When visiting Slovenia, having a Telekom SIM card for your phone is highly recommended to stay connected
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting a Telekom SIM card.
Table of Contents
I. Quick facts about Telekom
Before we dig into the details, here are some quick facts about Telekom Slovenije:
- Telekom Slovenije is the largest telecom provider in Slovenia (over 2 million mobile subs)
- It has the best mobile coverage in Slovenia at 99% population coverage
- Fast 4G/LTE speeds averaging 45 Mbps downlink across Slovenia
- Very competitively priced prepaid SIM card options for tourists
- Supports eSIM activation for latest phones like iPhone 14
- SIM cards can be purchased online or at 1000+ retail outlets across Slovenia
II. Telekom Coverage and Speed in Slovenia
Telekom coverage in Slovenia
Telekom Slovenije has the widest 4G and 3G mobile network reaching 99% of the population in Slovenia and around 95% of the geography.
This means wherever you travel in the country whether it’s popular tourist places like Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Postojna caves or even smaller towns and villages – you will get a strong Telekom mobile signal almost everywhere.
Telekom speed
Telekom Slovenia provides some of the fastest internet speeds in the country through its advanced 4G LTE network. Users can experience average download speeds of up to 120 Mbps. The network is continuously expanded to include the latest technologies.
5G rollout is also underway in major cities since 2021, with speeds exceeding 1 Gbps. Telekom aims to make 5G available nationwide by 2025
III. Telekom connectivity options for travelers to Slovenia
Telekom Slovenije offers 3 main connectivity for tourists visiting Slovenia.
Connectivity Options
Connectivity Option | Pros | Cons |
Telekom SIM Card | Local number | Device needs SIM slot |
Cheap calling/data in Slovenia | Coverage depends on Telekom network | |
Share data between devices | ||
Pocket WiFi | WiFi hotspot for multiple devices | Higher costs than SIM |
No SIM needed in each device | Limited data allowance | |
Roaming | Continuity using home number/plan | Much higher rates than local SIM |
No need to buy local SIM | Depends on roaming agreements not local network |
So in summary,an A1 SIM card is really the most cost effective and convenient choice for connectivity while traveling around Slovenia.
IV. Best Telekom SIM card for tourists & cost
Let’s look at the prepaid tourist SIM cards offered by Telekom Slovenije:
Plan | Monthly Fee (Promo) USD | Internet Speed | Data Transfer | Calls & Messages |
LET A | $19.14 ( $7.90/month for 12 months) | Up to 150/50 Mbit/s | 20 GB. Up to 17.8 GB in EU | Unlimited at home and in EU |
LET B | $25.91 ( $7.90/month for 12 months) | Up to 150/50 Mbit/s. After 200 GB up to 2/1 Mbit/s | Unlimited. Up to 24.2 GB in EU | Unlimited at home and in EU |
LET C | $26.91 ( $7.90/month for 12 months) | Up to 450/100 Mbit/s. After 500 GB up to 2/1 Mbit/s | Unlimited. Up to 25.1 GB in EU | Unlimited at home and in EU |
SUPR | $15.52/month | Up to 450/100 Mbit/s. After 100 GB up to 2/1 Mbit/s | Unlimited. Up to 20 GB in EU | Unlimited at home and in EU |
Therefore, considering overall value and benefits, LET C at $26.91/month (promotional price) would be the top recommendation as the best option among these plans for most mobile data and speed needs. LET A could be sufficient for lighter users.
V. Does Telekom support eSIM?
Yes, Telekom Slovenije does offer eSIM support for the latest phones.The eSIMs are handled under a sub-brand called Mobi Digital and work same as their physical SIM cards. Some benefits:
- No need to buy local SIM card
- Activate before leaving your home country
- Reusable forever whenever visiting Slovenia
- Easy to signup online and use
eSIM offers unparalleled flexibility, convenience and security for users while empowering carriers with remote management capabilities – making it a compelling alternative to physical SIMs.
VI. Where can you buy a Telekom SIM card and eSIM?
Where to buy Telekom SIM card for Slovenia
Telekom Slovenia prepaid SIM cards are easily available at hundreds of stores across the country. Here are some options to buy them:
- Telekom Stores: There are 40+ Telekom own-stores located in big Slovenian cities along with stores run by their partners.
- Online Store – You can order a SIM card online through Telekom’s e-store and have it delivered. They offer SIM cards with or without plans/top-ups.
Where to buy Telekom eSIM
Unlike physical SIMs, Telekom eSIMs can only be purchased online through their website:
- Visit Mobi.si website
- Click on ‘Mobi Digital‘ section
- Select the eSIM plan you want
- Complete verification & make payment by card
- You will get the eSIM activation details on email
So the eSIM activation happens digitally on your phone using the QR code they email you after payment.
Buying online before leaving your home country allows your eSIM to be ready for use soon as you land in Slovenia.
VII. How to activate Telekom SIM card/eSIM
The activation process differs slightly between regular Telekom SIM cards and eSIM, so let’s look at both:
How to use Telekom SIM card
Activating a Mobi Hello prepaid SIM card is very easy:
- Unpack SIM and Insert into phone
- Power phone on and let it pick Telekom network
- A configuration text message will automatically set APN settings
- Go to mobile data and surf internet
- Any data packs gets auto-enabled after first usage
As you can see, Telekom tourist SIM card is pretty much plug & play without any registration needed.
Once inserted and unlocked, it will connect to Telekom Slovenia network showing 4G coverage. You can restart phone once to allow SIM configuration SMS to automatically config data settings.
How to activate Telekom eSIM
To activate a Telekom Slovenia eSIM on your phone:
- Open email with eSIM QR code on your phone
- Click on QR code which opens eSIM activation screen
- Scan QR code using phone’s camera to load eSIM
- Follow prompts to install eSIM on data plan
- Telekom service will activate on phone over the air
Similar to physical SIM, no registration is needed for prepaid eSIMs as well. The digital eSIM activation works reliably on newer phone models. If you face any trouble, contact their support desk for assistance.
VIII. Telekom Call & SMS rates
Here are the standard call and SMS rates on Telekom Slovenia’s mobile plans:
Call & SMS Rates
Call/SMS Type | Rate (€) | Rate (USD) |
Calls to other Telekom numbers | €0.19/min | $0.20/min |
Calls to Slovenian landlines | €0.19/min | $0.20/min |
Calls to other Slovenian mobiles | €0.19/min | $0.20/min |
SMS to other Telekom numbers | €0.09/SMS | $0.09/SMS |
SMS to other Slovenian mobiles | €0.09/SMS | $0.09/SMS |
Calls to EU countries | €0.19/min | $0.20/min |
Calls to non-EU countries | €0.39/min or higher | $0.41/min or higher |
SMS to EU countries | €0.09/SMS | $0.09/SMS |
SMS to non-EU countries | €0.19/SMS | $0.20/SMS |
Overall, it’s still cheaper to use apps like WhatsApp or Skype for making calls over data instead of Telekom’s basic calling rates.
IX. Useful USSD codes for Telekom SIM card/eSIM
Here are some useful USSD access codes you can dial on Telekom network to check data and other info:
- *100# : Check remaining data balance
- *101# : Check account balance
- *192# : Check minutes used and validity
- *501# : Voicemail access number
Simply dial these short codes directly on your mobile’s dial pad and press call. It will display relevant Telekom SIM information without needing to login anywhere.
X. How to top-up Telekom SIM card/eSIM
You can recharge or top-up your Telekom prepaid SIM in three ways:
Online top-up
- Fastest way is to do an online recharge using international card
- Login to your SIM account on Telekom website
- Make payment to add more validity or data
Vouchers
- Buy topup vouchers from nearest store
- Denominations of 5, 10 25 Euros
- Enter voucher PIN under your account for instant recharge
XI. Alternatives to Telekom
- A1 Slovenija: A1 has good coverage and speeds in Slovenia after Telekom. Their tourist SIM card pricing is also competitive starting 5 EUR.
- T-2: T-2 is the newest player having launched in 2009. They have rolled out a fast 4G network matching A1’s coverage. Also offer value for money tourist SIM card.
eSIM is also an alternative to physical SIM cards. One of the most popular eSIM provider for tourists in Slovenia is eSIM Slovenia from GIGAGO. They offer options ranging from 3GB to 50GB, valid for 7-30 days. Let’s check it:
XII. FAQs about Telekom in Slovenia
Does Telekom offer unlimited data packs?
No, unfortunately there are no unlimited data prepaid packs on Telekom as of now. Most plans have FUP caps between 5 GB to 25 GB only.
Does Telekom offer wifi hotspot access?
Yes, most 4G data plans include tethering/hotspot access to share your data with other devices using your phone as a portable wifi router.
Does Telekom SIM work in rest of Europe?
Telekom Slovenia SIM cards only allow domestic usage within the country. For roaming the EU you’ll need a separate roaming SIM card.
What is Telekom’s customer support contact information?
You can find numerous Telekom stores and service centers across Slovenia for assistance. You can also call their toll-free number 1788 or email [email protected].
Does Telekom offer device purchase or upgrade plans?
Yes, Telekom allows purchasing latest smartphones on affordable monthly installments along with your mobile plan. Trade-in offers are also available for upgrading.
XIII. Final words
Getting a Telekom Slovenia tourist SIM card or eSIM should be one of your top priorities after arriving in the country. It allows you fast mobile data across Slovenia along with ability to use maps, transportation etc seamlessly.
Using eSIM Slovenia for the best trip!