Pre-paid SIM, data plans??

MPSRuo · Post by **MPSRuo** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 12:41 am

Hello,

I have an unlocked iPhone that I used last year with a prepaid t-mobile SIM card. I did not, however, opt in for a data plan or anything.

1. Is there any service in the netherlands (and/or italy, as a matter of fact) that offers prepaid data? (don't even care to have minutes).

Thanks,

MP

ohm sweet ohm · Post by **ohm sweet ohm** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 09:02 am

If its a Netherlands T-mobile SIM, they charge a max of €2.50 a day for data. Just use it and they will deduct €2.50 from your balance each day. No need to sign up to a plan or anything.. I do the same with my iPhone.

MPSRuo · Post by **MPSRuo** » Sun 14th Feb 2010 03:54 pm

Wow that's great, I didn't even know t-mobile offered that. Are you 100% sure it's only that much per day?

Thanks for the info

KingBlueSlims · Post by **KingBlueSlims** » Wed 17th Feb 2010 05:05 pm

By data are you referring to internet access?
I have a HTC Hero and im wanting to use google maps while im Amsterdam
The search term "coffeeshop" brings back all those without the coffee

I'm on T-mobile, so if i buy a pre-paid sim all should be in order?

KingBlueSlims · Post by **KingBlueSlims** » Wed 17th Feb 2010 05:18 pm

Just got off the phone to my carrier and there charging 15p per KB............ pre-paid it is then

titus wong · Post by **titus wong** » Wed 17th Feb 2010 09:01 pm

MPSRuo wrote:I have an unlocked iPhone that I used last year with a prepaid t-mobile SIM card...

Hi. I'm sorry to change the topic but I was considering buying an unlocked iPhone as well and wanted to ask you a question.

I am incredibly benighted when it comes to cell phones -- mine is well over 5 years old as I have been too lazy to change it. I've been looking at the legally unlocked 32gb iPhone issued by Apple -- is it worth buying the legal version? It's fairly pricey at around USD$800 - $900.

Besides allowing you to use prepaid SIMs while you're travelling in AMS or elsewhere, couldn't you use a cheaper, third party unlocked version?

If you had to do it over again, would you buy a legally unlocked iPhone?

Thanks in advance.

KingBlueSlims · Post by **KingBlueSlims** » Thu 18th Feb 2010 12:50 am

I'd say its not worth the money. Personally id get a nexus one from Google or the HTC desire which is due for release at the end of march,which is there equvilant of the iPhone and put whatever money you would save towards another Amsterdam adventure. Any paticular reason your after an iPhone? Buying an illegally unlocked handset is also viable but the 3.XX update basically locks them so i wouldn't suggest going that way.

If you have any more questions or would like any further advice then feel free to PM me I'm abit of a smartphone nerd

titus wong · Post by **titus wong** » Thu 18th Feb 2010 08:45 am

KingBlueSlims wrote:Any paticular reason your after an iPhone?

No I guess not. Like I mentioned I've purposely staved off buying a new phone just because I didn't want to bother learning all the new tech... I have a iPod which is practically wired into my skull, so I guess brand loyalty had a lot to do with it.

KingBlueSlims wrote:Buying an illegally unlocked handset is also viable but the 3.XX update basically locks them so i wouldn't suggest going that way.

Ah you see...that's the precious nugget of intel I was searching for -- thanks!

KingBlueSlims wrote:If you have any more questions or would like any further advice then feel free to PM me I'm abit of a smartphone nerd

Very kind. I shall toke up in your honor now.

MPSRuo · Post by **MPSRuo** » Thu 18th Feb 2010 07:19 pm

Titus

I'll try and offer the best advice I can. On some subjects, I agree with KingBlue. Since I live in the states and have AT&T, I get a new iphone every 2 years for $199.99. Every time I upgrade, I pay the $200 and I sell my old iphone for $400-500 (Nice deal, eh?). So to me, I get paid to have an iPhone so cost isn't a concern.

If your eyes are set on an iPhone, what carrier it's tied to doesn't matter much because it's unlockable. The trick isn't what carrier version you're buying, it's what OS version and baseband version. These are questions you can ask your seller.

Jailbreaking / unlocking can be done to all carrier versions (whether it's an iphone in the united states or one you bought in china). What you need to be concerned with is the OS version itself. In other words, the latest OS is iPhone 3.1.2. There is NO JAILBREAK YET FOR THIS VERSION. My phone is an unlocked 3.1.0. Generally, what happens is Apple releases an update, 2-3 weeks later the "Dev Team" (hackers) release an update to the jailbreaking / unlocking tool. At that point, you update.

If you're looking for an unlocked phone, make sure:

1. If you're buying a 3GS, be EXTRA careful on the OS version. If it's being sold jailbroken / unlocked, you're good to go. What you need to concern yourself with is to make sure you don't update the OS as soon as apple releases a new version. You are essentially 2-3 weeks behind other users (assuming the dev team keeps hacking versions).

2. There is no difference from an "official" and a "third party unlocked". A third party is usually someone like me. Guy gets a licensed iphone for $200, sells it on ebay for $600-800, makes a nice chump change. Technically, the "unlocked" ones just did the leg work for you.

3. If you walk into a store RIGHT NOW and get an iPhone 3GS and pay full price, you MUST be careful as to what OS version comes on it. If it's on 3.1 or beyond, you're out of luck. Generally, the 3GS' sold in stores is carrying an older version of the firmware.

KingBlue
I saw that you're interested in T-mobile's Pay per day. As Ohm mentioned, it's 2.5 euros a day for T-Mobile. The question is how many days will you be there? If it's more than 3 days (4, 5, etc.) then obviously the Vodafone choice is better as it's 9.50 euros for 30 days unlimited (2.5 euros times 30 = 75 euros, eck!) If you're there for 1, 2, or 3 days, the t-mobile SIM is a better choice.

-MP

KingBlueSlims · Post by **KingBlueSlims** » Thu 18th Feb 2010 07:25 pm

There for 4 days plus my HTC Hero ain't unlocked so ill go for the t-mobile sim

altho ill have a HTC Desire by the time i go to Amsterdam on the 6th of April

Any idea how much a sim will cost? do you think it would be wise to find a t-mobile store in A'dam or purchase from a newsagents?

Cheers

MPSRuo · Post by **MPSRuo** » Thu 18th Feb 2010 11:08 pm

I got the t-mobile sim last year (no data at that time though) at a t-mobile store. It's fairly close to the train station, you can find it on google maps. The process of getting one is easy and I forget how much the SIM card itself cost. I'm going to the dam in may and the SIM card itself costs 6.50 or 7.50 euros; not 100% sure about t-mobile though but doubt it's significant.

titus wong · Post by **titus wong** » Fri 19th Feb 2010 09:21 am

Hey MPSRuo and KBS, thanks for the thoughtful replies. I am getting up to speed on all of this and I appreciate the time you've taken to respond. Can I ask a quick question? If I buy a legally unlocked iPhone like this one, do I need to worry what version OS (e.g. 3.1.X and beyond) like MPSRuo advises?

Or more simply, can I just ignore all this technobabble and go on my merry way? Update my OS whenever I want simply because my phone is legally unlocked? Please say yes.

KBS: I bought my T-mobile SIM ages ago so I don't remember the price. Google maps brings up a location at Nieuwendijk 200 by the Cafe Belgique. Tmobile.nl has a page detailing pre-paid SIM pricing. You can use Google to translate the page.

Thanks again gents!

* edited to fix link

ohm sweet ohm · Post by **ohm sweet ohm** » Fri 19th Feb 2010 09:59 am

If you buy a factory unlocked iPhone, you can update. I have a Belgian one that is factory unlocked. I just updated it to 3.1.3, no problems

KingBlueSlims · Post by **KingBlueSlims** » Fri 19th Feb 2010 02:09 pm

Far to expensive! Hate Apple and there content monopoly and the ipad......... what a fail!

MPSRuo · Post by **MPSRuo** » Fri 19th Feb 2010 05:08 pm

Hey Titus,

ohm is correct. If you buy a FACTORY unlocked, then updates are no issue to you. Your concern about updates is if it's a jailbroken-unlocked phone that USED to be locked to a single carrier.

I can't tell you if the link you posted is a good choice because it says invalid link : (

Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

Pre-paid SIM, data plans??

Pre-paid SIM, data plans??

Re: Pre-paid SIM, data plans??