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Simon · Jul 10, 2008, 02:03 AM

So it looks like TeliaSonera will be supplying the iPhone to the nordic countries. And from what I've seen this appears to be exclusive. I was surprised to learn that SIM locking devices in Sweden (where I work right now) is legal. Anyway I checked out Telia's plans since I'm really leaning towards getting an iPhone now. I would have much preferred 32 GB, but I also don't feel like waiting another year to get rid of my Palm Treo.

Initially Telia launched the iPlans for the iPhone which contained minutes and SMS, but only limited data for €32 (100 MB) to €91 (1 GB). An unlimited data option was available for an additional €21. After some initial protest they clarified that the iPhone could be purchased together with all existing Telia plans as long as the unlimited data option for €21 was added.

This made it interesting for me. I hardly write SMS and don't use more than 100 min (domestic) a month, but I do plan on transferring a lot of data. So now I can get the cheapest voice plan (Telia 99 which includes minutes/SMS for up to 99SEK/10€) and hook that up with unlimited 3G data. And from what I've seen when it comes to coverage and 3G speeds Telia is by far the best carrier here.

Since I spend quite some time abroad and around airports I was wondering about Telia's hotspots (since they're included in the unlimited data). As it turns out CPH (basically the Scandinavian hub) has no Telia hotspots at all.

3G roaming in Denmark will cost €2.65/MB which is expensive, but manageable. OTOH data roaming in the US will cost me €12 per MB!

Something else that caught my attention was that the device subsidies are a lot lower with regular Telia plans compared to the iPlans. The cheapest iPlan, iMini puts the 16GB iPhone at €349. With Telia Mobil 99 it's already at €447. Compared to other countries like the US ($299), but also within the EU like Germany (€250) the device itself is really expensive in Sweden. OTOH Telia offers a lot of plans (some of which are really quite good) to chose from and the monthly cost can be kept low even with unlimited 3G.

So maybe I'll just pick up one during the next few days. I hope I didn't miss anything (lost in translation...). What about the plans in other nordic countries? Is the device itself also as expensive? Any other Scandinavian iPhone 3G buyers here?

mduell · Jul 10, 2008, 05:42 PM

I heard Apple picked TeliaSonera because it's the only one with coverage in the three big Scandinavian countries.

Simon · 02:34 AM

That's baloney. NetCom has weaker coverage in Norway than Telenor and TeliaDK doesn't stand a chance against TDC in Denmark.

Jens Peter · Jul 11, 2008, 07:46 AM

Yes, I was surprised to see, that it was Telia who is selling the iPhone here in Denmark - I had hoped for TDC, Telias coverage is no way near as good, when you get outside the cities.

Anyway, I'm getting one, but first in a month or so, when the festivals I'm attending are over - don't want to loose my expensive phone somewhere because I'm too drunk

Simon · Jul 11, 2008, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jens Peter

Anyway, I'm getting one, but first in a month or so, when the festivals I'm attending are over - don't want to loose my expensive phone somewhere because I'm too drunk

Excellent planning!

Simon · Jul 15, 2008, 01:00 AM

So has anybody else here tried to get an iPhone from Telia in Sweden?

I went there on Saturday and they had sold out the few devices they had received on Friday morning. They had a waiting list. They claimed people on the waiting list should get it by the end of this week.

seaofcrap · Jul 24, 2008, 07:07 AM

Hey this is off topic but I will be in Denmark for 4 months starting in August. I was interested in using my AT&T unlocked iPhone over there. I probably won't use any data. What are my options in Denmark?

Simon · Jul 24, 2008, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by seaofcrap

Hey this is off topic but I will be in Denmark for 4 months starting in August. I was interested in using my AT&T unlocked iPhone over there. I probably won't use any data. What are my options in Denmark?

If it's unlocked you should be able to use any danish SIM card. I think TDC probably has the best coverage, but there's also Telia DK (belongs to TeliaSonera), Sonofon (belongs to Telenor), and Hutchinson 3G.

One of the danish forum members can probably recommend one or the other to you. Paging Oisín...

Simon · Jul 24, 2008, 11:33 AM

Just got my 16GB 3G from Telia today. Woot!

seaofcrap · Jul 26, 2008, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Simon

If it's unlocked you should be able to use any danish SIM card. I think TDC probably has the best coverage, but there's also Telia DK (belongs to TeliaSonera), Sonofon (belongs to Telenor), and Hutchinson 3G.

One of the danish forum members can probably recommend one or the other to you. Paging Oisín...

Thanks. I've been leaning towards TDC since it appears to be the largest mobile provider, but I can't read a word in Danish so its hard to know what exactly comes with which plans, etc.