Originally Posted by
SQ421
Arriving into LAX in a couple of days, and was planning to get organised with a SIM card for my week long stay either at the ATT or the TMobile stores near LAX.
I'll be travelling with an iPhone 5 (A1429 which supports UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5))
... And shed some light on whether ATT makes available nanosims for prepaid use, and at what cost?
Okay, let me give it a spin, perhaps it will help you out. As always, please come back & post an update for future FT's on the same thread, as first hand user experience & feedback are always helpful.
Officially, T-Mobile USA sells the nanoSim for unlocked iPhone 5, just like other prepaid regular/micro Sim card for $10 USD. And, since you are bring your own device, no contract necessary and you are free to choose your plan & change as necessary. For a week's usage, $25 in startup fund should be adequate plus $10 for the nano Sim, and you have access to the 4G network.
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/phone-sim-card
Authorized T-Mo agents/resellers as well as T-Mo stores in LAX area should be able to help you and do any necessary configuration required, and have you activated & make a successful test call before leaving the store, etc.
I was in both LAS and LAX last month and T-Mo prepaid coverage was good, not exceptional but it worked. Most users prefer AT&T coverage over T-Mo and I understand, personally - I was NOT impressed with AT&T when I was their contract customer in NYC.
I checked AT&T's Gophone prepaid links and the info is very confusing, IMO and I cannot find simple/easy to read info about their nanoSim prepaid for iPhone5. They should & I expect them to have coverage and it looked like what you got previously is still available - initial startup & cost for the week are higher. $20 store pricing for the Sim is a bit much, you can do better on eBay (which isn't an option for you) as you are also buying prepaid credits to fill up the account, once activated.
If you can easily get to both T-Mo and AT&T local store after getting into LA, I would make my first stop at T-Mo and ask them over the counter. Pay for the $10 Sim and do a $10 starter fill (same as $20 sim only at AT&T) just to confirm you have 4G coverage and that you are good for the week. Purchase more credit to last the week and you are on your way. T-Mobile Prepaid, including Straight Talk sold via Walmart stores & at airport self-service Kiosk, will have 4G coverage on 850 and 1900 Mhz bands, and unlocked iPhone 5 as stated has those frequencies. Make sure APN settings are updated & it should be good. Tethering to another device is specifically prohibited, so keep that in mind. You will/might need to have the micro or standard Sim card cut down to size & fit for the nano Sim slots - agent stores should definitely have one available.
Info on T-Mo's Straight Talk plans -
http://www.straighttalksim.com/shop.php
If it doesn't work out and 4G is really 2.5G (it should NOT) with your unlocked iPhone5, keep the nanoSim as a souvenir but it's still good for voice only calls & SMS. Head over to AT&T and back on their GoPhone plan - as with their data bundled plan, there is no restriction on tethering with another device (i.e. iPad or Android tablet, etc.)
How's that for having a plan?