Getting a Norway SIM card is important for tourists who want affordable cellular connectivity during their travels. Ice offers some of the most budget-friendly prepaid cellular plans in Norway, making them a top choice for visitors. They have a variety of options that are easily obtainable and provide reliable coverage across the country. This detailed guide will explore the best Ice SIM card options for tourists.
Table of Contents
I. Quick Facts about Ice Norway
Ice is a Norwegian mobile network operator and telecommunications company. It operates the third largest mobile network in Norway. Here are some quick facts about this brand:
- Founded year: Ice was founded in 2003 as Nordisk Mobiltelefon Norge AS.
- Full company name: As of 2024, the full company name is Lyse Tele AS.
- Types of services provided: Ice/Lyse Tele provides mobile telecommunications services including mobile phone plans.
- Number of subscribers: Over 1 million subscribers.
- Coverage: As of 2020, Ice reported a population coverage of 94% within its own network, which consists of over 2,887 base stations across Norway.
- Estimated number of network of stores, agents: Over 100 owned stores and partner retail stores across Norway
- Customer support (on-call, language, time): No details are provided about Ice’s customer support services.
II. Ice Coverage and Speed in Norway
Ice coverage in Norway
Ice Norway has worked hard over the past decade to build a reliable mobile network with good nationwide coverage throughout Norway. Their 4G/LTE network currently reaches over 90% of Norway’s population, with no municipalities left unserved by 4G. This includes large urban areas like Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, as well as more remote coastal and mountainous regions.
However, coverage may vary more in rural areas due to lower population densities. Therefore, for tourists who require the most extensive network coverage possible, including remote coastal and mountainous regions, Telenor or Telia may be a more suitable choice compared to Ice Norway.
Ice speed
Ice Norway provides competitive internet speeds to its subscribers throughout Norway. According to report from Opensignal, Ice’s average download speed is around 52.9 Mbps. This places Ice in third place amongst Norwegian internet service providers in terms of average speed, behind Telenor and Telia who have slightly faster average speeds in the country.
For most everyday Internet activities like social media, online banking, streaming video, gaming and more, 52.9 Mbps is more than fast enough. However, for tourists traveling around Norway and expecting fast and consistent speeds, it may not always meet their needs.
III. Ice Connectivity Options for Travelers to Norway
Ice Norway provides a few different connectivity options that are suitable for tourists visiting Norway: Ice SIM Card, Pocket Wifi and Roaming. Below is a table comparing these options:
| Option | Pros | Cons | Price (approx. in USD) | Best For? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice SIM Card | – Cheapest long term option. – Direct connection to 4G network. | – Requires unlocked smartphone compatible with Ice. – Need to purchase data packages. | Starting at $21 for SIM card. Data packages extra. | Most tourists |
| Pocket Wifi | – No SIM locking issues. – Allows multiple connections for a group. | – More expensive than SIM card long term. – Limited to range of hotspot. | Starting at $64 for 3 days. Extra days add $25 each. | Shorter trips or groups traveling together. |
| Roaming onto Ice | – No need to purchase additional SIM or hotspot. – Use existing number. | – Very expensive compared to other options. – Data limits may apply. | Pricing set by home provider’s roaming agreements. Can exceed $110+ easily. | Only for urgent or very short trip |
In conclusion, an Ice SIM card offers tourists the best value when traveling in Norway. At around $21, it provides affordable long-term access to Ice’s extensive 4G network on a flexible data plan. This makes it a more cost-effective choice than roaming or pocket WiFi options.
IV. Best Ice SIM cards for tourists & cost
Below are the latest Ice SIM cards and tourist eSIM packs for tourists and their rates.
| Plan | Data Limit | Price (NOK/month) | Price (USD/month) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ice 2GB | 2GB | 179,- | ~$17.00 | Data Rollover, EU usage included |
| ice 6GB | 6GB | 229,- | ~$21.80 | For moderate users, includes EU usage |
| ice 35GB | 35GB | 379,- | ~$36.00 | Rollover, EU usage, suitable for heavy users |
| iceMax | Unlimited | 399,- | ~$37.90 | Unlimited data, Netflix included, 45GB in the EU |
Overall, tourists have options tailored to different travel lengths and data needs. The rollover features across most plans give flexibility. For most tourists, ice 6GB plan would be a top choice, which offering the best balance of price and sufficient data. The lower 2GB and 35GB plans are reasonable for lighter or heavier users respectively, but the 6GB provides “just right” capacity and features for average leisure travelers in Norway.
V. Does Ice support eSIM?
Yes, Ice Norway supports eSIM for tourists. For getting an eSIM from Ice Norway, it’s necessary to download their app and create a user. The key reasons why tourists may prefer to use an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card with Ice Norway include:
- Convenience – eSIMs eliminate the need to physically obtain and insert a SIM card. Tourists can simply download and activate the eSIM profile on their compatible device before or during their trip.
- Device Flexibility – eSIMs allow users to easily switch between mobile network providers without having to swap physical SIM cards. This can be useful if tourists need to use multiple SIM cards during their travels.
- Reduced hassle – Purchasing and setting up an eSIM can often be done remotely or through a mobile app, rather than having to visit a physical store to obtain a SIM card.
For an even simpler process, tourists could consider purchasing an eSIM plan from NorwayeSIM.com, which offers a wide range of prepaid tourists eSIM plans. You would not need to download any additional apps – they can complete the entire purchase and activation online from their device browser.
VI. Where Can I Buy Ice SIM Card and eSIM?
Where to buy Ice SIM card for Norway
Here are some options for where you can buy an Ice SIM card:
- Ice stores – Ice has their own branded stores located in major cities like Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim etc. You can walk into a store and purchase a SIM card.
- Elkjøp stores – Elkjøp is a major electronics retailer in Norway. Many of their stores stock ice SIM cards that you can buy off the shelf.
- 7-Eleven convenience stores – 7-Eleven is ubiquitous in Norway, especially in airports and city centers. Look for the ice SIM cards available at the front counter.
- Online via ice website – You can order an ice SIM card online at ice.no and have it delivered to an ice store or Narvesen pickup point for collection. Pay extra for express shipping to your hotel.
Overall, getting an ice SIM card is quite convenient for tourists visiting Norway. Ice has established a wide network of sale points across the country to make their prepaid SIM cards easily accessible for visitors.
Where to buy Ice eSIM
The only way for tourists to purchase an Ice eSIM in Norway is by downloading the Ice app and creating an user account. The app is available for iOS and Android. You can sign up for a new eSIM plan or manage an existing one directly in the app. After creating a profile with basic details, an eSIM can be purchased directly from within the app.
VII. How to activate Ice SIM card/eSIM
How to use Ice SIM card
- Insert Ice Norway SIM in your phone
- It will auto-configure and activate
- A welcome SMS confirms activation
- Check data balance by dialing *111#
- Start using mobile data!
How to activate Ice eSIM
- Download Ice’s “My Ice” app
- Register account & language
- Choose Tourist eSIM plan
- Scan QR code shown for eSIM activation
- Takes few minutes to activate
That’s it! Both the Ice SIM and eSIM will connect quickly so you stay online through your trip.
VIII. Alternatives to Ice Norway
While Ice is a popular choice for visitors, there are two main alternative cellular network providers in Norway that tourists can consider – Telenor and Telia.
Both Telenor and Telia operate nationwide 4G networks on par with Ice, so connectivity should not be an issue. An advantage is that they have larger physical retail footprints including branded stores in all major cities and airports. This makes it easier for tourists to walk in and purchase a prepaid SIM card from Telenor or Telia if they are unable to obtain an eSIM from Ice.
Recently, Norway eSIM is a new trend that is highly beneficial for tourists visiting the country. Using an eSIM allows travelers to stay digitally connected throughout their trip without worries. With norwayesim.com, you can simply purchase a data package online before trip and get internet access instantly upon landing.
Go Beyond Borders with Norwayesim.com
XII. FAQs about Ice in Norway
Does Ice offer 5G in Norway?
Yes, Ice has launched 5G services in Norway starting with larger cities of Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. Its peak 5G speed is up to 1000 Mbps.
Can I roam on Ice SIM to other Nordic countries?
Ice has partnerships that allow roaming on Telia (Sweden), Telenor (Denmark) etc. Some Zone 1 roaming may be enabled based on the plan. Call 121 before travel.
Are there multi-country SIM cards with Ice?
No, Ice doesn’t offer SIM cards valid in multiple countries. You can only use their tourist SIM cards in Norway due to local regulation restrictions.
XIII. Final words
In conclusion, getting an Ice SIM card is highly recommended for tourists visiting Norway. The flexibility and affordability of an eSIM from Ice makes connectivity easy during a vacation or work trip. With Ice’s reliable nationwide coverage across Norway, you can stay connected when exploring the cities. For more affordable, simple cellular access during your travels, consider purchase a Norway eSIM before your trip.
