Best GSM card for data

wolfbln · 27-01-2016, 17:27

Hi. You still get 5 GB 3G data at Lidl for 15 €, but now only with a big catch. In November Lidl changed from O2 to Vodafone network. They rebranded their mobile line to Lidl Connect.

While you can still buy a monthly surf package of 5 GB for 15 €, you now need to get this USB dongle in the starter pack to get this plan. The starter set is sold at 29.99 € with 10 € credit in Lidl markets or online. It includes this unlocked Huawei E3531-S2. Nobody knows why Lidl adopts this unusual policy. You can use the SIM where you want. May be they still have a pile of unused, old 3G USB sticks around.

Lidl's main rival Aldi on the retail scene has its own starters sold at 12.90€ with 10€ credit preloaded. They sell regular data packages of 5 GB for 15€ to be booked on them. It's even on 4G/LTE but in cities only (on 1800 MHz LTE, on eplus-network with free 3G roaming on O2 elsewhere - still not as good as Telekom or Vodafone in the countryside, but fine in cities).
Other providers like Blauworld or Ortel give you their starter packs for free (10€ price with 10€ preloaded), but will charge you 19.90€ for 5 GB on the same network.

Generally, there is no good or best SIM card around. It all depends on your data - speed - coverage - frequency needs and the device you bring from the US. Remember, here, totally different frequencies are used for 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE and only few devices can cope with all. More details on the offers: http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Germany or on current promotions (in German): http://www.prepaid-wiki.de/index.php5?title=Hauptseite

djinks · 27-01-2016, 19:46

Thanks for your response. It looks like Aldi-Talk for me. I still have 1 or 2 Lidl starter kits at the house in Germany but looks like they are not worth activating except for emergencies. They have 10EUR credit on them but will only yield 500MB without exceeding credit. (All my calls will be VOIP).

There is an Aldi close by, much closer than Lidl or the drug stores. I avoided E-plus when I was last there because I was advised that the network was congested. The O2 network was fine. Even though 3G, I was getting 7mbps, which was enough for my usage. I already have an O2 USB surf-stick that I can use if I need.

Device will likely be a Galaxy Note 3 (unlocked) or Nexus 6 (factory unlocked). I will probably pick up a few of the new FreedomPop global SIMs (200MB free/month) for travel to and from Europe.

	(#1)
wolfbln (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 206 Join Date: 14 Jul 2014 Country:	27-01-2016, 17:27 Hi. You still get 5 GB 3G data at Lidl for 15 €, but now only with a big catch. In November Lidl changed from O2 to Vodafone network. They rebranded their mobile line to Lidl Connect. While you can still buy a monthly surf package of 5 GB for 15 €, you now need to get this USB dongle in the starter pack to get this plan. The starter set is sold at 29.99 € with 10 € credit in Lidl markets or online. It includes this unlocked Huawei E3531-S2. Nobody knows why Lidl adopts this unusual policy. You can use the SIM where you want. May be they still have a pile of unused, old 3G USB sticks around. Lidl's main rival Aldi on the retail scene has its own starters sold at 12.90€ with 10€ credit preloaded. They sell regular data packages of 5 GB for 15€ to be booked on them. It's even on 4G/LTE but in cities only (on 1800 MHz LTE, on eplus-network with free 3G roaming on O2 elsewhere - still not as good as Telekom or Vodafone in the countryside, but fine in cities). Other providers like Blauworld or Ortel give you their starter packs for free (10€ price with 10€ preloaded), but will charge you 19.90€ for 5 GB on the same network. Generally, there is no good or best SIM card around. It all depends on your data - speed - coverage - frequency needs and the device you bring from the US. Remember, here, totally different frequencies are used for 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE and only few devices can cope with all. More details on the offers: http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Germany or on current promotions (in German): http://www.prepaid-wiki.de/index.php5?title=Hauptseite Last edited by wolfbln; 27-01-2016 at 17:45..

	(#2)
djinks (Offline) Junior Member Amateur Member Posts: 12 Join Date: 23 May 2011 Country:	27-01-2016, 19:46 Thanks for your response. It looks like Aldi-Talk for me. I still have 1 or 2 Lidl starter kits at the house in Germany but looks like they are not worth activating except for emergencies. They have 10EUR credit on them but will only yield 500MB without exceeding credit. (All my calls will be VOIP). There is an Aldi close by, much closer than Lidl or the drug stores. I avoided E-plus when I was last there because I was advised that the network was congested. The O2 network was fine. Even though 3G, I was getting 7mbps, which was enough for my usage. I already have an O2 USB surf-stick that I can use if I need. Device will likely be a Galaxy Note 3 (unlocked) or Nexus 6 (factory unlocked). I will probably pick up a few of the new FreedomPop global SIMs (200MB free/month) for travel to and from Europe. Last edited by djinks; 27-01-2016 at 20:32..