PrePaidGSM.net Forum (Archived) - View Single Post

snaimon · 27-06-2006, 03:41

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/germany.html

gives you all the German operators, including PennyMobile. As I noted, most starter packs cost around 20 Es with varying starting balances. An O2 SIM on EbayUS would be $40 + $5 on the buy it now auction instead of ~$26 in Germany. Plus will it reach you in time for your departure if you buy it on Ebay? I think there are O2 and T-MO cards, also expensive ($22 + $12) for sale. I would NOT buy either of those.

You will need an unlocked dual or tri-band (900, 1800, (1900) ) phone. In Germany you should be able to pick up almost any PREPAID SIM card. Aldi and Penny are available only in their stores. Aldi stores are almost everywhere. PennyMarkets are not as frequent. SIMYO and BLAU are only available online. Most of the others are available in call shops or at dealers and large electronic stores. I would guess you could find some @ airports shops depending on size of city & airport. Your selection may be limited at the airport. You should be able to buy just the SIM, even Vodafone -- why do you think you need to buy the phone, too? If you don't have a suitable phone, you should be able to buy a starter pack with phone also - going to be more expensive, of course, than just the SIM with small starting balance. Unless you have German friends with a preponderance of one network, I don't think it will make much difference which brand you by. PERSONALLY, my choice would be Aldi or Penny, but as noted, you won't find those in the airports. Most or all stores will be closed on Sundays.

Our German friends may have other ideas and more details.

I do not know much about Zengo. If you don't need the # in advance to give out to your US friends and family, then I would definitely wait until I reached Germany for my purchase. It SEEMS your lead time is a bit tight.

Another word of caution..... it will be cheaper for your US friends and family to reach you on a land line rather than on the cell phone -- 5 cents for land line from US, probably around 25 or 30 cents on the cell. INBOUND calls to Germany cells while the receiving party is in Germany are FREE and do not deduct from minutes.

You did not say what kind of calling or messaging you would be doing. That may determine what card is best for you.

Don't forget the right charger (220 volts) for your phone and an adapter plug.

Stan

	(#4)
snaimon (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 898 Join Date: 17 Mar 2004 Location: Richmond, VA USA Country:	27-06-2006, 03:41 http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/germany.html gives you all the German operators, including PennyMobile. As I noted, most starter packs cost around 20 Es with varying starting balances. An O2 SIM on EbayUS would be $40 + $5 on the buy it now auction instead of ~$26 in Germany. Plus will it reach you in time for your departure if you buy it on Ebay? I think there are O2 and T-MO cards, also expensive ($22 + $12) for sale. I would NOT buy either of those. You will need an unlocked dual or tri-band (900, 1800, (1900) ) phone. In Germany you should be able to pick up almost any PREPAID SIM card. Aldi and Penny are available only in their stores. Aldi stores are almost everywhere. PennyMarkets are not as frequent. SIMYO and BLAU are only available online. Most of the others are available in call shops or at dealers and large electronic stores. I would guess you could find some @ airports shops depending on size of city & airport. Your selection may be limited at the airport. You should be able to buy just the SIM, even Vodafone -- why do you think you need to buy the phone, too? If you don't have a suitable phone, you should be able to buy a starter pack with phone also - going to be more expensive, of course, than just the SIM with small starting balance. Unless you have German friends with a preponderance of one network, I don't think it will make much difference which brand you by. PERSONALLY, my choice would be Aldi or Penny, but as noted, you won't find those in the airports. Most or all stores will be closed on Sundays. Our German friends may have other ideas and more details. I do not know much about Zengo. If you don't need the # in advance to give out to your US friends and family, then I would definitely wait until I reached Germany for my purchase. It SEEMS your lead time is a bit tight. Another word of caution..... it will be cheaper for your US friends and family to reach you on a land line rather than on the cell phone -- 5 cents for land line from US, probably around 25 or 30 cents on the cell. INBOUND calls to Germany cells while the receiving party is in Germany are FREE and do not deduct from minutes. You did not say what kind of calling or messaging you would be doing. That may determine what card is best for you. Don't forget the right charger (220 volts) for your phone and an adapter plug. Stan Phones: DASH V3 (3) Service: US T-MO post paid (2) - US T-MO prepaid (2) - UM+ - TravelSIM DE SIMYO - DE SUNSIM T-Mobile DE Calling Cards: Onesuite Enjoyprepaid AT&T MCI Mobivox