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== '''Vodafone Netherlands '''with '''YOU''' or '''online BloX''' ==
''Verified in Germany (in May 2016) ''
'''''THIS ARTICLE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. IT WILL BE PUBLISHED AFTER INFORMATION HAS BEEN VERIFIED.'''''
Like in Germany '''Vodafone in the Netherlands have scrapped roaming surcharges for prepaid and sell their included voice, SMS and data allowances while roaming in all of the EU/EEA countries and Switzerland at domestic Dutch rates. Thus e.g. 1 GB for 30 days are sold at €10 in and outside of the Netherlands.'''
[[File:Euro2.jpg|thumb|322x322px]]
=== '''Network''' ===
Vodafone Nederland
=== '''Issuing Country''' ===
Netherland
=== '''Number''' ===
* +36 61 ## ## ###
=== '''Roaming option''' ===
A domestic (Dutch) package or plan with allowances must be booked before. The EU/EEA roaming consumption will be debited from the included domestic package allowance without any further roaming surcharges.
=== '''Validity''' ===
Valid in 43 European countries, in '''all''' of the '''EU and EEA''' member states, and additionally in '''Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Monaco, San Marino '''in all Vodafone roaming networks. <u>Not</u> valid in other areas and without a package booked before where and when roaming is still possible, but at much higher rates.
=== '''Roaming networks''' ===
Vodafone has the largest system of mobile networks in Europe. It uses either own branded Vodafone networks or so-called Vodafone partner networks like SFR in France or Swisscom in Switzerland. In every mentioned country at least one Vodafone or partner network is available, but other networks remain mostly inaccessible.
=== '''Speeds''' ===
4G/LTE is available in the Netherlands in up to 75 Mbps (not on YOU S plan which stays on 3G) and is also enabled in most EU roaming countries where speed will be much lower in regular unthrottled 4G, 3G and 2G. Ping time (delay) is slightly higher at around #### than on local data as it's routed through Dutch servers.
=== '''Price''' ===
Their '''YOU '''pYOUrepaid''' '''plan is a combo plan valid for '''30 days'''
*
* '''750 MB of data''' in the '''all''' '''EU member states''' (Germany included), '''Norway, Iceland '''and '''Liechtenstein'''
* '''unlimited incoming calls and SMS from everywhere''' for free, as long as you are staying within this roaming area
* '''200 minutes of outgoing calls''' '''or SMS. '''The outgoing calls don't only apply to the issuing or roaming countries, but to all voice calls to mobiles and landlines within the roaming area. So you can call from Athens to Dublin using your allowance. Premium numbers, special services, all kinds of MMS and calls out of Europe are excluded from the package and need to be paid extra.
In Germany a Vodafone DE internal flatrate to other Vodafone DE subscribers is added, but calling from/to abroad these calls are charged as regular incoming or outgoing calls. There are other plans too which are not suitable for data use or like the '''Smartphone XL '''plan''' '''are not sold officially.
Data billing is in fair 1 KB increments in the EU. This base plan auto-renews every 28 days. To stop it from doing so, you either need to be low on credit or change to the free base plan '''Talk&SMS '''before renewal.
==== '''Overuse''' ====
For overuse outside of package allowances these standard roaming charges are applied:
* incoming calls and SMS: free all over the EU
* outgoing calls: 14.95 ct/min on roaming (outside of Germany), 9 ct/min domestic in Germany, higher from Germany abroad
* outgoing SMS: 9 ct (outside of Germany and domestic in Germany), 29 ct (from Germany abroad)
* data use:
** as long as a base plan is booked and valid: speed will be throttled to around 32 kbit/s with a long latency on roaming. It's still usable for WhatsApp and called "unlimited" in some countries. Vodafone will send you SMS messages before this is done.
** then you will be offered a "speed bucket" to regain 4G high speed data: 250 MB for 2.99 € valid for 7 days. This can also be booked on http://center.vodafone.de but not otherwise.
** 5.95 ct/MB is charged when no valid base plan is active anymore.
Take care, that roaming is still possible outside of the EU/EEA validity area, but at much higher rates. The same applies if you roam without having booked a package before or when the package is expired. You should not call out of Europe to the rest of the world, as high rates are charged incoming and outgoing. For overseas calls better use VoIP or call-back services instead, which are not blocked. This also applies to foreign calls and texts from Germany-only abroad to anywhere else, as these are unregulated IDD rates.
==== '''Add-ons''' ====
As your roaming consumption is rather expensive outside of included package allowances, you should better upsize your plan by one these add-ons:
* for data:
** 250 MB: 4.99 €
** 750 MB: 9.99 €
** 2 GB: 19.99 €
* for calls and texts:
** 100 mins or SMS: 4.99 €
** 500 mins or SMS: 9.99 €
All add-ons are valid for 28 days irrespective of the running time of the base plan or until depleted. You can book the same add-on only once within 28 days. Add-ons also auto-renew which is pretty unusual. You need to stop them from doing so by being low on credit or by terminating them. These add-ons can also be used for roaming without surcharges. Activation and suspension is by USSD code, app or through your online account "Mein Vodafone" (see below) or using the Tarif Manager calling 22044 (see below).
=== '''Availability of SIM Card''' ===
Vodafone CallYa is a '''German-issued SIM Card'''. Vodafone in Germany sells it only within the country. But online vendors distribute it worldwide. Be aware, that Vodafone SIM cards from other countries (but the Netherlands) don't offer this option up to now.
Vodafone Germany offers a huge array of prepaid SIM cards all dubbed '''''CallYa'''''. Theoretically you can take any ''CallYa'' SIM and change its plan to Smartphone Special. These are the most usual starter packs:
* '''''CallYa''''' '''''Freikarte '''''meaning free SIM card. This is very popular, as it's totally free, but doesn't include any credit either. ''Freikarten ''can be ordered only on Vodafone's [https://www.vodafone.de/freikarten/ website] to be sent to a German postal address for free. They can't be sent abroad and already arrive pre-activated. For use, you have to top them up first, but you can enjoy endless incoming calls all over the EU even without. If you know anyone in Germany, who can you forward a letter, this is a very handy solution.
* '''''CallYaTalk & SMS '''''starter packs:''''' '''''They are sold at Vodafone stores in Germany, many kiosks, service stations, some supermarkets and phone stores. Retail price is 10€ with 9.99€ credit and ''Talk&SMS ''plan is pre-configured. It's the only base plan without a monthly fee and doesn't contain data. It can be switched to Smartphone Special anytime by app or online for the roaming offer.
* '''''CallYa''''' '''''Smartphone Special '''''starter packs:''''' '''''They are sold at Vodafone stores in Germany, some electronic markets and a many other places like phone stores. Retail price is 10€ with 9.99€ credit for the first package of Smartphone Special already preconfigured. Some eBay merchants discount these starters heavily. They start as soon as they are activated on the Smartphone Special plan.
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</gallery>There are other starters like the '''''Allnet Flat''' ''you should stay away from. Your starter is either pre-activated like the ''Freikarte ''or still needs to be activated online (details below) or in a Vodafone store. Anyway, you'll receive a triple-cut (mini- , micro and nano SIM) with the phone number written on the cardholder or on the package sleeve following ''"Ihre Mobilfunknummer: 015# ### ### ##'. ''PIN and PUK and a ''Kundenkennwort ''(customer password) can be found there too.
==== '''Outside of Germany''' ====
Online, dealers send you the SIM card abroad to any address worldwide for a small handling fee. Look on Amazon.de or eBay.de for "Vodafone CallYa" SIM cards. Only German prepaid Vodafone SIM cards are called like this. Don't get confused with Vodafone SIM cards from other countries. Many vendors on eBay say in their offer they'd send it only within Germany. You can ask any vendor about shipping it abroad for a small extra fee. Most will be willing to do this, if you cover the additional costs for delivery. As you will hardly pay more than €10, it's not necessary to register your mail.
A tightening of security laws for unaccounted prepaid SIM cards is currently discussed in Germany, but up to now SIM cards are still freely available, can be purchased in the country without showing an ID card and can be freely sent outside. This may change in the future.
Some dealers will sent you pre-activated SIM cards, others will send you SIM cards which still have to be registered online, again others will offer to do the activation for you to get some bonuses. If this service is charged at a minimal fee, you can agree as it saves you some work. With all three options, you'll be fine.
=== '''Registration / Activation''' ===
All SIM cards in Germany need to be officially registered on the owner's name and a German address before activated. Your SIM arrives either pre-activated or not. If you are unsure, plug it into your device and check, if it gets a (roaming) network in a minute or two. If not, you'll still need to register it, what is called in German "''freischalten".''
This is quite easy as their registration [https://www.vodafone.de/komfortaufladung/idreg_callya/index_en.do?request_locale=en website can be switched to English] and the whole process can be done there. For this you need the SIM card, your phone no. (''Ihre Mobilfunknummer ''or ''ihre Rufnummer - ''in German format without +49, but beginning with 01...) written on an extra paper and the SIM serial no. written on the plastic tray of the SIM together with PIN and PUK.
Now comes the tricky part: You have to give a postal address in Germany. This needs to be a '''valid street address''' in the country. But you don't need to have residency there. In fact, it might be an hotel address, an Air B&B apartment or any other address in the country you (or Google) can think of. The important thing is, that this address is checked for consistency on a database. So the combination: postal code and location, street name and house no. must be plausible and existing. If you fail, you get an error message saying your data are not consistent and you need to try again. Finally, you should decline ''Komfortaufladung ''and don't need to tick the boxes giving them consent for advertisements.
If the system has accepted your data, activation will be processed. This can take some minutes, sometimes hours before your SIM finally connects to a Vodafone or partner roaming network. You may have to switch off and on your device and be patient. Activation can be done through a roaming network too, as verified in the Spain.
=== '''Managing the SIM card''' ===
For managing the SIM card you should log on to your personal account on Vodafone called "''Mein Vodafone''". There you can check data and other consumption, change plans or book add-ons. This can also be done by their app which may not so easy to install and some basic commands by USSD code
==== '''By USSD Codes''' ====
These are the most common USSD codes. Have in mind that the messages are in German:
* *100#: service menu:
** press 4 for add-ons: then 1 for data and 2 for minutes/SMS
** press 5 for balance
* *106#: balance check
* *102#: check last charged debit
* *101*1*1#: top-up with CallNow cash cards (see below)
* ##002#: to switch off mailbox (enabled by default), also possible on roaming networks
==== '''By their ''Tarif Manager''''' ====
Calling 22044 (taken from your voice allowance on roaming, free in Germany) you will get their ''Tarif Manager'' with voice prompts. First you get voice messages only in German. To switch your language to English first press 5 and then 1;<nowiki> </nowiki>all future calls will be in English from then on.
*press 1: to check general balance
*press 2: to check status of plan press 1 and status of options press 2
*press 3: to change options: for internet options press 1 and voice/SMS options press 2
*press 4: to change plan: for the Talk&SMS plan press 2
*press 5: to change language: to change to English press 1
==== '''On your personal account "''Mein Vodafone''"''' ====
You should register on your personal account called "''Mein Vodafone''" as card management can be easily done there and this account can be moved to a translator, if you don't understand what it's saying, but it can't be switched to English though.
First you need to register for ''MeinVodafone'' on [https://www.vodafone.de/ussa/registration/registration.ftel this form] . For the first question you have to click ''Nein ''and on the following site you give your gender ''Herr/Frau, ''first name and family name, on the next site your email address. This should be a valid address as you will get a verification link and you'll need it to regain your ''Kundenkennwort ''1and a1 guthaben2 optioergency phone number. On the last site you need to set a password and copy the shown security PIN.
In the next step you need to connect your CallYa number to this profile. You will be asked, if you want to add your plan ''(Vertrag hinzufügen)''. Choose ''Mobilfunkvertrag hinzufügen.'' Then you need to give your phone number (in German format 01#######) and the ''Kundenkennwort. ''This special password is written in the paper of your card or if you have ordered it on their website, it will be given to you in the confirmation mail. If you can't find it, it can be reset by ''Passwort vergessen ''through your email account.
To log on to your profile, go to "''MeinVodafone''" on their website, enter your email address at ''Benutzername ''and your set password for your profile at ''Internet-Passwort''. You will then see the dashboard with lots of information. Things get clearer when you change to ''MeinMobilfunk menu ''on top left. To find your balances go to ''Kontostand checken ''and ''QuickCheck. ''Add-ons can be booked on ''Tarifoptionen buchen ''and the base plan can be changed at ''Tarifwechsel -> Tarif ''and ''Tarif ändern. ''
Further support in English on their graphic InfoDoks in pdf format:
* [http://www.vodafone.de/infofaxe/198en.pdf MeinVodafone: your personal online service]
* [http://www.vodafone.de/infofaxe/202en.pdf How to register with MeinVodafone]
* [http://www.vodafone.de/infofaxe/310en.pdf Vodafone Mailbox and ProfiMailbox]
<nowiki> </nowiki>You don't need these account procedures to top-up (this can be done on a special site as shown below). Or if you can use their app instead.
==== '''By app "''Mein CallYa''" or "''MeinVodafone''"''' ====
[[File:Vodafone app.png|thumb|112x112px]]
Vodafone has developed apps for Android, iOS and Windows Mobile devices called ''Mein CallYa'' and ''Mein Vodafone''. These can be very handy to manage your SIM and check your consumptions. But you will face two problems: they are in German only and can't be transfered to a translater tool. And the apps are only distributed through the geo-restricted Google Play or iTunes stores. For Android users they are uploaded here (LINK). For its first launch your Vodafone SIM needs to be in the phone having a data connection, possibly on roaming, through your Vodafone plan. Apple users need to jailbreak their devices, what is not recommended and that's why there is no upload for them here. Please use it only when you know what you are doing and understand at least basic German.
==== '''APN Settings''' ====
* APN: web.vodafone.de
* for data roaming you need to enable data roaming on your device and ignore the warnings of high costs
=== '''Recharges''' ===
There are several ways to top-up your account depending on where you are:
==== '''In Germany''' ====
Just go to any supermarket, kiosk, service station, newspaper stand, post office, some ticket machine etc. and get a Vodafone voucher locally named ''Ladebon. ''Vodafone calls their cash cards "''CallNow''". They are available for 15 €, 30 € or 50 €. The PIN must scratched free to be entered in your phone like this: *100*<12-digit PIN># and <call>. These reload cards work from abroad too, but vouchers of different Vodafone networks other than from Germany don’t work.
You can also transfer credit from one Vodafone Germany account to another: this can be done online on your account, by app or by calling the account server at 22922, possible through a roaming network too. 3 €, 5 € or 10 € can be transfered. Vodafone charges 0.30 € for the transfer. It only works amongst customers or numbers of Vodafone Germany.
==== '''In and outside of Germany: ''' ====
Vodafone offers several ways to top-up your account from abroad. Through their website, your online account or their app you can reach their [https://aufladen.vodafone.de/de/shop/prepaid/vodafone-de top-up site]. Choose ''Direktaufladung ''(direct top-up), not ''Komfortaufladung'' (comfort top-up) as for the latter you need a German bank account.
Vodafone uses the Dutch service provider Alphacomm BV for their recharge service. They accept VISA and Mastercard, PayPal, bank transfer (see below) and German debit systems. For a credit card transaction they charge a 0.50 € fee, for PayPal 0.75 € irrespective of the amount. This company may decline some out-of-European credit cards and cards issued in the UK, as they have done in the past. So if your card has not been accepted, use a PayPal account instead.
Other top-up agencies in Germany like [http://www.prelado.de prelado.de] may do the job without fees. But they are also known to be somewhat picky about foreign credit cards. So you might give it a try. Prelado accepts PayPal too, if you have a positive balance on your PayPal account. Still some other agencies may charge you high for a top-up.
==== '''Bank Transfer''' ====
If you have a bank account anywhere in Europe that is part of the SEPA system, you can add credit by a simple SEPA bank transfer too without any fees. But this will take 2-3 working days until processed and finally credited on your CallYa account. So it's not a swift way. A big advantage is that you can add any amount from 0.01 € and are not restricted to the given denominations.
You have to send a SEPA credit transfer to Vodafone GmbH, IBAN: DE68 3007 0010 0250 8000 00, SWIFT/BIC: DEUTDEDDXXX and give as reference your mobile number written in German format: 017########. [http://www.prepaid-wiki.de/index.php5?title=%C3%9Cberweisung_Vodafone More info in German.]
=== '''Expiry and Termination''' ===
The expiry rules of this SIM card may be interesting to you, if you plan to keep the SIM for another trip. They are very casual. The loaded balance is valid without any time restriction. If you haven't used or topped up your SIM card for more than a year, Vodafone may decide to terminate your number. They will send you an SMS 30 days before. You can then add 15€ or call 12007 from your Vodafone line to object this termination. Using your SIM for a minimal payable activity (like a sent SMS) keeps it from getting suspended too. Even when your line has already been terminated, it can be re-activated within 90 days by calling +49 172 229 0 229.
Both you or Vodafone can terminate your prepaid contract. According to German law Vodafone must redeem your unused balance. For this you need to send the SIM card by mail to: Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone-Kundenbetreuung, 40875 Ratingen, Deutschland. You also need to state your old number and give a bank account for the refund attached to the European SEPA banking system.
=== '''Support''' ===
* English-speaking support: +49 172 22020 (8am-8pm) charged as a regular German phone call from the allowance (if booked before)