For many years traveling abroad I have been using an older LG prepaid phone and never had a problem, when arriving for example in Europe, removing my SIM card and buying and installing a local SIM. Limited in scope, but perfect for those who need a simple unit for call, text and some camera options. For me this was perfect for travel. Most cellular services do not carry this older device anymore. Amazingly, in Germany where I rented for a while the owner still used the same LG phone, despite the fact that he was a student of AI Engeneering.

Any countries for example in Europe I visited and stayed for a couple of months, I could get a SIM from a local provider and install to use locally, avoiding expensive roaming charges. Being able to call using a mobile phone has become more and more important, especially in Europe, as there is no other way of making international calls and emergency calls. Never had a problem with any services, being Telekom, Vodaphone or Orange.

Until now. A year ago I had bought myself an iPhone 14. Before leaving Canada in May of this year, to travel across the ocean via ship (only WiFi available for a high cost), then visiting, passing through (USA), or staying for a while in Germany, Netherlands, and the UK, I did need emergency phone service. But had not bought and installed an international eSIM card and plan before leaving Canada.

Before leaving I had this cell phone reconfigured for eSIM use. Maybe shouldn’t have done this. Anyways to avoid expensive roaming charges. But then simply deleted my SIM with my current cellular service provider. Which was stupid of me, because its irreversible. So, no more phone. For two months I had no phone service. And did I have problems because of this.

In Germany, where cell phone usage is controlled by strict government regulations, I found out from Deutsche Telekom (in US its T-Mobile) and Vodaphone (which are both the dominant providers), that their SIM plans are only for two year contracts, for iPhones. For prepaid devices like Samsung Galaxy Android SIM cards can easily be bought in any grocery store and installed. Again, strict regulations for installation. Important to note that not only name, address, and email contacts are required, but also passport data from tourists like me. It makes your skin crawl.

Unless you have a eg. Samsung prepaid unit and can get a local SIM card. Simple Samsung units sell from €100 in any larger store. SIM cards can be bought in any supermarket, but again must be registered, using your ID, passport, an email address and other private data.

In my case we tried an older Samsung phone to revive and install the Telekom SIM (Magenta mobile M SIM, starting at only €10) I had bought. By using an email address (so far the most secure I had), in my case this resulted in excessive advertising and invading my email with endless SIM-related SPAM messages. Absolutely very annoying. I hope to resolve the problem of avoiding expensive roaming charges by using both my old Android phone and my new iPhone. When traveling. I prefer things simple and easy to use and install.

Besides the point: When traveling internationally with an iPhone you need some eSIM bought online and installed prior to departing. As iPhones allow two eSIM cards. One needs to be then deactivated.