Great Cheap Local Sim Card Hunt (part 2)

andy88_2

INSERT BY MARTIN:

This section has been split off the main discussion as it took the topic elsewhere

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This is a very good idea, but it has already been done in excellent detail, which is why it was amongst suggestions I tried to make months ago, and alluded to more recently.

How many different entries on the thread do you expect or want? I am talking of hundreds (over 100 in EU alone, including mvno's - 13 in NL altogether), but it could of course be construed as the phone nerd territory (and is) that you have avoided so far in this respect.

For those reasons I've tended to respond to country-specific post or thread queries with details of local and international call charges, whether the SIM in question had free 0800 (or equivalent) calls - hence offering the possibility of calling card use, and other remarks including network- or country-specific information, together with outline advice about using separate callback operators.

Martin, when you asked me about sources of cheap foreign SIMs, I thought you meant only in the context of those available in this country, which are usually sold at much higher prices than in their home country. I had not realised that an undertaking of this magnitude was in your mind.

regards, Andy

ps I have, in use or expired, prepaid SIMs from Vodafone Germany, T-mobile Slovakia, Era Tak Tak Poland, Extra (Omnitel) Lithuania, Riiing Liechtenstein. For other countries, I'd recommend Lebara Netherlands, Wind Italy, Oskar Czech Rep, Amena Spain, Heyah Poland, amongst others. In the past I've looked up details for people for Belgium, Malta, Peru, Hong Kong, Lesotho, Nigeria, and several others. Anyone that would like to quiz me on the reasons for these or other choices is free to do so.

MSE_Martin

Hi

The point of great hunts is to build up a database of useable information in one place for reference. If the info is good I then collate it into an even more readable format for all to access.

The benefit of using the Great Hunt is that its not just forum regulars, but all the tip readers who come and contribute. I hope this will build a great resource. Sorry if you've posted individually elsewhere, but this is to help all people locate one easy source.

So in answer to how many do I want. As many as you've got.... provided they're good'uns

May I also request that we end this discussion here.... so we don't go off topic and keep this thread purely for the great hunt results themself

martin

andy88_2

Thanks Martin. I could either enter about 300 sets of details...

... or instead give one link, to a phone nerd website that has already been doing this for some time (which is also where I found an half-obscure, almost ignored post, that prodded me into actions that meant I found Riiing for all of us - in December).

It depends if everyone else here wants to join in with the thrill of the chase, or just to see the results.

francine_2

GOODNESS ................what a tease u r andy!!

andy88_2

francine wrote:

GOODNESS ................what a tease u r andy!!

maybe I should start a different thread, as some people have suggested.

Alfie_E

francine wrote:

GOODNESS ................what a tease u r andy!!

Yes, ever-so slightly teasing, although it doesn't take long to reach the climax. You could try the search 'Oskar Amena Heyah', in your favourite search engine.

andy88_2

Alfie_E wrote:

Yes, ever-so slightly teasing, although it doesn't take long to reach the climax. You could try the search 'Oskar Amena Heyah', in your favourite search engine.

too much like research effort for some :rolleyes:

it seems odd to ask MSE members to spend time compiling another version of something that already exists; more efficient to use an existing resource, so as Alfie hints, and Martin has now suggested to me, why don't I post this?

Information on about 300 GSM networks, including all the details Martin asks for, in much better format than vBulletin and MSE forums enable, is available at the following site, together with links to Network websites
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/operators.html

It is also worth looking at this site, which has network coverage maps, and again links to network operators websites. This has been mentioned here before
http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml

I will be soon be compiling a new thread about roaming, at Martin's suggestion so I hope this one will not clash with existing threads. It will include means to make calls from abroad back to UK using a method known as callback, which exploits the fact that many of the world's call charges are asymmetric - ie the call would cost much more/less in one direction than the other. In other words, if, say, we can call a German mobile using 1899 for about 15p per minute, then it should be possible to make the call in the other direction for a similar price - and it is, by triggering an incoming call, and is vastly cheaper than using the company uk2abroad, whose website has false claims of 80% savings over the main mobile companies (27p is cheaper than 28p or 30p, but not than 20p or 17p)

For people that still want help choosing a SIM in each country, I'll still be more than willing to offer help, if I'm still here.

ps thank you to the people who have offered support, and asked and thanked me for info on callback companies.