Talk:Network compatibility of devices/@comment-172.6.34.78-20150704074901

Thank you for your quick reply!

I had researched the UMTS Bands on the iPhone 5's, but wasn't quite sure how that worked. I believe you may have cleared that up for me....am I to understand that while our iPhone 5's work on the 4G/LTE bands within the U.S. AT&T network but aren't able to in Germany due to different LTE frequencies, the other built-in band networking capabilities (UMTS, GSM) can now be accessed since the iPhone is unlocked? I was initially under the impression we were only able to utilize the 4G/LTE networking bands and therefore forced to use Vodafone. If that is not the case, then many more affordable options are actually available as long as we purchase a SIM card for any provider utilizing the 2G or 3G networking? It looks like the Aldi card is very affordable and has fair coverage over Germany (we are traveling most of the country over 3 week period), even though is appears that Eplus is getting absorbed by Telekom (please correct me if I'm incorrect). Or, does Aldi only have good coverage within the cities? We will be traveling the whole country, visiting various sites in smaller villages AND family members, most of whom are elderly and don't have internet!

As for the Mifi, if I purchased one, it would be the Huawei E5330 and is stated to be internationally compatible with specs:                            HSPA+ / HSPA / UMTS: 2100 / 900 Mhz - EDGE / GPRS / GSM: 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 Mhz

I would only purchase the Mifi if I wasn't able to tether with my iPhone. In reading the fine print of some of the prepaid cards, it doesn't seem to permit tethering. Aldi does allow tethering, but nano SIM cards are only avail for order online.

And, if the Data runs out, do we simply purchase another SIM card? I see some of the cards can be "topped up" but I can't find any indication that you can "top up" within the 30 (or 28) day period of the SIM card's activation.

I appreciate your advice. I have read this forum/chat, along with your other regarding the Prepaid data cards prior to sending messages, hoping to independently arrive at the answer from your previous messages. You have provided a wonderfully organized resource that you obviously spend a great deal of time keeping current. Thank you in advance for your next response!