- Time of past OR future Camino
- 23:Valença Var Espiritual Apr; Norte Cudillero Oct
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I’ve done some research and think I will choose an Orange E sim for the Salvador. Just remember to register it for continuous service.I will be on the Salvador & some places may not have WiFi. Need the trifecta: local phone + internet + text. Specifically looking for an e sim, not a sim card.
Point taken. I still think it is relatively expensive because of all the data I don't think you'll use. On the other hand if you only need it for two weeks the extra cost may be worth it to avoid the time looking for something cheaper.I will be on the Salvador & some places may not have WiFi.
Will you get it before leaving home or in Spain?I will choose an Orange E sim for the Salvador.
Thanks BombayBill, also leaning in this direction though still considering a WiFi only option like Airelo and using WhatsApp and or occasionally having to turn on Xfinity in a pinch if need to phone someone who doesn’t have WhatsApp.I’m so obsessive I actually bought a similar e sim (Alosim) , to test before I settled on Orange. I wanted to make sure I understood how they worked. I will buy the Orange one in advance and enable it on the plane.
If you have the time in the city you arrive in our a town you are going through before your camino I would look up going directly into a Vodafone or Orange shop and getting a sim card and letting them set it up. Vodafone has better deals than this esim rate from Orange. I am sure Orange has better deals in shop also. You can look up locations and prepay plans on their website.Does anyone have any experience with this or any other E SIM card for use in Spain? Looking for one that will have internet, phone calls in Spain & text.
Thanks.
@Magwood is there a particular reason you did it this way? Is there an advantage? It seems like a hassle to me to set up eSim at home. I have only just upgraded my phone with dual Sim capabilities and I'd love to know the advantages/disadvantages to changing your home (for me the USA) connection to the eSim when it is already connected with the physical Sim that I only now just set up. It also seems easier to me, to pre-purchase the eSim before I go. Thank-you all you techno folks!I did it the other way round this year. I set up my home contract with an e-sim and purchased a physical sim in Spain for data - Simyo. I got a large amount of data (can’t remember actual amount, but more than enough to post to blog for four weeks) which cost around €10.
Arriving on a Sunday & walking early morning before any of these shops open and nothing from Leon on for a very long time.If you have the time in the city you arrive in our a town you are going through before your camino I would look up going directly into a Vodafone or Orange shop and getting a sim card and letting them set it up. Vodafone has better deals than this esim rate from Orange. I am sure Orange has better deals in shop also. You can look up locations and prepay plans on their website.
This also would have been ideal, Xfinity is still to offer a home based e sim.I did it the other way round this year. I set up my home contract with an e-sim and purchased a physical sim in Spain for data - Simyo.
@Magwood is there a particular reason you did it this way? Is there an advantage? It seems like a hassle to me to set up eSim at home. I have only just upgraded my phone with dual Sim capabilities and I'd love to know the advantages/disadvantages to changing your home (for me the USA) connection to the eSim when it is already connected with the physical Sim that I only now just set up. It also seems easier to me, to pre-purchase the eSim before I go. Thank-you all you techno folks!
This makes sense to me. I think that this is probably the easier method, simply because most vendors are used to installing physical SIM cards, and eSIMs are newer technology.I did it the other way round this year. I set up my home contract with an e-sim and purchased a physical sim in Spain for data - Simyo. I got a large amount of data (can’t remember actual amount, but more than enough to post to blog for four weeks) which cost around €10.
Yes, this option sure is looking attractive. I have no clue to any of these and have no accessible 4 year old in the vicinity to explain the intricacies. All I wanna do is !. It also seems easier to me, to pre-purchase the eSim before I go.
If I pre-purchase the eSim in the USA for a country(ies) in Europe, then I side-step the "vendor" entirely. The only thing that I see as a problem here is that I have to figure it all out once I arrive in Europe. This is what I am trying to find out from someone who has done it already.This makes sense to me. I think that this is probably the easier method, simply because most vendors are used to installing physical SIM cards, and eSIMs are newer technology.
I would rather do the eSIM at home and make sure that it works properly, then install a physical SIM abroad.
Elle, thanks. This looks like data only. The other company folks talked about for data in prior thread was Airalo. See pics below.@El Cascayal I found this UBIGI eSim plan to be much more economical than Orange: https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/data...y=eur&one-off=on&monthly=on#ubigi-destination
If you look up reviews, they get mixed reviews, so I'd love to hear if anyone has personal experience with this service! https://www.trustpilot.com/review/cellulardata.ubigi.com. They do seem like a responsive company!
Yes, it is data only. I forgot you need calling as well. I am in the same boat with an ailing mother-in-law and needing to stay in touch. I would also like to have access to calling/sms, but I plan to use Google Voice over the eSim data. Let me know if you find something interesting.Elle, thanks. This looks like data only. The other company folks talked about for data in prior thread was Airalo. See pics below.
Aymarah
You aren't charged much by Google Voice for the international calls this way but there is a charge. I think you have to put some money down in advance.I plan to use Google Voice over the eSim data.
My Mom is 97 and loves a WhatsApp message & pictures which I send every evening in Spain and arrives after lunch for her. She is a vicarious Peregrina. This Camino I am inaugurating a mini drone that is considered a selfie stick. that I can actually get it to work. Can’t wait.Yes, it is data only. I forgot you need calling as well. I am in the same boat with an ailing mother-in-law and needing to stay in touch. I would also like to have access to calling/sms, but I plan to use Google Voice over the eSim data. Let me know if you find something interesting.
I have downloaded the Airelo app and will use my normal SIM for wifi where it is available, and the ESIM for data everywhere else along the way. I won't be making calls but my normal SIM can receive calls from Australia if need be. the 3GB plan works for me over 30 days, but I still have three weeks to change my mind again lol.Thanks BombayBill, also leaning in this direction though still considering a WiFi only option like Airelo and using WhatsApp and or occasionally having to turn on Xfinity in a pinch if need to phone someone who doesn’t have WhatsApp.
WiFi doesn't need a SIM at all.I have downloaded the Airelo app and will use my normal SIM for wifi where it is available,
Hey Trecile, I will turn off data on my usual SIM, and only use WiFi, but also have eSIM activated for data where Wifi is not available, or intermittent. Of course I have no idea how to do that which is why I have a tech savvy son.WiFi doesn't need a SIM at all.
Depends on what you mean by vendor. If you are referring to the network suppliers such as Vodafone then this is not a good idea.then I side-step the "vendor" entirely
I bought a Airelo eSim for cheap just so I could practice in the comfort of my home. Even though I’m a nerd the entire ecosystem of pain points was daunting. WhatsApp numbers get confused, Apple iMessage has to be reconfigured, and on and on. Never mind banking 2 factor authentication which has its own threads on the forum. Anyways the point is we all have our own peculiar needs around communications. The minutiae is keeping me well occupied until my Camino which starts IN TEN DAYS!I have downloaded the Airelo app and will use my normal SIM for wifi where it is available, and the ESIM for data everywhere else along the way. I won't be making calls but my normal SIM can receive calls from Australia if need be. the 3GB plan works for me over 30 days, but I still have three weeks to change my mind again lol.
I feel for you.I bought a Airelo eSim for cheap just so I could practice in the comfort of my home. Even though I’m a nerd the entire ecosystem of pain points was daunting. WhatsApp numbers get confused, Apple iMessage has to be reconfigured, and on and on. Never mind banking 2 factor authentication which has its own threads on the forum. Anyways the point is we all have our own peculiar needs around communications. The minutiae is keeping me well occupied until my Camino which starts IN TEN DAYS!
I needed to change my provider due to one of very many annoying and costly results of Brexit - in May this year most providers in the UK ceased data roaming. O2 however are owned by Spanish company Telefonica and so roaming is still included. Whilst setting up my new contract I was asked if I wanted an e sim which I had not previously heard of. I knew I would need to purchase more data for my camino and didn’t want to deal with a new (to me) technology whilst away.@Magwood is there a particular reason you did it this way?
Are you saying that Airalo, etc is a third party? And are you saying that it is better to move your permanent number to the eSim and use a physical Sim when you travel?Depends on what you mean by vendor. If you are referring to the network suppliers such as Vodafone then this is not a good idea.
I have always got better deals and better service dealing directly from the network suppliers than dealing with third parties that are generally only interested in selling a product.
Of course, other people may have different opinions.
Yes, Airalo is a third party. They purchase access off the Movistar network provider in Spain. According to https://www.tutela.com/announcements/movistar-and-vodafone-provide-best-mobile-performance#:~:text=Movistar also had the highest,in Spain with 22.6 ms. Movistar provide the best overall "service" in Spain although I have heard (but can't now find) that Vodafone has better coverage along the Frances. So, the good thing is that Airalo purchase their access off the top network provider nationally and so that is useful but Network Providers tend to give priority to their own customers and so if you are an Airalo customer standing next to a Movistar customer in Spain and you are both using data then the person standing next to you will probably get much better speeds than you, especially in a situation where there is a lot of data traffic.Are you saying that Airalo, etc is a third party? And are you saying that it is better to move your permanent number to the eSim and use a physical Sim when you travel?
I'll take this one.@DoughnutANZ thanks! Do you know, is it possible to be on airplane mode and use an esim for data? Or does data obtained from esim require that it goes over a cellular network? I have an IPhone and when I have WiFi am able to receive text messages from both androids & I phones.
Yes that is correct.WhatsApp can work but you won't see a regular phone call from home (I don't think).
Yes. This short video from Apple Support shows how to use dual SIM. What you asked is covered at 1:30. They show how to name your SIMs. You may want to use a name like SpanishData instead of Business like in their example.If using an esim for data, can you have the cellular function active on esim only and not on the regular SIM card?
Yes. GPS on your phone is radio receiver not a transmitter. When you get into airplane mode there is no need for the phone to shutoff GPS. However I've seen forum posts recently where some phones will do that anyway.One more thing to add to @Rick of Rick and Peg useful post. Even in Airplane mode (at least on my iPhone) your GPS is working. So if you download your maps in advance you can navigate in airplane mode with little battery consumption.
For your use of a data only SIM Elle I say go with using the physical SIM for your home phone and the eSIM for the data only SIM. If anyone is going to buy a combination phone, text and data second SIM overseas my advice is to have their home network on the eSIM.Thank you very much @DoughnutANZ. I already purchased the Airalo eSim before your response, and with only a bit of monkeying got it ready to go on my Samsung Galaxy S22.
Thank you. I plan on keeping the physical Sim inside and only pull the switch if I can't crack the Airalo app and get the cellular data working OR if @DoughnutANZ suggests that the service will be less than satisfactory, it being a third party service.For your use of a data only SIM Elle I say go with using the physical SIM for your home phone and the eSIM for the data only SIM. If anyone is going to buy a combination phone, text and data second SIM overseas my advice is to have their home network on the eSIM.
To play it safe you could bring along the physical SIM for the home network too and do swaps as needed but they are easy to lose and mess up with a static electric charge so be careful if you do.
The devil is in all the details. For those on iPhones- go to Airplane mode then turn wifi back on. So now your cell is off. Go to iMessage, pick a contact who uses an iPhone. When the contact is shown you are often given a choice between a phone number and an email address. Choose the phone and send them a message. They will still get it because it is an iMessage which Apple will route as data on the wifi network.@DoughnutANZ thanks! Do you know, is it possible to be on airplane mode and use an esim for data? Or does data obtained from esim require that it goes over a cellular network? I have an IPhone and when I have WiFi am able to receive text messages from both androids & I phones.
Partially, not completely; I haven't used Apple products in over thirty years*. But essentially it is delivering messages using different protocols to identify the recepient. A bit like addressing a letter to a person in a town using an address, a post office box number or general delivery (poste restante).Everyone confused?
It is difficult to tell and I don't have direct experience with Airalo and so my advice is stick with what you have got and see how it goes. If you find you are having issues then change at that time. Meanwhile keep doing what works.Thank you. I plan on keeping the physical Sim inside and only pull the switch if I can't crack the Airalo app and get the cellular data working OR if @DoughnutANZ suggests that the service will be less than satisfactory, it being a third party service.
It can get even more confusing if you want.The devil is in all the details. For those on iPhones- go to Airplane mode then turn wifi back on. So now your cell is off. Go to iMessage, pick a contact who uses an iPhone. When the contact is shown you are often given a choice between a phone number and an email address. Choose the phone and send them a message. They will still get it because it is an iMessage which Apple will route as data on the wifi network.
In the mode above you cannot receive or send text messages because they are cell phone to cell phone.
iPhone users can determine how they can be contactable under Settings / Name Phone Numbers / Email. Secondary sims numbers can be added here. If you disable your home sim for too long a period then Apple may remove your home phone number. However if your email address is shown and your default Apple ID used that address then iMessages sent to your email address will still come thru.
Everyone confused? I am.
This is correct.In the mode above you cannot receive or send text messages because they are cell phone to cell phone
Similar to Google Fi features on phones "designed for Google Fi". In the US Fi had deals with three networks (now two since one bought out another). Fi connects you or will reconnect you to the strongest one. But it also connects you to open WiFi (Fi also has VPN protection).On my Android phone (and probably on an Apple phone too) I have a setting for "Route calls over WiFi". If I turn this on then if I am in an area where there is poor cellular coverage but I have a good WiFi signal then my Network Provider will transparently route my cellular call over WiFi to a network tower and then put my call back onto the cellular network from there.
I am a Verizon customer in the states. They told me that I couldn't get a sim card or otherwise get a plan in Spain because I still have 3 payments left on my phone. So I have to get their international plan which is $100.00 a month. It seemed strange because about everybody puts their phone on a monthly payment plan for 2 years..... Does anyone know if they are BS-ing me?I'll take this one.
You get data from the internet. With a smartphone there are two ways to connect to the internet, WiFi or through a cellular network, both are done through radio. When you get into airplane mode you are shutting off radio transmission so you don't interfere with the airplane's operation. That means you can't transmit a request asking for data and so you can't get any. While in airplane mode you can turn on WiFi and get internet connection that way but you still can't connect through cellular towers. This is good because now you aren't using up the cellular data that you pay for. It is bad in that now only internet apps can communicate with you; WhatsApp can work but you won't see a regular phone call from home (I don't think).
When you are actually walking the road you aren't going to have WiFi so you turn airplane mode off to be able to communicate with the cell towers. Now you are using the SIM or eSIM to connect to the internet (and telephone network) and your network data meter is running. You may want to shut off WiFi at this time to save it transmitting looking for possible connections that you know you won't get. This will save battery. When you approach a bar you may want to turn WiFi again.
I hope this helps.
According to this article from Verizon, phones purchased from Verizon are locked for 60 days from date of purchase.I am a Verizon customer in the states. They told me that I couldn't get a sim card or otherwise get a plan in Spain because I still have 3 payments left on my phone. So I have to get their international plan which is $100.00 a month. It seemed strange because about everybody puts their phone on a monthly payment plan for 2 years..... Does anyone know if they are BS-ing me?
Makes sense since they need to hold you until the phone is paid off. That's why I always buy the phone outright and unlocked.I am a Verizon customer in the states. They told me that I couldn't get a sim card or otherwise get a plan in Spain because I still have 3 payments left on my phone. So I have to get their international plan which is $100.00 a month. It seemed strange because about everybody puts their phone on a monthly payment plan for 2 years..... Does anyone know if they are BS-ing me?
Or she can simply pay off her phone.Makes sense since they need to hold you until the phone is paid off. That's why I always buy the phone outright and unlocked.
Check with friends that have teenage+ kids ... likely they have half a dozen old phones lying around that would still cover all your data needs (anybody needing a phone in the San Francisco area is welcome to one). The downside is older phone have poorer cameras.
Thanks. I read that article. The article is NOT what the salesperson told me. I am going to print the information and take it to Verizon. Thanks, EMAccording to this article from Verizon, phones purchased from Verizon are locked for 60 days from date of purchase.
I would definitely double check to see if the phone is unlocked before traveling.
This is exactly the reason we had kids in the first place! Although they are long on their own I can fondly remember calling out with my first smartphone or computer and when they came to me saying, “something is wrong, makeHey Trecile, I will turn off data on my usual SIM, and only use WiFi, but also have eSIM activated for data where Wifi is not available, or intermittent. Of course I have no idea how to do that which is why I have a tech savvy son.
We all want to talk to him!Hey Trecile, I will turn off data on my usual SIM, and only use WiFi, but also have eSIM activated for data where Wifi is not available, or intermittent. Of course I have no idea how to do that which is why I have a tech savvy son.
Apple support has some instructional videos for iPhones.We all want to talk to him!
To add to this, my Pixel accepts an eSim (GoogleFi - no international plan) and a SIM (I bought an Orange SIM in Spain). With WiFi calling my GoogleFi number worked over the Orange SIM data. This is a really nice bonus of eSIM+SIM. Dual SIM phones are handyThank you @DoughnutANZ for your posts. I'm going to add a few things.
I just got the newly released Google Pixel 6a. It is dual SIM, one eSIM and a card. The Pixel 7 to be released in October will have the same. I have no doubt that sometime soon there will only be eSIMs used though; that will make the phones cheaper to manufacture, improve waterproofness and eliminate expenses with SIM cards. I wouldn't be surprised to see that when that happens there will be three or more SIMs that can be added. Everything I've seen though says that at first only two can be used at a time.
So, say you usually have a private number eSIM and a business number one. On camino you could add a third one with calls and cheap cellular for use in Spain. You might run with the Spanish SIM all the time with the business SIM used during business hours back home to be disabled and replaced with a now activated personal SIM.
Also, you may see mentions of an iSIM in the future. Don't worry. For phone users this is the same as an eSIM. Only engineers will care about differences.
Yeah, I've seen cheaper ones, but as far as I have seen so far, Orange is the only one that offers an actual Spanish phone number. Depends how much you want that.@El Cascayal I found this UBIGI eSim plan to be much more economical than Orange: https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/data...y=eur&one-off=on&monthly=on#ubigi-destination
If you look up reviews, they get mixed reviews, so I'd love to hear if anyone has personal experience with this service! https://www.trustpilot.com/review/cellulardata.ubigi.com. They do seem like a responsive company!
That simply is not true. Vodafone Spain and Movistar offer eSIMs on their on-account and pre-paid plans. All of which come with a Spanish phone number. Dealing with the network operators like Vodafone, Movistar and Orange directly rather than through third-party resellers frequently provides better connectivity and data speeds because they configure their contracts with the third-party resellers to allow them to offload third-party customers when their networks become congested or stressed.Yeah, I've seen cheaper ones, but as far as I have seen so far, Orange is the only one that offers an actual Spanish phone number. Depends how much you want that.
Huh. OK, looks like I should look more closely at Vodafone and Movistar, then. Thanks.That simply is not true. Vodafone Spain and Movistar offer eSIMs on their on-account and pre-paid plans. All of which come with a Spanish phone number. Dealing with the network operators like Vodafone, Movistar and Orange directly rather than through third-party resellers frequently provides better connectivity and data speeds because they configure their contracts with the third-party resellers to allow them to offload third-party customers when their networks become congested or stressed.