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3G SIM in Germany for a week?
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nonhuman
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Dec 22, 2010, 09:34 AM
 
We're going to be spending a week in Berlin next month, and I'm hoping to be able to get a 3G data plan for my phone while I'm there (it's a Nexus One, so there's no problem with it being locked or anything). Are there any good pay-as-you-go data plans that I should look at? I don't really feel a need for a voice plan, so if it's possible/cheaper to go data-only I'd prefer that route (VoIP + Google Voice FTW!).

Anyone have an suggestions?
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 09:40 AM
 
This page seems to have a pretty decent list, though I don't have any idea what coverage in Berlin is like. The Flatrate-Paket from FYVE seems pretty good and uses the Vodaphone network, which at least I recognize...
     
TETENAL
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Dec 22, 2010, 10:05 AM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
This page seems to have a pretty decent list, though I don't have any idea what coverage in Berlin is..
Which page?

I don't think there are any data only plans. You can get 300 MB flat per month prepaid for 10 € (1 GB for 15 €). But you would have to pay a 15 € activation fee.

o2online - o2 o Prepaid - Keine mtl. Grundgebühr, keine feste Vetragslaufzeit!
     
Cold Warrior
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Dec 22, 2010, 10:37 AM
 
I usually look around telestial for international or more flexible GSM options. I don't see any PAYG 3G plans, but they do list prepaid 3G for one provider in Germany. Prepaid Data Service - Telestial
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 11:37 AM
 
Originally Posted by TETENAL View Post
Which page?
Oops, (obviously) forgot to paste in the link! Here it is: Germany - Pay as you go sim with data Wiki

I don't think there are any data only plans. You can get 300 MB flat per month prepaid for 10 € (1 GB for 15 €). But you would have to pay a 15 € activation fee.

o2online - o2 o Prepaid - Keine mtl. Grundgebühr, keine feste Vetragslaufzeit!
Yeah, it's looking like it'll probably come ith voice too, but voice is pretty cheap anyway. My German is not remotely sufficient for reading this pages, but it seems like it shouldn't cost too much for me to get a SIM with 3G data.
     
TETENAL
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Dec 22, 2010, 11:53 AM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
My German is not remotely sufficient for reading this pages.
Most relevant words are English (anglicisms) anyway already (or pretend to be – "handy" meaning "cell phone"). Open the "Tariferweiterungen zum O2 o Prepaid" (plan extensions to O2 o Prepaid) area to see the data flatrates.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 11:56 AM
 
Ach, mein Adresse ist ungültig.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 12:01 PM
 
Originally Posted by TETENAL View Post
Most relevant words are English (anglicisms) anyway already (or pretend to be – "handy" meaning "cell phone"). Open the "Tariferweiterungen zum O2 o Prepaid" (plan extensions to O2 o Prepaid) area to see the data flatrates.
Yeah, I think I'm muddling through well enough now. Although it looks like my best bet might just be to stop in an Aldi and buy a SIM card w/ plan there since apparently I'm not allowed to sign up for one with a US address... Maybe I could use the hotel address...
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 22, 2010, 12:47 PM
 
Most providers require a valid German address and a German bank account before *anything* happens.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 01:10 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Most providers require a valid German address and a German bank account before *anything* happens.
Even for pre-paid?
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 22, 2010, 01:57 PM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
Yeah, it's looking like it'll probably come ith voice too, but voice is pretty cheap anyway. My German is not remotely sufficient for reading this pages, but it seems like it shouldn't cost too much for me to get a SIM with 3G data.
If you're flying into Berlin-Tegel, you should be able to pick up a data-only SIM with unlimited data for around 25 euros per month.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 02:30 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
If you're flying into Berlin-Tegel, you should be able to pick up a data-only SIM with unlimited data for around 25 euros per month.
Contract-free and without a German address and bank account?
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 22, 2010, 02:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
Contract-free and without a German address and bank account?
Yes. I have no idea why Spheric says you need a German address and bank account. How else would anyone travel? Heck, I have a SIM card right now for TurkCell that I've never paid a cent for in service, just had someone in Turkey pick it up for me.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 22, 2010, 02:33 PM
 
Tchibo day flats I've heard good things about, and they require just an address.

They're on the O2 network which is okay in urban areas (not so much outside).
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 02:56 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Tchibo day flats I've heard good things about, and they require just an address.

They're on the O2 network which is okay in urban areas (not so much outside).
Ah, nice. Tchibo looks pretty good! We'll be pretty much sticking to the city (Berlin), except for a possible day trip to Prague, so I'd imagine O2 should be fine.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 22, 2010, 03:03 PM
 
Oh, if you will have more than one device you could also use a MiFi rental.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 03:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
Oh, if you will have more than one device you could also use a MiFi rental.
Wow, that's pretty awesome. A little more than I'd want to spend for a 7-day trip, especially since my Nexus One can create a 802.11n WPA2 hotspot, but a pretty awesome idea.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 22, 2010, 03:31 PM
 
Sure, I'm planning a trip to Europe with a few friends and we'll probably be using one of those. Somebody will just keep it in their messenger bag and we'll have WiFi everywhere we go.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 22, 2010, 03:47 PM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
Ah, nice. Tchibo looks pretty good! We'll be pretty much sticking to the city (Berlin), except for a possible day trip to Prague, so I'd imagine O2 should be fine.
A "day trip" to Prague!?

Better just leave it for another time if you're just gonna have a couple hours there, methinks.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 05:27 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
A "day trip" to Prague!?

Better just leave it for another time if you're just gonna have a couple hours there, methinks.
If you leave earlier and return late it should be just about doable... Although it would probably turn into an overnight trip if we did go. But you're probably right, only going to be in Europe for a week, shouldn't waste that much of the trip traveling.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 22, 2010, 06:19 PM
 
No, Prague needs to be its own trip!
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 06:19 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
No, Prague needs to be its own trip!
That's what I say, but my wife seems to think that we should go since we'll be 'so close'.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 22, 2010, 06:25 PM
 
I'll be in New York City next year. I should probably plan a day trip to Boston, seeing as it's so close, right?

Sometimes I seriously wonder what the hell you Expelled Ones think Yoorup is like.
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 06:28 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
I'll be in New York City next year. I should probably plan a day trip to Boston, seeing as it's so close, right?

Sometimes I seriously wonder what the hell you Expelled Ones think Yoorup is like.
I've done day trips from Boston to New York, and will probably do the same now that I'm in DC. They're all basically the same distance.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Dec 22, 2010, 06:29 PM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
I've done day trips from Boston to New York, and will probably do the same now that I'm in DC. They're all basically the same distance.
Business, or to actually see something of the city?
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Dec 22, 2010, 06:37 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Business, or to actually see something of the city?
To meet up with friends, or just to spend the day in NY. I've also gone for just a day for Thanksgiving dinner with my family, and probably a few other excuses.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 22, 2010, 06:41 PM
 
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
That's what I say, but my wife seems to think that we should go since we'll be 'so close'.
Yeah, that's not going to work, unless you plan on just eating and leaving.
     
turtle777
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Dec 22, 2010, 07:12 PM
 
I've gone from Berlin to Prague twice by car.

It doesn't make sense for a day trip. Stay at least one night, then you got a deal.

-t
     
nonhuman  (op)
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Jan 12, 2011, 10:07 AM
 
So, I'm in Berlin! There's a Tchibo just a couple blocks from our hotel so I went over to try and get myself one of their SIM cards since they seemed to have the best deal (9.95 for 500 MB of data in a month plus another 9 for the card). Sadly they wouldn't accept my hotel address (it's a bit obvious to try and pass off as 'my' address to someone who works a few minutes walk down the street).

I don't suppose anyone wants to lend me their German address to use, or, if you're in Berlin, meet up so I can give you the cash to buy the card for me? I will, of course, be happy to throw a bier or two into the deal!
     
brassplayersrock²
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Jan 12, 2011, 10:32 AM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
Most providers require a valid German address and a German bank account before *anything* happens.
Originally Posted by nonhuman View Post
So, I'm in Berlin! There's a Tchibo just a couple blocks from our hotel so I went over to try and get myself one of their SIM cards since they seemed to have the best deal (9.95 for 500 MB of data in a month plus another 9 for the card). Sadly they wouldn't accept my hotel address (it's a bit obvious to try and pass off as 'my' address to someone who works a few minutes walk down the street).

I don't suppose anyone wants to lend me their German address to use, or, if you're in Berlin, meet up so I can give you the cash to buy the card for me? I will, of course, be happy to throw a bier or two into the deal!
     
   
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