German Mobile Broadband
 

Does anybody know if the UK O2 USB Modem E160 will work with a tchibo sim so I can use it for broadband when I'm in Germany?

That depends on if your USB modem is unlocked or not, which you could find out by inserting a SIM card of another operator. Generally the E160 is fully compatible with all German cell phone networks and it is actually also sold by Tchibo.

Thanks for the reply.

So if it's locked it would just say invalid sim or something?

Slightly off topic but is Fonic still the SIM to buy for cheap voice calls?

If the modem was locked, it would require you to enter an unlock code after the PIN code. Just put in another SIM card, which is on another network, and if you can get to the point that you can send an SMS through Mobile Partner, then your modem is surely unlocked.
Fonic is still the best deal for national (9ct/min) and international calls (UK fixed lines for 9ct/min and mobiles for 29ct/min). For further details please refer to http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/euro...-visitors.html

So if I get the usb modem working,the easiest thing to do is buy a tchibo sim and put it in?
Are you definitely still able to activate the sim to give you a 10gb allowance or have they stopped it now?

Yes. But don't forget to top up your credit to at least € 20 and thereafter to activate the data option before you connect to the web. Further you'll need to set an access profile for Tchibo in Mobile Partner, which uses the APN "webmobil1".

Yes. But all three Tchibo SIMs, for which I've activated the data flatrate so far had to be activated by phone, as SMS-based activation failed each time. So be prepared to call customer care at 017964242 and ask them for activation of the "Datenflat". Also the Tchibo SIM must be registered before they will activate any option for you. If you buy it in a shop it might take some hours until the shop employees have faxed the registration form and it has been filed.

thank you so much for your help

Is it correct that if I buy the 49.95 Euro special (stick + SIM + 10GB) that once the fax is sent from the store, the SIM will work? No need for SMS to establish service, correct?(going to buy in Berlin on 1 May, which I hope is not a holiday in Berlin.)

I'm also assuming that I can place the Tchibo SIM that I buy with the USB stick in my unlocked Palm device and it will function in there as well.

Yes, after the registration fax has been filed, you should be able to surf under the flatrate without any additional activation. You could send that SMS anyway - as there won't be € 20 of credit left in your account, it won't have any effect.

May 1st is a public holiday in Germany, which is especially celebrated in Berlin, Germany's heart of communism. In some districts like Kreuzberg on that day people traditionally burn cars, plunder shops and attack the police.
Anyway, on May 1st no Tchibo shop in Germany will be opened.

Interesting about May Day - the German consulates in the US are open, I suppose they don't want to offend our anti-communist sensibilities:

German Missions in the United States - Address, Contact, Hours