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.

Telekom SIM Card

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
Telekom SIM Card - Among top Mobile Operators in Slovenia
Telekom

II. Telekom Coverage and Speed in Slovenia

Telekom coverage in Slovenia

Telekom SIM Card - Coverage map
Telekom Coverage map. Source: nperf.com

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.
Buying Telekom SIM Card at Store
Telekom SIM Card Store
  • 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:

  1. Unpack SIM and Insert into phone
  2. Power phone on and let it pick Telekom network
  3. A configuration text message will automatically set APN settings
  4. Go to mobile data and surf internet
  5. 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:

  1. Open email with eSIM QR code on your phone
  2. Click on QR code which opens eSIM activation screen
  3. Scan QR code using phone’s camera to load eSIM
  4. Follow prompts to install eSIM on data plan
  5. 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:

Slovenia eSIM data plans
Slovenia eSIM data plans

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!