It's actually pretty simple really. Don't fret.

Likely, yes. Most, if not all of the T-Mo phones I've owned / purchased in the US work on SA's networks. So, if it is SIM unlocked, you could theoretically, pop in a SA SIM and it would work. But, note, there are pay-go data plans for SA SIMs, you really don't want (need) it, you just want a phone. Why not find one of your old - Pre-T-Mo Android device - phones - you know, a basic phone, get it SIM unlocked and you're all set. You don't want anything complicated (hence the recommended simple phone in the previous post) for use with your SA SIM.

Think of pay as you go as the "simple" pre-paid. You put some money (Rand) on your SIM and use it as you please, balance goes down and down and down until zero. Because of the nature of call pricing, you really can't put it in "minutes" terms, different calls to different numbers (cell v. landline, local v. international) cost different amounts. No phone company is going to offer you "100 minutes" of calling - where? 100 minutes of international calling, 100 minutes of local calling, 50/50? Check the Voda site http://goo.gl/a8XyR and MTN http://goo.gl/3qFZJ for info on rates

You'd be putting Rand - say a couple of hundred on your phone via the Top Up system. You buy an amount of rand to add and get a code, you follow some simple steps and enter into your phone that adds the value to your balance via the cell network, it's pretty simple.

You can buy a SIM for your SIM unlocked phone on arrival in SA at all the airports. You can top up just about anywhere, just buy a voucher. You can even do it at an ATM. Instead of getting cash, you get a voucher.

That's certainly an option - as long as you can find free/cheap internet access via WiFi, you'd be set and you're US phones could stay home (or off) throughout the trip (don't turn them on as "experiment - see my previous comment re: data use just turning the device on). Indeed, I have a WiFi/3G Apple iPad (AT&T) that I DON'T have data on. But, w/o issue, I was able ot get a SA Data SIM (via Vodacom) and used my iPad over the Voda network (as well as WiFi). It didn't get much data or pay too much attention, it was just an experiment, and it worked. But, I was fully able to check email, surf the web, etc. using the tablet and free/cheap wifi all over JNB, CPT and other major towns.


Don't buy a phone there. No need. Either get a SIM unlocked one cheap off e-bay here (PM me if this becomes a real big problem or is a terrible concern). Seriously, you should have an old phone lying around somewhere that works and keeps it real simple. If you don't want to have to deal with getting your own phone (and don't want to PM me), you can rent a phone and SIM on arrival at the airport from Voda, MTN or Cell-C. Use it, then return once heading out of SA. Don't take this the wrong way, but this is the "idiot-proof" way of doing it. They get everything set up for you while you wait, they give you a phone, a charger, maybe a headset all in a little carrier bag. The phone has got a SIM in it and it's ready to go. You give them your credit card and they charge your card for all the calls you make on your phone while you've got it. Simple.