Best way to get mobile internet in Spain?
 

Hi,

Our first trip to Spain quickly approaches and I need to sort internet access while in Spain.

For example in Japan we had pocket Wifi and it worked brilliantly. Anything similar in Spain? Or perhaps it's better to buy local sim card with data allowance when we arrive there? (we land in Madrid). Sim card would also allow us to make calls and inform apartments prior to our arrival as few of them requested this when we booked.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

For the airport: Any of the Crystal Media shops will supply SIM with internet connection for your unlocked phone.
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Ae...rtainment.html
If you can wait until you are in the city there are loads to choose from. Movistar has the best coverage in Spain.

Thank you, I can definitely wait till we get to the city, is there a preference which company to go with?

Preference for what? Coast or coverage?
Comparison site in Spanish.
http://www.moviles.com/#
I use another service which may not be available to those from outside of Spain.
https://www.tuenti.com/?m=Login

If you had T-Mobile as a service provider, your problem would be solved.

I have used Orange Mundo: http://www.simmundo.es/ 9 euro for 1 GB (30 days) or 2 GB for 15 euro. You can also use it for calls.
Just visit an Orange store with your passport. It's very easy to set up, either in your unlocked 3G/4G phone or pocket wifi, and staff will help set it up for you. English isn't always spoken, but you can make yourself understood.

Thanks everyone!

Preference is cost and coverage, would also like to be able to use it as VOIP if possible. We will be in Madrid, Granada, Seville, Cordoba and Barcelona, I imagine any of big 3 providers should have coverage in those areas (we only be in cities and trains in between).

Looks like there is 4 main players: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange and Yoigo. Hate Vodafone (long story) so need to choose between other 3. Orange sounds good, 15 euro for 2 GB is plenty.

Great info - I'm bookmarking for my upcoming trip.

2 GB doesn't get you much. As noted, T-Mobile has unlimited data and messaging when traveling and calls (if not using a WiFi capable phone) are only $0.20/minute. And everyone I know is now using WhatsApp (www.whatsapp.com) for sending messages. Even some restaurants and hotels have joined in.

Thank you Robert2533, will google T-Mobile, for some reason when searched for Spain mobile providers their name didn't come up at all, weird. Unlimited sound really good, this would allow to backup photos to the 'clouds' :)

Oh, looks like T-Mobile US provider? I'm from Australia, so no good :(

***Preference is cost and coverage***
The two do not go together. Sometimes you have to pay a bit more for a good service.
Some questions for those who suggest purchasing a SIM outside of Spain:
1-what coverage do they have?
2-Whose network do they use?
3-Do they allow roaming when there is no network coverage by the preferred operator?

Asking this for clarification on behalf of others, who may, want to use the suggested alternatives.

Can I join in with the questions? I apologize before hand, I need to seriously get educated in the subject.

I have an Iphone with AT&T at home, DH has a dumbphone without data. We will be going to Spain for 3 months (YAY!!!!).

I have not been quite able to figure out AT&T's international plan. For $30/month they offer "Includes unlimited messages sent, 120 MB data, and $1.00 per minute calling. Also includes unlimited Wi-Fi at participating hotspots in select countries."

This seems outrageously expensive for not much service. Does it mean that text messages -received- would be discounted from the purchased data? And the $1.00 per minute calling would apply to BOTH calls made from Europe to Europe and from Europe to the US?

I'm rather ignorant on the topic so I need to ask: Can I text and/or facetime iphone to iphone over wifi? Is this where wassup comes in?

During previous trips we have managed with wifi/Skype on my phone and a single, cheap pre-paid phone from Vodaphone for local phone calls. This time we will need to call each other, so another 'calling' phone will be required.

I'm thinking that a second cheap phone with a prepaid fare will be the best option. Thoughts on this?

Another question, my SIL mentioned that there is a different rate in Switzerland for calls received on mobiles originating from cell phones and land lines. In the US all calls received have been free for years so this came as a bit of a shock. Can anyone confirm that this is so or even applicable to Spain?

Text messages are expensive. Many use Whatsapp these days.
https://www.whatsapp.com/

Marigross - we are going to use our iPad on wifi for internet and pick up a cheap pre-paid phone for calling in Spain. For calls to the US we use phone cards which make the calls super cheap.

Viber is a great app for making free calls over wifi and for texting; the recipient must have the app as well for it to work.

This might be helpful -
http://thepointsguy.com/2015/03/how-...nes-wifi-more/

when I moved to Spain, before I got my adsl/broadband installed, I used a wifi rental service from a local business. The mifi dongle was quite good and handy.
In case it helps, here's the link:

https://mobilewifispain.com/

Marigross--We also have had good luck just waiting until we hit a wifi hotspot to use the internet with our iPad and smartphones (set in airplane mode at all times). Most hotels provide it for their guests for free.

For calls to each other, we have cheap GSM "dumb" phones that we keep just for travel in Europe. Spain SIM cards are super cheap.

We rented mobile wifi in Spain last year. I don't remember the company, but if you google Mobile wifi in Spain, you'll see lots of options. Ours was delivered to first hotel, and returned at last hotel. We've been using these devices whenever we travel out of the country and they have been great.

<i>> "For calls to each other, we have cheap GSM "dumb" phones that we keep just for travel in Europe. Spain SIM cards are super cheap."</i>

Alessandra, I have a dumb newbie question: Are these dumb phones that you bought outside of Spain (like in the US) and then get a SIM card for them in Spain, or do you buy them in Spain? Or can either way work?

We don't have smartphones yet (!) and are weighing our options for phone use in Spain next month.

Thanks all for the info in this thread.