May 30, 2013, 7:55 pm
Last edit by: WIRunner
Good comparison of prepaid plans:
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2011...and-plans.html
AT&T GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 17
Basic and Messaging Phones (No Smartphones, iPhones, etc.)
No monthly fee - 10¢/minute, 20¢/text, Data 1¢/5KB of use
$2/Day (Only billed fee on days used) - Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Data 1¢/5KB when Used or $1/Day for 100MB
Smartphone or Basic/Feature Phones
$30/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text; Data is not included: 1¢/5KB of use, or $5/Month 100 MB
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, 1.5GB Data at "3G" speeds, thereafter throttled to 128Kbps
$55/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico; 1¢ per minute for calls to Canada, calls within Mexico and Canada, and from Mexico and Canada to select countries, plus unlimited messaging while roaming in Mexico and Canada. 1 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
$60/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico, Unlimited Texting when in Canada or Mexico, 4 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
Verizon CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 13
Pay-as-you-go (Feature/Basic Phones Only)
Daily access fees are billed only when device is used
$1.99/Day - Unlimited Domestic Airtime, Text Messages are 2¢/message (in or out), Picture Messages are 25¢/message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
99¢/Day Unlimited Verizon to Verizon Calls, Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 10¢/Message (In or Out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (In or Out); Mobile Web Access 99¢/24 Hour Period
$0.00/Day - Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 20¢/Message (in or out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
Can add the following monthly text messaging options:
$20/month for Unlimited Messaging to anyone on any network in the U.S.
$10/month for Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Messaging with Verizon Wireless customers PLUS 250 additional messages*
Feature Phone Monthly Plans
$35/Month 500 Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
$45/Month Unlimited Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
Smartphone
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text Includes 1GB LTE Data, 500MB included when signed up for monthly autopay. Data Stops once allotment is exhausted.
Additional Data for Monthly Smart or Basic Phone Plans
$5 for 500MB, $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB. Data access stops once data allotment is exhausted, would need to purchase additional data for the month or restart bill cycle for a new 30 Days
T-Mobile GSM 1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 12
$3/month 30 minutes of Airtime or 30 Texts (or a combination)
Data can be added: $5/day 500MB High Speed Data (LTE) or $10/week 1GB High Speed Data (LTE)
$30/month 100 Minutes Airtime, Unlimited Text, 5GB of High Speed data (LTE, HSDPA+) then throttled to "2G" speeds. Includes International texting at no charge to select countries Must be activated on-line, or purchased from Wal-Mart
$35/month Unlimited Airtime, Unlimited Text, No Data Included
The following plans include Unlimited Airtime, and Unlimited Text, Speed is throttled to 8 Mb/s regardless if a higher link is available, once data allotment is consumed throttled to "2G" speeds, or a max of 128 Kb/s. Price is listed monthly.
$40 - 1 GB Data
$50 - 3 GB Data
$60 - 5 GB Data
Add Unlimited landline, and texting to select countries for $10/month, Calls to mobile carriers in select countries are 20¢ per minute
Add Unlimited landline, mobile calling and texting to select countries for $15 per month
If the device supports it, these plans also have T-Mobile WiFi calling available at no charge.
Sprint CDMA, LTE Data
No longer offers branded pre paid services, all plans are sold through Boost subsidary
H2O
U.S. Cellular CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 5, 12
Plans are listed per month
"Ready Connect" (Available at Wal-Mart and Amazon.com, and other stores)
$35 - Basic Phone Only - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, Unlimited Mobile Web
$45 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 1GB Data
$55 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 2GB Data
Maximum of 200MB can be used off network.
Data stops when allotment is exhausted, additional buckets can be purchased for $5/250MB, $15/1GB, $25/2GB
"Simple Connect" Plans all include Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data, the high speed allotment varies depending on the plan, prices are monthly
$40 - Basic Phones Unlimited Data
$45 - 1GB Data
$55 - 2GB Data
$65 - 4GB Data
Data is throttled to "1x" speeds thereafter (max of 196 Kb/s)
TracFone GSM 850/1900 or CDMA
Annual Cards (Good for 365 Days from Activation)
$199.99 1500 Minutes
$159.99 1000 Minutes
$119.99 800 Minutes (Plus double minutes on future refills)
$99.99 400 Minutes
$19.99 Package adds double airtime to all future refills
Pay-As-You-Go
$79.99 450 Minutes for 90 Days
$39.99 200 Minutes for 90 Days
$19.99 60 Minutes for 90 Days
$9.99 30 Minutes for 30 Days (online only)
Web Access for Android Phones
$50/2GB
$20/750MB
$10/300MB
Red Pocket (Link)
512MB - $5
1GB - $10
3GB - $30
5GB - $50
Uses T-Mobile's 4G/LTE network
All plans except 512MB are throttled after exceeding data usage.
SIM cards can be purchased inexpensively through Amazon and ebay
Cricket Wireless GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
AT&T Wireless Subsidy
Plans are monthly, and include Unlimited Talk and Texting, Included data varies; LTE speeds are throttled to 8Mb/s, HSDPA+ is throttled to 4Mb/s, $5 discount available when on autopay
$25 - NO Data Access
$40 - 2.5GB
$50 - 5GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 10GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 20 GB (Promotional Plan) Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
MetroPCS GSM 1900, LTE Data
T-Mobile Subsidy
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Talk and Text. Included Data Varies, once package data is exceeded speed is throttled to "2G" speeds (128Kb/s max), prices include add fees and taxes
$40 - 2GB Data (promotional)
$50 - 4GB Data (promotional)
$60 - Unlimited Data
$50 Unlimited Data plan is available when purchasing a device from MetroPCS, BYOD is not available on that plan
Add-ons
$10/month Mexico Calling: Unlimited Calling to Landlines, 1000 minutes to mobile phones, Unlimited texting to mobile phones, 200 minutes and 200 texts when traveling in Mexico
$10/month World Calling - Select countries include unlimited calls to landlines, Unlimited texting, 200 minutes to mobile phones; 200 voice roaming voice minutes, Send 200 text messages, unlimited incoming text messages
Net10 GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
Pay as you go
$100 - 1500 Minutes, 180 Days
$60 - 900 Minutes, 90 Days
$45 - 600 Minutes, 60 Days
$30 - 300 Minutes, 60 Days
$20 - 200 Minutes, 30 Days
Monthly No Data Plans (Good for 30 Days)
$25 - 1000 Minutes
$30 - 500 Minutes
$15 - 200 Minutes
Monthly Unlimited Plans - Price is monthly. Includes unlimited Talk and Text, Amount of high speed data varies per plan and is then throttled to 64 kbps thereafter
$35 - No Data
$40 - 500 MB (additional 250 MB with autopay)
$50 - 3GB
$60 - 3.5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
$75 - 5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
Virgin Mobile CDMA
Sprint Subsidy
Monthly Basic Phone Plans "PayLo", Text Messages are 25
$40 Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 50MB of Data
$30 1500 Minutes of Talk, 1500 Text (in and out), 30MB data
$20 400 Minutes, 15¢ per text, 25¢ per picture message, $1.50/MB for Data
Unlimited Plans
$20 300 Minutes and Text
$35 Unlimited Talk and Text, 250 MB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
$35 Unlimited Text, 300 Minutes 2.5GB 3G/4G data, throttled thereafter
$45 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 1 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter,
$55 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 3 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
Data Share Plans
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Text, Voice minutes vary by plan, data allotment is 2.5 GB of 3G/4G data and is throttled after the included data is exhausted, $20 starter kit is required and available only at Wal-Mart
$35 - 300 Minutes
$45 - Unlimited Talk
Additional data
$10/Month - 1 GB
$15/Month - 2 GB
$25/Month - 4 GB
$35/Month - 6 GB
$65/Month - 12 GB
$85/Month - 20 GB
$2 One time 100MB DATA
$5 One time 500MB DATA
$5 VOICE EXTENDED COVERAGE 60 MINUTES (ROAMING)
$2.50 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 10MB (ROAMING)
$5 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 20MB (ROAMING)
$10 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 40MB (ROAMING)
$2 100 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
$5 300 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
Ultra Mobile GSM 850/1900 UMTS 1700/1900 LTE 1700
LTE Bands 2, 4, 12
Roams off T-Mobile with theoretical full access to the T-Mobile network, but network coverage is slightly reduced as is 4GLTE coverage
All plans include:
Unlimited domestic calling
Unlimited domestic SMS/MMS
Unlimited global SMS/MMS
Standard features: 3-way calling, caller ID, voicemail, 411
Plans range from $19-49/month and generally include free international calling (landline/cell) and local access numbers for friends/family to call.
SIM card costs $1. See Ultra.me for more info.
You can purchase SIM and plan through 3rd parties such as EZKonnect or even Amazon for a discount.
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2011...and-plans.html
AT&T GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 17
Basic and Messaging Phones (No Smartphones, iPhones, etc.)
No monthly fee - 10¢/minute, 20¢/text, Data 1¢/5KB of use
$2/Day (Only billed fee on days used) - Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Data 1¢/5KB when Used or $1/Day for 100MB
Smartphone or Basic/Feature Phones
$30/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text; Data is not included: 1¢/5KB of use, or $5/Month 100 MB
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, 1.5GB Data at "3G" speeds, thereafter throttled to 128Kbps
$55/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico; 1¢ per minute for calls to Canada, calls within Mexico and Canada, and from Mexico and Canada to select countries, plus unlimited messaging while roaming in Mexico and Canada. 1 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
$60/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico, Unlimited Texting when in Canada or Mexico, 4 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
Verizon CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 13
Pay-as-you-go (Feature/Basic Phones Only)
Daily access fees are billed only when device is used
$1.99/Day - Unlimited Domestic Airtime, Text Messages are 2¢/message (in or out), Picture Messages are 25¢/message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
99¢/Day Unlimited Verizon to Verizon Calls, Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 10¢/Message (In or Out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (In or Out); Mobile Web Access 99¢/24 Hour Period
$0.00/Day - Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 20¢/Message (in or out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
Can add the following monthly text messaging options:
$20/month for Unlimited Messaging to anyone on any network in the U.S.
$10/month for Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Messaging with Verizon Wireless customers PLUS 250 additional messages*
Feature Phone Monthly Plans
$35/Month 500 Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
$45/Month Unlimited Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
Smartphone
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text Includes 1GB LTE Data, 500MB included when signed up for monthly autopay. Data Stops once allotment is exhausted.
Additional Data for Monthly Smart or Basic Phone Plans
$5 for 500MB, $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB. Data access stops once data allotment is exhausted, would need to purchase additional data for the month or restart bill cycle for a new 30 Days
T-Mobile GSM 1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 12
$3/month 30 minutes of Airtime or 30 Texts (or a combination)
Data can be added: $5/day 500MB High Speed Data (LTE) or $10/week 1GB High Speed Data (LTE)
$30/month 100 Minutes Airtime, Unlimited Text, 5GB of High Speed data (LTE, HSDPA+) then throttled to "2G" speeds. Includes International texting at no charge to select countries Must be activated on-line, or purchased from Wal-Mart
$35/month Unlimited Airtime, Unlimited Text, No Data Included
The following plans include Unlimited Airtime, and Unlimited Text, Speed is throttled to 8 Mb/s regardless if a higher link is available, once data allotment is consumed throttled to "2G" speeds, or a max of 128 Kb/s. Price is listed monthly.
$40 - 1 GB Data
$50 - 3 GB Data
$60 - 5 GB Data
Add Unlimited landline, and texting to select countries for $10/month, Calls to mobile carriers in select countries are 20¢ per minute
Add Unlimited landline, mobile calling and texting to select countries for $15 per month
If the device supports it, these plans also have T-Mobile WiFi calling available at no charge.
Sprint CDMA, LTE Data
No longer offers branded pre paid services, all plans are sold through Boost subsidary
H2O
U.S. Cellular CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 5, 12
Plans are listed per month
"Ready Connect" (Available at Wal-Mart and Amazon.com, and other stores)
$35 - Basic Phone Only - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, Unlimited Mobile Web
$45 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 1GB Data
$55 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 2GB Data
Maximum of 200MB can be used off network.
Data stops when allotment is exhausted, additional buckets can be purchased for $5/250MB, $15/1GB, $25/2GB
"Simple Connect" Plans all include Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data, the high speed allotment varies depending on the plan, prices are monthly
$40 - Basic Phones Unlimited Data
$45 - 1GB Data
$55 - 2GB Data
$65 - 4GB Data
Data is throttled to "1x" speeds thereafter (max of 196 Kb/s)
TracFone GSM 850/1900 or CDMA
Annual Cards (Good for 365 Days from Activation)
$199.99 1500 Minutes
$159.99 1000 Minutes
$119.99 800 Minutes (Plus double minutes on future refills)
$99.99 400 Minutes
$19.99 Package adds double airtime to all future refills
Pay-As-You-Go
$79.99 450 Minutes for 90 Days
$39.99 200 Minutes for 90 Days
$19.99 60 Minutes for 90 Days
$9.99 30 Minutes for 30 Days (online only)
Web Access for Android Phones
$50/2GB
$20/750MB
$10/300MB
Red Pocket (Link)
512MB - $5
1GB - $10
3GB - $30
5GB - $50
Uses T-Mobile's 4G/LTE network
All plans except 512MB are throttled after exceeding data usage.
SIM cards can be purchased inexpensively through Amazon and ebay
Cricket Wireless GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
AT&T Wireless Subsidy
Plans are monthly, and include Unlimited Talk and Texting, Included data varies; LTE speeds are throttled to 8Mb/s, HSDPA+ is throttled to 4Mb/s, $5 discount available when on autopay
$25 - NO Data Access
$40 - 2.5GB
$50 - 5GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 10GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 20 GB (Promotional Plan) Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
MetroPCS GSM 1900, LTE Data
T-Mobile Subsidy
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Talk and Text. Included Data Varies, once package data is exceeded speed is throttled to "2G" speeds (128Kb/s max), prices include add fees and taxes
$40 - 2GB Data (promotional)
$50 - 4GB Data (promotional)
$60 - Unlimited Data
$50 Unlimited Data plan is available when purchasing a device from MetroPCS, BYOD is not available on that plan
Add-ons
$10/month Mexico Calling: Unlimited Calling to Landlines, 1000 minutes to mobile phones, Unlimited texting to mobile phones, 200 minutes and 200 texts when traveling in Mexico
$10/month World Calling - Select countries include unlimited calls to landlines, Unlimited texting, 200 minutes to mobile phones; 200 voice roaming voice minutes, Send 200 text messages, unlimited incoming text messages
Net10 GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
Pay as you go
$100 - 1500 Minutes, 180 Days
$60 - 900 Minutes, 90 Days
$45 - 600 Minutes, 60 Days
$30 - 300 Minutes, 60 Days
$20 - 200 Minutes, 30 Days
Monthly No Data Plans (Good for 30 Days)
$25 - 1000 Minutes
$30 - 500 Minutes
$15 - 200 Minutes
Monthly Unlimited Plans - Price is monthly. Includes unlimited Talk and Text, Amount of high speed data varies per plan and is then throttled to 64 kbps thereafter
$35 - No Data
$40 - 500 MB (additional 250 MB with autopay)
$50 - 3GB
$60 - 3.5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
$75 - 5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
Virgin Mobile CDMA
Sprint Subsidy
Monthly Basic Phone Plans "PayLo", Text Messages are 25
$40 Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 50MB of Data
$30 1500 Minutes of Talk, 1500 Text (in and out), 30MB data
$20 400 Minutes, 15¢ per text, 25¢ per picture message, $1.50/MB for Data
Unlimited Plans
$20 300 Minutes and Text
$35 Unlimited Talk and Text, 250 MB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
$35 Unlimited Text, 300 Minutes 2.5GB 3G/4G data, throttled thereafter
$45 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 1 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter,
$55 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 3 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
Data Share Plans
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Text, Voice minutes vary by plan, data allotment is 2.5 GB of 3G/4G data and is throttled after the included data is exhausted, $20 starter kit is required and available only at Wal-Mart
$35 - 300 Minutes
$45 - Unlimited Talk
Additional data
$10/Month - 1 GB
$15/Month - 2 GB
$25/Month - 4 GB
$35/Month - 6 GB
$65/Month - 12 GB
$85/Month - 20 GB
$2 One time 100MB DATA
$5 One time 500MB DATA
$5 VOICE EXTENDED COVERAGE 60 MINUTES (ROAMING)
$2.50 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 10MB (ROAMING)
$5 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 20MB (ROAMING)
$10 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 40MB (ROAMING)
$2 100 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
$5 300 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
Ultra Mobile GSM 850/1900 UMTS 1700/1900 LTE 1700
LTE Bands 2, 4, 12
Roams off T-Mobile with theoretical full access to the T-Mobile network, but network coverage is slightly reduced as is 4GLTE coverage
All plans include:
Unlimited domestic calling
Unlimited domestic SMS/MMS
Unlimited global SMS/MMS
Standard features: 3-way calling, caller ID, voicemail, 411
Plans range from $19-49/month and generally include free international calling (landline/cell) and local access numbers for friends/family to call.
SIM card costs $1. See Ultra.me for more info.
You can purchase SIM and plan through 3rd parties such as EZKonnect or even Amazon for a discount.
[consolidated] Prepaid SIM cards in USA
May 23, 2015, 6:25 pm
#271
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,217
I am from Norway, and going to California for four weeks this summer, and have been looking for a provider of a prepaid sim, with UNLIMITED use of 3G/4G. I dont find any with unlimited, only up to 10GB.
Anyone who knows a company that provide prepaid, unlimited use of 3G/4G?
I do have an iphone 6
I actually just found a website that say that T-Mobile is the only one that provide this ($80)
http://m.pocketnow.com/2014/08/01/best-prepaid-plans-us
Anyone who knows a company that provide prepaid, unlimited use of 3G/4G?
I do have an iphone 6
I actually just found a website that say that T-Mobile is the only one that provide this ($80)
http://m.pocketnow.com/2014/08/01/best-prepaid-plans-us
Depending on where you go in CA, T-Mo's coverage can be excellent to non-existant. Their prepaid plans do offer voice roaming, but you cannot use data when roaming (Post paid plans are limited to 50 MB of data anyway.)
I don't know how feasible this is for you, and it may be more trouble than it is worth, but 3 in the UK offers a £30 plan that has 25 GB of roaming data included. It may not resolve the California coverage issue if they only roam on T-Mobile, but it isn't half bad as far as cost goes.
May 23, 2015, 7:10 pm
#273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,897
May 23, 2015, 7:16 pm
#274
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Does the 3 UK deal, which includes "Feel at Home" for a number of countries including the US, include 4G roaming?
That would be something else if it's the case.
http://arstechnica.com/business/2015...one-providers/
That would be something else if it's the case.
http://arstechnica.com/business/2015...one-providers/
Jun 5, 2015, 11:44 am
#277
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, FB Gold, Bonvoy Titanium / LTP, Accor Plat
Posts: 13,897
I've picked up a new phone with US (and global) 2G, 3G and LTE bands (Lumia 640, $209, bargain!).
Can confirm I DO get HSDA+ on at least T-Mobile, and NOT LTE on either T-Mobile or AT&T, using my 3 UK SIM.
Can confirm I DO get HSDA+ on at least T-Mobile, and NOT LTE on either T-Mobile or AT&T, using my 3 UK SIM.
Jun 7, 2015, 4:23 am
#278
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,203
Some help please!
I have a UK iPhone 5c on O2 which I will be unlocking.
Need a sim / package for when I go to NYC next month for a week
Will need it primarily for data but will use free wi-fi whenever possible.
Will be making a few calls and texts to US numbers. Won't be calling / texting the UK
Am just very confused by all the options so any help appreciated.
I have a UK iPhone 5c on O2 which I will be unlocking.
Need a sim / package for when I go to NYC next month for a week
Will need it primarily for data but will use free wi-fi whenever possible.
Will be making a few calls and texts to US numbers. Won't be calling / texting the UK
Am just very confused by all the options so any help appreciated.
Jun 7, 2015, 11:59 am
#279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,217
Some help please!
I have a UK iPhone 5c on O2 which I will be unlocking.
Need a sim / package for when I go to NYC next month for a week
Will need it primarily for data but will use free wi-fi whenever possible.
Will be making a few calls and texts to US numbers. Won't be calling / texting the UK
Am just very confused by all the options so any help appreciated.
I have a UK iPhone 5c on O2 which I will be unlocking.
Need a sim / package for when I go to NYC next month for a week
Will need it primarily for data but will use free wi-fi whenever possible.
Will be making a few calls and texts to US numbers. Won't be calling / texting the UK
Am just very confused by all the options so any help appreciated.
The cheapest route to go is a T-Mobile $30 package. You get 100 minutes, unlimited text, and 5 GB of "high speed" data. You would just need to get a T-Mobile sim card and refill card (check amazon) and can activate it online. If you're going out of the area Verizon offers a $45 1GB data plan with unlimited talk and text. (1 GB does not last very long)
You can also look at getting the Three UK £30 prepaid package, it will probably work out to be more expensive at first, but from what i've seen has a lower overall cost. Just be aware that some carriers charge for international texting, so if you text a person in the US with a UK number, and they reply they may be charged with an international text fee. The upside to this, is if you get it before leaving, you'll know it is activated before you leave the UK.
Jun 7, 2015, 4:30 pm
#280
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,203
Are you going to be strictly in NYC or will you be venturing about? If you're staying in NYC, the carriers are at about parity for coverage, where one has a dead spot the others will have coverage, rinse and repeat.
The cheapest route to go is a T-Mobile $30 package. You get 100 minutes, unlimited text, and 5 GB of "high speed" data. You would just need to get a T-Mobile sim card and refill card (check amazon) and can activate it online. If you're going out of the area Verizon offers a $45 1GB data plan with unlimited talk and text. (1 GB does not last very long)
You can also look at getting the Three UK £30 prepaid package, it will probably work out to be more expensive at first, but from what i've seen has a lower overall cost. Just be aware that some carriers charge for international texting, so if you text a person in the US with a UK number, and they reply they may be charged with an international text fee. The upside to this, is if you get it before leaving, you'll know it is activated before you leave the UK.
The cheapest route to go is a T-Mobile $30 package. You get 100 minutes, unlimited text, and 5 GB of "high speed" data. You would just need to get a T-Mobile sim card and refill card (check amazon) and can activate it online. If you're going out of the area Verizon offers a $45 1GB data plan with unlimited talk and text. (1 GB does not last very long)
You can also look at getting the Three UK £30 prepaid package, it will probably work out to be more expensive at first, but from what i've seen has a lower overall cost. Just be aware that some carriers charge for international texting, so if you text a person in the US with a UK number, and they reply they may be charged with an international text fee. The upside to this, is if you get it before leaving, you'll know it is activated before you leave the UK.
Many thanks. I'll have a look at both of those.
I'll be staying in Manhattan but will venture to the wilds (kidding) of Brooklyn and Hoboken and possibly up to Poughkeepsie as well.
Jun 7, 2015, 6:20 pm
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,217
You likely won't notice a difference in any of the carriers, just find the cheapest that works for you. I'd suggest either the T-Mobile plan or getting Three before you leave.
Jun 22, 2015, 5:25 pm
#282
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: United MP
Posts: 7,822
I need quick info on travelers from Europe (specifically Denmark) traveling to the US. They asked me about where to get a SIM for their phones when they arrive (tomorrow (IAD)). At first I was thinking WalMart, or an AT&T store. Am I correct that they can buy a prepaid SIM for their phones at either place for their 3 week visit to the USA. They'll be visiting DC and then traveling cross country to places like Yellowstone, before ending in North Dakota, where another family member lives before flying home. I'm assuming AT&T is the best choice. I do also wonder if they're better buying a cheaper prepaid phone for the duration of the trip? I seem to remember prior visits where they could not get their phones to work here.
I do not yet know what kind of phone they have or whether they need data. This is last minute so any quick advice would be great. They have normal hearing BTW if anyone wondered.
I do not yet know what kind of phone they have or whether they need data. This is last minute so any quick advice would be great. They have normal hearing BTW if anyone wondered.
Jun 23, 2015, 7:23 am
#283
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
The quick and easy answer is go to Best Buy or Walmart or RadioShack and get a prepaid phone with a pre-loaded sim card. Verizon, ATT and TMO along with Virgin all have prepaid device/card so no need to use their existing phone. Less than $100.
For discussion on who has better service, coverage, cost -- sorry but you'll have the read the thread! Good luck
For discussion on who has better service, coverage, cost -- sorry but you'll have the read the thread! Good luck
Jun 23, 2015, 11:57 am
#284
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: United MP
Posts: 7,822
The quick and easy answer is go to Best Buy or Walmart or RadioShack and get a prepaid phone with a pre-loaded sim card. Verizon, ATT and TMO along with Virgin all have prepaid device/card so no need to use their existing phone. Less than $100.
For discussion on who has better service, coverage, cost -- sorry but you'll have the read the thread! Good luck
For discussion on who has better service, coverage, cost -- sorry but you'll have the read the thread! Good luck
Jun 23, 2015, 1:55 pm
#285
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
I know TMO has coverage maps which are accurate; assume others also. Check for quick answer re coverage issues.... general rule has Vz has the best domestic network. Not sure if this applies for prepaid accounts???