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
Dec 4, 2022, 9:19 am
#346
Moderator: Avianca, Travel Photography, Travel Technology & USA
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Far western edge of the La-La Land City limits
Programs: Emeritus VIP Fromins Deli Encino grandfathered successor program - UA MM & HH Diamond
Posts: 3,729
Boost Mobile promo at Walmart
Walmart right now has a sale on a 3 month SIM package that gives unlimited US calling/text and 5GB of data for $15 (normally $45). A similar package with 15GB is ten dollars more.
A friend was in from Germany, and we picked one up at a local Los Angeles store about 4 days ago. The SIM was coded to work on the T-Mobile network.
He tried to get it running on a circa 2019 Motorola One phone, but Boost indicated it wasn't a supported device once we saw that it was having trouble holding a connection. He switched the SIM to ancient iPhone 6S that his niece had laying around, and it works well (albeit only 4G on that phone of course).
The card he received reflects it expires in May 2024.
A friend was in from Germany, and we picked one up at a local Los Angeles store about 4 days ago. The SIM was coded to work on the T-Mobile network.
He tried to get it running on a circa 2019 Motorola One phone, but Boost indicated it wasn't a supported device once we saw that it was having trouble holding a connection. He switched the SIM to ancient iPhone 6S that his niece had laying around, and it works well (albeit only 4G on that phone of course).
The card he received reflects it expires in May 2024.
Feb 1, 2023, 8:01 am
#348
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,056
If you have an iPhone, you can get a free month with the T-Mobile test drive app. You have to be in the U.S. to sign up but that's what airport wifi is for.
Edit: T-Mo now calls it "network pass", you get three months free, and it's available on Android as well. The downside is that you can only use network pass once (per IMEI, I assume) whereas you could use test drive once every 6 months. Also, Visible will give you 14 days as a free trial.
Last edited by der_saeufer; Feb 1, 2023 at 10:03 am
Feb 5, 2023, 9:08 pm
#350
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,693
Rather than buying a 'tourist' eSIM, you want regular prepaid service. The majority of prepaid MVNOs (plus the actual carriers) offer eSIM these days. T-Mobile has cheap plans and plans with lots of data, Visible gives you unlimited everything (deprioritized tho) on Verizon for $25/mo, etc etc.
If you have an iPhone, you can get a free month with the T-Mobile test drive app. You have to be in the U.S. to sign up but that's what airport wifi is for.
Edit: T-Mo now calls it "network pass", you get three months free, and it's available on Android as well. The downside is that you can only use network pass once (per IMEI, I assume) whereas you could use test drive once every 6 months. Also, Visible will give you 14 days as a free trial.
If you have an iPhone, you can get a free month with the T-Mobile test drive app. You have to be in the U.S. to sign up but that's what airport wifi is for.
Edit: T-Mo now calls it "network pass", you get three months free, and it's available on Android as well. The downside is that you can only use network pass once (per IMEI, I assume) whereas you could use test drive once every 6 months. Also, Visible will give you 14 days as a free trial.
I notice that T-Mobile's SIMs require you to be in the US to activate the first time. Are there any that let you activate from overseas?
Feb 5, 2023, 9:50 pm
#351
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,056
If you're paying for the service you should be able to do it all (including installing the eSIM) before you leave and then it'll activate the first time you switch on your phone in the U.S. If you're using the free trial, just download the app ahead of time and sign up on the airport wifi.
Feb 6, 2023, 4:14 am
#352
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 593
If you will be in the US for any length of time and have an esim capable phone T-Mobile has an option to consider. They offer a "Network Pass" with free service for 3 months inc. data & voice. You need a US address to register but you could use a hotel or friends location I have heard. There is no trick to it, and it includes 5G service throughout the country with no strings attached. You will need to wait until you are stateside to enroll and activate, but coverage is good and so is the service. It is all done over your phone, so no contracts, sim cards, deposits, etc.
Here is a website link that promotes this with some additional information.
T-Mobile Network Pass
Here is a website link that promotes this with some additional information.
T-Mobile Network Pass
Feb 6, 2023, 7:42 am
#353
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,693
If you will be in the US for any length of time and have an esim capable phone T-Mobile has an option to consider. They offer a "Network Pass" with free service for 3 months inc. data & voice. You need a US address to register but you could use a hotel or friends location I have heard. There is no trick to it, and it includes 5G service throughout the country with no strings attached. You will need to wait until you are stateside to enroll and activate, but coverage is good and so is the service. It is all done over your phone, so no contracts, sim cards, deposits, etc.
Here is a website link that promotes this with some additional information.
T-Mobile Network Pass
Here is a website link that promotes this with some additional information.
T-Mobile Network Pass
Feb 10, 2023, 4:06 pm
#354
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
I have seen comments that in order to enable this you need to have another non-T-Mobile SIM already in your device or the app won't let you sign up. Do you know if that's correct, and if so does it need to be a US SIM or will an international SIM work?
Feb 11, 2023, 5:27 am
#355
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 593
That requirement from the offer states: "Active non-T-Mobile service required; your carrier's terms also apply." Also, "Have an eligible, unlocked phone with available eSIM and be located in the U.S." It does not mention a requirement for it being a US carrier. I suspect the goal is to entice users from other carriers to experience TM service at their current location for potential customer migration. A simple workaround would be to enroll in a cheap, US based prepaid service first to meet that requirement. However, this step might be too much trouble unless you plan on being in the US for a more than a few days.
May 2, 2023, 9:03 pm
#356
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, PC Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 612
Here's a good option for an eSIM from KeepGo for minimal/backup use in North America - the KeepGo Sagittarius, can buy 100Mb for $3 (or 1 Gb for $8) and it's valid for a year (they have a coupon that adds 2Gb for free right now), roams on AT&T and T-Mobile. Refill at least $3 once a year keeps this valid.
They have a bunch of other versions depending on international destinations, for those inclined - should probably post/discuss that in the eSIM thread.
They have a bunch of other versions depending on international destinations, for those inclined - should probably post/discuss that in the eSIM thread.
Jul 6, 2023, 7:26 am
#357
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Germany, Bavaria
Programs: AY+ Plat, SAS Gold (butt in seat)
Posts: 350
We are travelling to the US, Kanada and Alaska in three weeks time, would need about 3-5GB traffic and calls/text within US/Kanada.
Smartphone is an unlocked Calypso2 from AT&T.
The US SIM Card which are available in the german markets do not cover the Alaskan Roaming carriers.
My easiest option would be to buy an AT&T prepaid plan/SIM after arrival in the US and install a month only payment.
Or do you have any other suggestions?
Smartphone is an unlocked Calypso2 from AT&T.
The US SIM Card which are available in the german markets do not cover the Alaskan Roaming carriers.
My easiest option would be to buy an AT&T prepaid plan/SIM after arrival in the US and install a month only payment.
Or do you have any other suggestions?
Last edited by Carotthat; Jul 6, 2023 at 8:11 am
Jul 6, 2023, 9:03 am
#358
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,447
We are travelling to the US, Kanada and Alaska in three weeks time, would need about 3-5GB traffic and calls/text within US/Kanada.
Smartphone is an unlocked Calypso2 from AT&T.
The US SIM Card which are available in the german markets do not cover the Alaskan Roaming carriers.
My easiest option would be to buy an AT&T prepaid plan/SIM after arrival in the US and install a month only payment.
Or do you have any other suggestions?
Smartphone is an unlocked Calypso2 from AT&T.
The US SIM Card which are available in the german markets do not cover the Alaskan Roaming carriers.
My easiest option would be to buy an AT&T prepaid plan/SIM after arrival in the US and install a month only payment.
Or do you have any other suggestions?
Jul 6, 2023, 10:06 am
#360
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,384
You can buy esim.me to convert your phone to support esim. Big ymmv if your phone supports it, it's expensive (25€+) and I don't like their new pricing model. Then you can just activate an att prepaid esim (don't know if you can do everything online, but att prepaid does support esim, see
https://www.target.com/p/at-38-t-esim-kit/-/A-86947360