We all live in an information age and mobile phone is one part that has disruptively become part of human life. Some people will slam mobile phones for having broken the close interactions which people had before but the reality is that it has changed our lives for both good and bad. Whichever side you support, we can all agree that people today are more worried that their phone is running out of charge than they are about whether they really took lunch. That is how serious it has gotten. On the dinning table in most families, people eat when scrolling their phones and chuckle at funny WhatsApp messages without talking to anyone around. Sorry, I don’t intend to admonish people for choosing to love mobile phones!
When you live in Slovenia, communication is as essential there as anywhere else. It is a remarkable shift from the 20th century when communication was mostly face-to-face. Even young children have designated screen time where they get to use cellular devices.
Your mobile becomes a great asset in Slovenia because you need its camera to capture the great sights and moments. You will also need to update people on social media about the beautiful castles there. mages of castles like Ljubljana and Predjama are splashed online just by visitors or residents who had smartphones and internet access who took pictures and delightedly shared online. What I am trying to imagine is that living without a reliable mobile phone subscription in Slovenia isn’t just a possibility. Whether it is mobile phone internet, voice and SMSs, you need it like your life depends on it.
Mobile Phone Services in Slovenia
We can all attest to the fact that international roaming can be expensive, no matter your operator. So, as soon as you arrive in Slovenia, you will need to make a local arrangement for a more affordable option. The good news for you is, mobile services are very widespread in Slovenia. Almost every household in the country has access to a mobile device.
Subscribing to a mobile phone service in Slovenia is very straightforward. All you need to do is identify a provider then enter an agreement with them. With so many providers to choose from however, this could be more difficult than you can anticipate. The providers also have different packages and prices so it’s up to you to decide which one you want.
Mobile Service Providers in Slovenia
The mobile service market in Slovenia is as liberalized as in other European nations. It offers users access to both large and small mobile service providers. Luckily for you, there are comparison websites that you can use to select a provider. While some providers operate nationwide, some are only regional.
So, before you choose a provider, you should find out if they are available in your area. Pay close attention to this part of your subscription journey. The provider you choose will determine your connectivity and calling rates. Therefore, shop around to ensure you get value for your money.
Slovenia has four main providers in the market currently. These are; Telekom, A1, Telemach, T-2. However, your options are not limited to these as there are also MVNOs in the market with good quality services. They rely on the networks of the larger operators to offer services. They are cheaper though their coverage might not be as good in rural areas.
Each provider offers a range of packages that you can choose from. They also offer pay-as-you-go services and mobile contracts. So. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Telekom Slovenije (formerly Mobitel)
This is the largest mobile service provider in Slovenia. They also have the highest number of subscribers in the country. Remember that calls and SMS to the same network costs less. So, confirm if this is the network that most of your friends are subscribed to. Telekom Slovenije has the best coverage countrywide of all the operators in the market.
They offer both prepaid services and mobile phone contracts. You can get their prepaid card in any of their stores. It will set you back €8.50 and also includes €5 credit. Good news is that the prepaid SIM also has data and SMS packages.
A1 Slovenija (formerly: Si.mobil)
The Telekom Austria Group owned provider has the second largest number of subscribers in the country. It is also the local Vodafone partner in Slovenia so you can expect quality services from them. It also has a decent coverage in most parts of Slovenia including the rural areas.
They also offer mobile phone contracts and prepaid mobile services so it’s up to you to choose. However, if you are planning to stay in Slovenia for long, I would recommend getting a mobile phone contract.
A1 Slovenija prepaid SIM is locally known as Simpl and can be purchased from any of their stores. You can also get one from the nearest service station, post office or even online. It comes in all three sizes and goes for roughly €10 and includes €5 credit that expires after 30 days. One of their more popular packages is Simpl veliki that comes with unlimited calls to the same network.
Telemach mob. (Formerly: tušmobil)
This provider also offers TV and internet services at amazing prices. So, you can get a package that combines all three services. They will offer you a discount that will go a long way in saving your costs. Besides, it is the third largest operator in the country so they have a fairly good coverage.
Telemach mob has a decent number of subscribers in Slovenia so you might save on costs when making calls to the same number. They have both 4G and 3G network that can be great when it comes to internet speeds. You can get their prepaid SIM card from any of their stores, at service stations (MOL, OMV, Petrol, maybe others too). It is locally known as FREE2GO and goes for €2 with €5 valid for 90 days.
