14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone users who are fond of messaging are certainly familiar with WhatsApp, one of the most popular mobile services out there that allows users to easily text and share files with their friends, all for free.
What they might not know, however, is the fact that pre-paid WhatsApp SIM cards are already available for purchase, destined to offer access to the service for a fixed monthly amount.
Such cards have become available for purchase in Germany through wireless carrier E-Plus and come with a price tag of €10 ($13.75) attached to them.
The best part of the deal, however, is the fact that the SIM cards actually include €10 of credit, which means that the card itself is free.
The pre-paid service can be used to call or text people on other wireless carriers in Germany at a rate of €0.09 ($0.12) per call/text. Moreover, accessing the web will set users back €0.24 ($0.33).
As a recent post on GSMArena explains, users are also provided with the possibility to add a WhatsAll option to the service, for an additional €10, which will allow them to enjoy 600 units for 30 days. These units can be used either as minutes, texts, or data.
Apparently, users who eat all of their data before the end of the 30-day period will still be able to access the web, though speeds will drop to 56 KB per second.
Other options are also available for the service, including the possibility to enjoy 50 MB or 50 minutes for calling in roaming for only €4.99 ($6.86).
Apparently, WhatsApp plans on doubling the amount to 100MB and 100 minutes starting with April 11, though only for a limited period of time.
For the time being, the WhatsApp SIM can be purchased only through E-Plus, though other carriers might also start offering it to their customers in the not too distant future.
A separate application designed to provide users with control over the SIM card is also planned, and it should be released with support for Android and iOS devices, it seems.
Those of you interested in learning more on this offer should head over to E-Plus’ website for that. Moreover, the WhatsApp SIM cards can be found available for purchase through Amazon as well.
As mentioned above, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging services out there, with a user base of around 450 million. The service will soon get voice calling capabilities, WhatsApp unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.