Data sim 'Flavour of the month' for EU roaming?

[VXman]

Looking at current offerings for Data sims in EU. Don't want a contract.

ID mobile £10 a month for 100GB - 30GB cap in EU. (could get 2 or 3 of those I guess)

IQ mobile £20 annual charge for the sim and then £20 for 100GB. Limited to 3 months in 12 in the EU.

RWG used to be good but limited to 20GB roaming now.

Any other good deals for EU roaming/no contract?

 

[VXman]

Well I have decided to go for the ID one. £10 for 100Gb is a bargain. 'only' 30gb in EU but that's still good value and I won't use that much anyway. Probably an hour of TV a day max.

 

[Brains]

Quite a few people buy a local PAYG simm.

The main issue with PAYG sim is that is many countries you need to be a resident and show your ID card to buy one.
(In order to stop drug dealers buying lots of 'burner' SIM's)

Correct me but I think this includes France, Germany Holland and Austria.
We managed to get one in Croatia last year.

 

[fred_jb]

Reglo sim is French I believe. The only reason I would need high data is to stream UK TV. So a local sim is of no use to me personally but thanks for the info.

If you are roaming in the EU, using a UK SIM will not help, because you will be roaming and therefore getting data via EU networks using their reciprocol arrangements with UK networks. That is why you get text messages saying welcome to the Orange network or whatever while abroad. I know from experience that the BBC and others will detect this and say that their content is not available in your location.

The only way around this is to use a VPN, and not all of them are equally good at hiding your location. We used to use PIA and that was very poor, most of their UK servers are recognised and so don't hide your location effectively for streaming purposes. They have one UK server dedicated for streaming but although this worked we found it to be so slow as to be useless. We now use SurfShark which works very well.

 

[BrochMike]

Can you be out the UK for 5/6 months a year and still get the 30gb?

EDIT-sorry, I think you were asking about ID Mobile. Info below for IQGo...

Nope.
IQGo Now states Max 3 months per year*
But, of course, 2 SIMS should get around that albeit for an extra £20

*I challenged this as it changed just after I bought SIM from 3mths in a row. Apparently my 2 x 2mths trips "will be fine" !!?

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[Manic]

If you are roaming in the EU, using a UK SIM will not help, because you will be roaming and therefore getting data via EU networks using their reciprocol arrangements with UK networks. That is why you get text messages saying welcome to the Orange network or whatever while abroad. I know from experience that the BBC and others will detect this and say that their content is not available in your location.

The only way around this is to use a VPN, and not all of them are equally good at hiding your location. We used to use PIA and that was very poor, most of their UK servers are recognised and so don't hide your location effectively for streaming purposes. They have one UK server dedicated for streaming but although this worked we found it to be so slow as to be useless. We now use SurfShark which works very well.

If using a UK sim roaming uk tv should work without vpn.
I’m on Reglo so need a vpn , I use Surfshark also the only problem I have is BBC iPlayer sometimes get a error on live tv but with a bit juggling I get it to work.

 

[Barti Ddu]

If you are roaming in the EU, using a UK SIM will not help, because you will be roaming and therefore getting data via EU networks using their reciprocol arrangements with UK networks. That is why you get text messages saying welcome to the Orange network or whatever while abroad. I know from experience that the BBC and others will detect this and say that their content is not available in your location.

The only way around this is to use a VPN, and not all of them are equally good at hiding your location. We used to use PIA and that was very poor, most of their UK servers are recognised and so don't hide your location effectively for streaming purposes. They have one UK server dedicated for streaming but although this worked we found it to be so slow as to be useless. We now use SurfShark which works very well.

Not so. A UK SIM works fine for getting BBC iPlayer etc. when roaming in Europe. We've never had a problem with Lebara, O2, Vodafone, and many others. No need for a VPN with a UK SIM. The only issue is the roaming restrictions and fair use policies which limits the amount of roaming data you can use.

 

[MichaelT]

Looking at current offerings for Data sims in EU. Don't want a contract.

ID mobile £10 a month for 100GB - 30GB cap in EU. (could get 2 or 3 of those I guess)

IQ mobile £20 annual charge for the sim and then £20 for 100GB. Limited to 3 months in 12 in the EU.

RWG used to be good but limited to 20GB roaming now.

Any other good deals for EU roaming/no contract?

If you get your phone sims on IQ they increase the allowance in EU to 120days.

 

[Howard B]

If you are roaming in the EU, using a UK SIM will not help, because you will be roaming and therefore getting data via EU networks using their reciprocol arrangements with UK networks. That is why you get text messages saying welcome to the Orange network or whatever while abroad. I know from experience that the BBC and others will detect this and say that their content is not available in your location.

The only way around this is to use a VPN, and not all of them are equally good at hiding your location. We used to use PIA and that was very poor, most of their UK servers are recognised and so don't hide your location effectively for streaming purposes. They have one UK server dedicated for streaming but although this worked we found it to be so slow as to be useless. We now use SurfShark which works very well.

Working fine for me in France using IQ & Vodafone UK sims.

 

[jeddy]

Using UK sims has always enabled me to stream UK TV without a VPN. Lebara, Smarty and Three all used with no issues.

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[VXman]

If you get your phone sims on IQ they increase the allowance in EU to 120days.

Why do you say that? - it says on their website usage is limited to 3 months in 12.

 

[fred_jb]

Interesting that so many people have used UK SIMS and not needed a VPN. I will have to test that again and work out what I was doing wrong!

In any case the main issue has been data allowances and connection speed which is why I will be using Starlink on the next trip.

I don't yet know if that requires a VPN to view UK content. I will report back!

 

[VXman]

If you are roaming in the EU, using a UK SIM will not help, because you will be roaming and therefore getting data via EU networks using their reciprocol arrangements with UK networks. That is why you get text messages saying welcome to the Orange network or whatever while abroad. I know from experience that the BBC and others will detect this and say that their content is not available in your location.

The only way around this is to use a VPN, and not all of them are equally good at hiding your location. We used to use PIA and that was very poor, most of their UK servers are recognised and so don't hide your location effectively for streaming purposes. They have one UK server dedicated for streaming but although this worked we found it to be so slow as to be useless. We now use SurfShark which works very well.

Not had this issue. I was surprised when I first used my UK sim abroad that I COULD access UK streaming. I only needed a VPN when I had a EU sim. I used RWG when in EU last autumn (when they allowed100gb roaming) and it worked fine for BBC, ITV etc.

 

[VXman]

It's actually 250gb a month I'm just looking at it now as I'm paying £14 a month to ee for 20gb .


So with Id is there any time limit on roaming ?

Can you be out the UK for 5/6 months a year and still get the 30gb?

I have not seen any restrictions - unless it's hidden somewhere in some T & C's I haven't read.

 

[zac]

Interesting that so many people have used UK SIMS and not needed a VPN. I will have to test that again and work out what I was doing wrong!

In any case the main issue has been data allowances and connection speed which is why I will be using Starlink on the next trip.

I don't yet know if that requires a VPN to view UK content. I will report back!

Starlink does need VPN to watch UK tv whilst in Europe

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[VXman]

If using a UK sim roaming uk tv should work without vpn.
I’m on Reglo so need a vpn , I use Surfshark also the only problem I have is BBC iPlayer sometimes get a error on live tv but with a bit juggling I get it to work.

I have found expressVPN or Nord better (used to live in Hong Kong so used VPN's for 3 years) but they all stuggle with BBC - a bit of juggling often needed.

 

[MichaelT]

Why do you say that? - it says on their website usage is limited to 3 months in 12.

View attachment 902237

I got an email and they confirmed I get 120 days cover.

Dear Michael, We hope you’ve enjoyed wonderful fault-free service on your IQ Go travel SIM. We wanted to highlight that IQ Mobile is more than just a travel SIM supplier. We would love for you to experience the same great service for your personal mobile and we have a range of deals for you to consider. For every personal SIM you port over to IQ Mobile we will increase the amount of time you can spend abroad on your travel SIM by an additional 15 days. For example, your IQ Go travel SIM at present can do 90 days in a 12-month period. If you and a partner bring a personal mobile, then that would increase to 120 days in a 12-month period. There is no limit to the number of SIMs you can bring over, so you can benefit from the credit from your wider family and friends to gain additional roaming time. Why should you? We love talking to and supporting you. As a small business you’re not just a number to us! All on the UK’s best network for 5G data We include the same great European Roaming Offer on our pay monthly SIMs Our SIM only plans are available in these sizes: £7 a month (Just calls and Texts) £10 a month 3GB + Calls and Texts £12.50 a month 10GB + Calls and Texts £15 a month 30GB + Calls and Texts £25 a month 100GB + Calls and Texts For a limited time only, you can receive 10% off for the first 3 months using code - IQPersonal10 which is valid until 5PM on 31st July 2024. Don’t forget you can port your existing number across. Simply text ‘PAC’ to 65075 and let us know the code you get back. Join the friendly network and experience us all year round! Thanks Frazer IQ Customer Support Team 01225 588 101 help@helloiq.uk​

 

[Northernraider]

Nae guid tae me ...I'm on my 198th day with 62 to go lol

 

[VXman]

I got an email and they confirmed I get 120 days cover.

Ah - because you moved more than one sim across.

For every personal SIM you port over to IQ Mobile we will increase the amount of time you can spend abroad on your travel SIM by an additional 15 days.

For example, your IQ Go travel SIM at present can do 90 days in a 12-month period. If you and a partner bring a personal mobile, then that would increase to 120 days in a 12-month period.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

RWG do have a 200Gb including EU at 200Gb but it is 60.00 per month, I think IQ mobile will do us for the time being when in EU.

Not sure they do now, they dropped roaming to 20Gb a couple of months ago. Currently trying to move my number off their network but STAC and PAC codes not working a customer support is pants.

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[BikerGraham]

Not so. A UK SIM works fine for getting BBC iPlayer etc. when roaming in Europe. We've never had a problem with Lebara, O2, Vodafone, and many others. No need for a VPN with a UK SIM. The only issue is the roaming restrictions and fair use policies which limits the amount of roaming data you can use.

same with us. Use UK SIM's and iplayer works no issues. Don't use a VPN.

 

[MichaelT]

Ah - because you moved more than one sim across.

Yes that's what I said so may be worth you doing same.

 

[VXman]

Yes that's what I said so may be worth you doing same.

I don't need anymore than 90 days at the moment. Want to keep my main sim still active. It's very cheap (£5 per month) as I use very little data when not away.

 

[Stoosal]

Using Tesco mobile sim in WiFi router for last month in France. Good coverage, unlimited data and no issues with iplayer etc. £30 month and cancel when you don’t want it.

 

[VXman]

Using Tesco mobile sim in WiFi router for last month in France. Good coverage, unlimited data and no issues with iplayer etc. £30 month and cancel when you don’t want it.

Unlimited in EU? Anyway not fitting my criteria of cheap. £10 per month is my ball park.

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[Minxy]

We've using Lebara cheap sims, 2 x 90p plus 1 x 99p per month (discounted for 5 months), each giving 15gb roaming. They have a 60 days in 120 roaming usage but that suit us fine as we don't do more than 2 months abroad and this time only have 30 days anyway.

 

[BikerGraham]

Unlimited in EU? Anyway not fitting my criteria of cheap. £10 per month is my ball park.

Think that you can get Tesco unlimited for £20 now if you also have a club card.

I pay £22.50 from last year and there’s been a better deal in since.

 

[BrochMike]

We've using Lebara cheap sims, 2 x 90p plus 1 x 99p per month (discounted for 5 months), each giving 15gb roaming. They have a 60 days in 120 roaming usage but that suit us fine as we don't do more than 2 months abroad and this time only have 30 days anyway.

Is this the one? Seems strangely cheap!

Exclusive Monthly Plan £7.90 | MSM | Lebara Mobile UK

www.lebara.co.uk

 

[JoshnPen]

I got an email and they confirmed I get 120 days cover.

I received similar.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Is this the one? Seems strangely cheap!

Exclusive Monthly Plan £7.90 | MSM | Lebara Mobile UK

www.lebara.co.uk

Not as cheap as a couple of years ago, when Lebara were doing a 1p a month limited offer. Those SIMS also worked well roaming in Europe.

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[CamperManLez]

Looking at current offerings for Data sims in EU. Don't want a contract.

ID mobile £10 a month for 100GB - 30GB cap in EU. (could get 2 or 3 of those I guess)

IQ mobile £20 annual charge for the sim and then £20 for 100GB. Limited to 3 months in 12 in the EU.

RWG used to be good but limited to 20GB roaming now.

Any other good deals for EU roaming/no contract?

I am trying IQ GO right now in Germany, worked well in NL but got nothing in Luxembourg, speed is showing at 65mbs (up/down) which is slower than I had last year using my EE Roaming on my phone and a lot slower than the EE UK data sim I used to have. If it will do what you want then its fine otherwise. And the 65mbs is with it fitted to a Hauwei 5577 with roof antenna. I will probably go back to my EE contract on roaming, I get 50gb / billing month in the EU and I will have the use of the phone which I am doing without right now. Good luck