Vodafone Germany: CallYa International

[Motel75]

At long last Vodafone is offering low international rates with the new CallYa International tariff. It's similar to the previous Mobi offer, except that it also includes low rates to advanced countries, not just developing or dead-in-the-water ones. For example, 4 cents to China and Poland landline, 5 to the USA, 8 to France and the UK (though 29 cents to mobiles isn't anything exciting), 17 cents to Polish mobiles. Unfortunately, it has a 1.99 monthly charge, but otherwise is the same as CallYa 5/15 (and likewise seems to have 60/60 billing). This also means it has Voda's stupid 45 cents/5 minutes billing for any data usage.

http://www.prepaid-wiki.de/images/Vodafone_CallYa_International.pdf

I would also point out that this is a tariff, and not a tariff option, so the user's ability to switch into and out of it on a need basis is limited, as you can only switch tariffs 10 times before they start to charge.

[lizzie1955]

This is great news! I just switched to Vodfone from Blau for better data service but was going to hang on to the Blau card for inexpensive calls from Germany to the US.

Is it possible to combine the international calling plan with CallYa Open Ended Internet or does it have to be on of the Web Sessions?

[inquisitor]

According to this tariff info (http://www.prepaid-wiki.de/images/Vodafone_CallYa_International.pdf) with CallYa International you can subscribe to any CallYa option ("Optionen: Zu CallYa International sind alle CallYa Optionen zubuchbar"). But "CallYa OpenEnd Internet" is NOT a tariff option, but an alternative tariff. So you can't combine CallYa International's call rates with the data rate from CallYa OpenEnd Internet.
Actually there's an option called "CallYa MobileInternet Flat" offering data for € 0.99/day, € 4.95/week or € 14.95/month even for CallYa International, which is even cheaper than "CallYa OpenEnd Internet", but except for WebSessions all CallYa data options are restricted to mere web access. So you can not use eMail or any other service except for webpages opened with your phone's browser.
If you want full internet access including eMail service, you'll have to rely to WebSessions.

[lizzie1955]

Inquisitor, Thank you so much for all of your help. I have learned so much from you in the last couple of months! Vodaphone.de on my soon-to-arrive Nokia E71 should give me very effective service.

Just to review, my best option will be CallYa International combined with WebSessions 24 h (limited to 1GB) for € 3.95. I definitely want full internet access including eMail service.

[inquisitor]

You're welcome.

Correct. Depending on how long you'll be staying in Germany, the weekly flatrate for € 12.95/7 days might be a cheaper alternative. By handset usage you will never ever exceed that 1 GB within a week.
Remember to create a new data connection profile for WebSessions with "event.vodafone.de" as APN.
Details on WebSessions are available at Germany - Vodafone Web Sessions - Prepaid Wireless Internet Access (http://prepaid-wireless-internet-access.wetpaint.com/page/Germany+-+Vodafone+Web+Sessions)

[lizzie1955]

I knew it was too good to be true! I am told that WebSessions "can only be used when you use your mobile phone as a Modem and you will surf with a net- or notebook. Only the tariff Callya open end Internet will offer you the full surf possibilities via your phone." So this takes me back to how do I get my e-mail?

Would T-Mobile's Xtra web'n'walk DayFlat be a better, more comprehensive data options which would include e-mail?

[inquisitor]

WebSessions do definitely work flawlessly on handsets, too. I've successfully tried it just a week ago and you'll have access to eMail, too.
It's just that after connecting you'll be automatically forwarded to Vodafone's landing page, where you can chose the duration of your session and this landing page is designed for computers - so as it won't fit in your phone's screen you'll have to scroll around a bit in order to see the whole page.

[lizzie1955]

Thank you!!!!!

[lizzie1955]

I don't understand enough about all this to know why (with Vodafone) I could only get e-mail with WebSessions.

If I opted for the Fonic card instead would this also be the case? Would I be able to surf the web but not get e-mail?

Just when I think I have this all understood something else comes up that confuses me.

Thanks!

[inquisitor]

I don't understand enough about all this to know why (with Vodafone) I could only get e-mail with WebSessions.Except for WebSessions all other data options of Vodafone require a proxy-server being used, through which all data traffic must pass. Since Vodafone want to charge more for full internet access, they have blocked any service except for mere web browsing on that proxy-server. So if you want full internet access including eMail you are forced to subscribe to the more expensive WebSessions.

If I opted for the Fonic card instead would this also be the case? Would I be able to surf the web but not get e-mail?No, in contrast to Vodafone Fonic offer unrestricted internet access for all their data options. That's the case for their "Internet-Tagesflatrate" (daily flatrate for € 2.50) as well as for their "Handy-Internet-Paket" (montly flatrate for € 9.95).
If you want to use the daily flatrate you need to contact customer care and ask them explicitly to switch your data tariff to the "Internet-Tagesflatrate" since by default Fonic charge data volume-based with € 0.24 per megabyte.
If you chose the monthly flatrate just send a text message containing START HANDYINTERNET from your handset to 36642. Since the monthly flatrate is automatically recurring (as far as enough credit is left to cover the cost of € 9.95) you might want to cancel your subscription at some time by sending STOPP HANDYINTERNET 36642.

[lizzie1955]

Which do you think will be easier for me use including getting my phone to the proper settings-- Fonic or Vodafone? I'm getting the impression Fonic may be a bit simplier...

[inquisitor]

I would take Fonic since they have cheaper data rates and they don't have a monthly fee. And when it comes to settings, there's nothing easier than Fonic because they have made their network to accept connections no matter what APN is configured in your phone. Your Nokia E71 should configure itself automatically, anyway.
If you have received your Nokia E71 you should perform a firmware update of the phone, so it will run the latest bug-free software for best user experience. That can be done with Ovi Suite, Nokia's free PC software, which also allows downloading map data for Ovi Maps (the navigation app on your phone), so you won't need an internet connection for navigation, as I explained to you recently.

[lizzie1955]

Thanks again. Fonic it is! The phone hasn't arrived yet. Hopefully it will next week. Forgive me for sounding so ignorant but how do I do the updates you mentioned?

[inquisitor]

Voilà: How to Update Phone Firmware in Nokia Ovi Suite | Sizzled Core (http://www.sizzledcore.com/2009/12/23/how-to-update-phone-firmware-in-ovi-suite/)

[lizzie1955]

I think I can handle this :)

[wolfclub]

Hi ya all,

I'm a newbie to this vodafone pre-paid CallYa for Germany.
Here're some questions from me.:o

Does it come with its SIM card during the 1st activiation?
Does the line call and accept calls from Singapore?

Thanks aplenty in advance.

Have a great weekend!:D

[inquisitor]

Does it come with its SIM card during the 1st activiation?I don't get that question question. You basicly buy the SIM card, which comes preactivated, however requires registration with an official ID upon purchase.
If you don't find a CallYa International SIM pack, you can also buy any other CallYa SIM and switch to the International tariff by calling 22044 or through the Vodafone website.

Does the line call and accept calls from Singapore?Yes, outgoing calls to Singapore are billed with € 0.09/min while incoming calls are free of charge (as long as you are in Germany). But be aware that CallYa International is subject to a monthly fee of € 1.99 which will be deducted automatically from you balance at the beginning of each 30-days-billing period (which starts on the day of activation). In case there's fewer credit than € 1.99 in your account and so Vodafone can't deduct the monthly fee, all international calls will cost € 1.99/min. That's at least what the Vodafone website says, however it doesn't make sense as you won't be able to place an international call at € 1.99 (billed in full minutes) with fewer than € 1.99 credit left.
As soon as you recharge your credit, Vodafone will deduct the monthly fee of € 1.99 again for the next 30 days and you will get back cheap international rates. There won't be any fee for the period during which you hadn't enough credit for the monthly fee afterwards.

[wolfclub]

Many thanks Inquisitor. :thumbup:

As for the 1st question, I think I understand what you mean.
As a new user, I have to purchase a package which includes the SIM card and subsequent top ups can be purchased via top-ups cards from the stores.

Roger that for the monthly charges. I did not see that in the Vodafone site.

Danke.