All network providers have stated to close down 3G in the years of 2023-2025 while keeping their 2G networks for longer.
If you don't have balance for 60 days, they will block your plan with a 15 days grace period to reload it again before it will be terminated forever. I analyze and test the best and cheapest phone travel options worldwide and share them with you here! Officially, you can get a Movistar Spain SIM card for 10 EUR with 10 EUR credit. 2.
3. Apparently, it is a Movistar Spain store and a museum in one which I only found out while I was writing this . Activation at purchase, online in the client's area, by app or by texting "ALTA MUNDO #GB" or "ALTA TU MUNDO" to 1470.
Movistar Spain has two data-featured packages: Plan(e)s (combo) & Add-Ons (data).
For roaming in the EU, EEA and UK Lycamobile applies roam like at home to its data and combo packages above up to the specified limit or at their high default rate.. Llamaya mvil is an ethno provider like Lycamobile or Lebara that focuses on low-priced foreign calls. So prices in the Canaries are to be lowered by 14%.
Check balance by *123#.
Therefore, if you wish to use an eSIM, you can go with the Spain/Guay Mobil eSIMs from Airalo (1 GB/7 days, 3 GB/30 days, 5 GB/30 days & 10 GB/30 days). but it is possible to keep the number active for 5 a year by texting KEEP 12to 22321. They offer the following data packss: All packages include 1000 mins among Hits numbers. Well, you better believe it the average cost of 1 GB of data in Spain is 1.24 USD, according to Cable.co.uk.
Online in your client's area called mi Orange, by app or by calling customer service, all of their prepaid tariffs are interchangeable without fees. If you go to a Movistar Spain store, you just have to present your passport (or ID if you are from another European Union nation). Unused data can be rolled over to the next month up to three months, if you renew your plan after each 28 days period. While there are not that many options, the plans are generous. Usually, you do this in the shops of purchase showing your photo ID (passport or national ID card). Movistar SPANISH prepaid simPay As You Go - PayG. A self guided tapas tours for barhoppers.
Well, find out onthe Ernest Adu about page! If you haven't topped up for 6 months, your balance will be lost and the SIM remains open only incoming. This rate is charged without booking a package or for overuse.
First, let's deal with some Movistar Spain statistics based on 11 speed test results: Honestly, those are some pretty impressive statistics if it was on 4G/LTE only.
All plans have the same data packages now valid for 28 days: Customers can use these "daily bundles", that include unlimited domestic voice and SMS and a data quota in a monthly purchase: All packs will renew automatically after 28 days if there is enough credit.
This is all taken from your 30 Euros credit you originally paid.
For unlimited domestic calls a bono for 5 surcharge is offered as well as special plans for calling to 167 countries at reduced rates. This is behind Yoigo (125.20 Mbps), Orange Spain (146.31) & far behind Vodafone Spain (277.11 Mbps). Nationwide the big three providers Movistar, Vodafone and Orange are neck on neck with similar coverages and market shares. to go to an agency of the smaller resellers / MVNOs operating on the same networks. The operator has announced the definitive closure of the service.
Their stores can be found in every inner city or shopping mall.
And that is what I did and I will share my experience in this review. You can access the website without login/password, if you go directly from SIM card to https://areaprivada.orange.es/.
In 2016 they have been sold from Telia to Msmvil. All passes will automatically renew every 30 days if there is enough credit.
And I can already tell you it was significantly faster than Movistar Spain. 4G/LTE was opened to all prepaid tariffs. In 2017 Vodafone had the best 4G/LTE coverage at 96.5% followed by Orange with 91.7%, Movistar and Yoigo at 89% of the population. In March 2022, I decided to go on a trip again.
This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.
A price war between Spanish providers lowered mobile data costs drastically within the last couple of years.
Note that the prepaid terms and conditions state a minimum monthly consumption of 5.
Most international credit cards are accepted for online recharges on their website. Packs are valid for one month exactly lasting until the previous day of activation in the following month.
Like I experienced with Optus in Australia.
But if you are staying longer than two weeks, the 30 Euros prepaid package is worth the money, specially when you add the fact you can call home using the Tuenti app without incurring any data charges, "The issue is that Movistar does not advertise much to the English speaking tourist community.".
Their support may be better and reloads can be made almost everywhere.
How can I get the VAT refund at the Madrid Airport? Is there a list of the "must-sees" in Madrid and their locations? You can also add one of these packs for extra data during the running time of the base pack: Activate by sending the activation code to 22321.
Reloads are sold at many stores.
And do not expect 5G NR out of the big cities yet. Telefnica is still the incumbent and main landline provider and is still the market leader in Spain, but its prepaid offer used to be not very competitive.
From 2017 all roaming surcharges are scrapped in the EU/EEA + UK. All SIM cards have to be registered by law. Youre free to stop the plan any month you like by visiting your Lobster account.
However, there are limits for data usage of some data packages at the domestic rate according to a hidden FUP and specified in the table above. For this you need to scan your ID documents and send it online through their website. You can only buy the add-ons. Check balance by *111#, by app or in your client's area called mi Orange.
It's now available too as eSIM for compatible phones like the iPhone XS, XS MAX and XR with iOS 12.1.1 or higher and comes in two versions: You can restart any pass ahead of time for more data or extension.
It is a mobile operator active in almost all Central- and South American countries, like Claro and Tigo to some extent. Their starter may be a bit harder to find than those of the other two as they don't advertise so prominently.
1 GB for 7 days in many countries: 20. Jazztel was another MVNO on the Orange network. To stop, disable them in your personal account, but you will be charged the minimum fee. Better use one of these data packages called bonos for one month (30 days with roll-over, see below): All packages are for 30 days and auto-renew, if you have enough credit and you don't stop them from doing so.
It was so lovely that I asked if I could take photographs.
), Vatican, Kosovo and Monaco. The 120 GB data bono can't be used in roaming at all, but only in Spain. They are sold in every Orange store in Spain (store locator) and other outlets in all three sizes. Tuenti customers will be required to move their number to Movistar by 18 June 2022. You use the Tuenti app to make phone calls to most of the world free of charge.
Domestic allowances can be used without surcharges all over the EU/EEA + UK for roaming.
It was excellent, honestly I had nothing to complain about.
In shops they sell it in two varieties (locator): in instant setup stores you can do all the activation there, in Quick Buy stores, you only buy the SIM there and need to do the activation (as well as for the delivery version) online.
2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 900 and 2100 MHz. Note that Orange regroups the United Kingdom effective 24/APR/2022 out of their EU list of countries. Okay, those were valuable insights let's talk about my speed test results now.
While I love buying, testing & review SIM cards and eSIMs, it is an expensive endeavor.
to go to a shop of one of the 4 network operators (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange or Yoigo).
This service automatically renews for 3 in each subsequent year unless you send the text REMOVE KEEP 12. Your number and remaining credit balance will be kept for you for up to 12 months. Top-ups can be found all over in supermarkets, kiosks or service stations.
All data used in the EU beyond this limit specified as EU roaming cap in the tables is subject to surcharges of 0.25c per MB (equal to 2.50 per GB).
In 2017 Orange started roaming without surcharges in all EU/EEA + UK countries at domestic Spanish rates.
So, who are the other players that have stolen Movistar Spain's customers?
What is the VAT refund rate in Madrid (Spain). Vodafone is the first operator in Spain that has opened 5G NR to all its prepaid offers without surcharge. To activate the package simply send a free SMS to 22321 containing the '#GB PACK' where # stands for the desired volume, to deactivate 'REMOVE #GB PACK' and to renew ahead of time 'RENEW #GB PACK'. You can keep using your plan until the end of your month, then it will be stopped. PASSWORD can be 4-6 digits only.
If you have read any of my SIM card buying guides before, like the Spanish one, or watched a YouTube video of mine, you know that I am crazy enough to buy and test so many SIM cards.
For activation text code to 22333 or go online to your account: Unused data can be rolled over to the next month, if package is renewed.
In these cases Vodafone will inform you 14 days before surcharges are applied to make you change your roaming behaviour.
In Spain, you have four mobile network operators: Of course, I tested the other three mobile operators during my trip to Spain in March. It is a good mobile operator the but not the best overall mobile operator. FreedomPop used to be a 'Freemium' provider from the US giving out a small amount of data, calls and texts for free in hope that you buy more allowances later.
However, in 2018. You can also top up and check your balance (for free) on the Mi Movistar (Espaa) app (Android/iOS).
When do they have the changing of the guard at the Palacio Real?
Unlike many countries in Europe, especially the European Union, I recommend visiting a Movistar Spain store to get your SIM card.
Spanish operator Msmvil has shut down and phased out its HappyMvil brand, some 4 years after striking a deal to acquire the smaller player.
hits mobile is an MVNO operating on the Vodafone network in 2G and 3G giving good coverage and speed. You now have to chose Prepago for prepaid. A new option called "Orange Everywhere" has been introduced for countries outside the EU roaming zone.
Where is the best place to live in Spain?
4.
EU/EEA + UK roaming is at the domestic rate without surcharges valid in packages without any restrictions which is rare for a MVNO in Spain. According to Open Signal network tests in 2021 all 4 providers remain very much on par at 89-92% 4G/LTE coverage.
In Spain this MVNO operates on the Movistar network on 2G and 3G.
These countries are Andorra, Argentina, Brasil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Guatemala, Guernsey, Honduras, India, Isle of Man, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA. Here is what to do: It takes a lot of time to analyze, translate & review the SIM card options worldwide (especially to test them out).
You may need to activate roaming in your clients area to use this service. Honestly even on 5G NR, these results are acceptable (I am a real speed hawk that is why I keep hammering on speed that much).
In Spain Lycamobile is a MVNO on the Movistar network of Telefnica in 2G and 3G and in 2017 4G/LTE was added.
Last updated: 20th of July 2022.
Telefnica announced the discontinuation of its Tuenti brand and that prepaid customers will be sent new Movistar SIM cards. While tourist SIM cards are often overpriced, the inclusion of international calls and SMS can be a big perk for some travelers. Simyo is one of the oldest and most established MVNOs in the country. When looking at 5G NR, Movistar Spain is winning the 5G NR availability race (9.9%) with Yoigo (10.6%) and Orange Spain (9.6%).
This changed in 2019 when Movistar finally released affordable prepaid options in promotions. As of that moment, they have a validity of 6 months that will be renewed each time you do a recharge:- If in 6 months you do not recharge, the balance expires.
Learn more about them, and find the best option for you. Below is a list: Movistar Spain does not have a tourist SIM card only standard prepaid SIM cards are available. So be sure to be on a package. They may have less support, only a few shops which have to be searched for and not so many places to top-up, but can be cheaper.
You can top-up at many places, where small providers are topped up at minimum 5 such as in Dia supermarkets, El Corte Ingls department stores or Cepsa service stations. Tethering on iPhone (tested on iPhone 7 MN922RU/A, iOS 10.3.3) can be enabled by filling in tethering APN in cellular data settings with the aforesaid one.
I would recommend Movistar Spain, but it would not be my first recommendation.
Yoigo is a 3G/4G-only network with limited own resources, but free roaming on Orange and Movistar, giving it a very good coverage too. If you don't have activated a package and still balance, they will charge you a monthly minimum consumption fee of 3.63: Packages will auto-renew after one month, if there is sufficient credit on your account.
Without using the Tuenti app to call (VozDigital) then first 30 minutes is 20 cents, and 6 cents per minute afterwards.
Posted on Published: 26 May 2022- Last updated: 20 July 2022, 2 Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Vanuatu: Buying Guide, Nomad Review: a Powerful Europe eSIM (Tested in 8 Countries).
1.
As first Spanish preovider they offer unlimited data. That's probably the reason why it hasn't rebranded to the new logo in Spain yet, but have remained on their old Lycamobile logo so far. As "misuse rate" for all data beyond the mentioned Fair Use Policy limits you will be charged in 2022 3.03 per GB in MB-increments.
By the way, Movistar Spain SIM cards are not sold at Adolfo Surez MadridBarajas Airport (MAD) or Josep Tarradellas BarcelonaEl Prat Airport (BCN). Now that is a proper 5G NR download speed.
How many days in Madrid and Barcelona should one spend? Be sure to get the prepaid (called prepago or de tarjeta), not a contract (contrato) SIM which is associated with a bank account.
Roam like at home has been implemented for all roaming in EU/EEA countries. There or online to be sent to a Spanish address, you can buy the SIM card for 5 with the same credit valid for 30 days. Permission was given, but the security guy gave me such a look that I was too afraid to take photos with him hawk eyeing me . The SIM card costs 10 with the same credit. The o2 brand has also been launched a short while ago by Telefnica, but it focuses exclusively on contract and optic fiber broadband. Movistar Spain's median download speed was 51.70 Mbps.
In 2018 4G/LTE was opened for all customers. They claim >90% 4G/LTE coverage on their own, but even more with their free roaming partner.
Vodafone charges an inactivity fee of 0.50 per month after 3-4 months of outgoing inactivity of your prepaid SIM card. But if it covers only one street in the entirety of Spain, it will be useless.
Some had to call customer service or visit a store to get it. Credits are valid for 90 days, and after not recharging for 180 days, the line will be deactivated.
Top-ups can be made by electronic recharges sold all over Spain in supermarkets, kiosks, service stations and many more places. Getting a Movistar Spain SIM card was straightforward, and activation was quick. You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system. I was able to have lots of long distance phone calls to the US without incurring any charges.
of 5 add-ons can be purchased per month. What can I see at the Mercado de San Miguel? I visited Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Italy, Malta, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia & Slovenia.
Meanwhile, it has expanded its 4G/LTE coverage to most areas in the country that can be checked here: Vodafone 4G/5G coverage map.
And you can use your entire data and call allowances in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA).
Lobster is hybrid prepaid.
Still, you can use packages up to the specified volume above without surcharges. On top-ups made there, you normally get a 14% bonus to adjust the tax difference.
2022 - Phone Travel Wiz is a brand of Aduable O, How to Get a Movistar Spain SIM Card & Prices, Movistar Spain Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check, Movistar Spain Speed Test Results (in Barcelona & Madrid). I did speed tests with the Speedtest app at various test locations: 3 in Barcelona and 8 in Madrid.
In the Lycamobile-branded stores their SIM is the cheapest. We need the ID card number or passport and date of birth in order to activate it, after making the purchase.
Network: 3G: up to HSPA+, 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz (B3) with free roaming on Orange network, giving a good coverage. Default rate outside of packages is 3.63 ct per MB. Carrefour markets are a safe bet for top-ups of all providers mentioned here. They offer two tariff lines: The classic "La del 5" and another one called "Recarga Automatica" for which you need to enable auto-pay and link it to a credit card.
But that is normal too nothing out of the ordinary. Even this attempt to show you more in English goes nowhere and for the life of me cannot see the details of your plan.
5G NR has started on n78 (3500 MHz), but is not available for prepaid customers so far. To counter their UK-based rivals they are from Spain operating on the Orange network in 2G and 3G and since 2018 finally on 4G/LTE too. It's managed by Gibtelecom from Gibraltar and operates on Movistar's network with 4G/LTE included.
Note that Vodafone is closing down its 3G network in 2023 and you will soon need a 4G/LTE or 5G device for data transmission. Recently, Orange introduced FUP roaming caps to all plans.
The prepaid service is for 30 days.
These virtual providers are listed: Holidays Pass 5: 30 GB (EU cap: 10 GB) and 50 mins to Spain and many other locations for 5 days: 15, Holidays Pass 15: 60 GB (EU cap: 20 GB) and 100 mins to Spain and many other locations for 25 days: 25, 3 GB for 7 days in the USA and Canada; 20.
All unused data volume of the regular bonos roll over to the next month for up to 3 months, if you auto-renew any new bono (that can be as low as 100 MB). If you have been to Central or South America before, you will have heard of Movistar.
Offline, they are sold in kiosks and other agencies (locator).
Anyway, the guy from the reception asked me what I needed help with. If you are from a country where mobile data rates are criminally high, like Canada, you may not believe you can get so much data for such a relatively low price.
But the average is skewed because of countries like the United Arab Emirates, with an average mobile download speed of 268.87 Mbps (insane!).
), Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Turkey (!
Look for their logo. Vodafone has won the latest network tests for best 4G/LTE carrier in the country as far as speed and coverage are concerned.
Finally, they have released an online map of their sales points (map).
In shops you can find it at the holaMOBI chain (holaMOBI locator), in some hipermercados of Carrefour (locator) in front at the phone department, at MediaMarkt and in a few independent shops. But I will still let you know about topping up your Movistar Spain SIM card.
And travel restrictions were being lifted left and right.
It's available online and offline only in a few shops: DIGI mobil shop locator. Username: lmes (that's lowcase L, not capital i), All package allowances can be used without surcharges roaming in the EU/EEA + UK.
The Movistar SIM Prepaid Card is activated with the first call, after which you will receive a welcome SMS. The Mundo SIM has different packages to choose from.
You can also recharge online with (international/EU) debit and credit cards.
For a monthly bono you need to buy another monthly bono to be rolled over, but it can be of a different volume. Original publication: 26th of May 2022.
Orange is playing many games for top-up like recagar y ganar where everybody wins extra data or value for playing. Default rate without a plan or on Basico is their high daily rate at 4 for 400 MB.
If you don't have balance for 60 days, they will block your plan with a 15 days grace period to reload it again before it will be terminated forever. I analyze and test the best and cheapest phone travel options worldwide and share them with you here! Officially, you can get a Movistar Spain SIM card for 10 EUR with 10 EUR credit. 2.
3. Apparently, it is a Movistar Spain store and a museum in one which I only found out while I was writing this . Activation at purchase, online in the client's area, by app or by texting "ALTA MUNDO #GB" or "ALTA TU MUNDO" to 1470.
Movistar Spain has two data-featured packages: Plan(e)s (combo) & Add-Ons (data).
For roaming in the EU, EEA and UK Lycamobile applies roam like at home to its data and combo packages above up to the specified limit or at their high default rate.. Llamaya mvil is an ethno provider like Lycamobile or Lebara that focuses on low-priced foreign calls. So prices in the Canaries are to be lowered by 14%.
Check balance by *123#.
Therefore, if you wish to use an eSIM, you can go with the Spain/Guay Mobil eSIMs from Airalo (1 GB/7 days, 3 GB/30 days, 5 GB/30 days & 10 GB/30 days). but it is possible to keep the number active for 5 a year by texting KEEP 12to 22321. They offer the following data packss: All packages include 1000 mins among Hits numbers. Well, you better believe it the average cost of 1 GB of data in Spain is 1.24 USD, according to Cable.co.uk.
Online in your client's area called mi Orange, by app or by calling customer service, all of their prepaid tariffs are interchangeable without fees. If you go to a Movistar Spain store, you just have to present your passport (or ID if you are from another European Union nation). Unused data can be rolled over to the next month up to three months, if you renew your plan after each 28 days period. While there are not that many options, the plans are generous. Usually, you do this in the shops of purchase showing your photo ID (passport or national ID card). Movistar SPANISH prepaid simPay As You Go - PayG. A self guided tapas tours for barhoppers.
Well, find out onthe Ernest Adu about page! If you haven't topped up for 6 months, your balance will be lost and the SIM remains open only incoming. This rate is charged without booking a package or for overuse.
First, let's deal with some Movistar Spain statistics based on 11 speed test results: Honestly, those are some pretty impressive statistics if it was on 4G/LTE only.
All plans have the same data packages now valid for 28 days: Customers can use these "daily bundles", that include unlimited domestic voice and SMS and a data quota in a monthly purchase: All packs will renew automatically after 28 days if there is enough credit.
This is all taken from your 30 Euros credit you originally paid.
For unlimited domestic calls a bono for 5 surcharge is offered as well as special plans for calling to 167 countries at reduced rates. This is behind Yoigo (125.20 Mbps), Orange Spain (146.31) & far behind Vodafone Spain (277.11 Mbps). Nationwide the big three providers Movistar, Vodafone and Orange are neck on neck with similar coverages and market shares. to go to an agency of the smaller resellers / MVNOs operating on the same networks. The operator has announced the definitive closure of the service.
Their stores can be found in every inner city or shopping mall.
And that is what I did and I will share my experience in this review. You can access the website without login/password, if you go directly from SIM card to https://areaprivada.orange.es/.
In 2016 they have been sold from Telia to Msmvil. All passes will automatically renew every 30 days if there is enough credit.
And I can already tell you it was significantly faster than Movistar Spain. 4G/LTE was opened to all prepaid tariffs. In 2017 Vodafone had the best 4G/LTE coverage at 96.5% followed by Orange with 91.7%, Movistar and Yoigo at 89% of the population. In March 2022, I decided to go on a trip again.
This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.
A price war between Spanish providers lowered mobile data costs drastically within the last couple of years.
Note that the prepaid terms and conditions state a minimum monthly consumption of 5.
Most international credit cards are accepted for online recharges on their website. Packs are valid for one month exactly lasting until the previous day of activation in the following month.
Like I experienced with Optus in Australia.
But if you are staying longer than two weeks, the 30 Euros prepaid package is worth the money, specially when you add the fact you can call home using the Tuenti app without incurring any data charges, "The issue is that Movistar does not advertise much to the English speaking tourist community.".
Their support may be better and reloads can be made almost everywhere.
How can I get the VAT refund at the Madrid Airport? Is there a list of the "must-sees" in Madrid and their locations? You can also add one of these packs for extra data during the running time of the base pack: Activate by sending the activation code to 22321.
Reloads are sold at many stores.
And do not expect 5G NR out of the big cities yet. Telefnica is still the incumbent and main landline provider and is still the market leader in Spain, but its prepaid offer used to be not very competitive.
From 2017 all roaming surcharges are scrapped in the EU/EEA + UK. All SIM cards have to be registered by law. Youre free to stop the plan any month you like by visiting your Lobster account.
However, there are limits for data usage of some data packages at the domestic rate according to a hidden FUP and specified in the table above. For this you need to scan your ID documents and send it online through their website. You can only buy the add-ons. Check balance by *111#, by app or in your client's area called mi Orange.
It's now available too as eSIM for compatible phones like the iPhone XS, XS MAX and XR with iOS 12.1.1 or higher and comes in two versions: You can restart any pass ahead of time for more data or extension.
It is a mobile operator active in almost all Central- and South American countries, like Claro and Tigo to some extent. Their starter may be a bit harder to find than those of the other two as they don't advertise so prominently.
1 GB for 7 days in many countries: 20. Jazztel was another MVNO on the Orange network. To stop, disable them in your personal account, but you will be charged the minimum fee. Better use one of these data packages called bonos for one month (30 days with roll-over, see below): All packages are for 30 days and auto-renew, if you have enough credit and you don't stop them from doing so.
It was so lovely that I asked if I could take photographs.
), Vatican, Kosovo and Monaco. The 120 GB data bono can't be used in roaming at all, but only in Spain. They are sold in every Orange store in Spain (store locator) and other outlets in all three sizes. Tuenti customers will be required to move their number to Movistar by 18 June 2022. You use the Tuenti app to make phone calls to most of the world free of charge.
Domestic allowances can be used without surcharges all over the EU/EEA + UK for roaming.
It was excellent, honestly I had nothing to complain about.
In shops they sell it in two varieties (locator): in instant setup stores you can do all the activation there, in Quick Buy stores, you only buy the SIM there and need to do the activation (as well as for the delivery version) online.
2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G on 900 and 2100 MHz. Note that Orange regroups the United Kingdom effective 24/APR/2022 out of their EU list of countries. Okay, those were valuable insights let's talk about my speed test results now.
While I love buying, testing & review SIM cards and eSIMs, it is an expensive endeavor.
to go to a shop of one of the 4 network operators (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange or Yoigo).
This service automatically renews for 3 in each subsequent year unless you send the text REMOVE KEEP 12. Your number and remaining credit balance will be kept for you for up to 12 months. Top-ups can be found all over in supermarkets, kiosks or service stations.
All data used in the EU beyond this limit specified as EU roaming cap in the tables is subject to surcharges of 0.25c per MB (equal to 2.50 per GB).
In 2017 Orange started roaming without surcharges in all EU/EEA + UK countries at domestic Spanish rates.
So, who are the other players that have stolen Movistar Spain's customers?
What is the VAT refund rate in Madrid (Spain). Vodafone is the first operator in Spain that has opened 5G NR to all its prepaid offers without surcharge. To activate the package simply send a free SMS to 22321 containing the '#GB PACK' where # stands for the desired volume, to deactivate 'REMOVE #GB PACK' and to renew ahead of time 'RENEW #GB PACK'. You can keep using your plan until the end of your month, then it will be stopped. PASSWORD can be 4-6 digits only.
If you have read any of my SIM card buying guides before, like the Spanish one, or watched a YouTube video of mine, you know that I am crazy enough to buy and test so many SIM cards.
For activation text code to 22333 or go online to your account: Unused data can be rolled over to the next month, if package is renewed.
In these cases Vodafone will inform you 14 days before surcharges are applied to make you change your roaming behaviour.
In Spain, you have four mobile network operators: Of course, I tested the other three mobile operators during my trip to Spain in March. It is a good mobile operator the but not the best overall mobile operator. FreedomPop used to be a 'Freemium' provider from the US giving out a small amount of data, calls and texts for free in hope that you buy more allowances later.
However, in 2018. You can also top up and check your balance (for free) on the Mi Movistar (Espaa) app (Android/iOS).
When do they have the changing of the guard at the Palacio Real?
Unlike many countries in Europe, especially the European Union, I recommend visiting a Movistar Spain store to get your SIM card.
Spanish operator Msmvil has shut down and phased out its HappyMvil brand, some 4 years after striking a deal to acquire the smaller player.
hits mobile is an MVNO operating on the Vodafone network in 2G and 3G giving good coverage and speed. You now have to chose Prepago for prepaid. A new option called "Orange Everywhere" has been introduced for countries outside the EU roaming zone.
Where is the best place to live in Spain?
4.
EU/EEA + UK roaming is at the domestic rate without surcharges valid in packages without any restrictions which is rare for a MVNO in Spain. According to Open Signal network tests in 2021 all 4 providers remain very much on par at 89-92% 4G/LTE coverage.
In Spain this MVNO operates on the Movistar network on 2G and 3G.
These countries are Andorra, Argentina, Brasil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, Egypt, Faroe Islands, Guatemala, Guernsey, Honduras, India, Isle of Man, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA. Here is what to do: It takes a lot of time to analyze, translate & review the SIM card options worldwide (especially to test them out).
You may need to activate roaming in your clients area to use this service. Honestly even on 5G NR, these results are acceptable (I am a real speed hawk that is why I keep hammering on speed that much).
In Spain Lycamobile is a MVNO on the Movistar network of Telefnica in 2G and 3G and in 2017 4G/LTE was added.
Last updated: 20th of July 2022.
Telefnica announced the discontinuation of its Tuenti brand and that prepaid customers will be sent new Movistar SIM cards. While tourist SIM cards are often overpriced, the inclusion of international calls and SMS can be a big perk for some travelers. Simyo is one of the oldest and most established MVNOs in the country. When looking at 5G NR, Movistar Spain is winning the 5G NR availability race (9.9%) with Yoigo (10.6%) and Orange Spain (9.6%).
This changed in 2019 when Movistar finally released affordable prepaid options in promotions. As of that moment, they have a validity of 6 months that will be renewed each time you do a recharge:- If in 6 months you do not recharge, the balance expires.
Learn more about them, and find the best option for you. Below is a list: Movistar Spain does not have a tourist SIM card only standard prepaid SIM cards are available. So be sure to be on a package. They may have less support, only a few shops which have to be searched for and not so many places to top-up, but can be cheaper.
You can top-up at many places, where small providers are topped up at minimum 5 such as in Dia supermarkets, El Corte Ingls department stores or Cepsa service stations. Tethering on iPhone (tested on iPhone 7 MN922RU/A, iOS 10.3.3) can be enabled by filling in tethering APN in cellular data settings with the aforesaid one.
I would recommend Movistar Spain, but it would not be my first recommendation.
Yoigo is a 3G/4G-only network with limited own resources, but free roaming on Orange and Movistar, giving it a very good coverage too. If you don't have activated a package and still balance, they will charge you a monthly minimum consumption fee of 3.63: Packages will auto-renew after one month, if there is sufficient credit on your account.
Without using the Tuenti app to call (VozDigital) then first 30 minutes is 20 cents, and 6 cents per minute afterwards.
Posted on Published: 26 May 2022- Last updated: 20 July 2022, 2 Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Vanuatu: Buying Guide, Nomad Review: a Powerful Europe eSIM (Tested in 8 Countries).
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As first Spanish preovider they offer unlimited data. That's probably the reason why it hasn't rebranded to the new logo in Spain yet, but have remained on their old Lycamobile logo so far. As "misuse rate" for all data beyond the mentioned Fair Use Policy limits you will be charged in 2022 3.03 per GB in MB-increments.
By the way, Movistar Spain SIM cards are not sold at Adolfo Surez MadridBarajas Airport (MAD) or Josep Tarradellas BarcelonaEl Prat Airport (BCN). Now that is a proper 5G NR download speed.
How many days in Madrid and Barcelona should one spend? Be sure to get the prepaid (called prepago or de tarjeta), not a contract (contrato) SIM which is associated with a bank account.
Roam like at home has been implemented for all roaming in EU/EEA countries. There or online to be sent to a Spanish address, you can buy the SIM card for 5 with the same credit valid for 30 days. Permission was given, but the security guy gave me such a look that I was too afraid to take photos with him hawk eyeing me . The SIM card costs 10 with the same credit. The o2 brand has also been launched a short while ago by Telefnica, but it focuses exclusively on contract and optic fiber broadband. Movistar Spain's median download speed was 51.70 Mbps.
In 2018 4G/LTE was opened for all customers. They claim >90% 4G/LTE coverage on their own, but even more with their free roaming partner.
Vodafone charges an inactivity fee of 0.50 per month after 3-4 months of outgoing inactivity of your prepaid SIM card. But if it covers only one street in the entirety of Spain, it will be useless.
Some had to call customer service or visit a store to get it. Credits are valid for 90 days, and after not recharging for 180 days, the line will be deactivated.
Top-ups can be made by electronic recharges sold all over Spain in supermarkets, kiosks, service stations and many more places. Getting a Movistar Spain SIM card was straightforward, and activation was quick. You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system. I was able to have lots of long distance phone calls to the US without incurring any charges.
of 5 add-ons can be purchased per month. What can I see at the Mercado de San Miguel? I visited Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Italy, Malta, Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia & Slovenia.
Meanwhile, it has expanded its 4G/LTE coverage to most areas in the country that can be checked here: Vodafone 4G/5G coverage map.
And you can use your entire data and call allowances in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA).
Lobster is hybrid prepaid.
Still, you can use packages up to the specified volume above without surcharges. On top-ups made there, you normally get a 14% bonus to adjust the tax difference.
2022 - Phone Travel Wiz is a brand of Aduable O, How to Get a Movistar Spain SIM Card & Prices, Movistar Spain Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check, Movistar Spain Speed Test Results (in Barcelona & Madrid). I did speed tests with the Speedtest app at various test locations: 3 in Barcelona and 8 in Madrid.
In the Lycamobile-branded stores their SIM is the cheapest. We need the ID card number or passport and date of birth in order to activate it, after making the purchase.
Network: 3G: up to HSPA+, 4G/LTE on 1800 MHz (B3) with free roaming on Orange network, giving a good coverage. Default rate outside of packages is 3.63 ct per MB. Carrefour markets are a safe bet for top-ups of all providers mentioned here. They offer two tariff lines: The classic "La del 5" and another one called "Recarga Automatica" for which you need to enable auto-pay and link it to a credit card.
But that is normal too nothing out of the ordinary. Even this attempt to show you more in English goes nowhere and for the life of me cannot see the details of your plan.
5G NR has started on n78 (3500 MHz), but is not available for prepaid customers so far. To counter their UK-based rivals they are from Spain operating on the Orange network in 2G and 3G and since 2018 finally on 4G/LTE too. It's managed by Gibtelecom from Gibraltar and operates on Movistar's network with 4G/LTE included.
Note that Vodafone is closing down its 3G network in 2023 and you will soon need a 4G/LTE or 5G device for data transmission. Recently, Orange introduced FUP roaming caps to all plans.
The prepaid service is for 30 days.
These virtual providers are listed: Holidays Pass 5: 30 GB (EU cap: 10 GB) and 50 mins to Spain and many other locations for 5 days: 15, Holidays Pass 15: 60 GB (EU cap: 20 GB) and 100 mins to Spain and many other locations for 25 days: 25, 3 GB for 7 days in the USA and Canada; 20.
All unused data volume of the regular bonos roll over to the next month for up to 3 months, if you auto-renew any new bono (that can be as low as 100 MB). If you have been to Central or South America before, you will have heard of Movistar.
Offline, they are sold in kiosks and other agencies (locator).
Anyway, the guy from the reception asked me what I needed help with. If you are from a country where mobile data rates are criminally high, like Canada, you may not believe you can get so much data for such a relatively low price.
But the average is skewed because of countries like the United Arab Emirates, with an average mobile download speed of 268.87 Mbps (insane!).
), Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Turkey (!
Look for their logo. Vodafone has won the latest network tests for best 4G/LTE carrier in the country as far as speed and coverage are concerned.
Finally, they have released an online map of their sales points (map).
In shops you can find it at the holaMOBI chain (holaMOBI locator), in some hipermercados of Carrefour (locator) in front at the phone department, at MediaMarkt and in a few independent shops. But I will still let you know about topping up your Movistar Spain SIM card.
And travel restrictions were being lifted left and right.
It's available online and offline only in a few shops: DIGI mobil shop locator. Username: lmes (that's lowcase L, not capital i), All package allowances can be used without surcharges roaming in the EU/EEA + UK.
The Movistar SIM Prepaid Card is activated with the first call, after which you will receive a welcome SMS. The Mundo SIM has different packages to choose from.
You can also recharge online with (international/EU) debit and credit cards.
For a monthly bono you need to buy another monthly bono to be rolled over, but it can be of a different volume. Original publication: 26th of May 2022.
Orange is playing many games for top-up like recagar y ganar where everybody wins extra data or value for playing. Default rate without a plan or on Basico is their high daily rate at 4 for 400 MB.