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REVEALED: the cheapest mobile data deals in Spain in 2021

Mobile and internet packages in Spain were among the highest in the EU in 2020. A new study by Spain's leading consumer watchdog reveals which Spanish data deals offer the best value for money.

Published: 8 April 2021 14:33 CEST
Mobile phone data
Photo: John Fornander/Unsplash

Because phone and internet packages are so expensive here compared to the rest of the EU, we have taken a look at recent data from FACUA-Consumers in Action, who analysed offers from 24 different mobile phone companies between April 6th and 7th to find the best deals. 

For those who need calls more than data

The following deals are for people who want unlimited calls, but don’t need the rate to include data. The cheapest deals are €6.50 with Xenet, €6.89 with Suop, and €6.90 for Global and Finetwork. Other options with just 5 GB of data per month are Finetwork and Hits Mobile at €6.90, Global at €6.95 and Digi at €7. The most expensive offer in this category for just 3GB per month is Yoigo for €14.

For those who from 20GB of data per month

If you need more data, you might want to look at packages and companies offering deals of 20GB or more. The lowest price per month in this category is Xenet offering 30GB €10.50, conversely, the most expensive offer in this category with the same number of GB is Yoigo at €29. This represents a difference in price of 176 percent.

Other companies which offer great deals for more GBs are MasMovil at €13.90 and Simyo at €14, each for 20GB. Virgin also offers a €14 tariff, but for 25GB instead of €20. R and Telecable also stand out for their offers of 30GB for €16 per month.

For those who want 40GB and above

For those who need a lot of data e.g. 40GB and above, Xenet again comes out on top at just €14 for 50GB. The same company also charges €15 for 60GB, €17 for 90GB and €21 for 250GB.

For €20 per month, Euskaltel offers 50GB and Digi offers 40GB.

For those who want unlimited data

Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo and Digi all have packages with unlimited data with prices that vary a lot. The cheapest companies in this category are Digi at €25 per month and Yoigo at €35.

Next is Vodafone’s offer at €32.99, however, the only condition is that the speed is limited to 2Mbps. The same company charges €47.99 for the maximum speed of 5GB.

Movistar and Orange also offer unlimited data for €39.95 and €35.99 respectively.

Things to keep in mind

This data is based on final conditions and does not take into account special promotions where a lower monthly fee may be applicable for the first few months only. Promotional rates have been included only if they last a year or more.

FACUA recommends that when choosing a mobile tariff with unlimited calls, you should not only have to take into account the number of GB that it includes and the fixed monthly price, but also the quality of the operator’s network and its customer service. It is also important to check what coverage companies have in your area. 

READ ALSO: Moving to Spain: What’s more expensive than in other countries?

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ENERGY

EXPLAINED: How high will heating bills be this winter in Germany?

The cost of energy is expected to rise again this coming winter, even though the government's price cap is supposed to be in effect until April 2024. Here's what households can expect.

Published: 31 October 2023 10:31 CET
Updated: 5 November 2023 22:45 CET
EXPLAINED: How high will heating bills be this winter in Germany?

The onset of winter will raise concerns for many in Germany about the cost of heating their homes, with memories of last year’s rocketing prices and concerns over domestic gas supply resurfacing. 

But, compared to last year, the energy prices have now largely stabilised, though they are still higher than in 2021.

The stabilisation in prices is partly thanks to the government’s energy price cap which came into force earlier this year to cushion the blow of soaring energy prices by capping electricity costs at 40 cents per kilowatt-hour and natural gas at 12 cents.

READ ALSO: Germany looks to extend energy price cap until April 2024

The federal government plans to maintain this cap until the end of April, though this could be extended even longer, if necessary. 

How high are heating costs expected to go this year?

For the current year, experts from co2online expect somewhat lower heating costs than last year.

Heating with gas, for example, is expected to be 11 percent cheaper in 2023 than in 2022, costing €1,310 per year for a flat of 70 square metres. 

The cost of heating with wood pellets will drop by 17 percent to €870 per year, and heating with heating oil will cost 19 percent less and amount to €1,130.

According to co2online, the costs for heating with a heat pump will drop the most – by 20 percent to €1,1105. The reason for this, according to co2online, is a wider range of heat pump electricity tariffs.

Tax hikes in January

Starting January next year, the government will raise the value-added tax on natural gas from seven to nineteen percent.

Alongside this, the CO2 price, applicable when refuelling and heating, will also increase.

According to energy expert Thomas Engelke from the Federal Consumer Association, these increases will mean that a small single-family household with three or four people that heats with gas would then pay about €240 more per year for gas.

“That’s a lot”, he said. 

Another additional cost factor to consider is that network operators also want to raise prices. However, the federal government plans to allocate €5.5 billion to cushion this increase for consumers as much as possible, so how such cost increases will ultimately affect consumers is currently hard to estimate.

READ ALSO: Why people in Germany are being advised to switch energy suppliers

Overall, it can be said that, from January, consumers will have to brace themselves for higher energy costs, even though massive increases are currently not expected.

Consumer advocate Engelke advised customers to closely examine where potential savings could be made this upcoming winter: “Those who are now signing a new gas or electricity contract should inform themselves and possibly switch. Currently, you can save a few hundred euros. It’s worth it. On the other hand, you should also try to save as much energy as possible this winter.”

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