European Data plan for iPad
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
European Data plan for iPad
We’re heading to France in late September and I’m interested in getting a SIM card plan for my iPad. We’ll be traveling around Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the UK. (iPad used primarily for gps.)
In the past I’ve purchased a SIM card at the SNF store in France. Is it true my prayers were answered and the card will work in those countries? Is one “brand” better than another? (I.e. SNF vs Orange)
Thanks
In the past I’ve purchased a SIM card at the SNF store in France. Is it true my prayers were answered and the card will work in those countries? Is one “brand” better than another? (I.e. SNF vs Orange)
Thanks
#2

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
I trust you mean SFR. SNF is a global polyacrylamide producer, not a phone service provider.
Orange provides the best coverage in France, though SFR isn't bad There are no roaming charges in the EU any longer, so yes, any SIM you buy in France should work.
Orange provides the best coverage in France, though SFR isn't bad There are no roaming charges in the EU any longer, so yes, any SIM you buy in France should work.
#4

Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19,630
Likes: 0
Just be sure that you can load more data if you need it whilst not in France, and using a foreign card. Not all providers allow it.
There is also a fair use policy which means they can limit your data usage if they think you are using roaming too much.
There is also a fair use policy which means they can limit your data usage if they think you are using roaming too much.
#5
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,332
Likes: 0
Yes, it pays to check the data roaming options for various plans. Basically the amount of data you can use in free roaming depends on the data plan that would apply in France, where you bought the card. Most providers throttle your data if you're using it more outside the country where you bought the SIM card than in the "home" country . There is usually a grace period before they begin to limit you, which should cover a normal vacation. For example, if someone buys a cheap data plan in France, uses it for two weeks, and then uses it for three months in Germany, they essentially say that you're not roaming, you've relocated. Then they cancel the cheap data plan and make you pay their regular pay-as-you-go price, whicg is usually much higher.
#7
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,332
Likes: 0
T-mobile used overseas will usually give you a connection sufficient for reading email, as long as it has no attachments or embedded photos .You can't count on it for anything else, even though at some times and in some places, you'll get an excellent connection. My daughter used T-mobile in Europe for a while. She had a so-so experience, and then on one trip to England she couldn't get a data connection at all. But what made her drop it was the terrible coverage at home, in Indiana .




