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Koko Mobile / Naka
I thought it's about time to start a new Thread for Koko Mobile / NAKA, as people do post in the "2017 Piranha Mobile" Thread about it.
As I am aware of, @GadgetKen already have such a SIM and I bought one too. The provider behind is NAKA AG, that also provides service for this Brands:
I came across this SIM card via a post on Teltarif.de (https://www.teltarif.de/naka-mobile-....html?page=all). Originally looked up cerafon because it's been mentioned by a member on the Austrian lteforum.at The reason why I opted for Koko Mobile instead of another family brand of NAKA is quite simple. I stay in Switzerland and Koko Mobile has a special price band for calls in and from Switzerland, CHF 0.08, where the other cards charge about 15 Eurocents. Also on Koko the EU data packages apply, where the other family brand mostly doesn't include Switzerland in the EU data package. Originally, the SIM comes with a UK format mobile number. It seems, that all Brands of NAKA give you the possibility to book additional country numbers, with Koko mobile, the first additional number is free of charge. In my case I have opted for a German mobile number. At the moment you can choose from the following countries: Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Switzerland (DID) and US. All mentioned but not the Swiss DID are mobile numbers and come with a special "local tariff set" that gives you better prices when roaming in these countries. Additional numbers can be booked monthly and cost 1 CHF monthly (after the first which is free) and can be deleted after each month. Additional numbers are activated immediately and will work instantly after activation. You can set any of these activated numbers as sender number and even SMS sending and receiving works through this numbers. I noticed a slight lag when calling the German number, until it connects to the Koko phone line. Out of curiosity to try, I booked a Swiss DID. The number is a landline from Zurich (+41 43 xxx) and is also activated immediately. This DID cost CHF 5 per month and can also be set as Caller ID. Haven't tried SMS yet, but do think it will not work, as it is a landline number. There is no lag, if you call the landline number, the phone rings instantly. All call forwarding from DID to SIM are covered with the monthly price of CHF 5, no incoming charge like with some Estonian SIM cards. As roaming prices for Swiss mobiles still exists with Europe and are partially sky high, this is a excellent feature. Landlines are commonly reachable for around 0.01 to 0.03 Eurocent via VoIP and call forwarding from a Swiss mobile to a Swiss landline is mostly covered by national minutes. There is a wide choice of monthly data packages (valid for 30 days):
EU Package is valid in Belgien, Bulgarien, Czechia, Deutschland, Dänemark, Estland, Finnland, Frankreich, Griechenland, Irland, Island, Italien, Kroatien, Lettland, Liechtenstein, Litauen, Luxemburg, Malta, Niederlande, Norwegen, Polen, Portugal, Rumänien, Schweden, Schweiz, Slowakei, Slowenien, Spanien, Ungarn, Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirland, Zypern, Österreich World 1 covers: Albanien, Armenien, Aserbaidschan, Australien, Belgien, Brasilien, Bulgarien, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czechia, Deutschland, Dänemark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estland, Finnland, Frankreich, Georgien, Ghana, Griechenland, Guatemala, Hongkong, Irland, Israel, Italien, Japan, Kanada, Kasachstan, Kirgisistan, Kolumbien, Korea (Republic of), Kroatien, Lettland, Liechtenstein, Litauen, Luxemburg, Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of), Malta, Montenegro, Neuseeland, Nicaragua, Niederlande, Norwegen, Panama, Polen, Portugal, Rumänien, Russische Föderation, Schweden, Schweiz, Serbien, Singapur, Slowakei, Slowenien, Spanien, Südafrika, Tadschikistan, Taiwan, Chinesische Provinz, Thailand, Türkei, Ukraine, Ungarn, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika, Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirland, Zypern, Österreich World 2 covers: Albanien, Anguilla, Antigua und Barbuda, Argentinien, Armenien, Aserbaidschan, Australien, Belgien, Brasilien, Bulgarien, Cayman-Inseln, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czechia, Deutschland, Dominica, Dänemark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estland, Finnland, Frankreich, Georgien, Ghana, Grenada, Griechenland, Guatemala, Hongkong, Indien, Irland, Israel, Italien, Japan, Jordanien, Kambodscha, Kanada, Kasachstan, Kirgisistan, Kolumbien, Korea (Republic of), Kroatien, Lettland, Liechtenstein, Litauen, Luxemburg, Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of), Malta, Mexiko, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mosambik, Neuseeland, Nicaragua, Niederlande, Norwegen, Panama, Peru, Philippinen, Polen, Portugal, Rumänien, Russische Föderation, Saudi-Arabien, Schweden, Schweiz, Serbien, Singapur, Slowakei, Slowenien, Spanien, St. Kitts und Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent und die Grenadinen, Südafrika, Tadschikistan, Taiwan, Chinesische Provinz, Thailand, Turks- und Caicosinseln, Türkei, Ukraine, Ungarn, Uruguay, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika, Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirland, Virgin Islands (British), Weißrussland, Zypern, Österreich I must admit that I really thought about replacing my Toggle Mobile SIM with the Koko Mobile Sim. Calls might be slightly more expensive than with Toggle, but KOKO also has a forwarding option and far cheaper data then Toggle. Website says that there is a VoIP feature via any SIP app or with their own App called Blab, but I was not successful with setting it up. All I get is a error message. Bourbonkiller |
One thing I forgot above. Koko Mobile does support LTE data roaming in several countries and the list of networks is constantly expanding. Just recently they added Austria!
Albanien Vodafone Albania Aserbaidschan Bakcell Ltd Australien Singtel Optus Proprietary Limited Brasilien Vivo S.A. Bulgarien Mobiltel Chile Telefónica Móvil de Chile China China Mobile Costa Rica Telefónica Móviles Costa Rica Frankreich Bouygues Telecom Georgien Mobitel LLC Griechenland Vodafone Greece Griechenland Wind Hellas Telecommunications S.A. Guatemala Telefónica Móviles Guatemala (Telefónica) Hongkong CSL Limited Hongkong PCCW-HKT Indien Punjab Indien Madhya Pradesh Indien Karnataka Indien Delhi & NCR Indien Rajasthan Indien Maharashtra Indien Kerala Indien Haryana Indien Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Indien Tamil Nadu Indien Mumbai Indien Kolkata Indien Himachal Pradesh Indien Chennai Italien Vodafone Omnitel N.V. Japan SoftBank Mobile Corp Jordanien Petra Jordanian Mobile Telecommunications Company (MobileCom) Kanada Fido Solutions (Rogers Wireless) Kanada Rogers Communications Kolumbien Telefónica Móviles Colombia Korea KT Mexiko Movistar - Telefónica Moviles Neuseeland Vodafone New Zealand Nicaragua TelefonÃ*a Celular de Nicaragua, S.A. (Telefónica, S.A.) Österreich Hutchison Drei Austria Österreich A1 Telekom Austria Philippinen Globe Telecom Polen Polkomtel Sp. z o.o. Portugal Vodafone Portugal Rumänien Vodafone România Russland OJSC Vimpel-Communications Schweiz Orange Communications SA Serbien VIP Mobile Singapur StarHub Mobile Spanien Vodafone Spain Sri Lanka Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd Südafrika Vodacom Taiwan Chunghwa Telecom Thailand Total Access Communication Thailand DTN Türkei Vodafone Turkey |
In answer to @kctopitz in the Piranha thread, the Koko mobile sim I have uses JT (Jersey Telecom) as the background provider. Number begins with +44-7937 which is a Jersey mobile number.
Currently just using the Jersey number since most calls with this sim will be outgoing and adding a USA number would increase the USA incoming/outgoing voice call cost when the USA number is used (quoted as .09 CHF for the Jersey number and .16 CHF for a US number). A local USA prepaid sim card I have (the AT&T MVNO called H2O) is normally used domestically at cheaper rates per minute for a domestic call (.09 CHF for Koko versus .05 USD for H2O). But since the local sim is USA only, I need Koko for international travel. Koko did ship my sim quickly. I put it in my dual sim phone and it is working normally in the USA as a 4G voice/text sim on AT&T. Calls are direct dial in the US but according to the Koko website may be via callback in some countries. A manual network search will show AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon but only connects to AT&T (which is fine for me). Not using it for data since I normally use one of three mifi data devices in a small belt pouch. Will be in Bermuda for a week starting tomorrow and will report on how Koko works there. The two cellular carriers there are Digicel and CellOne. |
I swapped my Koko SIM card now to my iPhone to replace my Toggle SIM card. Network comes up automatically (which was not the case with my old Toggle Sim). There is a special profile for Switzerland in Koko-Mobile and when looking into the the "info" pane of iOS it list under provider "Partner Israel 32.1".
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GadgetKen, if you feel like testing out a US number, maybe you can confirm whether incoming SMS to it are in fact free while you're on your travels. I'm kind of surprised that there's no mention of the free additional number on their website. it's a pretty big oversight by them. |
I am in Bermuda. Although my Skyroam mifi says I am in Jamaica and my Koko mobile SIM card welcomed me to Antigua and Barbuda. Skyroam works fine and Koko is working by USSD call back dialing but not by direct dial. Koko is on Digicel rather than Cellone. Voice quality is high.
Not sure if I want to add a US number to Koko because primarily use for voice and roaming rates in US are cheaper for the JT number. |
Finally email support fixed my error with VoIP login on Saturday within hour, very prompt! Tried out the VoIP feature which is for outgoing calls only (no incoming like on old piranha).
It seems that calls not answered get billed for the first minute on VoIP, whereas calls from the SIM card are not getting billed for unanswered calls. I took my phone out for testing network registration, this works very good. Only problem I can tell is with LTE networks. It seems, even with data switched off on the phone, there is a LTE Ghost traffic of 50kb increments which sometimes get billed and sometimes not. It didn't occur any more when switching to 3G only. Looking up the apple App Store, there is also a app to handle customer zone on the mobile, it is called noi box. |
Besides DrimSIM from Russia which i sometimes use for the low per-MB rate until a get a local SIM, Koko Mobile seems to be an interesting choice. It's by far the best priced Naka product with monthly packages.
I still have issues with DrimSIM about their different network profiles which have to be changed through the Toolkits app. You never know which to choose. "EU" is for most EU countries which makes sense, but "Oris" is for major EU countries like France, Greece, Austria or Italy. You don't know which to choose (DrimSIM doesn't name the country/profile matches) and trying out all profiles when entering a new country is annoying. There is another string attached in their T&Cs that makes this Koko SIM quite unappealing for occasional users: "When using the SIM regularly it will not expire, but If you do not use the SIM card for a period of 120 days, a small monthly processing / number reservation fee (currently CHF 1.00) will be debited from the balance of the SIM from the 120 +1 day on. When the balance is completely consumed, the SIM card expires. So when I'm low on balance after a trip and forget to replenish, my card will expire after 4 months only. A minimal use every 3 months or so is better than running into their inactivity fees and eventually shut-off. |
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Koko may offer the best priced packages of the Naka SIMs that offer packages (DrimSIM doesn't), but it's debatable as to whether you'd be saving any money with them. For example, the cheapest Koko data package, for their data SIM only (no voice), is the EU PLUS package at CHF 5.90 - about 5.11 Euro at today's rates - for 500MB. That's slightly more than 1 cent per MB, which is what you'd pay with the DrimSIM for pay-as-you-go data. So at least in the case of light data use in the EU, DrimSIM makes more sense. Even with the largest Koko data package (~€20.71/2500MB) for the EU, you're only getting down to .8 cent per MB, so not a huge savings, especially when you factor in that you probably won't use all the data in 30 days (so each MB effectively costs more) or you'll go over and pay 5 cents per additional MB (their rate in most EU countries I think). As mentioned, those packages are for the data SIM only. If you want a Koko voice/data SIM (as the DrimSIM is), the data packages cost more, e.g. €6.93 for the 500MB package, so the DrimSIM becomes the clear winner - at least in the EU, though I'm guessing this may be true for all their packages. It's hard to say right now since it looks like Koko just updated their website, and the data packages no longer list which countries are in the other "Global" packages. Since you have a DrimSIM maybe you can answer: does it include the option to add an additional number, e.g. a German or US number? Is there a cost for it? |
Hi. Thanks for all your advice. I re-grouped the Naka section in the prepaid wiki according to your suggestion. Now Koko and DrimSIM are both featured. The one for its packages, the other for the low per-MB rate.
With DrimSIM is hard to get decent support as it's very Russian. Many messenges, websites, part of the app are nor or poorly translated. And when you like to talk to an agent, it's a hit and miss whether he/she speaks sufficient English. So I cant really tell you whether you can add local numbers. But I guess not. In all what is accessible in English there is no hint of it. Also no dual pricing like on other Naka products. On the other side, I can't rule that completely out as lots of information is available in Russian only. |
If that thanks was directed at me, I have to reject it, as I made no such suggestions about Naka. I only learned of these SIMs a few days ago. :) I did however add Koko to the wiki as I saw it wasn't mentioned. Perhaps I can add more info on it when I have time.
Good to know about the Drimsim app being not adequately translated into English. I also don't like the fact that there seems to be no way to access the account from the website. That alone may make me hold off on buying one for now. |
The only problem is that there is no country list available for the packages of Koko Mobile. I know there was one online as mentioned by the user above.
I wonder why they have taken it off. The information of packages is nothing worth as long as they don't say for which countries. |
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Regarding Country List for packages. Maybe they still work on the website, but it lists all countries for packages at the moment! |
Yup, Koko clearly just hadn't added the list of countries yet during the switch to the new page. Doing a quick comparison of data pricing between Koko's "World 1" packages and the pay as you go rates from DrimSIM, it really seems to depend on what country you'll be in to determine whether you're saving money by going with a Koko SIM and package. In certain countries, e.g. the US, Thailand and Ukraine, you'd be paying more per MB of data on the cheapest Koko "World 1" package. For others it's about the same, or there is a savings - again, assuming you use close to all the data in your package.
I saw that the minimum top-up for DrimSIM is 5€ which is nice. That, the lower upfront cost and the more lenient requirement of having some activity once per year makes it the more appealing offer for me for an international SIM. I've quoted the relevant section from their user agreement below. Quote:
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i've been using koko for about a year and am generally quite satisfied. in my experience:
- In some countries it takes a while (several hours) to connect to the network. Sometimes forcing the profile helps but not always. I've had similar issues with togglemobile so maybe this is a problem with the "profiles" feature - I had a problem in indonesia. It was impossible to connect. I contacted customer service by email and they replied very promptly (albeit during europe office hours only). After some standard back an fourth ("Did you restart your phone?", etc.) they realised they had a problem with their Indo provider. By the time it was fixed, i had already left the country. - They have data only sim and data+voice sim. Annoyingly, the packages and prices are different. Data sim is logically better value for data. however some countires are available on voice sim package but missing on the data sim. So you need to either choose the sim wisely, or get both sims. - I once had 9.98.- on my account and tried to buy a 9.90 package. This wasn't possible. I think there is a bug whereby you have to have 10.- on the account. - Per mb rates are not too bad. for same price as 500mb package you can get around 200mb on per mb rate. The advantage of per mb is that it lasts longer than 30 days which is ideal if only using whatsapp. - Unfortunately, it doenst seem possible to use VOIP fonctionality with the data sim. This is kind of annoying because there is no technical reason not to include voip on the data sim (since voip doesnt actually use voice calls). So that is another reason to get both sims. - The "my account" page is quite impressive for a budget telco. There are a lot of options and things you can manage (sms notifications, call forwarding, websms, etc.). |
Worked in Bermuda with ssid manual string call back.
Short stop in Canada YYZ airport on way back to US would not work on Koko. But SkyRoam data did work so used Skype voip to call home. When arrived back in US Koko did not auto connect but search for carriers and manual choice of AT&T 4G got a direct dial connect. Bottom line is Koko is not perfect but worked most of the time on my trip. |
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Does it state it somewhere on the website that they extend validity for one year? |
@prion1, I do have a Koko Voice Sim, the options is CHF 5.00 for 365 days. It can be enabled in the customer zone, description as follows:
"Extend the SIM validity period by one year if the card is no longer used. Your SIM card will not expire, even if it is no longer used, as long as this option remains activated. Costs are charged annually in advance and reduced from the currently available balance, regardless of the current status of the SIM card. billing information: clearing type - recurrently; billing period - 365 days" |
A short update on my Koko-Mobile Simcard, roaming in UK beginning of this month.
I've been to several areas around London and Surrey beginning of July. Had my Koko Simcard with me in a iPhone SE. After deactivating flight mode, the network it connects automatically is "3 Three UK". As suspected following the LTE coverage list in the customer zone, it is only 3G no LTE. Tried also to log in to EE which worked like a charm. The Simcard got a Sim-Update and it changes the profile from the Israel Provider (for Switzerland) to polish Play Provider when roaming in UK. I have two Numbers active in addition to the Jersey Number the card comes with. When calling from a UK mobile to Koko (it was a UK 3 card) there is a voice message announcing the rates will be higher than standard UK mobile phones. The Swiss landline DID seems to perform rock solid, I never had problems reaching the Simcard through DID. When dialing the German mobile number it sometimes happens that I get a message, that the Koko Mobile subscriber is not reachable at the moment. This mostly happens, when I've called the Swiss DID, hung up and dialed the German number immediately. If you wait some time, it works. It looks like the German number is forwarding and thinks, the line is still busy. It never happened when dialing the jersey number directly. Interestingly, all of my available Swiss and Austrian Mobile provider can reach the jersey number without any problems, no provider seems to block the Koko Mobile number. Compared to the UK number I've got with XXSim this is a big plus, because the XXSim UK number can not be reached with all providers (Salt CH, Skype) I got to love my Swiss DID which is a little bit costly with CHF 5 per month, but I can route my own localphone.com numbers (landline numbers) at the cost of a landline call (0.01 USD) and even route my Swiss business mobile (which can only forward to Swiss and Liechtenstein numbers) free of charge. Combined with free incoming calls (outside EU/worldwide) on Koko Mobile, this is very attractive and makes Koko Mobile a no-brainer for me, compared to other roaming SIM cards with Estonian Mobile numbers (used XXSim before). |
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+447937? |
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@kctopitz, I've been in Germany this afternoon and can confirm, that NAKA works on 02 up to LTE speeds. Haven't had any time to try other networks. Since EPlus and 02 merged their networks, it might have got slightly better with the coverage... |
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I still like the pricing and terms of DrimSim better. Too bad they don't offer an additional number. |
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I just figured out some "news". I have configured the SIP client to make calls with Koko-Moible at lower rates and discovered, that since about one week also incoming calls do work via SIP.
I've tried it only with my original UK Koko-Number. If my Sip-Client is connected, it rings on SIP (not via Simcard). When I disconnect Sip, calls do come in via Simcard. This is great, as it works now the same way as Piranha Mobile did before! Can you guys try and confirm that it works on your Koko-Simcards too? |
About time I get a new SIM card to test/play with.
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I went to the web site and do not see anyplace to buy one. You mention other brands that use NAKA in the background. Are any of them advantageous for someone in the USA? Do any have a free USA phone number? Any to avoid? The fact that it seems to make you happy with the SIP abilities vs. what Piranha used to do is encouraging. |
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Koko seems to be the best option if you want a US number, since you can add one additional number free. Higher call rates with the US number though. Discussed on page 1 of this thread. I don't think anyone here has actually tested it with a US number to confirm if incoming SMS are free on the US number. |
I do have problems with incoming calls on my German mobile number as well as the Swiss DID. Swiss DID gives a recorded message, that the caller is not available at the moment (although the mobiles has full network coverage), the German mobile number rings 3-4 times, before a recorded message (about the same then on the Swiss DID) could be heard.
Koko does ring on first attempt, if I call the UK Jersey number. But that's about it. Anyone else do have these problems? Please report back on which numbers you can/can not be reached at the moment. Wrote to their support team on October 17th and got a reply that they are experiencing problems with their Swiss DID. Nothing changed since then... BK |
Update on the incoming issue. Got a written email yesterday that told me, the Swiss DID is no longer available for Koko-Mobile. Calling the DID results in hearing a recorded message saying "This number is not assigned".
Unfortunately, they still charge for the number. Let's see, if they will refund the monthly fee for the Swiss DID... |
Is anyone still using their Koko-Mobile SIM or any other Naka SIM? I am interested in getting a Koko SIM and asked them a question via e-mail and their support form on the website and never got a response.
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I encountered that they silently slashed all other incoming numbers beside the original +44. There was a preferred rate going along with the German number, which got cancelled too.
Not sure what's happening at their end. Service works fine, but waiting one week for a service reply as well. Gesendet von iPad mit Tapatalk |
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Still using my Koko Mobile sim card as a secondary sim in a rugged phone. In the USA, it will work on AT&T (my primary sim card is using a T-Mobile reseller called Mint)...no need to constantly top up the Koko card like a domestic prepaid AT&T MVNO.
It works fine when I am in Bermuda by USSD dialing. Other mobile alternative there were VOIP using a SkyRoam mifi device. My primary need for Koko is really a backup sim that can use AT&T in the USA but also can roam in countries my primary sim doesn't work in (like Bermuda). Also my interest in Koko is really for voice and SMS text messaging, since I can get data cheaper domestically or internationally through other means. Like the switchable profiles and the USSD dialing capability. My main reason for picking up a Koko sim card was the Piranha debacle...couldn't wait for Piranha to switch from Telna to Jersey Telecom as a background provider. The 2 Piranaha cards were eventually replaced, and now are used in emergency phones for my elderly parents. |
Having problems with my Koko card.
Can't register sim on AT&T USA other than emergency calling. Also having trouble switching the country profile setting. Tried in two unlocked phones. Filed a trouble ticket and will see if they respond and fix the issue. Not a JT issue because I swapped the Koko for a Piranha sim chip in my smartphone and Piranha works fine on AT&T. Also noted that AT&T USA prices are up for Koko but down for Piranha. Piranaha was USD$.10/minute and is now USD$.06/minute. Koko was CHF.09/minute and is now CHF.13/minute (CHF and USD are almost on par). Even if Koko fixes the problem I will likely switch back to Piranha because their prices are currently better in the countries where I need it most. |
Sorry to hear your problems @gadgetken. I've been in China last week of August with Koko Mobile and had no problems with Network. Automatic Network search as well as Sim Kit Profile change worked like a charm, even had 4G Data in China. Only hassle was, that incoming calls were not 100% stable. I believe this is because the SIM card didn't manage the change between 4G and 3G properly. Beside that, the Simard performed rock solid and Data worked like a charm all week long. Even WhatsApp Calls and VoIP Calls through Data worked perfectly.
Initially, the SIM card only registered on EDGE Network, wrote a Email to them and got a answer within hours... |
@bourbonkiller glad Koko worked OK for you in China.
Still having issues with Koko service in USA. Chip will work for LTE data in USA on AT&T but no calls or text will function. I'll just use up the remaining balance on some youtube music videos in a flip phone, and then cancel the card. Worked fine for several months but I can't depend on it now. Not a big deal because I'm just swapping a Piranha card for the Koko card in my dual sim smartphone. Both have a JT back end but Piranha gives me voice and text in the USA. Don't really need either Koko or Piranha for data because I can get that off a US T-Mo reseller sim called Mint, an AT&T postpaid mifi device with unlimited data, a Sprint/Karma mifi device or a SkyRoam cloud sim mifi device. |
Is your PiranhaMobile sim still working in the USA? Can't receive calls on mine at all. The support person responded that they are checking with the roaming partner.
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Both Piranha sim chips went out but service was restored after filed a trouble ticket.
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