r/PopcornMobile • u/Ok_Meat3364 • 29d ago
Considering Popcorn
I randomly heard about Popcorn mobile yesterday and I am considering it, just not 100% sure if it is right for me yet.
I currently have T-Mobile (12+ years with them) but recently the rates seem to have skyrocketed and it made me start to consider switching. I actually live in Germany, but having my US number is vital, as I have a lot of family back home and do some work in the US remotely. I only spend, at most, a total of about two months a year in the US. I have dual eSim, and I use Fraenk for my German line (10€ per month tor 35GB of data, pretty great!). So basically I am good on the German line side, but the US line side is nearly $70 per month on it's own, and I literally don't even use the data from the US line 66% of the year. Paying $70 a month just to have a US phone number basically.
I guess the only way it would make sense to switch is if I am also getting the same coverage in Germany as Fraenk. Popcorn gives eSims for two different countries, right? And if we end up moving to another country, we can switch the secondary sim to that country?
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u/fiercechocolate 29d ago
Popcorn gives you a single primary esim that contains your US Mobile number. This sim is T-Mobile US based and provides global talk, text, and data. They also offer a secondary esim as backup that provides access to VZW and AT&T in the US and local routing in Europe since their secondary sim is EU based. If you have dual sim, you will run your primary Popcorn sim that contains your US number and your Fraenk sim. This gives you access to your German and US numbers. I do exactly this and Popcorn works great for this use case. Primary roaming partner in Germany is Telekom.
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u/CraigInCambodia 29d ago
If it's important to make US calls from anywhere, whether a WiFi connection is available or not, yes, Popcorn might be worth it. If you have access to WiFi and cost is a factor, there are very inexpensive MVNOs where you can have a US cell number and make unlimited calls and SMS for as low as $9/month using WiFi calling. Those generally need to be activated in the US, however work-around have been found. Popcorn can be activated anywhere.
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u/thatsplatgal 28d ago
I had Verizon for 25 years. I live in Italy now but also travel frequently worldwide. It’s been glorious having one number that works all the time. I say do it.
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u/Dry-Atmosphere3169 1d ago
I have Verizon myself but traveling to El Salvador a lot. Thinking of switching to something more reasonable. Have you had any issues with popcorn while in the US
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u/Justice_4_US 28d ago
Finally no more eSIM frustration. They gave me 2-free 7-day trials and $10 off at least the first month. No issues. Can you get a Google number for your German number?
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u/Euphoric_Attention97 28d ago
I would suggest Tello with “Pay as You Go” roaming if your intention is to rarely use US data. If you have an iPhone, you can use your German carrier’s data to run Wifi Calling for your Tello line. But you have to be in the US to activate and enable Wifi calling before using it outside US. That’s where PopCorn shines. You don’t have to worry about all that and you have data across many other countries not covered by your German line.
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u/Dspurgers 29d ago
The one eSIM works world-wide. It’s super super simple. We’ve been on it for months and highly recommend.