Ice SIM Cards and eSIM 2024: a Comprehensive Guide for Tourists

Published: July 2024

Ice SIM cards are essential for tourists visiting Norway, offering reliable connectivity throughout their trip.

For travelers visiting Norway, Ice SIM cards ensure reliable mobile service. This guide helps tourists select the correct SIM card, manage costs, and activate the service. You’ll learn about Ice’s coverage, the best SIM options, eSIM support, and how to purchase and activate your Ice SIM or eSIM.

In this article

I. Quick Facts about Ice

Ice is a notable mobile operator in Norway. It offers a range of services to ensure smooth connectivity for both locals and tourists.

Founded year: 1999
Full company name: Ice Communication Norge AS
Service: Mobile telephony and data services
Subscribers: Over 757,000
Coverage: Extensive nationwide 4G and expanding 5G network
Stores and partners: Numerous retail stores and partnerships with major electronics retailers
Customer support: 24/7 customer service available via phone, email, and online chat
Awards: Recognized for excellence in customer service and network quality

II. Norway Ice Coverage and Speed

Ice is a mobile operator in Norway that has consistently ranked high for network availability, but its coverage experience and speed performance have been less impressive.

1. Ice Coverage

According to the Opensignal Report for December 2023, Ice’s coverage in Norway is as follows:

Coverage Experience: Ice scored 4.9 points on a 10-point scale, placing it last among the three major operators.
5G Coverage Experience: Ice scored 1.0 points on a 10-point scale, significantly lower than the other operators.
Availability: Ice achieved an availability score of 98.8%, making it the top performer in this category.

While Ice maintains a strong lead in availability, its overall coverage experience and 5G coverage experience leave room for improvement.

2. Ice Speed

Here’s a look at Ice’s speed performance:

Overall Download Speed: 52.9 Mbps.
Overall Upload Speed: 15.3 Mbps.

While Ice’s download speed is respectable, it lags behind the other operators, particularly Telenor, which shows significantly faster speeds.

Overall, while Ice does well with network availability, its coverage and speed don’t quite measure up to its competitors. Regarding coverage and speed alone, it’s tough to say if Ice is the best mobile operator in Norway.

III. Ice Connectivity Options for Travelers to Norway

When traveling to Norway, visitors have several options to stay connected. The main connectivity options are:

International SIM card
Pocket WiFi device
Roaming with your home provider

Let’s explore the pros and cons of each option in the table below:

Connectivity Option	Pros	Cons
International SIM card	– Affordable data plans – Reliable coverage in Norway – Easy to set up and use	– Need to purchase a new SIM card – Require an unlocked phone
Pocket WiFi device	– Convenient and easy to use – Allows multiple devices to connect – Often includes unlimited data	– Requires renting or purchasing the device – Additional cost on top of the data plan
Roaming with home provider	– No need to obtain a new SIM card – Smooth connectivity with familiar service	– Expensive, especially for data usage – Coverage and speeds may be limited

► Recommendation: When choosing connectivity for your trip to Norway, consider data needs, budget, and stay duration. A local SIM is cost-effective for longer trips; pocket WiFi is convenient for short visits or multiple devices. Roaming with your provider may work if you have a good plan.

IV. Best Ice SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

Here is a table with the best Ice SIM card plans for tourists and their costs, converted from NOK to USD based on the current exchange rate (1 NOK = 0.09 USD):

Plan	Price (NOK)	Price (USD)	Key features
iceMobil 1GB	149 NOK	13.41 USD	Free calls and SMS within Norway, EU roaming included, data rollover
iceMobil 3GB	199 NOK	17.91 USD	Free calls and SMS within Norway, EU roaming included, data rollover
iceMobil 6GB	249 NOK	22.41 USD	Free calls and SMS within Norway, EU roaming included, data rollover
iceMobil 10GB	299 NOK	26.91 USD	Free calls and SMS within Norway, EU roaming included, data rollover
iceMobil 20GB	299 NOK	26.91 USD	Free calls and SMS within Norway, EU roaming included, data rollover
iceMobil 30GB	349 NOK	31.41 USD	Free calls and SMS within Norway, EU roaming included, data rollover
iceMax (Unlimited)	399 NOK	35.91 USD	Free calls and SMS within Norway, 45 GB included in EU, Netflix included, data sharing available

Additional Information

Free Calls and SMS: All plans include unlimited calls and SMS within Norway.
EU Roaming: You can use your data allowance in EU countries like Norway.
Data Rollover: Unused data from your monthly allowance rolls over to the next month.
Data Sharing: Some plans allow you to share data with other Ice customers.
Netflix Included: The iceMax plan includes Netflix, providing unlimited streaming without extra data charges.

For more details and to purchase a SIM card, visit Ice Norway

V. Does Ice Norway Support eSIM?

Yes, we proudly confirm that Ice Norway supports eSIM, providing a convenient and flexible alternative to traditional physical SIM cards.

In today’s age, what more do you need from a physical SIM card? Switch to eSIM because:

eSIMs activate instantly, no physical delivery needed.
Switch carriers and plans easily without changing SIM cards.
Embedded in devices, reducing loss/theft risk.
Eco-friendly, eliminating plastic SIM cards.

You can buy an eSIM directly from Ice Norway or choose a reputable online supplier. Unfortunately, Gigago, one of the most reliable eSIM retailers, currently does not provide Ice eSIMs due to its low speed and poor coverage.

However, we provide eSIM packages from Telenor and Telia, which are known for their fast and robust networks across Norway.

For Norway, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 500MB/day for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Norway eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 . Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you have and how long your trip is in Norway; there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VI. Where can you buy Ice SIM cards and eSIMs?

Here’s a detailed guide on where you can purchase these in Norway to stay connected during your travels.

1. Where to Buy Ice SIM Cards for Norway?

Ice Store Oslo: Karl Johans gate 5, Oslo
Oslo Airport (OSL): Narvesen or 7-Eleven in arrivals
7-Eleven Bergen: Torgallmenningen 8, Bergen
Narvesen Trondheim: Nordre gate 3, Trondheim
Elkjøp Megastore Oslo: Ullevålsveien 12E, Oslo
Power Stavanger: Torgveien 15, Stavanger

These specific locations ensure that you can easily get connected right upon arrival in Norway.

2. Where to Buy Ice eSIM?

For those who prefer a digital solution, Ice eSIMs are available at several convenient specific locations and online:

Ice Website: Buy and activate eSIM at ice.no.
Ice App: Download to buy and activate eSIM.
Elkjøp Oslo: eSIM activation at Ullevålsveien 12E, Oslo.
Gigago: Best eSIM retailer ever.
Power Bergen: eSIM services at Åsane Senter 21, Bergen.
Oslo Airport (OSL): eSIM services at Narvesen kiosk.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Oslo: eSIM activation at concierge, Holbergs gate 30, Oslo.

VII. How to activate Norway Ice SIM cards & eSIMs?

To use an Ice SIM or eSIM in Norway, you’ll need to activate it after purchase. Here are the steps to get you connected quickly.

1. How to Activate Ice SIM Carda in Norway?

Activating an Ice SIM card is simple. Follow these steps:

Insert the Ice SIM card into your phone.
The SIM card will auto-configure and activate. Wait for the welcome SMS confirming activation.
If auto-configuration does not occur, restart your phone.
Check your data balance by dialing *111#.
Start using your mobile data and other services.

2. How to Activate Ice eSIM?

Activating an Ice eSIM is just as easy and can be done online. Here’s how:

Download the “My Ice” app from your app store.
Open the app and register your account, choosing your preferred language.
Select the “Tourist eSIM” plan suitable for your needs.
Scan the QR code shown on the app for eSIM activation.
The eSIM will activate in a few minutes.

Note: Please check your detailed instructions below:

VIII. FAQs about Ice in Norway

What documents do I need to buy and activate Ice SIM cards?

To purchase and activate Ice SIM cards, you will need a valid form of identification, such as a passport or national ID.

What should I do if my Ice SIM card isn’t working?

If your Ice SIM card isn’t working, restart your phone, check for proper insertion, and ensure your phone is unlocked. If issues persist, contact Ice customer support.

How can I top-up my Ice SIM card balance?

You can top-up your Ice SIM card balance online via the Ice website, through the Ice app, or at various retail locations.

Can I keep my current phone number when switching to Ice SIM cards?

Yes, you can port your existing number to Ice SIM cards. Contact Ice customer service to initiate the number transfer process.

IX. Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining and activating Ice SIM cards and eSIMs in Norway is accessible for tourists. Purchase them with a valid passport at Ice stores, kiosks, or online. Activation is simple – insert the SIM card or scan a QR code for eSIMs.

Ice offers competitive data plans, perfect for staying connected while traveling. For any issues, Ice’s customer support is ready to help. This makes Ice SIM cards a convenient choice for tourists in Norway.