EU Mobile Roaming Data Hacks?

tomwood on 22/08/2017 - 00:27
Last edited 22/08/2017 - 00:28

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be in Europe for a while from late next month and have been looking at the best options for mobile plans there.

On June 15 this year the EU brought in new rules) for mobile providers in member countries (and the EEA) that provide roaming that they must provide the same call and SMS allowances when roaming in other EU and EEA countries that they provide domestically - however they allow exemptions for data.

With data they allow providers to limit the EU roaming data to no less than (in GB):

  • 7.7/remaining credit on pre-paid cards paid by unit amounts
  • 2*(7.7/monthly plan cost for plans with unlimited data)
  • 2*(7.7/monthly plan cost for plans limited data plans with data costing less than €3.85 / GB)

The first country I'll be in is Ireland, which has 3 network operators and at least 9 MVNO's. Some of their monthly prepaid plans EU roaming data inclusions are:

  • Tesco Mobile (Three) - 5.3GB on a €15 unlimited call and data plan
  • Post Mobile (Vodafone) - 10GB on a €30 limited call and text plan
  • And LycaMobile (Three) in Ireland simply don't allow roaming on prepaid bundles

There must be hundreds of network providers in Europe, and hundreds more MVNO's, some of which must offer much better plans, but it would be hard to check them all, especially because of the different languages.

An example I've found is this Spanish one called Simyo which offers 25GB data, unlimited calls and texts for €29 a month (select the top options). They seemingly don't have roaming restrictions, other than the principle that it should be mostly used domestically and possible consequences if that isn't the case after a 4 month period. The problem is it seems to only be available to buy in Spain or be delivered to Spanish address. There are international reseller's with a moderate markup.

Does anyone know any other good, and accessible providers and plans for data in the EU?

Many thanks

Travel

Comments

  • Stewardo on 22/08/2017 - 09:41
    +2

    3 mobile sim U.K. 12g roaming some of Asia too

    So easy travel sells them and many others

    • lovetravellinginbiz on 22/08/2017 - 21:50

      2nd that. Bought two recently. Cheaper on eBay au.

    • marcooos on 26/08/2017 - 20:07

      3rded, definitely the best bet - whilst the UK is still in the EU.

  • IPYF on 22/08/2017 - 11:01

    I have to say the 3 network seems pretty boss and your best bet is probably to get your paws on a 3 sim direct from a store when you get in to Ireland. I got an O2 sim in Scotland (paid 20 quid for 3gb because I was only going to be in the UK/Republic of Ireland for the month) and it worked fine everywhere I went (other than the Highlands, and no sims really work there) with literally zero dramas. I actually landed in Ireland on the morning of June 15th and the network was already roaming free of additional charge. I'd been rather skeptical and a bit worried that it wouldn't be working on the actual day but it was totally fine and roamed straight onto the 3 3G network which was totally fine for all my Google map/search needs while in country.

    I'm a stresshead and was worried that picking up a card overseas was a risky endeavour that might lead to traps, but the Europeans have this totally under control and getting a sim for your travels within a few hours of touchdown was totally painless.

  • 87percent on 22/08/2017 - 13:18

    going to Italy for less than a week for a work thing, whats the best sim to get?

  • [Deactivated] on 22/08/2017 - 19:00

    going europe but starting in paris, whats the sim to get

  • zappy32 on 25/08/2017 - 09:42

    http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Prepaid_SIM_with…

    This is the holy grail of international sims. Usually quite up to date for most countries I have visited and targeted towards travellers so a lot of detail about roaming etc.

    • tomwood on 26/08/2017 - 17:55

      Site looks amazing - thanks!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join