O2 SIM Cards and eSIM: Detailed Guides for Tourists

This guide provides tourists with instructions for getting an O2 Slovakia SIM card, one of the largest mobile providers. It details the various methods for obtaining connectivity in Slovakia, whether a physical SIM card or newer eSIM technology. Having mobile service is important while abroad for navigation, calls, translations and more. The guide breaks down all the key details travelers need to know to get set up with an O2 SIM connection.

1. Quick facts about O2 Slovakia

O2 Slovakia is a mobile network operator in Slovakia. It is owned by O2 Telefónica Slovakia, a subsidiary of Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica. O2 Slovakia is the second largest mobile network operating in Slovakia, with a market share of 35 % Here are some quick facts about O2 Slovakia:

• O2 Slovakia is a telecommunications firm that offers mobile, fixed, and internet services in Slovakia.
• In Slovakia, it is currently the second largest mobile operator, with a market share of about 35 %.
• O2 Slovakia is a subsidiary of PPF Group, a Czech investment group.
• The company has over 2 million customers in Slovakia.
• O2 Slovakia is Europe’s leading integrated telecommunications company and provides service in the areas of mobile voice (MV) and data plans, fixed broadband and TV services, cloud computing services, and IoT solutions.

O2 Slovakia is determined to make its customers’ experience the best it can be. The company is innovative and constantly seeks better ways to provide products and services.

2. Slovakia O2 Coverage and Speed in Slovakia

Mobile phone coverage and internet speeds in Slovakia have come a long way in recent decades.

2.1. O2 coverage in Slovakia

O2 Slovakia provides excellent coverage across Slovakia. In terms of Consistent Quality, O2 Slovakia is only slightly behind Orange and Slovak Telekom. O2 Slovakia also has a great 5G Experience. This means that O2 Slovakia customers are able to access 5G with fast loading times and no stalling when connected to 5G.

O2 Slovakia also has a good 5G Availability score of 12.8%. This is slightly higher than Slovak Telekom’s 5G Availability score of 11.4%.

Here are some additional details about O2 Slovakia’s coverage:

• O2 Slovakia’s network reaches 95.1 % of the population.
• O2 Slovakia’s 5G network makes up 12.8 % of the population.
• O2 Slovakia’s 5G network serves all major cities and towns in Slovakia.
• By the end of 2023, O2 Slovakia is forecasting that its 5G network will cover 98 % of the population.

O2 Slovakia’s coverage is very good overall through-out Slovakia. Whether it’s 4G or 5G, customers are assured of a good experience at O2 Slovakia.

2.2. O2 speed in Slovakia

O2 Slovakia offers great speeds in all of Slovakia. In general O2 Slovakia provides decent speeds across all of Slovakia. Whether users are downloading or uploading files, O2 Slovakia offers customers a good experience.

Here are some additional details about O2 Slovakia’s speeds:

• O2 Slovakia’s average download speed is 31.2 Mbps.
• O2 Slovakia’s average upload speed is 10.8 Mbps.
• O2 Slovakia’s average 5G download speed is 123.2 Mbps.
• With an average 5G upload speed of 27.4 Mbps, O2 Slovakia tops the table.

Meanwhile, as O2 Slovakia’s 5G network gradually expands, its speeds are expected to become even better. By the end of 2023, O2 Slovakia hopes to offer 5G coverage in around 98 % of cases. They will thus gain faster speeds and better coverage for O2 Slovakia customers.

3. O2 Connectivity options for travelers to Slovakia

O2 Slovakia provides these connectivity options for tourists visiting Slovakia:

So in summary, prepaid O2 SIM cards and eSIM are the best connectivity options for tourists visiting Slovakia if you need mobile data access around the country.

4. Best O2 SIM cards for tourists & cost

O2 Slovakia does not have O2 SIM cards specialized for tourists. These are the best O2 SIM card options for tourists visiting Slovakia. O2 SIM card in Slovakia costs ~ 2 USD. You can buy an O2 SIM and then choose one of these plans below: 

5. Does 02 Slovakia support eSIM?

Yes, O2 Slovakia does provide O2 eSIM service on its network. An O2 Slovakia eSIM costs ~ 10 USD.

It allows you to generate a digital eSIM profile which can be activated on eSIM compatible phones like iPhone XR/XS and above.

O2 eSIM has the same prepaid plans and rates as their physical SIM cards. There are no separate tourist eSIM packs. Thus O2 Slovakia eSIM is a good option for tourists with dual SIM iPhones to keep their home connection alongside local data through eSIM.

6. Where can you buy a 02 SIM card and eSIM?

With its nationwide coverage across Slovakia, O2 is one of the major mobile providers in the country. To start enjoying O2’s connectivity services, here are some of the options for purchasing a O2 SIM card or eSIM for the O2 network.

6.1. Where to buy 02 SIM for Slovakia

You can buy an O2 prepaid SIM card in Slovakia at these locations:

• O2 Stores – Available at O2 stores across all major towns and cities
• Supermarkets – Sold at major supermarket chains like Tesco.
• Gas Stations – Many petrol stations have O2 SIM cards.
• Kiosks – Local tabak and newspaper shops would stock them.

When you buy, carry your passport as ID proof. SIM costs ~5 USD. Overall, O2 SIM cards are easily available in Slovakia at convenient locations for tourists.

6.2. Where to buy Slovakia 02 eSIM

You can request a new eSIM or change from a plastic SIM card to an eSIM at any O2 Store, where staff will also help you with its activation if necessary. View the list of O2 Stores in Slovakia.

7. How to activate 02 Slovakia SIM/eSIM

Activating your new 02 Slovakia SIM card or eSIM is an easy process that only takes a few simple steps.

7.1. How to use 02 Slovakia SIM card

Follow these steps to activate your O2 Slovakia SIM card:

1. Insert SIM in your unlocked phone.
2. Select the O2 SK network manually from the network list.
3. Enter SIM PIN – Check PIN with SIM pack.
4. Top-up – Recharge initially with a €10 top-up voucher from the store.
5. Activate Plan – The default plan would be activated OR use the O2 app to activate a prepaid plan.
6. Configure APN – APN is ‘o2internet’ or ‘o2internet-sk’. Enable data.

That’s it! You should now get data, calls, and texts on the O2 SIM card.

7.2. How to activate 02 Slovakia eSIM

To activate O2 Slovakia eSIM:

1. Generate eSIM 
2. Activate on Phone
3. Authentication – Enter details for verification like PIN, ID documents, etc.
4. Select Plan – Choose your preferred O2 prepaid data pack.
5. Configure APN 
6. Usage – eSIM is now active alongside your existing SIM for dual SIM functionality.

That’s it! O2 eSIM activation is very convenient and quick through the digital process compared to physical SIM cards.

8. Slovakia 02 Call & SMS rates

O2 Slovakia prepaid SIMs come with unlimited local calls and texts. These are the rates:

Also be advised that these rates are subject to change. Please see the O2 Slovakia website for up-to-date information.

9. Useful USSD codes for 02 Slovakia SIM/eSIM

Here are some useful USSD codes for O2 Slovakia prepaid users:

• In My O2 website – Checking consumption in My O2. Just log in to My O2. If you have multiple phone numbers, select the one you want to check.
• In the My O2 application – With the My O2 application, you can check your consumption at any time, how much you have called, and how much you have left.
• Via SMS – Send a free SMS in the form SPOTREBA to the number 99222.

So by dialing these codes directly on the phone, you can check balances and enable services easily on O2 SIM without installing any app.

10. How to top-up 02 Slovakia SIM/eSIM

You can recharge or top-up your O2 Slovakia SIM card & eSIM in various ways:

• Vouchers – The most convenient way is to buy top-up vouchers from stores, petrol stations, kiosks, etc in denominations like €5, €10, €20, etc. 
• Online – Log in to My O2 website and recharge using credit/debit cards.
• App – Through the O2 mobile app also you can recharge SIMs using payment methods.

Recharges are instant and you can buy data packs after topping up. Validity is 180 days.

11. Alternatives to O2 Slovakia

There are a few other cellular service providers in Slovakia that offer alternatives to the major carrier O2 Slovakia:

• Orange Slovakia – One of the largest mobile operators in Slovakia. They offer SIM cards for tourists with data packages.
• 4ka – An affordable prepaid option. They have PAYG SIMs available for around €5 and data packages starting at 3GB for €7.
• Telekom – Sometimes called Slovak Telekom. They have multi-language support and SIM cards designed for tourists on short trips.
• Slovakiaesim.com – Slovakiaesim.com is another option for a global eSIM. They have data-only plans and bundles that work on LTE networks in over 160 countries, including Slovakia.

So in summary, Orange Slovakia, Slovak Telekom, and global eSIM providers like slovakiaesim.com offer the best options for tourists looking to use an eSIM in Slovakia without needing a physical nano-SIM. Just check device compatibility first.

Stay connected in Slovakia with an affordable local eSIM. Browse our wide selection of eSIM plans and purchase yours today!

12. FAQs about 02 SIM Cards in Slovakia

13. Final words

In summary, O2 Slovakia provides excellent connectivity options for tourists through great coverage, good speeds, and easy availability of prepaid O2 SIM cards and eSIM. Their prepaid plans are convenient to use with free local and EU usage. 4G speeds are fast enough for daily use. eSIM supports dual SIM capability. With a wide network, English support, and affordable rates – O2 Slovakia is recommended as the best SIM network for tourists visiting this beautiful country.