Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
ice vs KDDI au
ice
KDDI au
Higher score in this comparison
Where ice and KDDI au differ
| Compare | iceReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | KDDI auReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | NOK 199 | ¥800 |
| Countries covered | 63Higher | 17 |
| Unlimited data | No | YesHas it |
| Reference plan prices | 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 | US 800 JPY/24h reserved; Europe 1000 JPY/24h reserved (1000 JPY if any 1000-tier country in the itinerary); Thailand 800 JPY/24h; Turkey 800 JPY/24h; Mexico 800 JPY/24h; global 1000 JPY/24h with advance booking or 1200 JPY/24h without; eligible au plan subscribers get up to 15 days free per month, capped at 18000 JPY/month |
| Fair use policy | 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 | Speed may be throttled if heavy data use occurs within a 24-hour period |
| Hotspot sharing | Not confirmed | Yes |
| 5G | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Networks | Ice (own network), Telenor | Not confirmed |
| Top-ups | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Seller type (Carrier).
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Key differences
- KDDI au scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.6.
- Countries covered is higher at ice: 63 vs 17.
- Unlimited data: only KDDI au.
- Support channels: only ice offers Chat.
- Features: only ice offers 5G, Instant activation.
- Features: only KDDI au offers Unlimited data, Hotspot.
Our verdict on each
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.
KDDI au
KDDI au is a carrier-run daily eSIM from KDDI Corporation that suits au plan subscribers and short trips needing unlimited data and hotspot sharing. Prices start at ¥800 and coverage spans 17 countries, with a fair use policy that can slow speeds after heavy use in a day.
Score breakdown
| Area | ice | KDDI au |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2 | 9.2Higher |
| Offer | 8.9HigherOffer rests on roaming packages from NOK 199, 63 countries and no unlimited data, so heavy data users get a capped deal. | 8.8Carrier plan from KDDI Corporation with unlimited data, hotspot sharing and prices from ¥800, though coverage is 17 countries. |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | ice | KDDI au |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 419 of 926 | 263 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 424 of 918 | 270 of 918 |
Which one suits you
Pick ice if countries covered matter most.
Pick KDDI au if unlimited data matter most.
Licences and countries
Additional countries for ice: 1. Additional countries for KDDI au: 1.
If neither fits
Roamable has countries covered at 150, against 63 for ice and 17 for KDDI au.
Roamable reviewWhere these facts come from
ice
- ice.no: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
KDDI au
- au.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ice | KDDI au |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 5G, Instant activation, Carrier plan | Unlimited data, Hotspot, Carrier plan |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Short trip, Long trip |
| Legal entity | Lyse Tele AS | KDDI Corporation |
| Headquarters | Norway | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ice | KDDI au | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries covered | 63below the median | 17lowest quarter | 120 |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
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
KDDI au
Pros
- Unlimited data and hotspot sharing both appear in unlimited data, hotspot and carrier plan, so one phone can carry a laptop for a day of work.
- Prices start at ¥800, with reference rates for the United States, Thailand, Turkey and Mexico at that level.
- It is sold as a carrier plan from KDDI Corporation, and eligible au plan subscribers can pick up a capped free monthly allowance.
Cons
- Coverage of 17 countries is narrow beside Zwitchy at 200.
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no live chat or email listed.
- Unlimited data comes with a fair use policy, and speed can be throttled after heavy use within a day.
Who each suits
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
KDDI au
Who it suits
- Travellers who already subscribe to au at home and want a carrier daily eSIM rather than a marketplace purchase.
- People needing hotspot sharing alongside unlimited data while working from a laptop, where unlimited data, hotspot and carrier plan carries both.
- Travellers whose trip sits in one of the 17 covered countries and who want the ¥800 entry rate.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone needing far wider reach, since Zwitchy covers 200 countries against 17 here.
- Price-first buyers who want a lower starting outlay, since eSIMGo.is lists a from price of $0.99.
- Travellers after a simple single-market eSIM, where SimToIsrael lists a from price of $25.
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
KDDI au
Current offer
First period offer
AEON online English conversation, first month half price via au overseas page: 6,980 JPY/month -> 3,490 JPY first month (tax incl.) for the daily plan; 4,880 JPY/month -> 2,440 JPY first month (tax incl.) for the 8-lesson plan
Campaign deadline 9/30 (Wed); native-teacher plans; partner offer shown on the au海外放題 page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | ice | KDDI au |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | No | Yes |
| Norway | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
KDDI au
How much does a KDDI au eSIM cost?+
Reference prices are set by region, and the entry price is ¥800. The United States, Thailand, Turkey and Mexico sit at that level, Europe is costlier, and global plans are cheaper when booked in advance. Eligible au plan subscribers can also take a capped free monthly allowance.
Is the data allowance really unlimited?+
Unlimited data and hotspot sharing are both part of unlimited data, hotspot and carrier plan. A fair use policy still applies, with speed throttled if heavy data use happens within a day, so the allowance is generous rather than unthrottled for constant streaming.
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KDDI au