Ortel Mobile German Prepaid SIM Card Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a US citizen traveling to several European countries this spring, I needed to be able to call home easily and cheaply. I checked out the Cellular Abroad [C.A.] website, but figured out that I could put together a similar package (cell phone plus SIM cards for various countries) more cheaply on my own. The Ortel is the German SIM card offered by C.A., and it is available at Amazon for a slightly lower price. The description of the card (found both on Amazon and C.A.) specifies the type of phone you need (unlocked GSM tri- or quad-band). In fact, the Ortel card that I ordered from Amazon probably was sent from C.A., since it came with their instruction sheet (in English).
In short: carefully follow the instructions with the card (also given in the Amazon description), and you'll be fine. Upon disembarking in Germany, I put the card into my (previously charged) phone, activated it, and it not only worked, but within minutes there was a message from a friend back in the US. You can buy a SIM card more cheaply in Germany, but two advantages of getting it before you leave are: (1) You'll have it right away when you land; (2) You'll know your cell phone number in advance and can give it out to others. It takes a little time to figure out and set up the voice mail system, but find some time to do this early on, because you'll want it when you need it.
Like another reviewer, I found excellent coverage in cities in eastern Germany (Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, etc.). The few times I noticed the "bars" dropping off were when trains I was traveling on were out in the countryside.
I re-charged the card with more minutes three different times during my trip. It was no problem finding stores that sold vouchers - just look for the "e-plus" sign (NOT "Ortel") in the window. On the main shopping street of Berlin alone there were at least 3 or 4 stores that sold them. These weren't "mom and pop" stores in out of the way neighborhoods. They were like Verizon or AT&T stores on a downtown street or at the mall in the US. I bought my first voucher in Berlin, and the store clerk was helpful (and spoke English -- although I can get by in German). Again, read the instructions carefully when you activate the voucher. The first time I did it, it didn't work, because I had mistakenly left out a "#" following one of the numbers. After that, no problems.
Also, do not try to use the card in the US, or anywhere else other than Germany. Only activate it when you arrive there. If you buy an international cell phone (as I did) and want to check out the phone itself in the US, then buy a cheap SIM card from a US carrier (yes, you'll have to buy some time, so it depends how certain you want to be that your phone is working OK). But, in any case, use your Ortel card for the first time ONLY in Germany.

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An ideal alternative to expensive roaming options, this Ortel Mobile German SIM Card includes €10 of call credit, voicemail and text messaging (approximately $14) and is compatible for use in any unlocked GSM tri- or quad-band mobile phone. It provides you with a local German cell phone number and rate plan. The SIM card allows you to make and receive calls both internationally and domestically within Germany.
It features unlimited free incoming calls from anywhere and competitive outgoing call rates--$0.25 USD per minute within Germany, and just $0.12 USD per minute internationally (with additional $0.19 USD connection fee). There are no connection fees or hidden charges, and since this is a pay as you go service there are no bills or contracts ever.
Service Features
German cell phone number with free incoming calls from anywhere in the world. You will receive your number with your SIM card.
Domestic outgoing rates of €0.19/minute (approximately $0.25/minute)
International outgoing rates of €.09/minute (approximately $0.12/minute); a connection fee of €.15 per call (approximately $0.19) is assessed.
Complete with initial airtime worth €10: approximately 87 minutes international (42 minutes domestic)
Add more minutes by purchasing an Ortel recharge card from convenience stores, supermarkets and magazine stands in Germany.
Voicemail calls are €0.29/minute (approximately $0.39/minute).
SMS/Text messages (free incoming and only €0.19 per message domestic and international).

Service Info
Activating Your Service
From North America (from US line): Call 011 49 1805010446 8AM to 6PM Monday-Friday.
From a German landline: Call 0800 000 6836
RECOMMENDED: Visit the Ortel website: www.ortelmobile.de. Select language from top menu bar. From there, click on the link 'SIM -- Karten Aktivierung' and fill in the activation form.
WARNING: Do note insert the SIM card into the phone before arrival in Germany. Doing so could make your SIM invalid.

Purchasing More Talk Time Additional call credit is available through out Germany in convenience stores, supermarkets and magazine stands. The Ortel Mobile Recharge Card is available in multi-Euro denominations. You can visit the Ortel Mobile website at http://www.ortelmobile.de/ to find locations that sell e vouchers either before or during your trip.
Adding a Recharge to Your Account Top-Up via Keypad: Enter *104*(16-digit code)# and hit 'SEND.' After a few seconds, the new balance will appear on the screen.
Top-Up via Service number: Dial 1155. Select option 4. When prompted, enter the 16-digit recharge code followed by '#' to confirm. The code will be repeated, and press 1 if correct.
Calling Rates These rates are based on per-minute charges. Remember, all incoming calls are free regardless of origin.
Domestic outgoing rates of €0.19/minute (approximately $0.25/minute)
International outgoing rates of €.09/minute (approximately $0.12/minute)
Connection fee of €0.15/call (approximately $0.19).
Voicemail: calls are €0.29/minute (approximately $0.39/minute).

Voicemail To check your voicemail, dial 99* or 9911. You can follow the prompts to record a personal greeting. You can also check your voicemail from another phone, in the US or in Germany; in Germany, dial 0177 99 plus the last 7-digits of your number or 011 49 177 99 and the last 7-digits of your number from abroad.
Service LifeYour German SIM card is good for 7 months. Each recharge extends the life of your SIM card for 7 months from the date of the recharge. After 6 months, all credit will expire. You have 30 more days to recharge your SIM card before the SIM and your phone number expire.

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National Geographic Talk Abroad SIM,1070 International SIM Card Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this sim card because it seemed like a good concept and as a National Geographic Society member, I trusted that they had done their homework before putting their name on a product of this sort. Unlike some other reviewers, I read the description and was aware of the call-back feature. In practice, it worked well enough in the UK, but in the Netherlands, it could only receive calls. When I tried to make a call, I received a message: "you are forbidden to make this call." And no callback. I ended up buying a Dutch sim card for 10 euros and it worked fine.
On my return to the US, I went back to the Amazon website and got permission to return the card, hoping to get a partial refund (I obviously did not expect a full refund, since the card worked fine in the UK). I sent it back and now, 2 months later, have not received a refund, nor has the card been returned to me. You would think that if the company felt I was not entitle to a refund, they would at least have the decency to return the card to me, since it must have had at least $30 of credit on it.
The bottom line is that in most situations you are much better off buying local sim cards abroad. Apparently the attractive idea of using a single sim card throughout much of the world is difficult to implement, and in any event this company cannot be trusted to deal honestly with its customers.


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Keep in touch even when you're traveling the world with the Talk Abroad International SIM Card and take advantage of low international rates and free incoming calls as you travel the globe. Whether you are a frequent business traveler, or a tourist seeking a reliable yet affordable calling solution, the Talk Abroad International Travel SIM will cover you in more than 100 countries--as well as provide free incoming calls in over 60 countries. Because the Talk Abroad service is a prepaid solution, there are no contracts to sign or monthly bills--ever. It includes 30 minutes of initial call credit to the United States from many popular destinations, and it's easy to recharge or add time to the Talk Abroad SIM by calling customer service 7 days a week.
This package includes just a SIM card that's compatible with GSM-based mobile phone. For international use, it's recommended that you operate an unlocked tri-band (900/1800/1900 MHz) or quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM phone.
The Talk Abroad International SIM offers the following features:
U.K.-based phone number
Unlimited free incoming calls in more than 60 countries
Low outgoing rates
Prepaid service--no bills, contracts, or hidden fees
One phone number in all destinations
Voice mail, text messaging, and 24/7, U.S. based customer support
Easy to check your call credit 24/7
Easy to add talk time
Uses the same GSM technology that over 200 countries around the world use.

Rates:
Call-to-cell surcharge: US$0.25 / min
Text-messaging (SMS): Incoming: FREE! Outgoing: US$0.60 / msg.
Rates subject to change.
Outgoing base rates vary depending on the points of origination and the destination of calls (Refer to rate above.
It is possible to call countries not listed in the calculator.
Billing increments: 60 seconds
VAS = Recharge, Balance Inquiry & Voicemail access


Activating Your Service: Simply make a call in order to activate your Talk Abroad™ International SIM card. Your service is valid for 12 months from the day of activation. Recharging your SIM card (adding talk time), extends the validity for another 12 months from the day you add the credit.Please note that while the service does work in North America (in areas with GSM coverage), the service is intended for use overseas and therefore, placing a call from your handset in North America is expensive.
Your Phone Number: You will have a UK phone number, regardless of where you are traveling. Your phone number will be clearly marked on the SIM card packaging.
Checking Your Credit: You may check your credit at any time by dialing 187 on your handset. This is a free service. You will receive a text message with your current credit. You will also receive an SMS text message after each call notifying you of your current credit.
Adding Talk Time to Your SIM Card: You can add talk time at any time - together with your purchase as well as prior to and during your trip. Simply call Cellular Abroad 24/7 on our toll free number and we will immediately add talk time for you using your account information already on file or an alternative credit card. Additional call credit is $29 for 30 minutes of talk time (for most popular destinations). Each time you add call credit or "recharge" your account, you will extend your service life for an additional 12 months from the date of the recharge.Previous call credit will accumulate to your new call credit.

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