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Diegomartine said:Yes,
The best option on my opinion is Movistar, best coverage on Spain, also, on the prepaid plan you can get 100mb of data at high speed and after that unlimited data on a lower speed.
For me this is the best option,... they charge something around $4 a week for that plan.
I have an iphone 5 on verizon, this iphone is also compatible with GSM networks so I'll just buy the SIM card and ready!
Ray T said:Re: smart phone
Vodafone has a special right now: SIM, 1GB data, 60 minutes of calls and 60 SMS messages for 15 euros. Good for a month and can be renewed for another month for 15 euros. Just picked this up in Madrid today. There is also a 12 euro deal with less of everything; and an 18 euro plan with more of everything.
The plans come and go, and may be for only one store/city! When you see a good deal, take it. I found it strange that a plan I had purchased in Burgos was not available three months later in Santiago...Vodafone has a special right now
No. I have looked and asked extensively, but no one has SIMs. That can always change, of course...Anybody happens to know if it is possible to purchase a local cell and/or sim card at Madrid Barrajas airport?
Is it really necessary to have a phone? I am only walking from Leon and wasn't planning on taking mine, but will take the advice of those on the forum
In North America, unlocked phones were not available at retail outlets until last past year or so. They are available now, but they are VERY expensive, and you have to ask specially for them. Conversely, in Europe, I believe it is unlawful to require someone to subscribe to your cellular service just to purchase a phone. So, most phones are sold unlocked.
So, as regards BASIC MOBILE or CELLULAR phones using GSM technology, to use a North American handset in Europe, it must have one or both of the European band frequencies and be unlocked so as to accept a European GSM card.
- To use older basic data services, any mobile phone must support the UMTS "bridge technology" that rode on the GSM standards BEFORE the 3G and 4G technologies were developed and promulgated. The basic, generic UMTS frequencies are listed as: UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
- To use 3G or 4G data services, your smart phone must recognize as many of the extant data frequencies as possible.
- Here is the Tech Specs page for the U.K. iPhone 5S (Model A-1453) specification - LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26).
- Here is the U.S. Tech Specs page for the iPhone 5S: http://www.apple.com/iphone-5s/specs/. NOTE: the same model A-1453 is sold in three or four variants.
- Lastly, here is the Tech Specs page for the Spanish iPhone 5S: http://www.apple.com/es/iphone-5s/specs/. NOTE: the same model A-1453 is sold in three or four variants.
- Based on the above matching specifications, and if one were inclined to buy an iPhone, my recommendation would be to buy the model A-1453 in the identical configuration as in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Spain (and presumably the rest of Europe). It should work everywhere.
I have heard the same thing from my friends living in Europe. They tell me they are frustrated because their Smart Phone (irregardless of brand) that support 4G networks can only attain 3G capability in most of Europe.
This is likely due to a frequency irregularly - mismatch between a U.S. spec phone and the EU network, or the fact that the particular EU network has not yet been upgraded to 4G capability.
This technology is developing and deploying very fast. So, anything we discuss here could be obsolete and overtaken by events in a span of a couple of months.
Thanks for the assist.
Happy New Year to All!
I get with T-Mobile USA, it worked fine for my needs.
4G LTE is starting to get phased in around the bigger cities in Spain.
When you have a prepaid in Spain, how much does it usually cost for either outbound or inbound (emergency only)?
Anybody happens to know if it is possible to purchase a local cell and/or sim card at Madrid Barrajas airport?
thanks!
Hello
There are comments at one of my posts about getting a cell phone in case of emergencies.
Since my US carrier (Verizon) uses a different network than the "standard" GSM I cannot update my cell phone in Spain.
When I travel to Peru, there are several cell phone companies that offer you phones as you exit customs and there are also kiosk everywhere that you can get a cheap phone with a limited amount of call time, which you can add to it.
Can you get a cell phone in Spain like that? Are they expensive to get?
Thanks
CP
That's not the problem. Looking at Wiki T-Mobile USA uses 700 and 1700Mhz for 4G. Neither is used in Europe. So if your T-Mobile phone only supports T-Mobile frequencies it'll never do 4G in Europe.
In short you need a phone that supports at least one of the EU frequencies. If you really need 4G then you need a phone that supports all three of the frequencies.
Anybody happens to know if it is possible to purchase a local cell and/or sim card at Madrid Barrajas airport?
thanks!
My iPhone 5 is the later model that is compatible with both T-Mobile and AT&T frequencies and have tested with both SIM cards and have gotten LTE with both. I installed an Orange SIM with data and only got 3G and sometimes EDGE on the Meseta. I have also used Telcel Mexico and SMART Philippines and have gotten only 3G as well, so I do have a true "GSM world smartphone" that can be used most anywhere in the world except Japan and South Korea (uses CDMA networks)
It all depends if the carrier itself if they have 4G LTE, my iPhone is capable of it if available.
Hola Nico, does that mean that my ATT IPhone 4S from the USA that has been unlocked will not work in Spain or will only work at 3G? Thank you ...EdNo you're stilling missing the point.
AT&T seems to be using
700,1700,1900,2100 and 2300 Mhz
Europe uses 800,1800 and 2600Mhz
So there is no over lap. Even if your phone provided one of the EU frequencies that doesn't mean the carrier will be supporting that one.
Even the Iphone sold in Europe doesn't support all the EU frequencies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks#Europe
Spain is mostly using 2600 plus some 1800. So to get 4G in Spain you need at least one of those frequencies and you'll be better off with both.
http://store.apple.com/uk/buy-iphone/iphone5s
No band 7 to support the 2600 frequency.
Hola Nico, does that mean that my ATT IPhone 4S from the USA that has been unlocked will not work in Spain or will only work at 3G? Thank you ...Ed
Is it really necessary to have a phone? I am only walking from Leon and wasn't planning on taking mine, but will take the advice of those on the forum
It's either use my cell to Blog and take pictures or take a Ipad to blog and a separate camera to take pictures....I wish to keep my overall weight down...Thank you!!If it is unlocked...it will work in Europe. All AT&T phones are compatible.. 3G or 4g?
Is that really important while walking the Camino?
What do you use to update your Blog with Annie? I prefer to keep my weight down and not take another device. Thank you for your comment. EdAbsolutely not.
When I do not have a group with me, I never take a phone or if I have it, I never turn it on.
I prefer to walk without it.
In an emergency, 7 out of 10 pilgrims within 50 feet will have one!
Sorry, I just saw this. I update my blog with the Blogger app.What do you use to update your Blog with Annie? I prefer to keep my weight down and not take another device. Thank you for your comment. Ed
I am frustrated right now.
My old iPhone 3 is like a dinosaur and I was hoping to get a new phone.
But a new UNLOCKED iphone is around $650!!!
I can get a new iphone for $199 - but they won't unlock it for 2 years.
Man, that sucks!
So I can't figure out what to do… just use the dinosaur or get some type of pay-as-you-go-phone in Madrid.
I'll mostly need it up on the Camino Frances just for calls within Spain so my clients can reach me in case of emergency.
I'll only need it for 6 weeks at most.
Any suggestions?
Does anyone know what I need to do to enable access to my Sony Experia tablet and my Samsung Galaxy 3 phone? I just figured I'd go to a phone store in Pamplona and get them to get it sorted, would that be the best way?Hello
There are comments at one of my posts about getting a cell phone in case of emergencies.
Since my US carrier (Verizon) uses a different network than the "standard" GSM I cannot update my cell phone in Spain.
When I travel to Peru, there are several cell phone companies that offer you phones as you exit customs and there are also kiosk everywhere that you can get a cheap phone with a limited amount of call time, which you can add to it.
Can you get a cell phone in Spain like that? Are they expensive to get?
Thanks
CP
Does anyone know what I need to do to enable access to my Sony Experia tablet and my Samsung Galaxy 3 phone? I just figured I'd go to a phone store in Pamplona and get them to get it sorted, would that be the best way?
I think the iPhone 5 comes unlocked and I don't think you can use the iPhone 3 in Europe.
I hoping to figure out the phone deal before walking in Sept. We will be visiting France, Spain and Italy....any suggestions?
I have an iPhone 5 (unlocked) with AT&TFirst, what mobile phone carrier do you use? Second, what kind of phone do you currently use?
I have an iPhone 5 (unlocked) with AT&T
Annie,
Verizon iPhones starting with the iPhone 5 are unlocked http://www.verizonwireless.com/supp...lServicesandRoaming/global_phone_roaming.html (see #11). They had to do this to get their LTE spectrum in the USA. AT&T iPhones are locked https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client/en_US/ . You can request that they unlock the phone but I did that last year and they said, "No". So if you need a new phone buy Verizon. itsjann I'd love to know how you got an unlocked AT&T iPhone......
Annie,
Verizon iPhones starting with the iPhone 5 are unlocked http://www.verizonwireless.com/supp...lServicesandRoaming/global_phone_roaming.html (see #11). They had to do this to get their LTE spectrum in the USA. AT&T iPhones are locked https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client/en_US/ . You can request that they unlock the phone but I did that last year and they said, "No". So if you need a new phone buy Verizon. itsjann I'd love to know how you got an unlocked AT&T iPhone......
Hi Kanga,Yes, I'm never again buying a phone on contract. It's just paying the same price but in a different way and you get stuck with the contract. I'm paying for calls and data that are never used. I'd rather pay up front and get a cheap pay-as-you-go sim, especially when interest rates are so low.
Annie,
Verizon iPhones starting with the iPhone 5 are unlocked http://www.verizonwireless.com/supp...lServicesandRoaming/global_phone_roaming.html (see #11). They had to do this to get their LTE spectrum in the USA. AT&T iPhones are locked https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client/en_US/ . You can request that they unlock the phone but I did that last year and they said, "No". So if you need a new phone buy Verizon. itsjann I'd love to know how you got an unlocked AT&T iPhone......
I have an iPhone 5 (unlocked) with AT&T
Hi Kanga,
What would you suggest for us?. Sriyantra
OK--I'm confused. One of the other Camino sites had a similar question about phones for couples traveling the Camino. The answer on that site was that couples frequently buy a local phone to keep in touch with other when separated along the Camino and to make international calls. Is that possible or not?
Hey Annie,Where'd you get that unlocked iPhone? Did you buy it outright? AT&T said I had to wait 2 years to get mine unlocked if I bought a new one
I hoping to figure out the phone deal before walking in Sept. We will be visiting France, Spain and Italy....any suggestions?
Sounds great, thanks very much mate.Contact your mobile phone carrier in Australia to verify if you phone is unlocked before you leave, test it with another SIM card from another mobile phone carrier to be sure.
Once you get to Spain, go to El Corte Ingles or Phone House in Pamplona and get a SIM card with data and make sure it is working before you leave the store.
One thing. If you're using a prepaid SIM in different countries make sure you have enough credit on it.Thanks everyone!
I want a phone basically just for emergency and making reservations. Could I also use this phone in France? I will be in France for 8 days.HI Capun,
You most certainly can buy a cheap cell phone in Spain with a prepaid SIM card. I got mine from Vodafone, I believe the cost was around €20 total including both the phone, SIM and €15 of calling credit so the phone only added about €5 of cost.
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