What prepaid GSM SIM cards to buy?

[martynasma]

I'd like to keep in touch with the world while on the way. Buying a prepaid SIM card with a reasonable data pricing sounds like a good idea. However none of the Spanish cell operator websites have information in English so it's hard to research the options.

I wonder if someone has had any experience with dealing with this issue. Which operator and product to buy? Which have better data coverage of the Camino routes? I don't particularly care for voice calls. Data connection is the main target.

[Covey]

Spain has a law which requires a record to be kept of who buys a SIM card, so it is difficult to buy a Spanish SIM whilst living outside Spain. Spain requires the dealer to see an ID card or passport and the number is registered against the SIM phone number.

Data is expensive in Spain and I have not seen a data only PAYG SIM.

If you want a Spanish SIM then the cheapest I have seen is Lebara, but if you are walking the Camino Frances from St Jean (French mobile territory!) then you will not find a shop to buy a Spanish SIM until Pamplona. Lebara do a Spanish SIM with very cheap overseas calls, but that is for voice, not data. Data charges for my UK T-Mobile contract phone works out at €5/MB which is criminal when I pay €10 month for unlimited 3G within the UK.

Most of the coverage in northern Spain seems to be with Movistar which is who my phone usually connects to.

Every Albergue will have internet PC's for around €2 for 20 minutes but very few will allow you to use Skype or have a wireless connection you can use.

[martynasma]

Thanks Covey!

I'm going from Pamplona. And I don't mind showing my ID at mobile shop. So that's not a problem. I'm really trying to avoid roaming data which as you pointed out is a complete steal. I also suppose very few albergues will have wifi. I'd like to use my phone for all the comms (have no use for other PCs) so was really hoping that there's some prepaid option which would allow to use data at some reasonable price.

I guess I'll have to take my chances and just ask in the first mobile shop that comes my way in Pamplona.

Thanks again for you answer!

[joe]

Using the Internet Abroad – Vodafone

That link is to vodafone in the UK. I don't know if you live in the UK or not, but if you do then this seems reasonable.

£2 a day fixed price (for up to 25mb) in European countries. It's very likely Spain will be included. I just did a quick search and the information seems to be good on that link. Standard prices are £1 for up to 5mb, and a further £5 for every 5mb then on. But if you opt in for the "Vodafone Data Traveller" it is a mere £2 a day to get 25mb of data each day! No matter what the time. Also it's only £2 for each day you use it. So you only pay for the days you use it.

Seems to suit what you need. If you're in a different country then have a look at the providers and see what they can offer.

[martynasma]

Thanks Joe!

I'm not from UK. And local providers (Lithuania) do not provide similar roaming data plans like the one you referred to from Vodafone. The £2/day/25MB option sounds perfect. I hope it's available for contract-free top up plans as well. I'll have to enlist some friend from UK to buy one for me.

On the other hand Vodafone Spain should surely be offering something similar for local market.

Anyway, thanks a lot for your suggestion!

[Covey]

Martynasma........... Why do you need all this connectivity to the outside world? The Camino is a bubble inside of which we wander along without even thinking of the outside world. No phones, no TV, no newspapers. Wonderful!! Every two or three days you can send an email home to let them know you are still alive, but one of the great things on the Camino is to shut off the chattering world and all the bad news and heartache, and just enjoy the scenery and the company of your companions and have time to think about what you want and need.

Sadly, the other world will still be there when you finish your Camino, but you will be a much better person to cope with it!!!

[joe]

I think keeping in touch with your family is important to some people, like for me, i'm still young and I still live with my parents, I know i'll miss them while I'm gone and there will be times that I would like to talk to them. And vice versa, my parents would want to know if i'm ok, or even alive, and how my camino is going. I agree that it shouldn't be all the time, but a few half an hour phone calls each week is ok with me.

[Laurah]

Martynasma........... Why do you need all this connectivity to the outside world? The Camino is a bubble inside of which we wander along without even thinking of the outside world. No phones, no TV, no newspapers. Wonderful!! Every two or three days you can send an email home to let them know you are still alive, but one of the great things on the Camino is to shut off the chattering world and all the bad news and heartache, and just enjoy the scenery and the company of your companions and have time to think about what you want and need.

Sadly, the other world will still be there when you finish your Camino, but you will be a much better person to cope with it!!!

YES! It will be a slice of heaven! Which is why i prefer to not even venture near anything larger then a small village !