expires
CSD access: No
GPRS access: Yes
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: Yes
Manual included: Yes, Ukrainian/English
Refill amounts: 25, 50, 100, 300 UAH
Availability: Kyivstar stores and almost every kiosk you will run into.
Competitors: UMC Sim-Sim

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
Buying a starter kit is easy. Walk into any store or kiosk with a Kyivstar banner or poster. I bought mine at a camera/electronics store.

The Bad:
None

Usage:
The Good:
Your Comments Here
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that all incoming SMS and calls are free! Getting set up was straight forward. GPRS and MMS are available as is international calling. In addition, roaming (mostly Eastern European countries) is available on the Ace & Base plan. Coverage is great in Kyiv and Yalta. I was getting five bars on a SE T68i!

The Bad:
There a few tariff plans available, it’s hard to pick one if you are not sure what you will need. I received a number with a 97 prefix! This is strange as almost all Kyivstar users have a 67 prefix.

TIPS:
If you are traveling with a friend, and he/she also use Kyivstar, dial 477. Add him/her as your preferred number (for a fee) and save 50% on calls.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you are not a heavy user, Kyivstar prepaid will probably meet your needs.

**AdmiralAK** · 08-16-2004, 07:04 AM

Quick Facts
Country: USA
Network Name: Cingular Prepiad
Website: http://onlinestore.cingular.com/weba...&svcAreaId=SBC
Product Name: Cingular KIC
Owned by/Major partners: SBC/Bell South
Technology Used: GSM
Operational Frequency: 850/1900 mhz
Prepaid Package Cost (bring-your-own-phone or buy one..)
Enter cost any amount $10 good for 30 days $20 for 60 days anymore good for 90 days...
Prepaid Package Validity: 30, 60, 90 days from activation
Dial Up data access: No
CSD: No
GPRS: Yes
Uses a SIM card: Yes
SIM applications: No
Manual included: Yes
Refill amounts: Any Amount
Availability: USA/ Coverage area
Competitors: Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T/Nextel
More In-Depth Information

* Nights and Weekends Plan: $0.10/minute rate applies from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weeknights and all day Saturday and Sunday.

** Unlimited Weekends Plan: $1 daily access includes unlimited airtime from Friday 7 p.m. to Monday 7 a.m.

NEW! Mobile Instant Messaging (Available on select KIC phones):

$0.05 per message sent or received.

Send instant messages Mobile to Mobile with AIM®.

Chat with anyone on your AOL Buddy List® from your wireless phone. Use your existing AOL Screen Name or create one.

Stay connected with friends, family, or co-workers when you're away from your computer.

NEW! Add personality to your phone with downloadable polyphonic ringtones and screen graphics.
NEW! Turn your phone into a personal arcade. Experience full-color graphics, exciting actions and sound effects. Even play against other wireless users.
Text message your friends, whether they're Cingular customers or not, for only $0.05 per message sent or received.
Add KIC Airtime: For your convenience 24/7, you can add funds to your account by phone and over the Internet using a credit card, major debit card or electronic check. Simply call 800-901-9878 or go to www.myprepaidrefill.com . Or visit a replenishment location near you.
Manage Your KIC Account: Your account information is available 24 hours a day. Get information on call history, account balance and more.
Get instant balance information. Just dial *777# from your wireless phone to have your balance sent directly to your phone.
Take advantage of local rates in an extended coverage area. Select the map icon above to view the KIC Prepaid coverage area.
Nationwide long distance rates apply to calls made and terminated within the continental U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Mariana Islands.
International calls can be placed at the following per minute rates (airtime not included):

Canada/Mexico: $0.15
Israel: $0.29
Western Europe: $0.39
Caribbean: $0.69
Central America: $0.69
South America: $0.69
Eastern Europe: $0.79
Asia Pacific: $0.89
Africa/Middle East: $0.99

Buying:
The Good:
Availability, how long it lasts, and value.

The Bad:
Start up package costs money to buy SIM card....

Usage:
The Good:

Pricing, coverage, costs, and value. Coverage is coming fast, International Dialing is good price.. SIM is really handy when you change phones, its faster to switch phones...

The Bad:
No internet (soon will have)

TIPS:
Get a SIM off of ebay...

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Cingular is my most favorite prepaid service i have had Verizon is also very good to.... But Cingular is my all time Favoite..

***
Original review by: BKKloppenborg

**krazy** · 08-19-2004, 12:15 PM

Quick Facts
Country: Philippines
Network Name: Globe Telecom
Website: http://www.globehandyphone.com.ph
Product Name: Globe Handyphone Prepaid Plus
Owned by/Major partners: Ayala Group (60%), Singapore Telecom (40%) (25% formerly owned by DT/T-Mobile)
Operational Frequency: GSM 900/1800 (1800 in urban/high traffic areas)
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): PHP 150 or about US$3
Prepaid Package Validity: 2+4 months from activation (2 months for credit, 4 month grace period before SIM is disconnected)
CSD access: Yes (9.6Kbps)
GPRS access: Yes
EDGE access: Yes? (unverified, but EDGE network is operational)
SIM applications: Yes, 128k customisable "MyGlobe" menu for news, ringtones, etc.
Manual included: Yes, English
Refill amounts: PHP 300, 500, 1000 (about US$6, 10 and 20). E-topups are available just about everywhere as well
Availability: convenience stores, mobile phone dealers, phone kiosks, supermarkets, drugstores, and lots more;-)
Competitors: Smart Communications, Sun Cellular

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
Can't be easier to get (unless someone gave it to you for free;-) Just hand over the money and get your SIM card:-) No registration needed, just drop in the SIM card into your handset and talk/Text away

The Bad:
Credit only lasts 2 months, with a 4 month grace period to top-up

Usage:
The Good:
Excellent (and seamless) coverage everywhere with almost no dead spots. Globe and the other carriers install indoor microcells in most public and semi-public buildings so you're sure to have coverage indoors and out. Mobile numbers in the Philippines have thier own area code (+63(0)9xx) and incoming calls are free with the caller paying for airtime. As for the SIM card, it's one of the biggest at 128K holding a total of 750 phonebook entries and 100 SMS messages

The Bad:
Globe eliminated thier former peak and off-peak pricing in favour for a flat airtime fee 24/7. This can be either good or bad depending on how you use the phone, it's now more expensive to talk in thier former off-peak hours but on the other hand, cheaper during the former peak hours. Globe also does not remind you when your credits expire, so you have to keep track of it yourself

TIPS:
Write down the date when you load credit on your phone if you don't top-up often so you don't forget and the credits expire.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall an excellent carrier, can't find any big faults with them, and thier coverage some of the best you'll get:-)

**vermontcellboy** · 09-04-2004, 01:05 PM

I've found Kyivstar to be more expensive than Jeans with equivalent coverage, but Kyivstar also doesn't expire now..new thing they have.
-Mr. X

**vermontcellboy** · 09-04-2004, 01:05 PM

Oh Yes, and the 97 prefix is Kyivstar's new prefix that they began implementing recently
Kind of like 066 for Jeans, while it was formerly on UMC's 050.

**matyst** · 09-14-2004, 11:31 AM

Quick Facts
Country: POLAND
Network Name: IDEA
Website: http://www.idea.com.pl
Product Name: Nowy POP
Owned by/Major partners:PTK Centertel (owned by Telekomunikacja Polska-66% and France Telecom-34%)
Operational Frequency: GSM 900/1800 Mhz
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): PLN 20 (1PLN=$0.28; SIM includes PLN 20 credit)
Prepaid Package Validity: 1 month for outgoing, 12 months for incoming calls
CSD access: Yes
GPRS access: Yes
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: No
Manual included: Yes (Polish only)
Refill amounts: PLN 25, 50, 100 and 150
Availability: convenience stores, phone dealers, supermarkets, drugstores, and lots more; account can also be replenished over internet and in some ATMs
Competitors: ERA GSM (TAK TAK, www.eragsm.com.pl), PLUS GSM (SIMPLUS, www.simplusteam.pl), HEYAH (www.heyah.pl), more coming soon !

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
The starter kit can be bought virtually everywhere and is valid for 1 month for outgoing and for 12 months for incoming calls. There is PLN 20 credit included, so the SIM is free. No activation required and you can start calling immediately after you insert the SIM card. No ID is required when buying. The account can be replenished easily by buying cards, over internet or in ATMs of the most popular banks. The cards are available in denominations of PLN 25, 50, 100 (+10 bonus) and 150 (+30 bonus) and prolong the validity of the account as follows: PLN 25 (1 month for outgoing, 2 months for incoming), PLN 50 (3/12 months), PLN 50 and 150 (5/12 months).
The Bad:
There is only a Polish insert with basic information. The website gives only basic information in English and this is also true for other competitors, sorry.

Usage:
The Good:
Outgoing calls are PLN 0.80/min to every Polish land line or cellular network, outgoing SMS are PLN 0.20. Incoming calls and SMS are free, The best thing is that the outgoing calls are charged on per second basis from the beginning of the call. VM is free, WAP costs PLN 0.54 for 20 kB, GPRS is PLN 0.54 for 100 kB. Coverage is excellent in almost whole country.

The Bad:
None I can think of, excellent service. Affordable (cheaper than most postpaid services) and getting even cheaper due to heavy competition from Heyah network. Per second charging makes short calls extremely cheap.

TIPS:
I described the offer of Idea since I’ve been using it myself. Check out other competitors who offer similarly priced prepaid cellular telephony.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Wish incoming calls were free in the US

**Trekker** · 09-14-2004, 01:36 PM

Quick Facts
Country: Pakistan
Network Name: Ufone
Website: www.ufone.com
Product Name: Ufone Prepaid Josh and Ufone Prepaid Jazba
Owned by/Major partners: PTCL
Operational Frequency: GSM 900
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): Rs. 999
Prepaid Package Validity: 180 days (6 months)
CSD access: Yes
GPRS access: Yes
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: Yes (Infoservices)
Manual included: Yes (English and Urdu)
Refill amounts: Rs. 500, Rs. 1000, Rs. 2000
Availability: Almost Everywhere
Competitors: Mobilink GSM

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
Easy to purchase, just walk to the dealer with a copy of ur ID card and fill the form.

The Bad:
None

Usage:
The Good:
Very stable network and good signals. International and nation wide dialling. No roaming charges within Pakistan. SMS charges only Rs. 1.5/msg and GPRS chages Rs. 15/mb transfer. All incoming calls and SMS are free.

The Bad:
Network coverage area could be better. GPRS works in Hiccups. Very difficult to get connected to the helpline.

TIPS:
NA

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Recommended if you plan on staying in the major cities and need to use GPRS.

**Trekker** · 09-14-2004, 01:45 PM

Quick Facts
Country: Pakistan
Network Name: Mobilink GSM
Website: www.mobilinkgsm.com
Product Name: JAZZ
Owned by/Major partners:Orascom
Operational Frequency: GSM 900
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): Rs. 999
Prepaid Package Validity: 180 days (6 months)
CSD access: Yes
GPRS access: No
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: Yes (Infoservices)
Manual included: Yes (English and Urdu)
Refill amounts: Rs. 625, Rs. 1000, Rs. 1500, Rs. 200
Availability: Almost Everywhere
Competitors: Ufone

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
Easy to purchase. Need a copy of your ID card and filling of a form.

The Bad:
None

Usage:
The Good:
Great coverage. Most of the major cities and towns are covered. International and nation wide dialiing. No roaming charges within Pakistan and calls to every Mobilink number charged as local (i.e. no long distance charges to other Mobilink numbers). All incoming calls and SMS are free.

The Bad:
No GPRS. Network busy during heavy usage time.

TIPS:
NA

FINAL THOUGHTS:
The largest cellphone company in Pakistan. Will start EDGE services soon. Get this if you plan on travelling to different parts of Pakistan

**oakenshea** · 09-24-2004, 10:21 AM

** NO ADVERTIZING PLEASE ***

Admiral

**Livino** · 09-27-2004, 09:46 PM

Quick Facts
Country: Brasil
Network Name: Brasil Telecom GSM
Website: http://gsm.brasiltelecom.com.br
Product Name: Brasil Cartão
Owned by/Major partners: Brasil Telecom
Operational Frequency: GSM 1800MHz
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): BRL19.00 (USD6.55)
Prepaid Package Validity: 90 days from activation
CSD access: Yes
GPRS access: Yes
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: Yes (refills, ringtones, messaging, news, phone banking, etc.)
Manual included: Yes, in Portuguese
Refill amounts: BRL10.00, BRL14.00 (valid for 30 days), BRL30.00 (valid for 45 days), BRL40.00, BRL50.00 (valid for 90 days)
Availability: Brasília (Distrito Federal), Acre, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia, Santa Catarina and Tocantins States.
Competitors: Claro, TIM, Sercomtel (GSM), Vivo (CDMA)

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
Brasil Telecom GSM services have just been launched and, initially, will be available in 400 cities across northern, central and southern Brazil. In fact, they became commercially available yesterday (Sunday 27th of September, 2004). According to their CS getting a SIM won’t be a problem to foreigners. You’ll be required to present your passport and a registration address (your hotel address will do). If you speak Portuguese, you can call Brasil Telecom 0800-641-1414 and order a SIM – your hotel will be the delivery/registration address.

The Bad:
As usual, it may be that your actual purchasing experience will differ considerably from CS claims.

Usage:
The Good:
The first 400,000 customers to get a Brasil Telecom GSM pre-paid number will be entitled to “Pula-pula” (“Jump! Jump!”), a promotion where all calls received in one month will be credited back to your account the following month. That means if you receive two hours of calls this month you’ll receive two hours’ worth of calls in credits to make calls next month.

Brasil Telecom GSM can send to/receive messages from Yahoo!Messenger, ICQ and MSN Messenger.

The Bad:
No roaming outside BT GSM’s coverage area for the moment.

TIPS:
Don’t take ‘No’ for an answer when trying to register a SIM using your passport. Call the store manager if necessary. Better yet, learn Portuguese before you visit Brasil and buy your SIM over the phone.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I’ve never used them but CS was very straightforward and the “Pula-pula” promotion is very sweet if you’re going to stay for more than one month.

**money69** · 10-01-2004, 12:28 PM

Quick Facts
Country: Mexico
Network Name: TelCel
Website: www.telcelgsm.com
Product Name: Amigo
Owned by/Major partners: AT&T (I think)
Operational Frequency: 1900Mhz
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): $300pesos
Prepaid Package Validity: 60 days from activation
CSD access: Yes
GPRS access: Yes
EDGE access: Unknown
SIM applications: No
Manual included: Yes (Spanish)
Refill amounts: $100,$200,$300
Availability: Malls contain company stores, other than that, I saw plenty of smaller stores which sold cards.
Competitors: Telefonica Movistar

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
Overall, it was relatively easy to find a SIM, I purchased mine in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, most places you will find have the prepaid SIMS prepackaged with phones already, you can however, purchase a SIM without a phone. Activation is quick, they require registration, we used our American address and no ID was required to be shown. Its been approximately 3 months since I initially purchased the SIM, so the initial startup cost of the sim might not be exact, its about $300pesos with approx $100pesos credit (there are about 11.40 pesos to $1US). After registration, the phone was easy to use, and was quickly activated.

The Bad:
A little extra work to find SIM only, but it wasn’t to bad.

Usage:
The Good:
There are only two GSM operators in Mexico, Telcel and Movistar, Telcel has the largest coverage I understand but they are a little more expensive. Coverage is excellent throughout everywhere I was in Monterrey, works well, I have never really had a problem with calls (incoming/outgoing) or SMS. At this time, I have never tried MMS,CSD or GPRS however, I would see why they wouldn’t work, I know telcel supports GPRS and CSD and I am assuming they also support MMS. The SIM is valid for 60 days after activation, you can add credit up to approx I believe another two months after that, I am not positive on this, but its in line with a lot of other prepaid providers.

The Bad:
There are actually a couple things I don’t like about Telcel. The first being that I believe they have a “nickel and dime” mentality, perfect example, it costs to check your balance, when I first purchased my SIM, I made a couple mistakes trying to call back to the United States, the telcel recording came on and said the number was wrong, I was however, charged for the international calls, this happened a couple times without me noticing it, BTW, its expensive to call back to the US, without being exact and figuring the numbers from pesos to dollars in my head, its approximately $1.70US per min back to the US. Another bad thing, which is something I noticed after, my girl friend has Movistar, its significantly cheaper to call to the same cell company, its more than 2x the cost per min to call to the competitors cell company.

TIPS:
You can add friends cell numbers, (also from Telcel) to a plan to talk to them for only 1peso a minute (approx. .10c US).

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Telcel works well, I however next time I am going to try Movistar, it makes more sense for me to use them because my g/f has Movistar and it would be cheaper for me to call her and SMS her from another Movistar phone compared to Telcel.

**AdmiralAK** · 10-01-2004, 03:11 PM

Quick Facts
Country: USA
Network Name: 7eleven
Website: http://www.7-eleven.com/products/pro...d=1012&thumb=1
Product Name: SpeakOut Wireless
Owned by/Major partners: MVNO on Cingular's network
Operational Frequency: GSM 850 and GSM 1900
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): There is no SIM pack available, Package costs vary (approx. price $80 for phone and SIM)
Prepaid Package Validity: 365 days from activation
CSD access: No
GPRS access: No
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: No
Manual included: Yes (english and spanish I believe)
Refill amounts: $20, $50, $75, $100
Availability: Available at 7-eleven stores
Competitors: T-mobile, Cingular, AT&T, TracFone

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:
You can buy a prepaid package at just about any 7-eleven store. There are reports that the phone that you get is unlocked.

The Bad:
There are no SIM-only packs. The SIM card that you get is a cingular SIM (weird...they did not even bother to rebrand it). Some people report that not all 7-11 stores have this prepaid package for sale.

Usage:
The Good:
On-network time is claimed to be 20 cents per minute (which I guess is good for prepaid). There are customizable graphics, and ringtones available. CallerID, Call waiting, three way calling and voicemail are included. SMS messages are 10 cents. Your minutes are valid for 365 days (wow!). The coverage is the same as cingular's - which I consider quite good. The phone comes pre-activated, and the battery is charged! The manual has the mobile's number printed on it.

The Bad:
Customer service is not always available. Users report that they got the answering machine when they called (out for lunch maybe?). No data available, no CSD, no EDGE, no GPRS. Calling internationally an international SMS are questionable. There are also reports that the per minute charge varies by the network you are registered with (hmmm...sounds fishy).

TIPS:
Get a prepaid package from an area near to where you will be staying or you will incur roaming charges!!!!

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I've got mixed feelings about this prepaid package. The rates seem pretty cheap, but I do not know if one is able to call internationally, or SMS internationally. It seems like a pretty cheap calling plan, if you get the package in an area where you will be most of the time. The phone is reportedly unlocked, so you can sell it on ebay, or give it to your buddy, or use it as your backup for your other providers (it is 1900/850 only though). Thanks to VladS for the info.

**TriBand81** · 10-07-2004, 11:47 AM

Quick Facts
Country: Germany
Network Name: Tchibo (MVNO)
Website: http://www.tchibo.de/is-bin/INTERSHO...il&source=NAVI
Product Name: Tchibo Prepaid
Owned by/Major partners: Tchibo Germany Partners: O2 Germany (domestic network service) & T-Mobile (Roaming services for Europe)
Operational Frequency: GSM 1800
Prepaid Package Cost (Just SIM): 19,95 Euros (10 Euros of starting airtime included)
Prepaid Package Validity: 365 days from activation plus a 1 month grace period from the time the 365 days are up
CSD access: No
GPRS access: No
EDGE access: No
SIM applications: No (examples if you have them)
Manual included: Yes (German)
Refill amounts: 10, 20 and 30 Euros
Availability: All Tchibo Corporate Stores and Tchibo Partner Shops and www.tchibo.de
Competitors: T-Mobile, Vodafone &E-Plus

More In-Depth Information

Buying:
The Good:

The SIM card is available for 20 Euros at all Tchibo locations and you can refill with 10, 20 and 30 Euros. The SIM card and any TCM phones are locked to O2 Germany so only get the SIM or one of their phone if you want to commit to staying with this MVNO. It’s something to consider for those who will be in Germany, I wouldn’t recommend it for roaming since it’s still a new service.

The Bad:
No mention of CSD, GPRS or WAP access on the Tchibo website.

Usage:
The Good:
Most importantly, it must be noted that Tchibo is the largest German coffee shop/store chain so their GSM service is considered to be an MVNO since they don’t own their own towers. They run off O2 Germany’s 1800 network and roam on T-Mobile in Europe as well as the other O2 networks in the Netherlands, UK and Ireland. I haven’t personally tried this service but the deal is quite reasonable if someone is looking for a low cost prepaid option while staying in Germany.

The pricing for calls is pretty reasonable. Right now, Tchibo has 3 TCM (their own brand) phone models available. The Kompakt or basic cell phone is dual-band and costs 40 Euros: http://www.tchibo.de/is-bin/INTERSHO...uctSKU=0006894

The Klapp or flip phone is available for 80 Euros and is also dual-band: http://www.tchibo.de/is-bin/INTERSHO...uctSKU=0006893

The Foto Handy is GSM 900/1800/1900 (but locked to O2 so you cannot use foreign SIM cards) and costs 130 Euros:

http://www.tchibo.de/is-bin/INTERSHO...uctSKU=0006892

The pricing for calls is as follows:

Domestic Calls:

Gespräche in alle Mobilfunknetze/Calls to domestic cell phone networks € 0,35/Min.
Gespräche ins Festnetz/Calls to Landlines € 0,35/Min.
Abfrage der Mailbox/Checking voicemail Kostenlos/free
SMS versenden, je/Cost per sent SMS € 0,19
Empfangen von SMS/Receiving SMS Kostenlos/free
MMS versenden, je/Cost per sent MMS € 0,39
Empfang von MMS/Receiving MMS Kostenlos/free

MMS is available and you can also check your voicemail for free. You can check your balance by entering *101# and then pressing Send from the standby screen.

Calling from Germany to other countries:

Gespräche in alle verfügbaren
ausländischen Netze (Calls to foreign networks) € 1,99/Min.
SMS versenden in alle verfügbaren
ausländischen Netze, je (Sending SMS to foreign networks):
€ 0,19
SMS empfangen/Receiving SMS: Kostenlos/free

The Bad:
Roaming is limited to Europe for the moment and SMS sent to the US may not work as this hasn’t been tested.

TIPS:
Only recommended for occasional visitors, consider one of the more established German providers if you need to roam or use GPRS.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
A neat idea since Germany doesn’t have any Mobile Virtual Network Operators anymore since Quam ceased operating 2 years ago. They might take on the more established providers by targeting younger and occasional cell phone users.