Overseas prepaid SIM for mobile internet comparison

In this Best overseas prepaid SIM for mobile internet comparison, you'll find out the best deals for overseas prepaid mobile internet, as well as where and how to get them.

1. First, you'll be able to compare the best deals for getting prepaid mobile internet, with pros and cons for each.
2. Then, you'll find out where to get these deals.
3. Finally,you'll be able to follow these tips to get the most cost-effective, hassle-free product for you.

This article will naturally focus on western EU cycling specific countries like France, Spain, Italy and Belgium but will point you in the right direction for other countries like the USA.

Overseas mobile internet – awesome, but…

If you're like me, you want internet on your phone.

Aside from sending photos to Twitter, or sharing your holiday on Facebook, there is also a compelling advantage for travellers: Google Maps, email and general business needs (I use it to update VeloNomad as well as manage my other online ventures).

Google maps on the road

By reading on, you'll save yourself going through my trials and tribulations of $2000 data roaming bills, corrupt SIM cards and more.

I've been there, done that with all aspects of overseas mobile internet (yes, including $2000 data roaming bills even with a data roaming cap, and corrupt SIMs).

The right solution is local

The best ways to get mobile internet are not roaming SIMs from companies like TravelSIM, vROAM and others.

The best solutions are prepaid local SIMs with data add-ons. Ideally, you want the SIM in your hands before you go, either with or without extra data (and in this case, clear instructions on how to to buy and activate data when you arrive at your destination).

In addition to being not-so-easy to get, you face the language barrier as well as potential product knowledge problems.

In 2011, my phone had the almost-perfect solution: Orange's Mobicarte with Internet Max – unlimited internet. Sadly this product has been discontinued.

The trick here was that the product didn't allow Apple's native Mail app to send/receive email on the iPhone (gmail via Safari instead). It also didn't allow tethering (although it was available for extra (more here:)

What to look for

These are the things that make prepaid mobile internet easy to use and hassle free:

• Able to be purchased before you go
• Able to have data pre loaded
• Easy recharging
• Works in multiple countries
• Native Mail (Apple Mail® or otherwise) supported (i.e. not via HTTP/browser)
• Tethering supported (laptop or iPad/tablet via phone)

Not everyone is going to need these so you'll need to make sure the SIM you choose meets all your requirements and will work the phone/tablet you will be taking with you.

Local SIM comparison

In each country there will be multiple mobile providers to choose from. So I have limited this article to popular cycling destinations and only compared the major mobile providers in each country (as they are usually the best). After assessing the options I have made a recommendation based on the following criteria:

• Coverage (especially 3G coverage)
• Cost (focus is on data plan costs)
• Convenience (ability to purchase and top-up online)

France Local SIM

If you want a local SIM in France the three main mobile network providers are Orange France, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, though other companies are building LTE networks.

There are numerous MVNOs popping up, and you can take advantage of the best of these with the VeloNomad Prepaid France SIM. The Velonomad France SIMs use the Orange network but provide very cost-effective voice and data. You can tether, and top up online.

Of these providers I would recommend Orange as they have the best coverage and lots of stores located throughout France.

There is an additional charge of €6/month if you want to use a mail client like Apple's Mail, but this is for unlimited email. Remember, email is free (you don't need the €6 add on) if you only access email from your smartphone web browser (e.g. gmail in Safari).

There's also an additional charge for tethering with an iPhone but no charge for tethering with other phones.

Also note that none of the mobile providers in France permit VoIP apps such as Skype and Viber.

Spain Local SIM

In Spain the major local SIM providers are Vodafone, MoviStar, Yoigo and Orange. Vodafone has the best coverage and data plans, so I would recommend Vodafone.

Italy Local SIM

In Italy the major local SIM providers are TIM, Wind and Vodafone (also known as UNO).

Based on coverage and available plans I would recommend Vodafone as they have a range of data plans and can be purchased from a company like Mobi Passport before you depart.

The Vodafone SIM also has great roaming rates throughout Europe.

UK Local SIM

In the UK the major local SIM providers are Vodafone, O2, Three and EE (Formally Orange).

Three has the best data plans, but also the worst coverage.

Based on coverage and available plans I would recommend O2 especially since you can purchase the SIM and additional credit online from Mobi Passport.

Toggle SIM

An alternative to getting a local SIM in Europe is a Toggle SIM. This SIM is unique in the marketplace as it allows you to have multiple local numbers attached to the same SIM.

This it great if you are changing between countries as you don't need to keep swapping SIMs and people can call you on any of the local numbers you have attached to the SIM (It comes with a UK number by default).

While this SIM has cheap call rates throughout Europe, the data rate is a standard rate of £0.15/MB which works out to be a lot more expensive than using a local SIM with a data plan attached. In this case, if calls and data are important to you, you could take a small, cheap old standard phone for calls, and a smartphone for data.

You can get a local number and use this SIM in the following countries and they are available for purchase in the UK or through Mobi Passport:

• UK
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Denmark
• Norway
• Sweden
• Netherlands

What about Wifi hotspots?

There is limited free Wifi in France, and you'll probably prefer not to spend time looking for internet cafes or getting some wireless at a cafe (not likely).

Where to Buy

For France, you can get Prepaid France SIMs from Velonomad.

For other destinations, get your SIM from from Mobi Passport. There are other specialty providers for certain countries (find them from the VeloNomad Overseas Prepaid Mobile Internet page) but Mobi Passport has the best range.

Mobi Passport can provide you with a SIM for all the countries above, often pre-loaded with credit, saving you time, money and hassle.

You can purchase from their online stores:

• For shipping to Australia or Rest of World excluding USA, buy from Mobi Passport Australia.
• For shipping to USA or Rest of World excluding Australia, buy from Mobi Passport USA (USA store also ships to Europe).

Used a different product?

If you've used a different product when cycling (or travelling overseas in general), drop me a line via the contact page or Tweet me, or drop a comment below!

Disclosure: you should be aware that I am an affiliate for some of the products in this article. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, I'll get a small commission. I only ever recommend products I myself use/have used, but you can read more here about my income and disclosure policy.