Cheap prepaid Internet for short stay in Germany? [merged] [Archive]

siskiou

23-02-2009, 06:08

I'm visiting Germany Mid-March for two weeks and am looking for an easy and cheap way to get into the net for email and surfing while there.

A friend is loaning me their T-MOBILE Web´n Walk Compact II card, which is supposedly not SIM or Net locked.

Now, I've read what seems like a million different things about rates and such, but am still not clear what I really need to get online, and which company offers reasonable speed and reliability.

Tchibo, Blau, O2, Simyo, Fonic...

Can I just purchase one of their SIM cards and I'm all set? Where would I find the info to sign in and the connection software? I don't have a Handy there, nor a bank account, and I haven't found a way to purchase online with a creditcard from here.

I have an address I could have the card sent to in Germany, but I can't find a way to pay for the card ahead of time from the US.
And how would I register the card once I've bought it?

Is it easy to buy a SIM in a shop, once in Germany?

Frankly, I'm totally confused by all the offers and the small print (am fluent in German), and my questions via email to a couple of companies have only muddied the waters further. :D

I'd prefer a prepaid flatrate for 30 days, so I don't have to watch my usage and load up the card again. Something that isn't linked to a cellphone contract and can be activated without a cellphone.

What I need are instructions like:
buy this brand SIM here,
download this conncection software,
fill in the following data... ;)

I hope I can find some enlightenment here!:o

dg7feq

23-02-2009, 09:31

If you have a german shipping adress i would give a try to buy on Ebay. There are some traders who accept paypal so this should work. The Blau.de SIM-cards would be a good solution for you as they have a standard data rate of 0.24€/MB and you can buy 1GB for 10€ or the data flatrate for 20€. The booking of data packages is possible via the 1155 customer care center free of charge.

Chris

inquisitor

23-02-2009, 09:37

That T-Mobile card should do the job.

Keep your hands off Blau and simyo and all those MVNOs on the eplus network, as it's total crap due to permanent congestion and lacking support of EDGE and HSDPA.

I think Tchibo would be the best for you - I wrote a complete guide at Germany - Tchibo - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Tchibo)

You don't need special connection software - just use the one which which comes with the T-Mobile card. All you need to do is changing the APN to "webmobil1".

Tchibo SIMs can easily be purchased at any of those 1000 Tchibo shops throughout Germany - just read the linked article. Actually Tchibo SIMs are currently sold for € 1 during a promotion, which ends today. Also I could sell you a brandnew sealed one for the price, I got it, namely € 1.

If you are interested in getting your own 3G-adapter, have a look at Vodafone Websession PrePaid UMTS USB-Stick zum Sonderpreis - November TT Special! - Telefon-Treff (http://www.telefon-treff.de/showthread.php?s=&threadid=377100) - these guys sell an unlocked Huawei E160 3G-dongle (in Vodafone-branded version) + a netlocked phone (SonyEricsson J110i) with Vodafone SIM for € 40 incl. shipping within Germany. That 3G-dongle also supports GSM and UMTS at 850 and 1900 MHz, so you could use it back in the US on AT&T's 3G network and on all American GSM-networks and it's easily debrandable by a simple firmware update, which takes one minute.

andy

23-02-2009, 11:20

check all the coverage maps - the place I was at last summer had 3g from only Vodafone at the time, and looks like it's gained T-mobile since

dg7feq

23-02-2009, 12:19

siskiou

23-02-2009, 17:03

dg7feq

23-02-2009, 21:17

Thanks, everyone!

So, if I buy a Tchibo card, I'd have to load it up with 20Euro for the Dataflat for 30 days? Or does it come with some credit on it already?
I checked on the Tchibo website, and under the prepaid options, the data pack doesn't show up as an option.
And could I use a regular landline in Germany to activate the data option? I won't have access to a cell there.

You have to send a SMS from the Tchibo card to activate the data pack.
SMS to 7777 containing "START DATENPACK" for the 500 MB pack or
SMS to 7777 containing "START DATENFLAT" for the flatrate

But the software for the datacards can ususally also send SMS messages, so that shouldnt be the problem. Otherwise ask anyone at the hotel reception or your friends if you could stick your SIM in their phone for a minute.

Chris

siskiou

23-02-2009, 21:29

But the software for the datacards can ususally also send SMS messages, so that shouldnt be the problem. Otherwise ask anyone at the hotel reception or your friends if you could stick your SIM in their phone for a minute.

Chris

Thanks, Chris!

Does anyone know if I can use one of those free O2 Loop cards and their connection software, too?
I had 3 of them sent ahead to my address in Germany a week or so ago, in the hopes they might be useful.

inquisitor

23-02-2009, 21:54

Regarding internet access O2 loop and Tchibo are the same service (both use the O2 network), however Tchibo is € 5 cheaper per month. But if you already have some of those free O2 Loop SIMs waiting for you, it doesn't really pay off to buy a Tchibo SIM (and pay shipping costs) for a single month of use.
Regarding connection software the T-Mobile Web'n'Walk Compact card II, which is produced by Option, should work with this version of O2's "connection manager" (http://www.o2online.de/nw/support/downloads/software/pc/conmanager/win/win-haupt-artikel.html).
But if you use O2 Loop, you could also use the T-Mobile connection software, since O2 Loop doesn't require a (correct) APN to be set. So even if T-Mobile's APN is preconfigured in the T-Mobile software it will still connect through O2 Loop.

siskiou

24-02-2009, 02:10

One more question:
are there any cheapo cellphones without SIM/Net-Lock available?
Since I have 3 O2 Loop Freikarten, I could use one in the phone, and have an easier time loading exactly the amount I need onto my card, plus I could use the extra cards for emergency phone calls, if needed.
It would have to be a really cheap phone, though, or one that I could later use with prepaid sim cards in the US.

dg7feq

24-02-2009, 08:58

inquisitor

24-02-2009, 10:27

The cheapest unlocked quadband phone, which would also work back in the US, is a Samsung SGH-M310 for € 61 incl. shipping within Germany (http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a345412.html).
A complete list of unlocked quadband phones available from German online retailers can be found at: GSM ohne Vertrag Preisvergleich bei Geizhals.at Deutschland (http://geizhals.at/deutschland/?cat=gsmf&sort=p&bpmax=&asuch=&v=e&pixonoff=on&filter=+Liste+aktualisieren+&bl1_id=100&xf=145_Quadband)

siskiou

24-02-2009, 15:58

Thanks again for all the help!
If everything works out with the configuration, I should be all set for my visit to Germany!

Am looking forward to seeing how much things have changed there during the last 5 years!

Ties Brants

24-02-2009, 21:23

If you are interested in getting your own 3G-adapter, have a look at Vodafone Websession PrePaid UMTS USB-Stick zum Sonderpreis - November TT Special! - Telefon-Treff (http://www.telefon-treff.de/showthread.php?s=&threadid=377100) - these guys sell an unlocked Huawei E160 3G-dongle (in Vodafone-branded version) + a netlocked phone (SonyEricsson J110i) with Vodafone SIM for € 40 incl. shipping within Germany. That 3G-dongle also supports GSM and UMTS at 850 and 1900 MHz, so you could use it back in the US on AT&T's 3G network and on all American GSM-networks and it's easily debrandable by a simple firmware update, which takes one minute.

Do you know if this offer is still valid? Because it says on the other forum that it is valid until the end of November 2008.

Thanks

inquisitor

24-02-2009, 21:38

Yes, in this posting from February 10th (http://www.telefon-treff.de/showthread.php?postid=3519988#post3519988) the seller stated, that the offer is still valid.

dg7feq

24-02-2009, 21:39

Do you know if this offer is still valid? Because it says on the other forum that it is valid until the end of November 2008.

Thanks

no, it is still valid as long as they can get new modems on stock. Verified by the dealer about a week ago here: Vodafone Websession PrePaid UMTS USB-Stick zum Sonderpreis - November TT Special! - Telefon-Treff (http://www.telefon-treff.de/showthread.php?postid=3519988#post3519988)

Chris

Ties Brants

24-02-2009, 22:03

Thanks. My German is not that good any more (and I didn't see the first time that there were more page in that thread)

new problem: I have to select a payment option (Zahlungsweise) but there I can't choose anything, it will just tell me that there only one option available to me (Zur Zeit bieten wir Ihnen nur eine Zahlungsweise an.) I don't see any option to to log in to paypal or anyting. The only option is to enter a "Guthaben Gutscheine / Gutschriften" but if I understand correctly that is a discount code.

Can someone point me in the right direction? thanks again

inquisitor

24-02-2009, 22:26

I get the choice between PayPal, "Vorkasse" (vooruitbetaling) and "Nachnahme" (remboers). Maybe you can't chose any payment option because they don't deliver abroad. If you know someone living in Germany you could try ordering with his/her address.

Ties Brants

24-02-2009, 22:35

Thanks.
They say they do deliver to the Netherlands.
Deltatecc Shop (http://www.deltateccshop.de/Liefer-und-Versandkosten_i5_x4.htm)
And on the Versandinformationen page they do add 15 euro's for delivery. I really don't understand. I will see tomorrow and otherwise I might just send them an email.

Ties Brants

25-02-2009, 23:16

I managed to do it in the end. I changed my address to a fake German address. Then there were actually some payment options to choose from. And in the next screen I could change the address back to my real address in the Netherlands. Not really the way it is supposed to go, but it worked anyway.

So now I will just wait and see if it gets delivered to the right address

9eor9

10-04-2009, 17:57

Dear guys,

bring your stuff to Vienna to Semaf Electronics - www.entsperren.org / Startseite (http://www.semaf.at)

They unlock nearly everything, also data cards, sticks, modems, Blackberrys etc.etc. for 10-20 €.

Have a look!

siskiou

10-04-2009, 18:16

I'm back from my visit to Germany, and used my unlocked T-Mobile card, plus an O2 sim (I tried one of their Freikarten to see if it worked and then loaded it and ordered their unlimited internet for one month).

This worked in most areas I went to. As long as I was in or near a major city, things were fine, but in less lived in areas, the only available UMTS net that showed up was T-Mobile.

StefanoA

11-04-2009, 08:06

Hi everybody,

I'm going to stay in Germany for business a couple of weeks on next may.

My current data USIM and plan by 3 are good in Italy, but not convenient abroad (0.5€/MB).

Therefore I'm looking for some prepaid card + USB modem to be able to download and surf over internet while being in Frankfurt.

I searched over several German phone companies, but almost everything is written in German and I'm not able to read it... I hope to find here someone so kind to help me in finding some possible solution.

Thanks in advance
StefanoA :)

inquisitor

11-04-2009, 09:19

I think Tchibo is the most interesting offer for you. You'll find detailed information on German prepaid offers including Tchibo at Germany - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany)

StefanoA

11-04-2009, 13:25

Thanks for your prompt reply,

I'm checking your link and trying to get in contact with Tchibo for details and confirmation (I hope no problem arise from being non German!).

I'll keep all incoming news updated on this thread... ;)

inquisitor

11-04-2009, 17:30

Regarding the USB modem including SIM card, you'll find information at Tchibo - Internet Stick inkl. Prepaid SIM-Karte (http://www.tchibo.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/de/-/EUR/TdTchDisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=0018094)

However for regular Tchibo SIM cards purchased separtely (without USB modem) data options are not officially available. So don't expect Tchibo to confirm any of the infos in the linked article, which btw was written by me. But believe me, it works flawlessly - I've several friends, who use Tchibo's data options with a regular SIM card.

StefanoA

11-04-2009, 18:59

Ok, your second link looks even better to me:

please check if I understand well:

1) I can buy directly such kit at any Tchibo shop (or buy it online and let it ship to some German address) without signing any "long" contract (such as 24 months or similar). Just pay and get it.

2) With 50€ I get the USB modem, the prepaid SIM and 10GB of traffic within one month from activation.

3) Finally, I just havo to plug the SIM into the USB stick, the stick into my notebook, install required driver/software and activate the account to be able to surf for 1 month/10GB well and fast enough?

If I understood all well, I think I solved my problem thanks to you!

inquisitor

11-04-2009, 20:13

1) I can buy directly such kit at any Tchibo shop (or buy it online and let it ship to some German address) without signing any "long" contract (such as 24 months or similar). Just pay and get it.Generally you can buy the Tchibo "Internet Stick" online and in any Tchibo shop, but that bundle is not a permanent offer but is only sold during promotions. So hurry up as it could be sold out and it could take weeks until they start another promotion. Until now Tchibo has sold the stick three times (in December 2008, February 2009 and in April 2009).
As we are in a prepaid GSM forum, the offer of course is without any contract. So you can buy it and use it without any obligation. You just need to register with Tchibo upon purchase, which isn't a problem even for non-residents.

2) With 50€ I get the USB modem, the prepaid SIM and 10GB of traffic within one month from activation.Yes. But keep in mind, that the USB modem is netlocked. If you want to use with another SIM card than O2 Germany's, you'll need to unlock it for € 15 (www.dc-unlocker.com/).

3) Finally, I just havo to plug the SIM into the USB stick, the stick into my notebook, install required driver/software and activate the account to be able to surf for 1 month/10GB well and fast enough?Yes, just plug in the stick and the access software including drivers will automatically start to install. 10GB is more than enough for a month and bandwidth depends on network coverage. If you are within 3G coverage, you'll get up to 3.6 MBit/s, while you'll get 200 KBit/s in the regular GSM-network.

TheMadBrewer

11-04-2009, 21:54

I thought I'd add my 2 cents to this.

My brother and I bought one during the December promotion. We filled out a form, using our hotel address and returned to the Tchibo store. I seem to remember we also had to call a number to activate the SIM -- I don't remember if we did that from a mobile or whether we put the Tchibo SIM into unlocked phone.

The stick worked fine in both my brothers window laptop and my Macbook. The software automatically installs when you connect the stick. It worked flawlessly.

I am headed back to Germany next month for three weeks and I hope to use it again. It appears (thanks Inquisitor) that all I'll need to do is purchase a €20 top up and then using the software loaded from the stick, send an SMS to activate.

StefanoA

11-04-2009, 22:21

Once again thanks for your prompt and precise reply.

Now everything is clear for me. I'll manage to buy immediately one stick online (I'll check if it's possible to let it be shipped to my hotel in Frankfurt).

One more time Internet was the right place to provide me the best solution.

I'd would be happy to offer a good German beer to all of you in case we can meet in Frankfurt in first middle of may!

siskiou

12-04-2009, 01:30

I think the Tchibo stick is the easiest option (unless you already have a UMTS card that's not simlocked), but if you need coverage outside large cities, it might not always get you connected.

I was okay at my parents' house, but not at my friend's (and she lives fairly close to Koeln). Out in the country=forget it with o2!

Motel75

12-04-2009, 08:17

StefanoA

12-04-2009, 08:50

I'm going to stay in the Frankfurt Exhibition area.

I suppose it is one of most "covered" area (but also heavily loaded, I hope to be able to get enough band).

inquisitor

12-04-2009, 10:12

O2 covers 99,9% of Germany's population with GSM/EDGE and some 60% with 3G/HSPA. Further for some rural regions O2 still has a unilateral national roaming agreement with T-Mobile, which will last until the end of 2009.
So if you run out of coverage with an O2 SIM that's really bad luck. All in all T-Mobile and Vodafone still provide better coverage but unless you leave civilization O2 should do the job. Also keep in mind, that the cheapest prepaid offers on T-Mobile and Vodafone are their dayflats for € 4,95 per day - that's nearly € 150 for one month, which costs € 20 with Tchibo.

siskiou

12-04-2009, 17:03

That's because O2 roams on T-Mobile outside urban areas.

Does that mean I should have been able to connect through T-mobile in those areas (I thought I remembered something about the roaming)?
I tried many times, but it was a no-go.

siskiou

12-04-2009, 17:08

So if you run out of coverage with an O2 SIM that's really bad luck.

I was very surprised to not get a connection at my friend's house, who lives very close to Koeln.
There were many not covered areas along the train route from Duesseldorf toward the coast (Norddeich), but it *is* a very thinly populated area along the way.

Frankfurt should be no problem at all!

dg7feq

12-04-2009, 18:22

Does that mean I should have been able to connect through T-mobile in those areas (I thought I remembered something about the roaming)?
I tried many times, but it was a no-go.

The roaming is switched off from area to area starting last year already. By the end of this year it will be completely disabled. While o2 is still building a lot of GSM stations these days there will be for sure areas without coverage with o2 (at least temporarely) towards the end of 2009.

Chris

siskiou

12-04-2009, 18:30

Ah, no wonder!
Thanks for the explanation.

inquisitor

13-04-2009, 00:06

There were many not covered areas along the train route from Duesseldorf toward the coast (Norddeich), but it *is* a very thinly populated area along the way.Coverage inside long-distance trains is an issue, since modern IC (InterCity) and ICE (InterCityExpress) wagons have metal-coated windows and a steel frame, which severly attenuates radio signals (up to 30db in a ICE). Allthough a lot of waggons have so called intrain-repeaters installed, older ones do not work for O2 and eplus, as these two operators use EGSM900 and GSM1800 but older repeaters do only amplify the PGSM900 band and eplus' portion of the GSM1800 band. 3G is not amplified by those repeaters at all. According to press releases german rail operator Deutsche Bahn is about to swap those old GSM repeaters, but if you're in a waggon without repeater or with an old repeater, you'll experience bad network coverage.
Upon request seats can be reserved in waggons with repeaters, which carry this symbol:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/de/thumb/8/84/Handyaussen.jpg/600px-Handyaussen.jpg
For more details in German see Intrain-Repeater ? Wikipedia (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrain-Repeater)

9eor9

13-04-2009, 08:16

I have read all the posts and I am quite close to buy Tchibo.

I am a frequent traveller all around Germany and ask herewith if there is somebody else with such a profile of usage.

Experiences? Are you content?

Thanks

Lucy

28-06-2009, 22:19

I and my boyfriend will be in Germany for a month late July to late August. We both need mobile phones to talk to each other and to others. Plus I need an internet connection for my computer. I want a one-month flat rate so i don't worry about usage. (He'll have internet at the university where he is teaching a few days a week.)

Does it make sense to use one company for both tasks? If so, which? I understand that I must buy a usb stick to get the signal into my computer. (I have a smart phone, but that would not be adequate for a month of using the internet.) So that is a factor in determining the price. I'd like one that works in other countries and in the US in the event I should want a similar service here. That seems to be the most expensive item in the whole communications package i need. (Is there a standard unlocked stick I could get for less money, or do you have to get one from the provider?)

I see Tchibo being advised here as a good service, also because it doesn't live on a clogged system. Is that the best for me? What are the alternatives? Should I get phone and internet from different companies?

What about tethering? Can I use my G1 Android to connect to a wireless provider and tether that to my computer via bluetooth or cable?

Appreciate your advice.

inquisitor

29-06-2009, 00:30

Regarding your requirements for voice communication I would recommend either Alditalk (€ 0,03/min to other Alditalk subscribers, € 0,12/min to North America and domestic networks) or Fonic (€ 0,09/min to other Fonic subscribers, North America and domestic networks). Both SIMs are easily to buy, as Alditalk is sold at omnipresent Aldi supermarkets and Fonic at Lidl, Real, Müller and dm supermarkets, which are even wider spread.
Another option would be solomo pro (http://www.solomo.de/?function=order&affiliateId=3106) (if you order through this link (http://www.solomo.de/?function=order&affiliateId=3106), you'll get € 5 of extra credit and so will I) with € 0,05/min among solomo customers, € 0,09/min to North America and € 0,10/min to domestic networks with the great advantage of billing by seconds after the first minute, whereas the afore-mentioned round up call time to full minutes. The only downside of solomo is, that SIMs are only sold online and can also be recharged online by creditcard only.
Which of those is the best for you depends on distribution of destinations called.

The G1 can be tethered to a computer and so be used as a modem, but afaik the appropriate application has been pulled from the Android store and can now only be installed by rooting (hacking) your phone. However extensive modem-usage will wear out your G1's battery soon and so it may be reasonable to get a USB-modem instead.

When it comes to a modem, that will work in the US later, you should be aware of the different frequency bands used for 3G in Europe and the US:
Whereas European 3G-networks operate at 2100 MHz (and some outside of Germany also at 900 MHz), American 3G networks use 850 and 1900 MHz (AT&T) and 1700 and 2100 MHz (T-Mobile), whereby T-Mobile uses a combination of 1700 and 2100 MHz (so-called AWS), which is incompatible with the European 2100 MHz-band.
As there's no device available in Europe, that supports T-Mobile's 1700/2100 MHz-band, you could only get a device that will work in Europe and on AT&T's 3G network, but not on any other US-network (as the rest are not using UMTS-technology). So in order to get a device suitable for Germany and AT&T you would need a device supporting 850, 1900 and 2100 MHz. The only reasonably priced device meeting this requirement would be a Huawei E160.
Actually the Huawei E160 is sold by several providers (Tchibo, Fonic, Vodafone, Aldi) starting from € 30, but they all have different designations and I fear some or all are a trimmed version called E160G, which lacks support for UMTS 850 and 1900 MHz and so won't even work on AT&T's 3G network. I'll try to find out on German forums, if the E160 is available somewhere and let you know soon.

As you already found out, Tchibo is perhaps the best choice for internet access. If you want even better quality (better 3G coverage and even higher bandwidth) Vodafone is interesting, as they have a summer promotion offering 7 days of internet access for € 10. However Vodafone's so-called "WebSessions" will be terminated after reaching 1GB of data volume. That could easily happen sooner than 7 days and so you could need more than 3 WebSessions (each costing € 10) to stay online for a month.

dg7feq

29-06-2009, 08:11

Another plus for the Vodafone data offer is that they sell the USB-Modem for 29 Euro at the moment (and it is not even SIM-locked).

Chris

inquisitor

29-06-2009, 12:00

Just got the information, that the "Tchibo Internet Stick", which is sold for € 50 including one month of free internet access (worth € 20) does definitely support UMTS 850 and 1900, so it generally would work on AT&T's 3G network, if it wasn't locked. But you can unlock it after leaving Germany for € 15. So the total cost for the Tchibo stick (purchase, 1 month internet, unlocking) would be € 65.

Even if the Vodafone stick "K3565" supports American 3G bands, too, it wouldn't be significantly cheaper, as you would need to purchase the stick (€ 30), buy a Tchibo SIM (€ 10) and topup € 20 for the internet flatrate, so € 60 in total. If you consider the effort to order a Vodafone stick, buy a Tchibo SIM, get the topup voucher and all the technical challenges (Vodafone stick needs to be debranded in order to use other SIM cards and then the access software "Mobile Partner" doesn't support USSD-commands, which are necessary for topups), the Tchibo Internet Stick appears to be the better choice.

Lucy

29-06-2009, 16:09

dg7feq

29-06-2009, 16:10

Yes, for sure if you want to use the Tchibo flatrate its not worth the effort. If you want to use Vodafone Websessions instead its a good deal - always depends on the coverage of course. Here in the area Vodafone is the only one with 3G coverage so the choice is quite easy for me ;)

inquisitor

29-06-2009, 18:32

So Tchibo seems best for internet. I saw on the website that there could be a two week delay getting the usb stick. Is that only for internet sales? Will I have a problem in shops? Or should I order via the internet now to make sure it arrives at a German address in time?The availability shown on Tchibo's website refers to their stock for the online shop. The stick could still be available at local shops, as it is the case here in my town. So you can either order it online in advance or call some shop and ask them to reserve one or ask some German to pick one up.
Where in Germany are you actually going to stay?

Re mobile phones, i read that the eplus network Alditalk uses is bad, clogged. So that Fonic would be better.Those congestions on the eplus network mostly affect data usage (low speed). Voice calls usually work fine on the eplus network, as long as you use eplus' GSM-network. So if you have a 3G-phone like the T-Mobile G1, you should better switch network mode to GSM/2G-only, since congestion on the 3G-network results in unavailability despite your phone showing full reception bars. Switching to GSM/2G-only, by the way, would also prolong battery life. In general 3G is only relevant if you want high data rates.
But as mentioned, voice calling and SMS isn't an issue on the eplus GSM-network.

Is there some chart that compares what the mobile companies charge for roaming inside Europe? For example, if i go to France for a few days, what will it cost me to make local calls? To call Germany?Roaming tariffs are equal for almost all providers, as they all charge the maximum, which European roaming regulations allow. That means € 0,22/min for incoming calls and € 0,51/min for outgoing calls within the EU to the EU. If you call a destination outside the EU while roaming expect to be ripped off with prices above € 1/min.
The only siginificant exception with roaming tariffs is solomo pro, who charge only € 0,10/min for incoming calls in the whole European Union and outgoing calls abroad are also cheaper, at least when activating the callback option. If you go to France e.g. with solomo pro you could call Germany for € 0,29/min (fixed lines) or € 0,49/min (mobile phones) and the US from France for € 0,29/min. For a further tariff details of solomo pro go to https://www.solomo.de/?function=showTariffFC
If you are planning to go to other Europen countries solomo pro if the first choice.

I see Fonic charges
o 9 cents per minute for calls to landline numbers in Europe, the USA and Canada.
o 29 cents per minute for calls to mobile numbers in Europe, the USA and Canada

But what about FROM France to French numbers?That would cost € 0,51/min as stated above.

I see that there are quite a few German discount carriers that sell plans where the sim cost is free or equals the minutes included. Can't find that in France. (Orange costs 30 EUR for a sim!) Or am I looking in the wrong place?French SIMs are cheap to get from French eBay (http://www.ebay.fr).
As you might be interested in cheap international rates from France, check this thread (http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/europe/5022-france-cheapest-tariff-intl-calls-especially-germany-also-postpaid-offers.html) - it's primarily about cheap rates from France to Germany, but I presume those providers have similiarly cheap rates to the US.

Lucy

29-06-2009, 18:56

Thanks.
I will be in Berlin. If I go to Paris, it would be for just a few days.

So unless I thought i would make under 20 min outgoing calls inside France, (10EUR) i could just keep the German sim. Otherwise there is at discount local French sim at 10EUR/including 5 EUR credit, 19c minute. OMER Telecom (Breizh Mobile ) using Orange network.

I'll check Solomo, but issue for me is time; I'm only in Berlin for a month, might not want to wait for mailed sim. Rather go to a shop and get all set up on the spot.

Lucy

29-06-2009, 19:01

sorry, meant to say that unless i made OVER 20 min calls in France, best to stay with German sim

Lucy

29-06-2009, 19:37

Reading about Fonic, it says
Activation:
The card must be activated online FONIC -- Das ist die Wahrheit. (http://www.fonic.de/html/) (then "SIM freischalten") or Tel. 0800-4636642, Mon - Sat 8 - 20 h. You need a german bank account, a german address and a passport-number. For the first activation you must recharge 10 Euros from the german bank account

so not good for US citizens, no?

inquisitor

30-06-2009, 00:31

A German bank account is neither required for registration nor for recharge for more than a year now. Passport number was never required and a German address, which you will still be asked for upon registration, will not be checked, so you can provide just any German address.

inquisitor

30-06-2009, 09:59

Thanks.
I'll check Solomo, but issue for me is time; I'm only in Berlin for a month, might not want to wait for mailed sim.solomo SIMs are deliverd within 2-3 days after ordering. If you order them in advance, they will be with you in time.

Lucy

02-07-2009, 02:45

So the new rules just issued by the EU must change things a bit, no? Now everyone must charge by the second after the first half minute. Does that change what is the best mobile in Germany?

dg7feq

02-07-2009, 08:32

All these rules only apply when you are roaming with a EU SIM-card in another EU country. That does not affect the national tariffs.

inquisitor

02-07-2009, 08:38

As you mentioned you would arrive only in late July, I anticipated the recent decline of roaming-price caps and so all mentioned roaming prices (€ 0,51 for outgoing and € 0,22 for incoming calls) already took yesterday's changes into account. Hence solomo pro is the cheapest German prepaid SIM while roaming.

inquisitor

20-07-2009, 20:11

Today three new dayflat tariffs were announced by German providers.

Tchibo introduced a dayflat for € 2.99/calendar day on the O2 network. Since Fonic already offers a dayflat on the same network for € 2.50 Tchibo's offer isn't overwhelming, but the fact you now have the choice between Germany's cheapest monthly flat on a HSPA-enabled network for € 20, a 500MB volume pack for € 10 and a dayflat for € 3 with a single SIM, is absolutely attractive.

Ja! mobil and Penny mobil, which are subsidaries of Rewe and Penny supermarkets and whose prepaid SIMs are sold in these, announced a dayflat for € 2.49/calendar day on the T-Mobile network. Since T-Mobile provides superior coverage with widespread HSPA-coverage and nationwide EDGE-support, in my eyes this is the best dayflat for Germany so far. Against the background of T-Mobile's dayflat costing € 4.95/day, the price decline is quite impressive.
The dayflats will only be available for special SIM cards called "ja! mobil data" and "Penny Mobil Data", which will also support voice calls at € 0.09/min to all national networks. Both SIMs are rechargable by regular T-Mobile vouchers, so-called "Xtra Cash".

All three offers will be subject to bandwidth-throttling to 64 KBit/s after exceeding 1 GB of traffic per calendar day.

luk2011

22-07-2009, 19:24

Internet Stick inkl. Prepaid SIM-Karte (http://www.tchibo.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/de/-/EUR/TdTchDisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=0018094)

simply data - Deutschlands gnstige Datenflat (http://www.simplydata.de/index.php?HardwareAction=AddItem&ArtikelNr=20030198&Menge=1&AddItem=1084)

Tchibo = 3.6Mb/s and work in O2 network

Simply = 7.2Mb/s and work in D1 - T-mobile 19.95EURO/Monat without contract , prepaid .

Why it's Tchibo better ?

Which network have better coverage : O2 or D1 - T-mobile ?

Anyone have an experience with Simply ?

What it's the best USB stick like Modem for : HSDPA connection ?

HSDPA work just in major city's from Germany?

Pre-paid Internet Mobile
Mobile Prepaid Internet Anbieter (http://www.mobilstick.de/prepaid-internet.html)

Price from various offers:
Preisvergleich Mobile Internet Anbieter (http://www.mobilstick.de/preisvergleich.html)

What do you say about all this offers? Which it's the best ?

In which network it work the Internet with the best speed?

luk2011

22-07-2009, 20:32

What about Simplydata?

simply data - Deutschlands gnstige Datenflat (http://www.simplydata.de/index.php?HardwareAction=AddItem&ArtikelNr=20030198&Menge=1&AddItem=1084)

Lucy

04-09-2009, 19:13

Based on the information I got on this site, I got a Tchibo stick for internet and Fonic for a cell phone. Both were very good choices. The Tchibo, with a promotion, cost 60 euros and included a month on line. Normally 20 Euros a month. And I keep the stick for next time. The Fonic cost 10 euros and included 111 minutes. I didn't even use them all. Problem with Germany in general is that you can't pay for things on line with a credit card, including to top up minutes. Inconvenient.

Question: I was in Berlin with my boyfriend. We had to keep switching the Tchibo stick between his computer and mine. Is there a program or device that would allow us to share the stick and both get online at the same time?

Lucy

inquisitor

04-09-2009, 20:10

The Tchibo, with a promotion, cost 60 euros and included a month on line. Normally 20 Euros a month. That free first month is not longer offered, just FIY.

And I keep the stick for next time.Actually you could use the stick in the US, if you have a data plan there. It supports 3G at 850 and 1900 MHz, so except for T-Mobile (who use 1700/2100 MHz) the stick is compatible with any UMTS-based 3G-network in the US (e.g. AT&T).
You would just need to unlock it, which simply requires a code to be entered. The codes are available for less than $6 from eBay sellers (e.g. "3g-fever").

The Fonic cost 10 euros and included 111 minutes. I didn't even use them all. Problem with Germany in general is that you can't pay for things on line with a credit card, including to top up minutes. Inconvenient.Top ups can be bought online and paid with credit card for both, Tchibo and Fonic, at Aufladen.de - So macht man das! (http://www.aufladen.de). Further compared to the US recharge vouchers are available nearly everywhere and anytime, at least at gasstations and those vending machines.
In general you are right, credit cards are less accepted in Germany than in the US. In Germany we mostly pay with debit cards (Maestro) and direct debit, which is siginificantly cheaper in regards of processing fees and in the end it's us customers who pay for those.

Question: I was in Berlin with my boyfriend. We had to keep switching the Tchibo stick between his computer and mine. Is there a program or device that would allow us to share the stick and both get online at the same time?Yes, there are WiFi-routers with integrated 3G-modem and also WiFi-routers with a USB-jack, where you can plug in your existing stick and share the connection over WiFi. Both types of devices are not really cheap. Those WiFi-routers with integrated 3G modem, like the Novatel MiFi 2352 cost ~ $300, while those in which you would plug in your existing stick cost ~ € 100.
You will find a choice of devices at 3G/WiFi-routers - 3G modem wiki (http://3g-modem.wetpaint.com/page/3G%2FWiFi-routers)

@mods Could you please move this and Lucy's post to http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/europe/4768-cheap-prepaid-internet-short-stay-germany-merged.html ?

Lucy

05-09-2009, 04:16

Re: Top ups can be bought online and paid with credit card for both, Tchibo and Fonic, at Aufladen.de - So macht man das!.

Tchibo and Fonic are not on that site.

My boyfriend had a hard time finding a shop with a Fonic minutes card. He finally found and bought one for 20 Euros and discovered that it had granted him only 10 Euros of minutes.

inquisitor

05-09-2009, 08:32

Tchibo and Fonic can both be topped up with regular O2 vouchers, which you get everywhere.

Lucy

05-09-2009, 13:02

Thanks. Neither Tchibo nor Fonic provide that information.

inquisitor

05-09-2009, 13:35

That's because they lose the premium from the sale of their own vouchers, when people use the ones from O2.
For additional information see:
Germany - Tchibo - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Tchibo)
Germany - Fonic - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Fonic)

inquisitor

07-09-2009, 18:49

WARNING!!! Fonic can not be topped up with O2 Loop vouchers anymore! Fonic SIMs must be topped up with official Fonic top ups.

jamersdc

03-12-2009, 19:47

SporkLover

08-12-2009, 20:40

Is there anywhere online that I can purchase Fonic Pre-Paid vouchers? Silly as it may seem, I am having difficulty finding them at the local stores. When I ask for Fonic TOp up, I am usually handed a starter kit. To be fair there is a slight language barrier, which is my fault since I was totally unprepared for this trip from that aspect....

inquisitor

09-12-2009, 01:47

Fonic top up vouchers are sold at the following stores, however not online:
real (supermarket)
dm (drugstore)
Müller (drugstore)
Jet (gasstation)
The Phone House (telecommunications)
expert (electronics)
MediaMarkt (electronics)
Saturn (electronics)
ProMarkt (electronics)
KOMET (electronics)
Staples (office supplies)

Shop locations can be found at http://www.fonic.de/html/filialfinder.html

In German top up vouchers are simply refered to as "Guthaben", which means "credit". So just ask for "Guthaben für Fonic".

The only way of topping up online (through Fonic's website) requires a German bank account.

9eor9

09-12-2009, 14:38

Hello,

I bought a prepaid internet stick at $20 voucher at Tchibo, but when I plug it in the SIM can't activate on the network. I went to https://www.tchibo-mobil.de/registration to try and register online, but I'm just a frequent visitor and don't have a german bank account to use. How can I get this running?! They didn't ask me to fill out any forms at the store.

Help appreciated!

Thanks,

- James

Hi,
I've checked the original form which you usually have to fill in in a Tchibo-shop when buying your SIM: http://images.tchibo.de/eCS/Store/de/pdf/Tchibo_mobil_Prepaid_Anmeldeformular122006.pdf

They do not ask for a bank account there and you will not need one if you chose the prepaid option. I have it prepaid and was never asked for a bank account number.
BUT: It is possible to chose a postpaid "comfort" option with a little more support like my Tchibo or what else. Then you'll need your bank.

SporkLover

09-12-2009, 22:26

Inquisitor, thank you! Your tips helped me get exactly what I needed!

Motel75

10-12-2009, 21:41

Fonic seems to be adding other retailers. They have prominent ads and SIM sales in the Spiele Max toy stores (although not yet in Smyk stores, even though they own Spiele Max).

siskiou

29-04-2010, 04:53

So, I'm heading over to Germany again this summer and will also spend about two months in Britain.

What are the current best deals for prepaid internet flat rates and are there any companies that let you use the same sim in both countries for a reasonable rate?

I'm currently looking at unlocked surf sticks on ebay, but haven't bought one yet.

inquisitor

29-04-2010, 08:16

If you'll be using data for more than 8 days per month, Tchibo's monthly flatrate costing € 20 for 30 days is still the most competitive offer. Otherwise Fonic's daily flatrate (€ 2.50/day) with a price cap of € 25 per month is also an interesting option, especially since Fonic have very cheap international rates.
Details on both are available at Germany - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany)

Since data roaming is still exorbitantly expensive, you'll need to pick a separate SIM for the UK.

Regarding 3G modems, you should go for one from Huawei, as from my experience they are the best and easiest to handle, especially when it comes to unlocking (http://a-zgsm.com/huawei.php) or debranding (http://3g-modem.wetpaint.com/page/debranding+Huawei+USB+modems). What you should consider is, that only few sticks support the major European 3G band (2100 MHz) and AT&Ts 3G bands (850 & 1900 MHz). So if you want to use the device back in the Staates, your choice is limited to the Huawei E160 (available at some Tchibo stores, while others have already been restocked with the newer E1550, which unfortunately doesn't support American 3G bands like the E160G) or the E1762 sold in Germany as "Bild Mobil Speedstick" for € 50 (http://www.bildmobil.de/speedstick/) (available only online), where the latter is much faster (7,2 MBit/s downstream vs. 3,6 MBit/s and 5,76 MBit/s upstream vs. 0,4 MBit/ts).

siskiou

30-04-2010, 01:48

I'm going to be in Germany for a week in June and again for a week in August.
In between, I'll be in Britain.
What do you think of a Simyo sim, with 1GB for 9.95 Euro?
Thanks for mentioning what surf sticks to look for!
So far, I haven't needed one in the US, but you'll never know...

siskiou

22-05-2010, 18:03

I picked up an unlocked usb stick (Novatel MC950D) and a couple of sim cards for the UK so far.
Have not received the modem yet, but wonder what kind of connection manager I should use, and how to go about activating the sim cards.
Do I activate via cell phone (I have an old, unlocked one I'll be taking along), or can it be done via the netbook and software.
Same with adding more credit to the cards, if needed. Can that be done via software and credit card? Do I need to register with the company the cards are from (3 and T-mobile in the UK)?
Thanks in advance for any info!

inquisitor

23-05-2010, 03:07

simyo uses the eplus network which has very limited HSDPA-coverage and suffers from regular congestions. Besides network quality simyo is only available online and they ship only to German adresses, which might be a problem for you.
So you might prefer Fonic, which is widely available through retailers and also offers cheap international calling rates.
As I've never had any Novatel hardware, I can't give you any advise on your stick, but I would always prefer the original dashboard from the manufacturer.

P.S.: I think the last posting is kind of misplaced in this thread.

siskiou

23-05-2010, 19:46

Thanks and sorry for the content not related to the thread!
I reposted in another thread, hopefully more suited to my question.

Forkedman

25-06-2010, 03:37

I've recently purchased a Tchibo stick (20eu at the moment with the 500mb free) and I want to upgrade to the flat rate plan.

Now, these questions might seem stupid but I can't read German and can only speak a very little, so the going is slow when it comes to finding information. I hope you'll all forgive me.

Now, as I understand it, to upgrade to the new plan I need to buy credit (either Tchibo(from the store) or O2 (from all over the place)) and apply this to my account/phone number. Is it possible for me to add the credit via the web, even if I buy it in a store?

I ask this because at the moment I don't have a phone, nor do I intend on buying one while I'm in Germany unless I must.

I've noticed that the stick software has SMS features, however when I tried to activate the free 500mb plan all my SMS bounced back or didn't send(I'm not sure which). So I'm concerned that I won't be able to activate the credit via the SMS featues on the stick and with my very poor german and lack of a mobile(handy) it's a hassle to activate anything over the phone.

So, I guess I'm asking what my options are here and how I would best go about upgrading to the flatrate.

And I'm sorry if this post is a mess, it's 4am and I'm jet lagged and really not thinking that clearly. Maybe I've missed something really obvious.

Thanks.

inquisitor

27-06-2010, 00:07

I've recently purchased a Tchibo stick (20eu at the moment with the 500mb free) and I want to upgrade to the flat rate plan.I doubt you can switch to the "Internet-Flatrate XL" during the first month, in which the free "Internet-Flatrate L" is pre-activated. You could try sending an SMS with "STOP DATENFLAT2" to 7777 in order to request cancelation of the current "Internet-Flatrate L". Shortly later you should receive a message requesting your confirmation by sending "ENDE DATENFLAT2" to 7777.
After receiving the final confirmation for your cancelation, send "START DATENFLAT" to 7777 and you will again be asked by another SMS to confirm subscription of the "Internet-Flatrate XL" by sending "JA DATENFLAT" to 7777.

Now, as I understand it, to upgrade to the new plan I need to buy credit (either Tchibo(from the store) or O2 (from all over the place)) and apply this to my account/phone number. Is it possible for me to add the credit via the web, even if I buy it in a store?At least without a German, Austrian, Swiss or Dutch credit card you can't purchase recharge vouchers online. But O2 vouchers are sold absolutely everywhere.

I ask this because at the moment I don't have a phone, nor do I intend on buying one while I'm in Germany unless I must. You don't need a phone to manage your credit. If you're using Tchibo's version of Mobile Partner, there should be a button called "Guthaben verwalten", through which you can check your credit ("Guthabenabfrage") or redeem a voucher code ("Guthabenkarte aufladen").

I've noticed that the stick software has SMS features, however when I tried to activate the free 500mb plan all my SMS bounced back or didn't send(I'm not sure which).Did you receive any error message?

So I'm concerned that I won't be able to activate the credit via the SMS featues on the stick and with my very poor german and lack of a mobile(handy) it's a hassle to activate anything over the phone.

So, I guess I'm asking what my options are here and how I would best go about upgrading to the flatrate.Beyond SMS and customer care, there's also a USSD-menu (*104#), through which you can manage your tariff options. In order to send USSD-commands with your USB stick, you'll need to download MDMA (http://www.nerve.org.za/mdma/), fully close Mobile Partner (otherwise MDMA won't work) and then run MDMA, which allows sending USSD commands (*104#).

Forkedman

27-06-2010, 00:45

Thank you for the swift response. I'll give the program you suggested a go.

As for the SMS's, it attempts to send them - the bar moves slowly across, then an error message flashes up so quickly I can't make it out (and wouldn't be able to even if it were in english) and the next message goes to the postausgang folder with a red exclamation point beside it.

Lucy

02-07-2010, 00:44

I went to Germany last year for a month. You (Inquisitor) advised me to get a Tchibo for my laptop and Fonic as prepaid GSM mobile phone. (The issue was good service at the cheapest possible price.) Very good advice.

We are going in July for another month. Now, after a bit of checking on this site, I think I should get a second Tchibo (my travel partner and I were switching the device between our 2 computers and decided this year to splurge). So we need to buy a month's connect time for the old Tchibo and will get a month's time with the new one. Do you agree that the new device should be a Tchibo?

On the cell phone, the only problem with Fonic was finding a place to get a more-minutes card. Nobody had them. I think we didn't understand it didn't have to be called "Fonic" but could be the company that runs the network it uses. Is that right?

When we arrive in Germany, our numbers will have been used last 11 months before. Are they still good? Do we just buy minutes? (Where?) or do you now advise us to get a vendor other than Fonic? It doesn't matter if we change phone numbers.

We will be traveling in Croatia and Italy and would like to be able to do roaming with the mobile phones.

Thanks for your very wise help!

inquisitor

02-07-2010, 13:03

We are going in July for another month. Now, after a bit of checking on this site, I think I should get a second Tchibo (my travel partner and I were switching the device between our 2 computers and decided this year to splurge). So we need to buy a month's connect time for the old Tchibo and will get a month's time with the new one. Do you agree that the new device should be a Tchibo?Generally you could also buy a 3G/WiFi-router, in which you would plug in your Tchibo stick and then share it's internet connection through WiFi with all your computers. But since these routers run at € 50 (e.g. Edimax 3G-6200n), while Tchibo currently sell their "Internet Stick" for just € 19.95 including one month of free internet access (http://www.tchibo.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/de/-/EUR/TdTchDisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=0018094), a second stick from Tchibo would be cheaper and more flexible. Unforunately this promotional offer includes just the "Internet Flatrate L" (€ 9.95/month), which is being throttled after exceeding 500MB of data transfered, instead of the "Internet Flatrate XL" (€ 19.95/month) with an allowance of 5000MB before throttling. And I'm not sure if you can somehow switch to the "Internet Flatrate XL" during the first month, in which the "Internet Flatrate L" will already be activated automatically.

Tchibo SIMs remain active for 12 months after your last recharge (not "use"!), so the SIM of your old stick is probably approaching it's deadline. If it has already been deactivated you will notice this by the modem not registering to the network. In this case you would need to buy a new Tchibo SIM, which currently costs € 1.
In order to (re-)subscribe to the data flatrate you need to buy a top up voucher (for Tchibo you can also buy vouchers from O2, which are widely available), redeem that voucher so you have enough credit (at least € 20) and order the "Internet Flatrate XL" as described at Germany - Tchibo - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Tchibo)

On the cell phone, the only problem with Fonic was finding a place to get a more-minutes card. Nobody had them. I think we didn't understand it didn't have to be called "Fonic" but could be the company that runs the network it uses. Is that right?While Tchibo can be topped up with vouchers from the underlying network (O2), Fonic accept only their own vouchers, which are a bit more difficult to get. You can search for a dealer at http://www.fonic.de/html/filialfinder.html
But see the "where to buy" section at http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Fonic as some dealers carry only new SIM cards but no topup vouchers.

When we arrive in Germany, our numbers will have been used last 11 months before. Are they still good?As mentioned above your Tchibo SIM is close to expiry, but your Fonic SIMs should be fine, except for the remaining credit which has been blocked 6 months after your last recharge, but which can be released by adding credit. That also implies that as your credit with Fonic is temporarily frozen you can't place outgoing calls as long as you don't recharge your SIMs.

Do we just buy minutes?You don't buy minutes, but credit in €, from which the charges for all your usage will be deducted. You can check your remaining credit by entering *101# [pick up] into your phone, after which it should display the corresponding amount. That should actually work even from the US if the Fonic SIM is put into a tri- or quadband phone supporting US frequencies, so it can find an American network for roaming.

(Where?)Germany - Fonic - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Fonic)

or do you now advise us to get a vendor other than Fonic? It doesn't matter if we change phone numbers.No, Fonic is still great value. Their tariffs for oversea calls have not been undercut by other operators yet.

We will be traveling in Croatia and Italy and would like to be able to do roaming with the mobile phones.Roaming with Fonic will work in whole Europe by default. But be aware, that Croatia is not part of the EU and so the EU cap for roaming fees does not apply when roaming there.

In Italy you will be charged:
€ 0,46/min for calls within the EU,
€ 1,29/min for calls to the US,
€ 0,17/min for incoming calls,
€ 0,13 for text messages within the EU and
€ 0,39 for text messages to the rest of the world.

In Croatia tarrifs are
€ 1,29/min for calls to the EU,
€ 1,49/min for calls to the US,
€ 0,69/min for incoming calls and
€ 0,39 for all text messages

And don't even think about using data abroad - a single Megabyte would cost € 5 in Italy and € 14 in Croatia, no matter if you use Tchibo or Fonic.

So if you guys call each other in Italy the total price per minute would be € 0,46 + € 0,17 = € 0,63/min and in Croatia € 1,29 + 0,69 = € 1,98/min. If you plan to talk longer than 5 mnutes to each other in Croatia, better look for local SIMs!