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kkostenko · 07-01-2017, 15:16

Hello!

I am curious if folks who sailed Cyclades in Greece could share their experience with local phone companies, coverage wise? I am thinking about buying a SIM card either from Vodafone, Cosmote or Wind with some decent Internet data plan but not sure which one has the best and most reliable coverage in Cyclades. Any experience here?

Barra · 07-01-2017, 21:10

None give you full time coverage in the cyclades. Overall Vodafone would have the least coverage and wind the best ive found.

touchngo · 10-01-2017, 06:27

We used Cosmote (CIOTG aka Pay As you Go) all summer, from the Dodecanese, through the Cyclades, Eastern Peloponnese/Argolic, Saronic, Evia Channel, Northern Sporades, Khalkidhiki, Eastern Sporades, back down the Dodecanese and finally to Crete where we are wintering. The only place that coverage has been an issue is here in Crete.

We already had a Vodafone Sim but coverage in the Dod's is sporadic at best, but we did keep it topped up as occasionally we found it difficult to top up via Cosmote's website (their website sometimes got screwed up so that it couldn't process any cards other than those issued by the National Bank of Greece!). My Brother In Law has a Vodafone contract and has been unhappy with the coverage and cost.

We previously had a Wind Sim (pay as you go), and that was rubbish, but right now are looking after someone's Sim (Contract/Post Paid) whilst they have gone home for the winter, and it is superb!

In a lot of the shops and supermarkets on the islands, it is possible to buy Top Up vouchers through the EftPos style terminals that they have. You have to be careful to specify that its an Internet Top Up, otherwise you end up with Talk Time Credit only. Don't by the scratch card vouchers. They won't work.

Cosmote allows you to use Paypal if you are trying to cut back on CC charges.

Hope this helps.

PT

Polux · 10-01-2017, 10:09

I used at the same time Vodaphone and Cosmote. My wife has Vodaphone I have Cosmote. Cosmote is better on remote places and Islands on the Aegean.

Zai · 10-01-2017, 10:32

One more vote for Cosmote, we have been using it since 2011 and have had very good coverage.
Like it was said the web site is a little tricky but my wife has mastered it and we can top it up on line.

kkostenko · 12-01-2017, 10:30

Thank you folks,

it looks like Cosmote is more or less a winner.

captmikecoin · 12-01-2017, 12:35

+1 for Cosmote, data and voice.

Mike

Palarran · 12-01-2017, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by captmikecoin

+1 for Cosmote, data and voice.

Mike

Make that +3

Always had data, and pretty fast data. The key is to get a Greek to get the phone (hotspot) for you. It's about 60% less cost. But it has to be a good Greek friend because they are signing the contract. I do, did, and used Viber for phone calls home. It was awesome this year to finally have the equivalent of what we take for granted at home.

NornaBiron · 15-01-2017, 10:42

+4! Cosmote definitely the best coverage throughout

Tudorsailor · 23-02-2017, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palarran

Make that +3

Always had data, and pretty fast data. The key is to get a Greek to get the phone (hotspot) for you. It's about 60% less cost. But it has to be a good Greek friend because they are signing the contract. I do, did, and used Viber for phone calls home. It was awesome this year to finally have the equivalent of what we take for granted at home.

I would disagree with the need to get a Greek friend. I have a mifi to make the hotspot. I bought a sim from Cosmote in Corfu town. You do need to take your passport,
Once done, constant and relatively cheap 4G
Of this year, I can use my EE data abroad so no need for the Greek sim.

TudorSailor

Palarran · 23-02-2017, 09:36

I'm sure that's true. But your plan is probably limited to 1GB of data per month. With the Greek local plan, it's 10GB per month. After that, it's 10 euro per GB. If you compare the pricing plans I think you will find a huge difference between them.

Tudorsailor · 23-02-2017, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palarran

I'm sure that's true. But your plan is probably limited to 1GB of data per month. With the Greek local plan, it's 10GB per month. After that, it's 10 euro per GB. If you compare the pricing plans I think you will find a huge difference between them.

My UK EE deal is 10Gb per month that I can now use anywhere in the EU (sim only deal so quite cheap). Not sure if that will change when UK leaves the EU?!
So for me, as long as I avoid Youtube, I now have enough data. I will take my Greek Sim with me and the Mifi just in case I use up my data

TudorSailor

Palarran · 23-02-2017, 10:49

Again, that's all good, but not what the OP was asking about - at least by my understanding.

Palarran · 02-03-2017, 15:41

I wanted to add something to this thread, but it's applicable to all North Americans traveling in the Med or Caribbean. I just talked to an AT&T rep about adding an International plan on my phone for a trip to the Caribbean. Last week they unveiled a new plan that costs $10 per day for International. Here is the kicker though, you only pay for the days you use, and the calls are free and the data comes out of your existing package. So if you have an unlimited data plan, you have unlimited data.

For us this is a pretty big deal because I can turn on my hot spot and allow everyone on board to access my data. While it potentially could cost $300 per month, that still is cheaper and easier than what I have been doing. Most of you probably don't use that much data, but you put 8 Americans on a boat with phones and computers, it adds up really quick.