Re: mobile phone options for Europe
Posted: 28 May 2014, 1:04pm
> I've just returned from France and bought a Lyamobile SIM in a local French shop. I paid 5 euro for it but like the JoeMobile SIM can be had for free via the web if sent to a Frenh address.
> If buying the Lyca SIM from a shop then it requires registering before use. The little booklet that accompanies the SIM has instructions in English - basically you insert the new SIM in your phonee and dial something like 321, listen to the options (in French) but eventually you get an English announcement instructing you what to do.
> You then end up speaking to an English speaker for the registration process - they require three pieces of information:
1. a French address (the campsite or indeed any valid address will suffice - you're not asked if it's your home address on anything)
2. An ID card number but your UK passport number is fine
3. The serial number of the SIM (found on the packet the SIM came in)
> Pay-as-you-go vouchers can be bought from various places but I registered my UK credit card and opted for auto top-up on a voice/data package that for 10 Euro gave me 4hrs call time to landlines in most EU contries plus 500MB data valid for 30 days.
> Lycamobile is available in many EU countries and I shall likely pick up SIMs when I get to Germany, Belgium and Portugal during this year's trips.
> If buying the Lyca SIM from a shop then it requires registering before use. The little booklet that accompanies the SIM has instructions in English - basically you insert the new SIM in your phonee and dial something like 321, listen to the options (in French) but eventually you get an English announcement instructing you what to do.
> You then end up speaking to an English speaker for the registration process - they require three pieces of information:
1. a French address (the campsite or indeed any valid address will suffice - you're not asked if it's your home address on anything)
2. An ID card number but your UK passport number is fine
3. The serial number of the SIM (found on the packet the SIM came in)
> Pay-as-you-go vouchers can be bought from various places but I registered my UK credit card and opted for auto top-up on a voice/data package that for 10 Euro gave me 4hrs call time to landlines in most EU contries plus 500MB data valid for 30 days.
> Lycamobile is available in many EU countries and I shall likely pick up SIMs when I get to Germany, Belgium and Portugal during this year's trips.