TravelTalk TechTalk - Best Prepaid Mobile (Cell Phone) plans in Spain

I'm quite surprised I didn't write this sooner!

Whether you're going to be traveling to Spain or living for quite some time, prepaid plans are the way to go - specially if you already have an unlocked mobile phone...

I'm just going to talk about my top 3 plans!  The final answer will really depend on you - and your needs, I personally don't talk on the phone that much at all, nor do I text all that much, I primarily use my SIM for data to use for emails, applications and other random things.

Note - if you are looking for American data rates (unlimited data or 2GB or more - you only have 1 option if you don't wait to pay an insane amount of €€€)

Clicking on the carrier name will take you directly to where you can order your SIM.  Both Simyo and Tuenti are the cheapest plans but require that you order the SIM online.  SIM cards from Yoigo can be purchased at many stores in Spain (including Yoigo and PhoneHouse)

Plan #1 - Simyo

Simyo is great!  They are currently having a sale which you can lock into a €0.02/minute with 600MB for only €5/month - wow, that is crazy cheap!

If you need more data the 2GB plan for €20 is a steal - not to mention you get 150 minutes a month!

If you're bringing your iPad (you can use it on your phone as well) and all of you need is data - Simyo has a 5GB data plan - WOW (the best you'll find in the country) for only €24.99!

Plan #2 - Tuenti

Yes - you see it correctly, this plan is only €6/month.  Tuenti is also the name of a social networking site, so make sure you click the link above so you don't get lost.

This plan includes 1GB of data as well as the rate of €0.03/minute for out going phone calls 

(you don't pay to receive phone calls).

This is the plan I changed to, since its a little bit more data for your €€.

Plan #3 - Yoigo

Head over to Yoigo.com or just visit your local Yoigo or PhoneHouse store (in Spain)

Yoigo is probably the easiest SIM to purchase here in Spain as it is the only SIM out of these 3 that is available at a physical store.  

I'll update this at another time since yoigo.com isn't working!  =[

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Cell Phone Bills - How much are you paying?

Aloha all,

I've been recently ranting and raving about technology and the cost of things, so this time this particular blog will combine both.

Most people have heard of cell phone companies such as: ATT, Verizon, Sprint and T-mobile.

Though these companies offer great service and value (not to mention the newest and flashiest phones) if your monthly bill is the most important thing, you may want to look at a pre-paid cell phone company.

Pre-paid cell phone companies get a bad reputation as most associate these plans with phone with lesser capacities, bad service, plans that are not conducive to most people, but it's 2010, and there are many options depending on your needs.

 If you're a Blackberry user and you use it a lot, your bill might look like this:
With ATT, your cell phone will be free and for unlimited text, mobile phone calls and emails (max 2GB), you are looking at a monthly bill of $114.99.

Since this is a 2 year contract, we'll use a 2 year total cost (note that the bill doesn't include taxes!!)
Monthly = $69.99 + $25.00 + $20.00 = $114.99
2 year total cost = $2759.76 + $36.00 (Activation fee) = $2795.76


A great option for you is Boost Mobile.
There maybe more upfront costs: $199.99 for the phone, but your monthly bill is $60.00 (unlimited phone calls, SMS, emails).

Your upfront costs for the phone: $199.99
Your monthly bill: $60
Your 2 year total costs: $199.99 + $1440 = $1639
Your savings: $1156.76




This may sound like someone paid me off to endorse Boost Mobile, but in a way, its just time to WAKE UP! Don't get stuck! There are many more options out there now.  Note that I don't have Blackberry.  I actually have a Sanyo Juno, so my monthly bill is $50/monthly.

One cool feature for those with friends overseas is their International Connect program.  For an additional $10/month, you can make unlimited phone calls to: Mexico, Dominican Republic, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Canada (just check the website as some are for unlimited mobile calling, or unlimited landline calling or BOTH!).  In addition to these awesome perks, this includes unlimited SMS to overseas numbers.  This is just an awesome feature as most cell phone companies charge $.25 to $.50 per text message (incoming and outgoing!) so if you have family overseas or a friend traveling with a local SIM card, you can keep in touch without paying out the WAZOO! 

The most important thing is do your research, just review your last couple of bills and see how many minutes you actually use and how many SMS you actually send!  You maybe paying more than you currently are with your cell phone company.

While I was writing this blog, researching, comparing cell phone companies, plans and mobile devices, I think I ran into a plan that may be the best fit for most people.  It's affordable and the phones are decent.

Check out Virgin Mobile "Beyond Talk Plans"


 Looking at this, this maybe one of the best cell phone plans around.  They are based on the Sprint Network (Boost Mobile is as well) so you will have great reception!

For me, if I were to switch, the $40 plan would be more than plenty! Which would be $960 for 2 years (wowsers).

Check out these options too for pre-paid cell phones:
MobiPCS
VirginMobileUSA


We'll hopefully you can find the best deal for you!!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

My New Cell Phone & Cell Phone Company

 I was really apprehensive about switching to another carrier, since I've had AT&T the past 4 years, but the monthly bill, reception wasn't cutting it anymore.  I've been following Boost Mobile for a while now and after the recent releases of the Blackberry 8330 and the Sanyo Juno, it was time to make the plunge.

I decided to the Sanyo Juno.  A midrange phone known for its messaging capabilities.  I am super happy with this phone, it even has push email (with POP3 accounts).  The emails aren't in HTML, but its enough to check important information, I wouldn't recommend writing long emails on the phone.  The best part of the phone is the ease of texting, there's even a dedicated TEXT button.

Reception and battery life is great.  I haven't charged my phone in 24 hours and I still have 3/4 bars.  Reception is much better as well, I can clearly hear without having to strain.

The best part is my monthly bill is $50.00 + tax (which you can pay pre-pay online or buy the Boost Cards at a local retailer - great for gifts!!)

My recent bill with AT&T was over $60+, which was only for 450 minutes and 1500 texts.  Not only do I have unlimited minutes, unlimited text and push emails.

This cell phone does have some CONS: don't expect much from the camera.  Actually, that was the only CON.

Sorry to all my AT&T friends, but it was time to move on...

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.