Buying prepaid SIM cards in advance [telecom]

Telestial offers SIMs from e-plus and Vodafone that you can activate before going:

Poking around the e-plus web site, it looks like there are some pretty cheap data add-ons.

My experience in Europe is that there are mobile phone stores about every two blocks from one end of the continent to the other, so he's probably better off finding an e-plus store when he gets there, telling them what he needs, and getting a SIM on the spot.

Calls to the US are expensive, but there are some very cheap dialround services.

R's, John

Don't see why not. I just purchased a couple of VodaFone SIMs for use in the UK on eBay. They came preloaded with 1 Pound Sterling and had a UK phone number assigned that I was able to confirm as valid.

What I haven't been able to do is top up the card with some additional funding. The VodaFone web site only accepts credit cards with UK addresses. Not a huge problem as I can top it up at the first UK airport at most stores, but annoying.

My daughter recently spent 2 months in Italy for school. I wanted her to be able to use my old GSM cellphone, and researched it extensively. I found Cellular Abroad had the best arrangement for US travelers, and I had the phone ready for her before she left.

I don't know about broadband access, though.

They have plans for most foreign countries. I recommend checking their website to see if they will suit your needs.

Call them, they're easy to reach and very resp>

All German prepaid accounts offer data albeit at a non trivial rate. As for getting the card as Mr Levine wrote you can go through telestial.com but for the convenience of getting a card in advance and from them you'll pay a very hefty premium. If it's at all possible it's better that you get a SIM when you arrive in Germany. SIM availability in Europe is very easy and you can even get starter SIM kits at corner stores. Even at arrival in Frankfurt or other major airport there may even be a facility in the airport to obtain a SIM. Even if not pretty much any town will likely have a place to purchase a SIM.

Go to

for details of German prepaid GSM SIMs. Again, if at all possible I'd recommend waiting til arrival in Germany rather than using Telestial. Telestial's only advantage is that you'll know the number prior to landing in Europe. e.g. for e+ Telestial wants $55 for the starter packet. Getting the card locally is DM19.90. Vodafone packet is $49 from Telestial and DM19.95 in Germany. Installing a SIM packet is trivial as long as you can figure out how to install the SIM card (usually removing a battery and inserting the card.)

There's an E-Plus store in the Frankfurt airport, in the underground mall near the airport train station:

R's, John