Germany
From Droam Prepaid SIM Encyclopedia
Cellular Operators
Vodafone
Vodafone's network is based on GSM 900/1800 and UMTS 2100 and provides the 2nd best coverage in Germany. The GSM network supports EDGE nearly nationwide and their UMTS network, which supports only HSDPA with up to 7.2 MBit/s and HSUPA with up to 5.76 MBit/s, is the most comprehensive one available in Germany.
APN settings
- username: vodafone
- password: vodafone
- APN name: web.vodafone.de
- APN WebSessions & CallYa: event.vodafone.de
- APN Gigacube: home.vodafone.de
O2
Net Frequency: GSM 1800 (+EGSM 900), W-CDMA 2100.
APN settings
- username: (blank)
- password: (blank)
- APN name: surfo2
Alditalk
Alditalk is using the eplus network, which provides HSDPA particulately, often just regular UMTS with 384 KBit/s
APN settings
- username: eplus
- password: gprs (can also be "internet". Status 17.05.2018)
- APN name: ~~tagesflat.eplus.de (for dayflat-rate only)~~ (The APN actually does not work. Status 17.05.2018)
- APN name: internet.eplus.de (for all other rates)
T-Mobile
Net Frequency: GSM 900/1800 EDGE, W-CDMA 2100 HSPA+42, LTE 4G 800 / 1800 / 2600 Mhz The T-Mobile/Telekom GSM Network has the best coverage and best reliability of all german GSM, UMTS and LTE Networks. The coverage of T-Mobile GSM-Network amounts to nearly 100% of Germany. The Telekom network is based on (E)GSM900/1800 (with EDGE support) and 3G+ UMTS2100 (all HSPA+ with up to 42,2 MBit/s download and up to 5,7 Mbit/s upload supported). 4G LTE speed up to 150 Mbit/s.
APN settings
- username: t-mobile
- password: tm
- APN name: internet.telekom !!!NEW!!!
O.TEL.O
APN settings
- username: (blank)
- password: (blank)
- APN name: data.otelo.de (for data only sim card it's: event.otelo.de)
Alice
APN settings
- username: (blank)
- password: (blank)
- APN name: internet.partner1
congstar
APN settings
- username: congstar
- password: cs
- APN name: internet.telekom
Eplus
Net Frequency: EGSM 900, GSM 1800, W-CDMA 2100.
APN settings
- username: eplus
- password: internet
- APN name: internet.eplus.de
FONIC
Fonic is the discount brand of Telefonica o2 and therefore offers the same coverage as o2, which amounts to nearly 100% of Germany. The o2 network is based on (E)GSM900, GSM1800 (both with EDGE support) and UMTS2100 (HSPA with up to 7,2 MBit/s supported).
APN settings
- username: (blank) or fonic
- password: (blank) or fonic
- APN name: pinternet.interkom.de
Tchibo
Tchibo, a coffee house chain and MVNO on the O2 network.The O2 network provides nationwide coverage with GSM900/1800 and UMTS2100. The GSM-network is being upgraded to EDGE since mid-2008, while the UMTS-network supports HSDPA with at least 3,6 MBit/s (most sites 7,2 MBit/s) and HSUPA with up to 1,45 MBit/s.
APN settings
- username: (blank)
- password: (blank)
- APN name: webmobil1
Fyve
Fyve is an online only operator.
APN settings
- username: (blank)
- password: (blank)
- APN name: web.vodafone.de
Simyo
GPRS (56Kbit/s), EDGE (220Kbit/s), UMTS (384Kbit/s) and HSDPA (3,6 Mbit/s - but only available in some larger cities). Simyo uses the net of german carrier e-plus which is slightly worse in terms of coverage, especially in non-city areas.
APN settings
- username: simyo
- password: simyo
- APN name: internet.eplus.de
blau.de
GPRS (56Kbit/s), EDGE (220Kbit/s), UMTS (384Kbit/s) and HSDPA (3,6 Mbit/s - but only available in some larger cities)
APN settings
- username: eplus
- password: gprs
- APN name: tagesflat.eplus.de (for dayflat-rate only)
- APN name: internet.eplus.de (for all other rates)
Klarmobil
APN settings
- username: (blank)
- password: (blank)
- APN name: internet.mobilcom
Prepaid plans
Tchibo mobil
Tchibo, a coffee house chain and MVNO on the O2 network with more than 1000 shops throughout Germany. GPRS (64Kbit/s), EDGE (200Kbit/s), UMTS (384Kbit/s) and HSDPA (3,6 Mbit/s). (Tchibo uses the O2 network, which is currently the best value network in Germany - High speed data, Great Coverage, Low Cost) Make sure you buy the Prepaid SIM and not the Smartphone SIM.
Plan | Price | Volume | Validity Period | Text SMS to 7777 to activate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Internet-Tages-Flatrate | € 2.95/ 4$ | after exceeding 1GB within a calendar day speed will be throttled to 64 KBit/s | per calendar day(from 0:00 till 23:59) | START TAGFLAT |
Internet Flatrate L | € 9.95/ 14$ | after exceeding 500MB within a billing period speed will be throttled to 64 KBit/s | 30 days | START DATENFLAT2 |
Internet Flatrate XL | € 19.95/ 28$ | after exceeding 5GB within a billing period speed will be throttled to 64 KBit/s | 30 days | START DATENFLAT |
How to activate
Activation of SIM
If bought in a shop the SIM will usually be be activated within a couple of hours after the shop has faxed the registration form, which must be filled out including a German address (which will not be verified however) upon purchase. If bought online, the SIM should be delivered activated.
Acitvation of data option
by USSD-Menu:
- dial *104#
- press 2 for "Option buchen"
- press 5 for "weitere"
- again, press 5for "weitere"
- press 2for "Internet Flatrate XL"
- press 1to confirm
However subscription by SMS sometimes fails due to technical problems. If you receive a SMS stating the failure of the subscription ("Ihre DATAFLAT Bestellung war nicht erfolgreich. Bitte wenden Sie sich an unsere Kundenbetreuung unter 0179/64242 (5ct/Min)"), you need to subscribe by USSD-menu (*104#) or by calling customer care at 0179 64242. Activation of the data option will be confirmed by SMS within minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours.
How to top up
- use "O2 Loop" top up vouchers (can ne bought almost everywhere, especially in gasstations, kiosks and supermarktes and online
- use Tchibo top up vouchers (sold at Tchibo shops )
- transfer money to Tchibo's bank account (see details )
- recharge your account directly at ATM's of these banks
Vouchers can be added by
- calling 63633, then pressing '1' followed by the top up code and '#' or
- entering *103*top up code#
if you use a "Tchibo Internet Stick" under Windows:
- start Mobile Partner
- click the "Guthaben verwalten" button
- click "Guthabenkarte aufladen"
- now enter the code from your topup voucher in the "Aufladenummer" field and click OK
- after a few seconds a confirmation message should be displayed in the "Ergebnis" field
Checking credit
current credit can be checked by calling 63633 or entering *101#
Checking vailidity
SIM vailidiy can be checked by entering *102#
Where to buy
Tchibo SIMs are sold at Tchibo shops and online for € 9.95. During recurring promotions the Start-Paket price drops down to €1 or is free. (If free, then the account starts with a €1 credit.) Registration with an official ID card (a foreign passport is fine) and a German address is required, however the address will not be verified, so non-residents can provide their accommodation's address. Shipping outside Germany is not offered.
Sim size
Standard SIM is used
More information
Subscriptions of the monthly flatrates will recur as long as there is enough credit left. To stop a subscription send a
- SMS to 7777 containing "STOP DATENFLAT2" to cancel the Internet Pack L or
- SMS to 7777 containing "STOP DATENFLAT" to cancel the Internet Pack XL
Price per MB without data option activated: € 0,24/MB (billed in 400KB-increments)
Vodafone
Web Sessions
Mobile Internet usage without a contract
Basic - 30 days | limited to 200MB | € 4.99 |
---|---|---|
S - 30 days | limited to 1GB | € 14.99 |
M - 30 days | limited to 3GB | € 24.99 |
L -30 days | limited to 5GB | € 34.99 |
Vodafone limits the allowance per session to 50 MB during roaming. After exceeding this volume the session finishes and usere are automatically redirected to the Vodafone captive portal, where a new Websession can be activated.
How to activate
To make use of the WebSessions tariffs you must set your device to use "event.vodafone.de" as access point (APN). Connections through other access points will be billed differently. Even before starting a WebSession you can browse the Vodafone [www.vodafone.de/ website ] free of charge and so test bandwidth and connection stability before paying. In order to test downstream bandwidth you can download [www.vodafone.de/business/hilfe-support/dashboard-software-fuer-windows.html Vodafone's dashboard (~ 75MB)]
How to top up
Pay directly by credit card
Paying WebSessions directly by credit card is not counted as a top-up and so will not prolong SIM valitidy. But you can keep your SIM active anyway: Just call 12007 from your Vodafone SIM at least once in 12 months and press 1 after the prompt. This will keep your SIM active for another 12 months even without topping it up the classical way.
At local shops
Therefore you may buy top-up vouchers (so-called "Vodafone CallNow"), which are available in many supermarkets, gas stations, etc. Aftr you have gotten a top-up voucher, which basilcy is a 13-15 digit number, it can be recharged either online via the Websession captive portal (click on "Redeem of Vodafone CallNows") or by using USSD commands (see below). You can also check the current credit either on the captive portal or by USSD. Note: You can connect and reach the Vodafone captive portal free of charge at any time.
Top up at ATMs
For a list of banks offering direct top up on ATMs to their own customers, [www.prepaid-wiki.de/index.php5?title=Liste_der_Anbieter check ]
With top up vouchers from foreign Vodafone networks
German Vodafone prepaid SIM cards can be topped up with Vodafone top up vouchers from the Vodafone networks in the following countries: Albania, Austria, Australia, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italia, Malta, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
However recharges with top up codes from foreign Vodafone networks are subject to an extra fee of € 2, which will be deducted from the amount to be recharged.
To top up your SIM with a foreign Vodafone top up code:
- enter *100*(top up code)#
or
- dial 22922 (without any prefixes)
or
- dial *111*22922# (requests callback from recharge system)
Purchase SIM card
German Vodafone shops offer prepaid starter kits for € 20, while these are offered way cheaper at eBay.de ([shop.ebay.de/items/__vodafone-callya?LH_BIN=1&_dmpt=PrePaid_Karten_Pakete&_ipg=&_sc=1&_sop=15&_trksid=p3286.c0.m301 Search for "Vodafone CallYa" ]). When purchasing Vodafone SIMs online note, that "Vodafone CallNow" is the designation of recharge vouchers, while "CallYa" is the brand of prepaid tariffs. Meanwhile Vodafone shops and electronic retailers (e.g. MediaMarkt, Saturn etc.) do also sell bundles of unlocked USB-modems including a WebSessions SIM card (only suitable for data, won't allow voice calls) for € 30. Note: All WebSessions tariffs (including the international one) are only available to German Vodafone prepaid SIMs.
Alditalk
Data Tariffs:
Limitations: All Tarifs are limited to 21.6 Mbit/s in Download and 8.6 Mbit/s in Upload. Probably you will have better results in some regions. 30 Mbit/s in Download are possible.
Volume-based billing: € 0.24/ 0.34$ per MB, billed in increments of 10 kb.
Paket 300: € 7.99/ 9.5$ - 30 days, bandwith throttled to 56 KBit/s after exceeding 1.25 GB per calender month, just for use with mobile phones/smartphones, 300 minutues of free calls in EU, or free SMS in EU
Paket 600: € 12.99/ 15.5$ - 30 days, bandwidth throttled to 56 KBit/s after exceeding 2 GB per calendar month, 600 minutues of free calls in EU, or free SMS in EU
All-Net-Flat: € 19.99/ 23.8$ - 30 days, bandwidth throttled to 56 KBit/s after exceeding 5 GB per calendar month, unlimited calls and SMS in EU
Internet Tarifs:
Internet-Flatrate S: € 3.99 - 30 days, bandwidth throttled to 56 KBit/s after exceeding 300 MB
Internet-Flatrate M: € 6.99 - 30 days, bandwidth throttled to 56 KBit/s after exceeding 750 MB
Internet-Flatrate L: € 9.99 - 30 days, bandwidth throttled to 56 KBit/s after exceeding 1,75 GB
Internet-Flatrate XL: € 14.99 - 30 days, bandwidth throttled to 56 KBit/s after exceeding 5,5 GB
How to activate
Volume-based billing: activated by default
Monthly phone flat: call 1155 and follow (german) instructions
Dayflat: just use the appropriate APN: tagesflat.eplus.de
Monthly flat: send the following USSD-command and use APN internet.eplus.de :
- activate: *121*004#
- cancel: *122#
- check status: *123#
check credit *100#
top up credit *104*(top up credit)#
SIM activation:
It is required to go online once and register with a German postal address (no ID card number required). The SIM card will then be activated within a couple of minutes.
Where to buy
In Aldi shops there are vouchers of € 5, € 15 and € 30 available. You can also use E-Plus Cash Codes, which are sold at supermarkets, gasstations, kiosks and even on vending machines.
eSIM availability
There are three providers, that have eSIM offers.
O2
The Hallo! Mobil eSIM uses the O2 Germany network.
Alright, you have four Germany Hallo! Mobil eSIM options:
1) Germany/Hallo! Mobil 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers.
2) Germany/Hallo! Mobil 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 10 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers.
3) Germany/Hallo! Mobil 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 15 USD.
4) Germany/Hallo! Mobil 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 22.50 USD.
Telekom
The Holafly eSIMs use the Telekom Germany (formerly T-Mobile) network.
You have the following seven options with Holafly:
1) Germany unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 19 USD/19 EUR/19 GBP/27 AUD/24 CAD.
2) Germany unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 34 USD/34 EUR/29 GBP/49 AUD/44 CAD.
3) Germany unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD/47 EUR/44 GBP/67 AUD/55 CAD.
4) Germany unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 54 USD/57 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/74 CAD.
5) Germany unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 64 USD/69 EUR/59 GBP/99 AUD/89 CAD.
6) Germany unlimited data eSIM for 60 days, costing 84 USD/87 EUR/77 GBP/127 AUD/114 CAD.
7) Germany unlimited data eSIM for 90 days, costing 99 USD/99 EUR/87 GBP/144 AUD/129 CAD.
Vodafone
You have the following five options with Nomad:
1) Germany 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 6 USD/6 EUR/5 GBP/8 CAD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers.
2) Germany 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 12 USD/12 EUR/10 GBP/15.50 CAD.
3) Germany 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17 USD/17 EUR/14.50 GBP/22 CAD.
4) Germany 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD/24 EUR/20 GBP/31 CAD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers.
5) Germany 20 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 34 USD/34 EUR/28.50 GBP/44 CAD.
Wi Fi Networks
References
- O2
- Vodafone
- T-Mobile
- Fonic
- Eplus
- Fyve
- blau.de
- simyo
- klarmobil
- Tchibo mobil
- Aldi Talk
- Phone Travel Wiz