Data on prepaid GSM cards?

[SteveW]

Do I assume correctly that when using a prepaid GSM card in Europe, a data connection is simply priced by the minute, like voice calls? I have only used prepaid GSM cards on one previous trip to Europe. I used it mainly for voice calls and didn't play around with the browser much, if at all.

Next week I am bringing my BB 8830 to Europe with me, and it will be the first time I am trying out the GSM radio in this "world phone". I have become so dependent on Google Maps for Mobile that I don't want to live without it. I'll even pay through the nose for minutes to use it. Please tell me I can.


Thanks,
SW

[mrcamp]

No, you assumed incorrectly. Data usage in Europe or anywhere else I am aware of, just like in the US, is charged by the KB.

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by SteveW Do I assume correctly that when using a prepaid GSM card in Europe, a data connection is simply priced by the minute, like voice calls? I have only used prepaid GSM cards on one previous trip to Europe. I used it mainly for voice calls and didn't play around with the browser much, if at all. Next week I am bringing my BB 8830 to Europe with me, and it will be the first time I am trying out the GSM radio in this "world phone". I have become so dependent on Google Maps for Mobile that I don't want to live without it. I'll even pay through the nose for minutes to use it. Please tell me I can. Thanks, SW

Steve, unless you have a CSD option where the phone acts as a real dial-up modem and then you're paying for minutes, what mrcamp said holds true. United Mobile global roaming SIM offers data options and data SIM cards with prices staring at €.99/MB in select countries. I would imagine a local SIM might have better rates, since there's no roaming involved.

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by mrcamp Data usage in Europe or anywhere else I am aware of, just like in the US, is charged by the KB.

Originally Posted by dmapr Steve, unless you have a CSD option where the phone acts as a real dial-up modem and then you're paying for minutes, what mrcamp said holds true.

Thanks for the replies. I guess I was thinking that charges on a pre-paid card could only be based on minutes, but of course they can charge my account both ways.

My next problem is finding out what they charge for data. For example T-Mobile in the UK Pay as You Go SIM prices list a "Web'n'walk " service as "Max £1 per day" but without specifying a price per Mbyte. I understand this to mean that whatever they charge per Mbyte, you don't pay more than 1 pound per day.

O2 lists "UK browsing" for £3 per MB. This is more expensive than the €.99/MB price that dmapr quoted for United Mobile.

So if I am browsing on the Blackberry, using Google Maps and such, it seems like it would be good to have a data plan that limits my charges. £1 /day would be OK for me since I am only there for a short time.

Have I got this right now?


SW

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by SteveW Thanks for the replies. I guess I was thinking that charges on a pre-paid card could only be based on minutes, but of course they can charge my account both ways. My next problem is finding out what they charge for data. For example T-Mobile in the UK Pay as You Go SIM prices list a "Web'n'walk " service as "Max £1 per day" but without specifying a price per Mbyte. I understand this to mean that whatever they charge per Mbyte, you don't pay more than 1 pound per day. O2 lists "UK browsing" for £3 per MB. This is more expensive than the €.99/MB price that dmapr quoted for United Mobile. So if I am browsing on the Blackberry, using Google Maps and such, it seems like it would be good to have a data plan that limits my charges. £1 /day would be OK for me since I am only there for a short time. Have I got this right now? SW

Steve, if the T-Mobile UK can really give you all you can eat data for £1 per day, it definitely makes more sense than the UM option. BTW, when reading the UM price sheet last time I missed a €.39 set up fee per session. Also if your stay is going to be very short and you're not planning on a lot of subsequent return trips, the price of the initial package should definitely be taken into consideration as well and with UM it's at least €29.

[scotsboyuk]

Most British networks now have the £1/day option for both contract and PAYG customers. However, there is usually a fair usage policy, such as a limit of 20 Mb/day. If it's just general browsing, etc from your handset then it should be fine for you.

If you plan on using your handset as a modem and you need a lot of data I would suggest getting a PAYG USB modem. 3 sell PAYG modems for £50, and if you buy £10 of airtime you get either 1 Gb or 30 days of usage, whichever is used up first.

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by dmapr Steve, if the T-Mobile UK can really give you all you can eat data for £1 per day, it definitely makes more sense than the UM option.

Originally Posted by scotsboyuk Most British networks now have the £1/day option for both contract and PAYG customers. However, there is usually a fair usage policy, such as a limit of 20 Mb/day. If it's just general browsing, etc from your handset then it should be fine for you.

Thanks for the responses. I called Verizon to unlock my phone and ended up signing up for an "unlimited" international email and browsing plan called "GlobalEmail" for an extra $20/month. Verizon says I can drop the coverage when I come home for no penalty, so I figured the $20 was worth it.

As part of the deal, I got a Verizon/Vodaphone SIM and unlocked my phone. So with an unlocked phone I can still use a local SIM, but I may not need to. I'll report on these developments in another thread.




SW

[scotsboyuk]

Vodafone's network is arguably the best in the UK for coverage, not that that should matter too much if you will be in a city.

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by scotsboyuk Vodafone's network is arguably the best in the UK for coverage, not that that should matter too much if you will be in a city.

This time I'll be in central London and Heathrow airport, so as you say, I'd expect them all to be good, but this is nice to know. Hoping to do a distillery tour in Scotland sometime before I die.



SW

[scotsboyuk]

Originally Posted by SteveW This time I'll be in central London and Heathrow airport, so as you say, I'd expect them all to be good, but this is nice to know. Hoping to do a distillery tour in Scotland sometime before I die. SW

Mobile coverage will be irrelevant then, you'll be too sloshed to talk.