Basics
Denmark has 4 physical network operators
- TDC (youSee)
- Telenor/Telia (almost complete network sharing)
- 3 (= Tre) (3G and 4G only)
and some dozen MVNOs operating of these networks.
2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G/UMTS on 900 and 2100 MHz and 4G/LTE has been started on the 800, 1800 and 2600 MHz frequencies on all networks like in most of Europe.
Another provider sold under the brand of Net1 run by Access Industries offers mobile broadband based on LTE on 450 MHz with a pretty large footprint all over the country. But it's limited to contract subscribers and not offered for prepaid. That's why it's not mentioned any further.
Coverage
All 4 networks have a nationwide 2G coverage, but Tre is a 3G/4G network only with national roaming on Telia for roaming for 2G and 3G with data too, where it doesn't have own coverage.
The combined Telenor/Telia network covers 99.9% with 2G and 3G and more than 95% with 4G/LTE. The sharing leads to identical coverage and virtually identical speeds.
To check out a certain place, it's best to take a look on the coverage maps:
Availability
While 3 or 4 networks and over 50 operators sound like a lot of competition, prepaid offers have become rare, as most of the providers are geared to contract customers now. 3 out of 4 network operators have stopped all prepaid activities and sell only contracts that require a Danish personal number (CPR) that you don't get as a visitor.
So unlike other countries, it's no use anymore to go to any network operator store for a Danish prepaid card. TDC (YouSee) is the only operator left selling pre-paid SIM cards, but only with a pay-per use data rate. While MVNOs still offer prepaid, some of them have no offline outlets to buy a SIM card or to top-up.
Although you can buy the starter packs in their stores, the following SIM cards require a Danish personal number (CPR) to get the card activated, that can be done online only. These following prepaid offers are therefore not accessible to visitors:
- Nettalk by Netto supermarket chain,
- OK Mobil available in OK gas stations
- Coop Mobil in shops belonging to the Coop chain
If you don't have a Danish CPR stay away from them as you won't be able to activate them. That's why they are not featured in the article. This also means that the choice in Denmark is rather limited for visitors, but the prices are still very low.
TDC (youSee)
TDC is the largest network in Denmark. Like other network operators in Denmark it's mostly geared to postpaid customers. That's why the best offer using the TDC network comes from MVNO Lycamobile (see below). In an independent network test in 2016 TDC scored the highest rates of all Danish networks.
TDC's mobile phone business has been rebranded new under the youSee label which is also the largest cable operator in the country and focuses on triple-play products.
Availability
Their prepaid card is called Mobiltid and is available in all shops called TDC Butik as well as in gas stations and in Netto supermarkets. The starting package (Startpakke) costs 100 DKK and includes 35 DKK of credit and is valid up to 1 year after last recharge.
Top-up vouchers worth of 50, 100 and 200 DKK are available in supermarkets and service stations. To top-up by code, dial 40 45 45 45 and press option 1. You will need to enter first the voucher code (kortcode) followed by # and then the controll code (kontrolcode) send. Alternatively you dial *101*kortcode*kontrolcode#
To check remaining balance dial *101#.
Data rate
Default rate is 0.09 DKK per MB. This is the only data rate, as no data packages are offered at all.
No Roaming
Note that all YouSee Mobiltid SIM cards activated after August 2014 can't be used abroad as all international roaming is blocked. TDC Mobiltid SIM cards activated before August 2014 can only be used abroad for texting, local calls and calls to Denmark, and do not offer data roaming either.
More information
- no international roaming possible
- APN: internet
- Website: YouSee Mobiltid (in Danish)
Lebara
new logo
The British Lebara Group sells its products in Denmark too. They used to be called Lebara mobile, now only Lebara. They remain the only prepaid MVNO on the Telenor network (with network sharing on Telia) giving good coverage in 2G, 3G and now on 4G/LTE too. In contrast to Lycamobile they are using the original Telenor IP backbone which has much better routing, that leads to much better pings that result in a much smoother experience.
old logo
The suspension of Telenor prepaid SIM cards in March 2016 didn't affect Lebara which remains the only prepaid option on the Telenor/Telía network.
Availability
The starter pack (with 10 DKK credit) is sold for free in their outlets or to be sent to any Danish postal adress https://mobile.lebara.com/dk/en/checkout/select-number or you can buy it for 49 DKK (with 10 DKK credit) at different gas stations and supermarkets.
Online top-ups can be made online by credit card or using top-up vouchers available in the shops shown above. To check your balance, text 'Balance' to 5010.
90 days from the last charged event (any event that adds or removes credit from the balance), the SIM will become dormant and only incoming services allowed. A dormant SIM can only be reactivated by adding credit. 90 days after becoming dormant, the SIM will expire completely and can't be reactivated.
Data feature packs
Default data rate is 0.09 DKK per MB. The following monthly bundles can be added:
| Data | EU cap | Voice | Price | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 1 GB | 25 DKK | DATAS | |
| 3 GB | 2 GB | 49 DKK | DATAM | |
| 5 GB | 3 GB | 79 DKK | DATAL | |
| 60 GB | 4 GB | 10 hrs | 99 DKK | GETALL |
| 100 GB | 6 GB | 15 hrs | 149 DKK | GETON |
| 200 GB | 8 GB | 20 hrs | 199 DKK | GETBIG |
| 300 GB | 11 GB | 299 DKK | DATA3XL |
Voice allowance is valid to Denmark and 50 countries and includes 3000 domestic SMS. For activation text code to 5010. Directly paying by Mastercard, VISA, Amex or PayPal is possible online. Bundles are valid for 30 days, will renew automatically, if there is enough credit plus 5 DKK or linked to a card or PayPal and can be stopped by texting <activation code>*stop to 5010 e.g. 'DATAL*stop' or online. Overuse is charged by the default rate.
EU roaming
To use your phone abroad for roaming, you need to do an online transaction, such as ordering a new SIM-card, signing up for MyLebara or top-online. As soon as you have made one of the above transactions, Lebara will activate the roaming service on your number within Minute for free. While they follow "roam like at home rules", data volumes are capped for every package as indicated in the table above.
More info
- tethering allowed
- APN: Internet
- Website available in English
Lycamobile
Lycamobile from Britain is the leading MVNO on the ethno market. In Denmark they are operating a MVNO on the good TDC network in 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE. They are using their own IP backbone which is infamous for its very poor routing and effective blocking of tethering.
Availability
Their SIM card is given out for free online for free to be sent to a Danish postal address or offline at many outlets (store locator) or you can buy it for 29 DKK (with 10 DKK credit) at different gas stations and supermarkets. Top-ups of 50-500 DKK can be made online with Mastercard and VISA.
If you do not make any calls or SMS within a 3 month period your credit will be frozen. If your credit has been frozen you have one month in which to top up again, in which case your old credit will be reinstated. If you do not top up within this period your number will be frozen permanently and you will not be able to use your SIM.
Data feature packs
0.39 DKK per MB are charged, if no data bundle has been activated or data is used up. These monthly data bundles are available all valid for 30 days without roaming in the EU:
| Data | Price | Activation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data XS | 1 GB | 25 DKK | 4510 |
| Data S | 2 GB | 35 DKK | 4520 |
| Data M | 5 GB | 49 DKK | 4530 |
| Data L | 7 GB | 69 DKK | 4535 |
| Data XL | 80 GB | 99 DKK | 4540 |
For activation dial *139*CODE# or text code to 3535. Directly paying by Mastercard or VISA is possible online. They will auto-renew, if not stopped by calling customer service 3332 from Lycamobile or online. All excess data will be charged in the default rate or you can add one of these data bold-ons for the remainder of the running time of the base package:
- 500 MB: 25 DKK, activation: 601
- 1 GB: 45 DKK, activation: 602
For activation of the add-ons, text code to 3535. They will not auto-renew.
EU roaming
The bundles mentioned above can't be used for roaming. Data stays on the default rate of 0.39 DKK per MB. Instead some combo bundles with calls, data and unlimited SMS valid for 30 days are given with an EU roaming share:
| Package | Data | EU cap | Price | Activation | Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All in One 99 | 60 GB | 4 GB | 99* DKK | 4599 | 10 hrs to DK + 50 countries |
| All in One Plus | 60 GB | 7.25 GB | 199* DKK | 199 | 10 hrs to DK + 69 countries |
| All in One 149 | 100 GB | 5.5 GB | 149 DKK | 45129 | 15 hrs to DK + 50 countries |
| All in One 199 | 200 GB | 7.25 GB | 199 DKK | 45199 | Unlimited to DK + 50 countries |
| EU Plan | 5 GB | 5 GB | 349 DKK | 45349 | Unlimited to DK, EU, CH, TR |
(*) - These bundles are discounted by 10% when you purchase them for the first time with a new SIM card. Please check the included countries for voice on their website. When EU roaming calls are only included to the EU countries according to the regulation. For activation see above.
More information
- Tethering / mobile hotspot use is banned and blocked
- APN: data.lycamobile.dk
- Username: lmdk (that's lowcase L, not capital I)
- Password: plus
- Website in English
Oister
Oister is a MVNO on the Tre network. After 3 has ceased all prepaid activities in 2011, it's your only option for a prepaid SIM card on this network. It has the best 3G coverage in the country, 2G is by national roaming on Telia network. 4G/LTE of Tre is supported too: coverage map
Their new prepaid line is called Oister Go! To keep the SIM alive, you need to make a recharge once every year. The SIM card only works in Denmark; there is neither roaming possible nor can you make calls abroad with it.
Oister Go!
SIM Cards are sold at various outlets that can be found here: Oister resellers . That's in many post offices, Elgiganten, ComputerCity etc. But you may have to look around a bit more than in Germany or other parts of Europe. They have 2 different types of packages:
- OiSTER Go! Startpakke: 29 DKK with 50 DKK credit with voice, text and data
- OiSTER Go! Mobilt Bredbånd startpakke: 39 DKK with 300 MB preloaded and data only.
Default data rate outside packages is 0.5 DKK per MB. These packs can be loaded on the data SIM:
- 5 GB: 100 DKK
- 10 GB: 200 DKK
- 25 GB: 300 DKK
Reload packages are valid for 12 months and must be bought online on https://www.oister.dk/go/ giving your mobile number.
Data-only SIM
The starter pack "OiSTER Mobilt Bredbånd Tank Selv" as SIM card only is 99 DKK and with a 3G modem is 499 DKK is solod at the same places. Some users reported difficulties in finding it. Both come with a 7 days activation (and max. 50 GB data). At the end of this time, you can buy extra time/data. All their packs are time-based for 50 GB:
- for 1 day: 29 DKK
- for 7 days: 79 DKK
- for 30 days: 199 DKK
- for 90 days: 499 DKK
These packages must be bought online http://www.oister.dk/tankselv following this procedure:
Select your time period: 1, 7, 30 or 90 days, press "Gå til betaling", put in your credit card information, copy your activation code, go back to www.oister.dk/tankselv, put in your "Kundenummer" (= Customer ID) and paste your activation code into "Aktiveringskode", press "Aktivér Mobilt Bredbånd".
The activation process should take around 10 mins. Your SIM card is active for the purchased time. The volume limit is 50 GB per period. So each activation code represents a period, thus 1 day has the same 50 GB limit as 90 days have.
More info
- no international roaming
- APN: bredband.oister.dk
- basic info in English
Discontinued Prepaid Offers
Vectone Mobile
Vectone Denmark has ended its activities on May 15th 2018, after filing bancruptcy.
Telia
From 28 February 2017 Telia has stopped selling prepaid products and from 30 April 2017 prepaid service has been closed and Telia prepaid SIMs stopped working. More details about Telia's prepaid shutdown here .
Telenor
Telenor Denmark has discontinued the sales of prepaid cards and top-ups as of 31 March 2016, although any outstanding credit will remain valid until the normal expiry date. This discontinuation of selling of prepaid cards as well as of top-up vouchers is also affecting the MVNO's using the Telenor network: CBB Mobil, One Mobile and Colour Mobile.
One Mobile
Telenor Denmark announced from April 2016, kiosks and grocery shops will no longer sell One Mobile cards and recharges (see Telenor above) although any outstanding credit will remain valid until the normal expiry date.
CBB Mobile
Telenor Denmark announced from April 2016, kiosks and grocery shops will no longer sell CBB Mobile cards and recharges (see Telenor above) although any outstanding credit will remain valid until the normal expiry date.
Tre
Tre only operates an own network on 3G and 4G, but it offers national roaming on 2G. This roaming was changed in early 2016 from TDC to Telia .
As Tre stopped providing all its prepaid activities back in 2011, your only option for prepaid is to get one from the MVNO's using Tre network. Oister (see above) is a MVNO operating on Tre network that is still offering prepaid cards available through shops. |}