Sim for 11 months in Europe?

[Canimanson]

Hi! I'm looking for the cheapest way to get a phone sim that will allow me to go to Europe for up to 11 months and tether my laptop occasionally. I guess I will need about 4 or 5G data a month. Is there a solution?

 

[TerryL]

Was going to suggest "3" PAYG, which have a 12 month "life", but apparently after around 2 months abroad 3 switches them off. You probably could get round it by buying several simcards then when one "stops" use the next but that would probably be expensive given your planned useage.

Only other thing I can think of is buy a simcard for each country you visit but there are others better experienced at this who will be along shortly. Which countries are you planning to visit and for how long in each?

 

[Canimanson]

Hi TerryL, I've looked into buying a bunch of 3 sims, but I read somewhere that they need to be activated in the UK. I don't know if this is true but if it is, it wouldn't work and I would have wasted a lot of money.

Buying local sims is a possibility, but not ideal with the language issues, problems with APN?, problems topping up and activating them, and then having data unused or not enough as time in each country is unknown.

I'm planning to wander about in Europe so have no fixed schedule, but certainly France, Spain, Portugal, Greece.

 

[Just smiffy]

Hi TerryL, I've looked into buying a bunch of 3 sims, but I read somewhere that they need to be activated in the UK. I don't know if this is true but if it is, it wouldn't work and I would have wasted a lot of money.

Buying local sims is a possibility, but not ideal with the language issues, problems with APN?, problems topping up and activating them, and then having data unused or not enough as time in each country is unknown.

I'm planning to wander about in Europe so have no fixed schedule, but certainly France, Spain, Portugal, Greece.

I take several 3 data sims with me, 12gb from my memory about 23£ at the moment and I've never had problems when first used... the last a year but you can get kicked of after about 3mths but that never happens to us as one only lasts about 2-3 weeks.... but they can go on for 4mths and I've have got 13-14gb sometimes... if you take some and you get locked out after 3mths, keep them and they will reactivate when back in the uk..

 

[Just smiffy]

Ps.... I'm in Portugal on a freshly opened one today...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Welsh girl]

It's 120 days use now with 3then they charge you 73pence a megabyte which would work out very expensive so I've bought a payg sim for when I've used up that time.and I'll buy a few local Sims on my way round.
Plus I can only use 12gb of my paid for 32gb data allowance from 3 with a rolling contract which will be terminated after my 120 days use.

 

[Canimanson]

I take several 3 data sims with me, 12gb from my memory about 23£ at the moment and I've never had problems when first used... the last a year but you can get kicked of after about 3mths but that never happens to us as one only lasts about 2-3 weeks.... but they can go on for 4mths and I've have got 13-14gb sometimes... if you take some and you get locked out after 3mths, keep them and they will reactivate when back in the uk..

This could be it!!! Thanks! I don't need to make calls, I can use VoIP.

 

[Canimanson]

Oh Smith and Sharp... if I put one of those data sims in my phone, would I be able to tether to my laptop?

 

[Just smiffy]

Oh Smith and Sharp... if I put one of those data sims in my phone, would I be able to tether to my laptop?

No, well I don't think so...? I use mine in my HUAWEI mifi, only a 3G one but have never failed to get a signal all over Europe. I might add that since the roaming charges have been abolished we are getting a lot faster wifi and more 4g.... I will upgrade when I get back to uk...

 

[BreweryDave]

I have a uk Vodafone contract which I took out on 15 June, when roaming charges were abolished, £34 pm for 16gb and unlimited calls and texts. They told me categorically ( and in writing) that it will work for the duration of my 24 month contract all over Europe with no throttling or suspension. ( despite what the T&C say)

Only been over a few days, will update in a few months if this holds true!
If they cut me off, I will simply default on the contract

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

. Is there a solution?

No. All comprise.

We have had better service in Spain and Portugal buying local SIMs.