PAYG eSim
 

What do members think is the current best value and useable eSim for Spain? Also with UK use for trips back to UK for several weeks.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

it's not PAYG but Lebara do monthly packages that are free of contract ties.
https://lebaraspain.es/

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I don't know if this is what you are after John it's a virtual SIM. I use Moremins to make UK calls at quite low cost. Never had any issues or problems but I don't know anything about virtual Sims other than that they do them. Here's a linkhttps://www.moremins.com/en/esim

Re: PAYG eSim
 

We use másmóvil. They have a very cheap PAYG plans, and I believe they have eSIMs. We also like it because you can park your phone number for 1 euro per month if you are out of Spain and/or are using a different SIM for a while.

- Eroc S.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

So much depends on what you actually need in terms of calls, internet and roaming but there is a tariff "Habla 6" with Movistar that costs zero. The only condition is that you add 5 euros to the balance every six months, and you pay for calls and data on demand, with options to add data or minute packages as you go. If the requirement is to have a mobile phone fundamentally for incoming calls on a Spanish number, it is hard to beat.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I'm a little confused the question is re "e Sims" which as far as I understand is different altogether to a standard SIM card? There are various options with standard Sims prepay contract or whatever. My wife has a masmovil SIM she pays 5 euros and gets 6gb data 200 Spanish national minutes but she can use 100 of those minutes for international calls. That is PAYG she just tops it up every month. My understanding is an e SIM is not a physical card but some system that allows the mobile to make and receive calls without a physical SIM. Hence the link I put on earlier. How it all works I havent a clue as it not something I do. I use a dual SIM phone with a Spanish SIM for Spain and UK PAYG SIM to mainly receive UK calls. To make UK calls I use the app more mins which allows me to call using my Spanish SIM and free minutes for just 2 cents per minute. I find it an easy and cost effective method. I will add I really only use the phone when essential.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Your understanding is right, The advantage of an esim is being able to have multiple sims in the phone at once, and not being limited to just one or two physical sim slots in the phone. It has advantages if you travel to different countries. Let's say you move between the UK and Spain, you could have two esims, one for each country and leave the physical slot free. Then, wherever you go in the world, you could add a normal sim to use local networks without disturbing your esims, although you may be limited to only having two lines active at any one time. esims also have advantages in reducing the power consumption of the phone.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Vodafone offer esims (you have to visit a store with ID to get the QR code).

The PAYG packages are pretty decent starting at €10 pm. You get UK (and EU) roaming included and calls from Spain to many countries. I also discovered today that they have a customer service number dedicated to non Spanish speakers, who were extremely helpful. In fact the PAYG deals are currently better than contracts with Vodafone.

I’ve researched Esims to death in Spain and many of the telcos don’t provide them or only to contract customers.

As mentioned above esims are perfect if you travel or regularly use multiple lines. I have 3 active lines on esim and can use 2 at any one time on my iphone. With the option to pop a physical sim if I need to.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

eSIMS aren't that popular here yet, but give it time and even all the prepaid options will have them.

For your Spanish SIM would you like to use it to make calls to the UK and possibly other countries as well? This is probably the easiest way to filter what offers would be best for you as some networks will allow you to call the UK as part of your included minutes whereas others will want to charge you separately for international calls.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Digi Mobile https://www.digimobil.es/movil/ do reasonable PAYG standard SIM cards that have inclusive national international calls and data included. On the site look at movil combi page for options.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Yes, the Digi Combo tariff is the best one if you make international calls as ALL your included minutes can be used both locally and internationally to like 60 countries.

I believe 10 Euros gets you 400 minutes and 20 GB monthly, and there are higher options for heavy users: 15 Euros for 800 mins (& 50 GB), 20 Euros for 2,000 minutes (and 100 GB), or 25 Euros for unlimited everything...

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I also believe you can roll over unused data?

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I assume there is a reason the OP asked about esims.

Many of the telcos PAYG plans are broadly the same and pretty competitive these days. (I’ve recently researched them to death for myself)

I think the important part really is whether you get the coverage of a particular provider where you live/work. It’s all well and good saving a couple of euros if the network coverage is rubbish where you need to use it.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Yes very true. I agree re original question re e Sims and commented previously on that. I presume e Sims also operate on different networks? So the signal and reception will apply the same.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Yes esims operate on whichever networks provide them, which is slightly limited at the moment and more so with the virtual/secondary operators, but nevertheless are easy to find.

I know I’ve been harping on about Vodafone ES but if they have good coverage where you need it Vodafone are hard to beat at the moment. (And they do esims 😁)

Re: PAYG eSim
 

So is it likely that in the near future SIM cards will be phased out all together?

Re: PAYG eSim
 

In some countries it’s heading that way already. New iPhones (iPhone 14 onwards) sold in the US since last year don’t have sim slots so will only accept esim. I think it will take a long time to phase out globally if ever. But I can see it happening in developed countries in the coming years. Less plastic knocking around and esims are very easy to manage.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Thanks I thought that would be how it may go

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Definitely yes, but no-one should worry that their existing sim or phone will suddenly stop working. SIM stands for "Subscriber Identity Module" and it's key function is just to identify you on the network All an esim does is replace the identity data held on a sim card with data written to a chip in the phone. An esim chip potentially can store up to 30 lines altough current iPhones are limited to 8! In the past, the plastic sim also held other data like your contact book which was useful if you got a new phone, but now that phones store the data in the cloud or can do NFC transfers, even that function has become redundant. If you then stop and think about the space that sim card slots take up inside a phone, you can see the advantage to the phone designers too. The sim card slots also need to be powered, so there are further gains in battery life. You also can have problems with the mechanical contacts either in the phone or the sim card causing network drop outs, which esims don't suffer from. Finally, an esim can be delivered electronically, in a QR code, so the networks save a lot of money not administering and sending out bits of plastic. Timescale? No idea but the process is definitely under way.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Correct, with Digi all unused data from the current month will roll over to the next month. Some networks like Simyo will roll up to 2 months' worth of unused data.

Although Simyo is not the top choice if you want international calls to 60 counties to be included (free) in your plan, it is by far the top choice if you want to manage a couple of phones for the entire family as it has the easiest way of tailoring each family member's plan and even tweaking it whenever you want (one person needs a bit more data? easy peasy...), plus the #1 network app to do exactly that (and lots more). The Simyo brand belongs to Orange so you're also in good hands and on a solid network.

Both yes and no - if you just need the basics then it's all pretty much the same. But once you add things like international calls being included (say you want to call family on both landlines and mobiles in the UK and Australia, or possibly in lots of other countries when they're travelling), then you can be left with very few attractive options. I went from Vodafone to Orange to Simyo before finally porting my number to DIGI for what is a great tariff for my use. In this case it was by far the best one and no other network has been able to match it.

Coverage is certainly important and here all three major networks are quite good, but in general Movistar is regarded as the top network in Spain coverage-wise. If someone lives away from the city then it's still a good idea to check which network has the closest cell towers to ensure the strongest reception possible even inside the walls, or in the basement too... :)

It looks like the physical SIM card could share the fate of the music industry's CD after streaming (and digital sales) took over. Although the reasons might be different, it all boils down to technological relevancy. Do you need a CD if you can download or stream tracks? Some still might, but most won't. Do you need a SIM to verify you with your network if the same information can be provided and stored digitally without a physical chip present? Same answer.

Things are definitely speeding up. I actively maintain SIM cards in 4 countries for travel purposes and one of the networks has recently offered switching to eSIM just by selecting the option in their app, promising to get the eSIM working within 3 hrs without a visit to any of their stores. Tempting? Yes, definitely...

Re: PAYG eSim
 

The last time I checked only Vodafone and Movistar were offering eSIM in Spain and their prices are a little high when compared to Digi. A complete pain if you're looking for an Apple watch or a US model iPhone which I guess is the reason the OP is asking,

Re: PAYG eSim
 

The current Vodafone PAYG rates are the same and in some cases better than Digi (same international minutes but more data). I think the only slight difference is the roll over of data but Voda give ‘bonuses’ for recharging early.

As of today. For €15 Digi give 50gb data and 800mins ~ Voda give 100gb and 800mins you also get EU and UK roaming free with Voda not sure about Digi.

The bottom line is that as I’m sure we all appreciate all operators are in competition and the main ones rarely let each other out of sight.

It seems that mobile tariffs seem to offer good value unlike many other aspects of life at the moment 😁

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I'd be surprised if anyone handled the second SIM for the iWatch without any issues. Movistar perhaps?

Vodafone's data is doubled just as a promo offer and ends today (unless it's one of those companies that dangles these offers, constantly pretending they're about to end...). They do roll-over data and minutes which is a plus. Well done there.

Unfortunately Voda's international minutes are a shambles though and not in the same league as Digi. Voda's offer is riddled with holes and has so many exclusions it's almost like a trap, especially if you call mobiles. I used to be with Voda, and then I dropped them (for this and other reasons too).

When looking for a postpaid contract I'd say go with whatever network is providing you with home broadband, as long as they have a tariff that suits you. But with prepaid I would stick with Simyo (Orange brand) for the entire family and Digi for those who want international calls included.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

It’s all horses for courses I suppose as long as it works for you.

I totally agree about the Simyo app and website …. It’s superb it’s just a shame for me that the coverage is patchy when I’m out and about also with Simyo they don’t give you access to the Orange 5G network although they keep promising to change that. I have a Simyo SIM in a 4G WiFi router that I stream my TV through …. Generally works well.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

For me it was the international calling that convinced me to port my number to Digi. Need to call a mobile in Australia for instance? No problem - free of charge. Even Lebara, which includes most destinations, wasn't able to offer this...

I do have everyone else in the family on Simyo though. A joy to manage. :)

What took me by surprise is that Simyo is light years ahead of Orange in terms of the website and app... even though it is fully-owned by the latter. It's so easy to customise those tariffs and adjust them as you go along to match your needs. I even got a SIM for my iPad which costs me only 2 Euros/mth and provides 4GB (with roll-over) which is plenty for doing small stuff on the road or the odd bit of sports streaming. Is your 4G router a pocket one or one of those home routers that needs to be plugged into the power supply?

Coverage-wise I thought Orange was pretty solid, same for Vodafone, though Movistar did save the day in some locations on Tenerife.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

The 4G router I have right now is much like a home router plugged in to the mains. Because it’s obviously static the signal is solid and it has served me well particularly as in the past my visits have been sporadic. I’ll be spending more time here (Tenerife North) over the next few months due to a family illness so I am having fibre connected this week more so really that I don’t need to worry how much data is consumed as I’m pulling the TV stream through it.

Regarding Orange (Simyo) coverage if I roam on Orange on my UAE number the coverage is superb as it happily switches between 4G and 5G but with Simyo I have found odd spots where I lose coverage on 4G which I can’t afford to happen if I’m working. Voda has blanket 4G and 5G coverage where I need it.

I’ve heard before about Voda being picky about the international numbers although they now have a dial code checker for all the international destinations that you can check up front. I only really call back to the UK here from a Spanish phone and they cover all the mobiles and landlines in the UK I need .

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Sorry to hear that. FWIW Candelaria University Hospital, if that is a place you'll be dealing with, has a very good reputation. To the point that when other hospitals run out of ideas or options then Candelaria takes over and does a proper job curing that which is curable.

Fibre works well here, no complaints. It's probably all Movistar in terms of actual architecture though other networks market and sell it. I just went with Movistar as it seemed safest to go with a company that handles the product from a to z. I don't like contracts in general but at least their offer is "sin permanencia" so you're not locked in...

Re: PAYG eSim
 

A friend of mine who was on Simyo lost his phone and Sim card. He also ended up locked out of Google and only way they would send him new log in details was by email no good as locked out or SMS to registered phone. I suggested only way to resolve it was as he bought a new phone get SIMYO to send a new Sim card with his original number. Not so simple with SIMYO they won't send it without him providing the PUK code which he doesn't have. SIMYO were OK with him on the phone but ended up sending him to various mediart shops where they said they had staff to resolve the issue. He went to the shops they said no we can't. He ended up having to buy a new sim different provider but can't resolve the other issues. I was of the belief that your provider can provide the details after you answer security questions and send out a new sim?

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I don’t have any direct experience of Simyo customer service but this is not an unusual problem with secondary / virtual networks (in any country) that when you have a challenging problem it’s not always easy to resolve where as the primary networks have proper stores to go to who will usually be able to deal with most issues in person (granted not always) but you do stand a better chance.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

True mind I did say to him always keep the card your sim card comes on as that has all the info.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

The Simyo deal is pretty impressive, I almost switched until I saw UK roaming is not included. We only visit the UK 2 or times per year but 1GB of data per visit breaks the deal. The thing to remember with all of them is the bundle deal. With Digi we only pay 8 for 50GB and 6 for 20GB as it's in the bundle. The total for 1Gb fiber, 2x20GB and 1x50GB SIM is just 50/month. If we lived in an area with Smart-Fiber it would be 10 Euro less, or 5 Euro less with 10Gb fiber.

As already mentioned they don't provide eSIMs yet.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I've no experience with SIMYO but every provider I have ever dealt with provides this option via your personal account area on their web site. Losing a phone is pretty routine stuff, so I just checked on the SIMYO web site and this is what I found:

--------------------------------------

¿Qué puedo hacer si se rompe mi tarjeta SIM, la pierdo o necesito cambiarla por una MicroSIM/NanoSIM?

Para pedir un duplicado sólo tienes que entrar en tu área personal y solicitarlo. También puedes llamarnos gratis al 1644 y te enviaremos otra tarjeta.

Recibirás una tarjeta “Triple SIM” de simyo, con un troquelado especial que la hace compatible con SIM, MicroSIM y NanoSIM. Así no tendrás que andar pidiendo una tarjeta nueva cada vez que cambias de móvil.

La SIM es gratuita, se te cobrarán los gastos de envío (7€ IVA incluido). El duplicado te llegará al cabo de un par de días, una vez que te llegue, sólo tendrás que entrar en tu área personal (en “Activar mi duplicado de SIM”) o llamarnos por teléfono al 1644 para que desactivemos tu antigua SIM y activemos el duplicado que acabas de recibir.
---------------------------------

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Thanks for that information I will pass it on. Problem is the person concerned is a technophobe so whether he has the info to get into the personal area is the question. Much appreciated

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Yeah, all he has to do is log in to the Simyo panel and virtually everything can be done there. They are as good as it gets here in Spain when it comes to the web panel and phone app.

Even when I ported 4 prepaid numbers to Simyo all at once I did everything via their website with ease, and all 4 SIMS then arrived by mail. I imagine ordering a replacement SIM is an even faster and easier process.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Thanks

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Firstly I presume you have a phone capable of using eSim tech ?

Secondly I presume you spend most of your time in Esuri, travel around the area a bit and would like your phone to also work using a single sim without additional cost whist visiting the UK for a few weeks?

If so and even if your phone is eSim enabled, Apple or Single Sim forget eSims and go for the best PAYG Spanish Sim deal that suits you needs that includes UK roaming.

Best

Loco

PS As you are in Esuri if you use much data on your phone around Esuri, from experience, best stick to Movistar or an MVNO that uses them. If your only use is for phone calls any will do.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

One point of detail about esims which you might need to factor in, if you have lets say a Spanish esim and a UK esim in the same phone, then if either receives a call, it will automatically block all connections on the other esim while the call is in progress. This may be important if you are using the phone in tethering mode for internet. If you are using data on one of the sims, and receive a call on that line, you are fine, but if a call comes in on the alternative line, it will block and drop the internet connection. First hand experience of that! If continuity of data streams is important, the only way to solve it is with two phones and a sim in each.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

Not a unique problem to esims ….. if you are tethering and receive a call you are at risk of the data cutting whether it’s an esim or physical sim.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

I suspect that is more down to the hardware. My point specifically is on a two line set up. I've never lost a data connection if the incoming call is on the same line. However, the phone switches sim exclusively to the line that the call is on, and so if the data connection is on the other line, it gets cut immediately.

Re: PAYG eSim
 

.

we are obviously drifting OT from the original question.

However if the continuity of data is that critical then personally I wouldn’t rely on tethering to a phone in the first place, whether or not you use one or two phones/sims. If mobile data is the only option then a dedicated 3, 4 or 5G router is a good option but even then they drop from time to time.

Tethering can stay live for a very long time but equally can drop out at any time for many different reasons.