Updated September 29, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Emtel vs ice
Emtel
Higher score in this comparison
ice
Where Emtel and ice differ
| Compare | EmtelReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | iceReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €30 | NOK 199 |
| Countries covered | from 190 | 63 |
| Unlimited data | YesHas it | No |
| Reference plan prices | US 10 GB MUR 1,131.21; Europe (France) 10 GB MUR 601.00; Japan 10 GB MUR 603.85; Mauritius Tourist SIM EUR 30 for 30 days unlimited | Roaming data package added to a Norwegian subscription, valid 30 days: 1 GB NOK 199, 4 GB NOK 399, 15 GB NOK 499 (15 GB only in US, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey); EU/EEA incl. UK roaming included in all plans at no extra cost; Japan, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico and US all covered outside EU/EEA |
| Fair use policy | Not confirmed | Roaming data spend is capped at NOK 500 per month (adjustable in the ice app); data packages last 30 days or until the data is used up; the unlimited-data iceMax plan in Norway is throttled to 3 Mbit/s above 100 GB per month |
| Networks | Not confirmed | Ice (own network), Telenor |
| 10 GB in Europe | MUR 601 | Not confirmed |
| 10 GB in the US | MUR 1,131.21 | Not confirmed |
| 10 GB in Japan | MUR 603.85 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: 5G (Yes), Top-ups (Yes), Seller type (Carrier).
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Key differences
- Emtel scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.6.
- Unlimited data: only Emtel.
- Support channels: only Emtel offers Email.
- Features: only Emtel offers Unlimited data.
- Features: only ice offers Carrier plan.
Our verdict on each
Emtel
Emtel suits short-trip travellers who want unlimited data and broad reach straight from a home carrier rather than a cheap aggregator. The operator, founded in 1989, sells as a carrier and its travel eSIM plans reach from 190 countries on a global basis.
ice
ice is a Norwegian carrier option that suits people already holding a Norwegian subscription who want to add roaming rather than buy a travel eSIM. Packages start at NOK 199 and cover 63 countries, with fair-use rules that limit heavy roaming.
Score breakdown
| Area | Emtel | ice |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.0Entry price of €30 puts Emtel at position 305 of 313 brands ranked on starting price. | 8.2Higher |
| Offer | 9.3Higher | 8.9Offer rests on roaming packages from NOK 199, 63 countries and no unlimited data, so heavy data users get a capped deal. |
| Trust | 9.8 | Not confirmed |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Emtel | ice |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 303 of 926 | 419 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 310 of 918 | 424 of 918 |
Where these facts come from
Emtel
- emtel.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- px-ep-emtel.px-prod.airalo.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esimvoyaz.emtel.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
ice
- ice.no: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Emtel | ice |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Global | Not confirmed |
| Features | Unlimited data, 5G, Instant activation | 5G, Instant activation, Carrier plan |
| Audience | Short trip | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Emtel Ltd | Lyse Tele AS |
| Headquarters | Mauritius | Norway |
| Founded | 1989 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Emtel | ice | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries covered | from 190above the median | 63below the median | 120 |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
Emtel
Pros
- Coverage reaches from 190 countries, well above the site median of 74.
- Unlimited data, 5G and instant activation are all listed features.
- Support covers email, chat and phone.
Cons
- Starting at €30, the entry price sits well above the site median of €5.
- The same allowance costs MUR 1,131.21 in the United States against MUR 601 in Europe, so the destination drives the bill.
- The plan mix is built for short trip, so a long stay leans on top-ups or another operator.
ice
Pros
- Roaming packages are added to an existing Norwegian subscription, so no separate travel eSIM purchase is needed
- Packages start at NOK 199, and larger data tiers are listed, with the biggest tier limited to the US, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey
- Roaming in the EU/EEA including the UK is included in all plans at no extra cost
Cons
- Unlimited data: no, so heavy users need to watch their roaming spend
- Fair use policy caps roaming data spend at a monthly limit that is adjustable in the ice app, and data packages run for a fixed period or until the data is used up
- Coverage of 63 countries trails travel eSIMs that reach 200
Who each suits
Emtel
Who it suits
- Travellers on short breaks who want unlimited data without counting gigabytes.
- Anyone landing in Mauritius first, since Emtel is based there and sells a tourist SIM.
- People who want phone help, not only email, when a plan misbehaves abroad.
Who should look elsewhere
- Price-first shoppers should start with eSIMGo.is, priced from $0.99.
- Travellers needing more countries than from 190 can compare Zwitchy at 200.
- Anyone wanting a lighter starting point than €30 can weigh SimToIsrael at $25.
ice
Who it suits
- Norwegian mobile customers who already pay ice for a home subscription
- Travellers heading to Japan, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico or the US, which are covered outside the EU/EEA
- Short trips to the EU/EEA and the UK, where roaming is included at no extra cost
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who need a global list, since 63 countries is fewer than Zwitchy's 200
- Anyone buying purely as a travel eSIM, because the roaming packages sit on top of a Norwegian subscription rather than standing alone
- Heavy data users who want unlimited data, since unlimited data is no here and roaming spend is capped by the fair use policy
Current offers
ice
Current offer
Bonus
Free Nokia 3210 with smartphone purchase: Nokia 3210, stated value NOK 990
Applies to all smartphones bought at ice, limited stock
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Emtel | ice |
|---|---|---|
| Norway | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Emtel
How much does an Emtel travel eSIM cost?+
Entry pricing starts at €30 for the tourist pack, and reference rates vary by destination: the same allowance is listed at MUR 601 in Europe, MUR 603.85 in Japan and MUR 1,131.21 in the United States.
Is the data on Emtel plans unlimited?+
Unlimited data appears in the unlimited data, 5g and instant activation list, and the Mauritius tourist SIM is sold with unlimited data over a set validity rather than a fixed allowance. The other reference rates are priced per allowance, so the plan you pick decides the shape of the deal.
ice
What does a roaming data package from ice cost?+
Packages start at NOK 199, and larger data tiers are listed alongside it. The biggest tier is limited to the US, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey, so the full range of packages is not offered in every covered country.
How long is an ice roaming package valid?+
Each roaming data package runs for a fixed period, or until the data is used up, whichever comes first. Packages are added to a Norwegian subscription rather than bought as a standalone travel eSIM, and the roaming cap is adjustable in the app.
Other options to compare
Emtel