2014 US cell phone: New plan offers free unlimited cellular data, texting in Spain

[Suzanne Edminster]

Hi all-- just an update. T-mobile offers free roaming and data (via phone, not wifi), as well as free texts, all over Europe, including France and Spain. Phone calls either in Spain or internationally are 20cents a minute, not bad if you use a direct dial only occasionally in emergencies. The unlimited (if a bit slower) data would let you Skype or go online anywhere, without wifi. This is the only American company to offer these freebies, as far as I know. This means I don't have to change a SIM if I only want to make the occasional direct dial call and stick with Facetime, Skype and email.

 

[Bajaracer]

I'm on T-Mobile, even though they have free roaming, the data is painfully slow and I'm not paying $50 for 500mb of high speed data. I still find it cheaper to buy a local SIM card with data and voice for €20, incoming calls are free, it's better to have a local number for others to contact you if you book ahead for accommodations.

 

[Suzanne Edminster]

Thanks, Bajaracer! I have been hearing lately that the data times are getting faster in Europe. The data is unlimited in Europe on their plans, no matter how much you pay for normally in the USA. Just wanted to share this, and will report after I get back. The speed in Europe is 2-3 MB and rising. You raise good points.

 

[Suzanne Edminster]

I had no problem in June-July 2014 with my Tmobile phone.... data was fine. It just picks up on whatever local cell company is around: Moviestar or Orange. It was amazing actually. No new sim card and no extra charges. It worked well enough for my blog with pictures, right from my phone. Amazing. If you can find a company that just offers free dATA and roaming, I recommend it. Phone calls cost, but unlimited text and roaming data. Fab. http://www.t-mobile.com/simple-choice-international-plans.html and the blog I did with this free data: http://saltworkstudio.com/camino-de-santiago/

 

[grayland]

Thanks for that first person update, Suzanne.
There has been a lot of talk but first person confirmation of no extra charges was needed.

 

[Suzanne Edminster]

Thanks for that first person update, Suzanne.
There has been a lot of talk but first person confirmation of no extra charges was needed.

Thanks for that first person update, Suzanne.
There has been a lot of talk but first person confirmation of no extra charges was needed.

I want to point out that I got my phone in the USA. If you have Tmobile from another nation it might be different. My husband and I talked every day with Face time (for iphones) between California and Spain and there just were no extra charges for the whole holy trip!

 

[Travelingmerci]

Hi Suzanne, I have T-Mobile and will be doing the Camino this summer. Your post was very helpful. Just to confirm though: Could your husband or anyone else for that matter simply call your normal US number with country code and reach you in Spain if you weren't using Skype or Face time? Did T-Mobile charge .20 a minute to receive calls (as the US cell phone companies do) or only to place them (as the European networks usually do).

 

[Garyonthego]

Hi Suzanne, I have T-Mobile and will be doing the Camino this summer. Your post was very helpful. Just to confirm though: Could your husband or anyone else for that matter simply call your normal US number with country code and reach you in Spain if you weren't using Skype or Face time? Did T-Mobile charge .20 a minute to receive calls (as the US cell phone companies do) or only to place them (as the European networks usually do).

I will start from Pamplona May 16th -hoping to use my iphone5 and T-Mobile. Debating whether to get a prepaid sim card or not. Wi-Fi calling does not work with the iphone5 and I hear data is slow with T-Mobile. Appreciate any more input!