We are off to Spain at the end of March, for 80 odd days, and I have started looking at how to cover data while we are away. We are not huge users so I think 12gb a month (now the maximum on a UK SIM) will be OK. We currently use Superdrug Unlimited SIM in the van and after talking to Superdrug they tell me it isn't designed for use in EU and anything more than a few weeks usage in the EU would be against their rules and it would be suspended. So I am thinking of using Superdrug for the first 2 weeks or so, then changing to a Smarty SIM £8 for 12GB (can use for 60 days) and then using another Smarty SIM £8 for 12GB or go back to the Smarty SIM if it hasn't been suspended. Does this sound like a good option? Smarty tell me I can activate while in the EU. Thanks for any advice.
SIM Card for Spain
- Thread starter Redders69
- Start date
- Apr 12, 2010
- 5,051
- 57,900
- Funster No
- 11,027
- MH
- Weinsberg Cara
- Exp
- since 2007
Sounds good to me. One of the negatives of leaving the club.
Phil
Phil
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
Are you sure? Smarty don't do a preloaded SIM. The deal is £8 per month.
If you use this link to get your Smarty SIM we will both get a free month, so your second month will be free.
Edit: Just noticed we will each also get £15 credit if you follow the link
Last edited:
You are right peterc10 it is £8 a month. When I read my post back it wasn't totally clear. If I decide to go that route I will use your link. Thanks
Lenny HB
LIFE MEMBER
- Oct 18, 2007
- 58,136
- 179,525
- Funster No
- 658
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 2008 & many years tugging
Used a Superdrug one for 6½ weeks last October without problems.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Interesting! Maybe I run with it until they suspend it, or not, but carry a Smarty SIM just in case. Food for thought. Thanks
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
Just had a look at the Smarty Fair Use Policy. Data is limited to 12Gb per month but no mention about it being time limited, You get free calls and texts to the UK and the country you are in.
Sorry, just checked their small print T&Cs. Roaming is limited in EU to 60 consecutive days. That will not be a problem for us because we only ever go for a couple of months. After that our Home Insurance and Travel Insurance are no longer valid.
Also found out that you can add to the 12Gb roaming limit if you purchase Data add ons at £1 per Gb. You will need to add credit in advance on your account though. I always keep a fiver or so in credit anyway.
Sorry, just checked their small print T&Cs. Roaming is limited in EU to 60 consecutive days. That will not be a problem for us because we only ever go for a couple of months. After that our Home Insurance and Travel Insurance are no longer valid.
Also found out that you can add to the 12Gb roaming limit if you purchase Data add ons at £1 per Gb. You will need to add credit in advance on your account though. I always keep a fiver or so in credit anyway.
Last edited:
Pirahna
Free Member
- Aug 20, 2020
- 97
- 242
- Funster No
- 74,756
- MH
- Don't own one yet.
- Exp
- Since never. I've been a lightweight tent camper for the last 45 years.
I'm in Spain at the moment. My 02 stopped so I bought a Movistar SIM, they have a deal where you buy a pay as you go SIM 25gb of data for €20 and for another €20 they triple the data. Paying the additional €20 is proving to be impossible. I can't install the Movistar app unless I change my phone's regional settings to Spain (this setting can only be changed once a year), I've got an account on the Movistar website which rejects any sort of payment and my Spanish isn't good enough to cope with automated telephone systems. I enlisted the help of a Spanish person and they couldn't manage to do it either.
I've bought 2 Lobster sims but have yet to activate them.
I've bought 2 Lobster sims but have yet to activate them.
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
Is the 25gb for one month, or does it last until it runs out? Where did you buy it from please?
Will be interested to hear how you get on with the Lobster sims.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Lenny HB
LIFE MEMBER
- Oct 18, 2007
- 58,136
- 179,525
- Funster No
- 658
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 2008 & many years tugging
Just had a look at Lobster, doesn't seem a too bad a deal €24 for 28 days 55GB we could just about survive on that if we are careful. Has the advantage it looks you can use it for roaming so easy if hopping across borders into Portugal & France, I will double check that.
In the past, in Portugal I've used NoS sims 15/20/30 days for €15/20/€30 they give unlimited data but only work in Portugal.
Can I ask why you bought 2 when you can top them up?
Edit:
The 55GB is an offer until the end of March, normally 35GB.
Need to check if you buy the sim you still get the 55GB after the end of March as we are now going away in early April & 35GB wouldn't be enough.
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
Do they post them to a UK address please?
Lenny HB
LIFE MEMBER
- Oct 18, 2007
- 58,136
- 179,525
- Funster No
- 658
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 2008 & many years tugging
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
Not often I beat you to the draw Lenny
BTW I have just emailed Lobster asking this question, and some more about using it in a mifi.
I was just about to email Lobster as sounds ideal for our needs. Will you let us know the outcome? ThanksNot often I beat you to the draw Lenny
BTW I have just emailed Lobster asking this question, and some more about using it in a mifi.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Lenny HB
LIFE MEMBER
- Oct 18, 2007
- 58,136
- 179,525
- Funster No
- 658
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 2008 & many years tugging
Does look good if the 55GB continues after March if you buy one before end of March, not sure if it's worth it for 35GB as we use about 15 to 20GB a week.
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
I have just got this message from Smarty. Was it you?
"Nice work, your friend Tony has ordered their SMARTY SIM. Now that's worth a fist bump.
They just need to activate their SIM by 16 February 2022. Then once they've been with us for 14 days you'll both get your free month at your next renewal and your £15 credit by 17 March 2022. We will notify you by SMS once your credits have been applied."
We used Plusnet mobile last year for 10 weeks no problems. £10/month for 22gb. Only 15gb is allowed in the EU but I went over 1 month by 1gb and nothing happened 
Tony V
Free Member
was going to sign up to the Smarty SIM anyway, but the offer has spurred me to get my a*** into gear. One question though [I'm sure it's in the fine print somewhere] - does the data allowance move from one month to another or is it a case of 'use it or lose it'. ?
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Tony V
Free Member
no, that was me.
- Jul 5, 2013
- 11,980
- 14,219
- Funster No
- 26,797
- MH
- A class
- Exp
- Since 2013
Thanks.
The SIMs are use it or lose it. They have some deals with very low data (1Gb to 3Gb) where you can get some money back if you don't use all of the allowance, but I doubt that would be suitable for you.
Nope not me.... yet!
- Aug 18, 2014
- 25,635
- 152,426
- Funster No
- 32,898
- MH
- Transit PVC
- Exp
- 16 years since restarting
use both in the Uk before leaving though to activate them.
I have activated the Superdrug one as I use in the UK and I have spoken to Smarty and I can activate that one anytime when I am in the EU.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Lenny HB
LIFE MEMBER
- Oct 18, 2007
- 58,136
- 179,525
- Funster No
- 658
- MH
- Carthago Compactline
- Exp
- Since 2008 & many years tugging
I think you will find it's 25GB roaming same as EE.We used Plusnet mobile last year for 10 weeks no problems. £10/month for 22gb. Only 15gb is allowed in the EU but I went over 1 month by 1gb and nothing happened
You want to keep your eye on the plusnet website they are always having offers and you can normally get 30gB for £10 a month.
Also when it goes up 30 or 40p each year check their site and if you can the same data for the £10 you were paying change plans and save the 40 p a month. That's what I do.
Not according to this, perhaps they don't bother enforcing it?
Have we had this conversation before?
I've just ditched Plusnet as their T&C's make it clear their roaming limit is 15GB and 62 days in 4 months.
We're departing in 10 days time and will be over the water for up to 9 months so have got an O2 SIM which is 25GB roaming but again only up to 2 months before fair usage kicks in. After 2 months we should be in Spain so will look at Lobster for the data when we land on O2's naughty step.
a quote from my wifes EE contract;
if your domestic data allowance is greater than 50GB, a fair usage policy of 50GB whilst roaming in our Europe Zone will apply (i.e. you can use up to 50GB from your allowance while roaming).
PS; this is until 3rd March after that you need an add on or £2 a day, as far as i can tell.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Join us or log in to post a reply.
To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun
Join MotorhomeFun
Join us, it quick and easy!
Log in
Already a member? Log in here.