Vodafone GigaMobil tariffs: This is what you need to know

Vodafone GigaMobil in detail

The new GigaMobil tariffs with a two-year contract mainly provide more data volume. Therefore, the XS tariff now has 7 instead of 5 gigabytes (GB). Vodafone has given the S tariff a decent 25 GB – previously 12 GB was included (in the S version, which is still available and only has a twelve-month term, it remains at 12 GB). The M tariff has been doubled, with 25 now becoming 50 gigabytes of volume. The L tariff claims the largest data boost: from now on you have 280 gigabytes available (previously 50 GB). You will now look in vain for the old XS+ tariff; it has apparently fallen victim to the red pencil. You get unlimited data volume with the XL tariff, which is still available Unlimited tariff is. Vodafone has also modernized the Young tariffs; compared to the new GigaMobil tariffs, in most cases the data volume is simply doubled. The Young XS tariff offers 14 gigabytes of data volume, the Young S tariff comes with 50 GB. The M tariff includes a whopping 100 GB. The Young People tariffs L and XL have the same data volume as the normal GigaMobil tariffs, but – like all Young versions – generally cost 10 euros less per month. The tariff features always include an all-network flat rate for telephony to all German networks, including video telephony and calls to the Vodafone mailbox. Texting is also possible without limits. WiFi calling, voice over LTE, EU roaming including Great Britain and 5G support without speed limits round off the Vodafone cell phone contracts with a 24-month term. Vodafone has recently reduced the surfing speed to 64 Kbps (previously 32 Kbps) after the included volume has been used up, which should be sufficient for checking emails and commenting on social media posts, according to the provider. The GigaDepot and GigaKombi benefits (see next section) are still on board. What’s new for young people eligible for GigaKombi is that unlimited data volumes are available starting with the Young-L tariff. The notice period is one month to the end of the minimum term, after which you can cancel monthly. The connection price is 39.99 euros. Noticeable: Almost without interruption, promotions ensure that Vodafone tariffs are even better – for example with more volume and/or no connection fee.

Advantages: GigaDepot and GigaKombi explained

The bonuses known from the former Red tariffs such as GigaDepot and GigaKombi were retained with the switch to the GigaMobil tariffs. Briefly explained: With GigaDepot you can take any unused data volume with you into the following month. GigaKombi is an advantage for customers who get both their cell phone contract and their landline connection including Internet from Vodafone. The provider grants a discount of up to 15 euros on the mobile phone bill and increases the data volume by 50 percent. From the GigaMobil M onwards, you even have an unlimited data quota with the GigaKombi. For those switching who are still stuck in an old contract with another provider, Vodafone will reimburse the costs for up to six months, so that there are no double base prices (does not apply to the XL tariffs). Self-employed people receive a standard 10 percent discount on Vodafone GigaMobil tariffs.

Vodafone GigaMobil: The tariff options

With SpeedGo, Vodafone ensures that you don’t suddenly find yourself without data volume. The provider makes 250 megabytes available up to three times for 3 euros each when the data volume has been used up. Previously – specifically at 80 percent consumption – Vodafone already offered SpeedGo via SMS. You can also decline the offer via SMS. With the paid Vodafone OneNumber you get a MultiSIM – either physical or virtual – to operate up to ten devices, around one Smart watch. The XL tariff includes OneNumber free of charge. Furthermore, the FamilyCards can be used to provide the entire rest of the family with Vodafone SIMs cost-effectively; a main card is required. Do you have a trip coming up? With EasyTravel, ReisePackage World and Vodafone World You can book various packages as well.

5G at Vodafone: numbers and plans

As a reminder: On July 16, 2019, Vodafone launched Germany’s first 5G network. At the beginning there were just 25 5G stations in operation, including in small communities in Bavaria, Lohmar and Hattstedt. But major cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Dortmund and Munich were also there at the start. At that time, only two smartphones supported the 5G standard. In the summer of 2022 – three years later – Vodafone went public with fresh facts. Accordingly, 94 percent of the smartphones sold by Vodafone were already compatible with 5G. 34,000 antennas ensured wide 5G coverage, with 55 million people reaching out loudly Vodafone towards 5G. The user base grew rapidly, and with it the volume of data. In the last week of June 2022, a whopping 1,500 terabytes (TB) rushed through Vodafone’s 5G network. The year before it was “only” 200 TB.

With 5G+ In 2023, the provider decoupled the 5G network from the existing LTE infrastructure for real-time data exchange, which is exciting for connected cars and robots in factories, for example. The pool of 5G+-capable smartphones is constantly growing. Last year, Vodafone bundled available frequencies to enable an increase in speed. The procedure is called 5G carrier aggregation. Specifically, the network operator has interwoven the 3.5 and 1.8 gigahertz frequencies with the 700 megahertz band to form a large virtual frequency block. With Voice over New Radio (VoNR) added the function of making calls via the 5G network in the summer of 2023. Previously, the GSM (2G) or LTE network (4G; Voice over LTE) took over the task. The benefit: lower battery consumption and faster connection with clear voice transmission. By the way: You can find out what the network expansion is like where you live via one interactive infographic.

At Vodafone, 2024 will be all about further optimization, for example in terms of sustainability. In the future, the electricity required for 5G operation should also be sustainable and generated from wind energy. The provider announced a collaboration with RWE at the beginning of the year. Electricity from an offshore wind farm off the coast of Heligoland will supply Vodafone’s mobile network from 2026.

Creation of Vodafone GigaMobil (formerly Red)

Have you ever heard of so-called zero-rating offers? These are services whose data consumption the provider does not deduct from the included data volume. The name “Vodafone Pass” is probably more common and was used, among other things, for music and video services. Corresponding services could be used unlimitedly under the former Red tariffs – a violation of network neutrality, according to the Federal Network Agency. In 2022, she took over the marketing of both Telekom and Vodafone Zero-rating offers prohibited. This was certainly also a reason for Vodafone to separate from the Red portfolio and launch the GigaMobil range, which has been available under this still current name since July 2022. Since March 31, 2023, the provider has no longer been allowed to offer Vodafone passes by order of the Federal Network Agency.

Assessment: Vodafone GigaMobil 2024

When it comes to cell phone tariffs with a contract, Telekom and Vodafone are like a game of cat and mouse: one improves its tariffs, the other follows suit shortly afterwards. This time Vodafone is following suit, launching new tariffs on September 26th, 2024 (Telekom presented on August 1st, among other things Mobile happy hour). The following still applies: With a Vodafone cell phone contract, you usually get more data volume for your money compared to Telekom tariffs and also benefit from features such as GigaDepot and GigaKombi. Especially with the L tariff, Vodafone now offers a lot more data volume: a whopping 280 GB (the Telekom counterpart has 80 GB) almost feels like an unlimited tariff in everyday life. With ongoing promotions, specifically the elimination of the connection price and a discount of 20 percent on the basic fee, Vodafone attracts potential new customers – and the offer is quite attractive! Additional options such as the FamilyCard enable comparatively inexpensive “full equipment” for every family member. If you want it even cheaper on the Vodafone network, we recommend either Vodafone CallYa tariffs, SIMon mobile or Dr. SIM.

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