I just purchased an E-Plus Sim off of Ebay that has a zero balance but expires in August 2006. It works fine in my unlocked Treo 650 and when I dialed *100# I received a text message back in German verifying the current balance and expiration date. I plan to purchase a top up card when I arrive in Germany later this week.

My main question is how to set up and use the free voicemail function that comes with the E-Plus account. I understand that to access my own voicemail all I have to do is dial 9911 once I'm in Germany. If someone would please help with some details regarding how to utilize and setup the voicemail I would appreciate it. Also, will I need some type of password to access or make changes to the voicemail?

In addition to free voicemail, I also understand that incoming photos and text messages are free. Do I need to do anything to activate that service or is it automatic? Any other tips regarding E-Plus and cell phone usage in Germany would be much appreciated.

Your plan sounds good.

Try an ATT, MCI calling card or local German calling card for calls to US or other countries besides Germany. DON'T use it outside Germany, however. And watch BORDER areas. Your phone may REGISTER on a foreign network and even if you are in Germany, you will be paying the roaming price.

Our German friends will have to help you with the voicemail setup.

Inbound messages or all kinds, except EMAILs, if that is possible, SHOULD be free.

I don't have E+, but there should be a PDF file on the E+ site giving the basics of their prepaid plan(s). That should include VOICEMAIL setup instructions. If you know German, that should do the trick.

Viel Spass!

Stan

Thanks Stan for your feedback. I've already got an AT&T pre-paid card for calls back to the US. I also have programmed in the toll free AT&T number for Germany (0800-225-5288). I understand that calls to 0800 numbers in Germany are also free from a cell phone so I hope to minimize my charges as much as possible.

I spoke with one of my German contacts a few minutes ago and he said that when you dial in to check your voicemail from your cell phone, that the system recognizes your Sim card and therefore you don't need a password. He said that you can access all of the features of the voicemail by listening to the German language prompts. I was hoping someone could give me a quick summary of which keys do what in regards to voicemail commands. I know just enough German to get myself in trouble but if I listen to it several times (thank goodness it's a free call) I should be able to figure it out.

Here is a link:

http://www.eplus.de/myEplusService/2/2_3/d...FreeAndEasy.pdf

Setup (national) [page 14]

Dial 9911
Follow directions(! -- no doubt in German)
Enter 4 - 10 digit secret number (PIN) IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MESSAGES FROM ANOTHER PHONE
After entry follow directions to speak youer FIRST and LAST name; when you retrieve your messages, you will hear your name.
In addition an INBOUND CALLER will hear a mesage "Dies is die E+ ... von FIRST [and] LAST NAME.
Your greeting can be up to 40 seconds.
To change or delete this greeting, press 1
You can choose between standard (First + LAST NAME) and personal greeting.... after dialing 9911, dial 2 on the main menu, then either 1 or 2 -- 1 for NAMEs, 2 for GREETING

If you have a voicemail, you will receive a message (SMS).....

More....

[abbreviated translation]

Stan

The T-MO brochure has or HAD a diagram of the mailbox/menu options. I did not see that in this pdf.

There ARE cheaper means of calling back to US than ATT cards, but that will do.

Stan

It may also be that since your card is NOT new, that someone else has setup the mailbox, INCLUDING a PIN to get in. I imagine you'll have to live with that feature or try to call customer care -- PROBABLY NOT A FREE CALL.

Stan

Stan - thanks again for all of the feedback and the link to their Sim instructions.

I've read through pages 14 and 15 and I hope that I understood the directions correctly. If you would look at my following translation and see if it makes sense I would appreciate it. I'm only including what I believe are the main points:

I know there are more items dealing with funny messages, and accessing your mailbox from another number, but I hope these are the main points. Let me know what I missed.

Thanks again for your help.

I think you have correctly understoond the salient points. As I noted, you can switch between the standard greeting and a special, personal greeting.

I looked on SIMYO- we have that and it uses E+, but the mailbox instructions there are even less detailed than in the pdf file.

There are ways to reach the mailbox from landlines that we have left out.

Stan

Hi jla,

Sorry that I didn't reply until now but I've been a bit busy during the day for the last couple days and am not investing as much time on the forum like I normally do.

snaimon has already gotten the important things pointed out to you. I'll add the following information....you can refill your Free & Easy balance in ?15 and ?30 increments. You can get the Rubbelkarten (scratch cards) at any supermarket, electronics shop (Saturn, Mediamarkt and ProMarkt), The Phone House locations, kiosk/newspaper stand and of course E-Plus' own network of stores.

If you have any more pointed questions, drop them in here.

As for the free VM, this has changed in the last couple years since my old Free & Easy Weekend plan would be subject to airtime charges for accessing my VM.