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
Feb 17, 2013, 8:14 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Programs: MyWaitrose, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond & BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,685
If you wisely bought a Nexus Phone though, you can get up to 42Mbps download speeds on T-Mobile with HSPA+
Feb 17, 2013, 8:33 am
#47
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Blue, EI Silver, Honours Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,209
EE have a great roaming tariff. For £10 more than a "normal" tariff you get unlimited calls and texts while abroad across Europe, China, Canada USA and some other countires in Asia and South America. Data roaming can be added as follows
Lasts for Allowance Price
24 hours 2MB £0.50
24 hours 100MB £2.00
7 days 250MB £12.50
30 days 1GB £25.00
Considering this will be your only expenditure on top of your monthly bill, it is fairly reasonable.
Lasts for Allowance Price
24 hours 2MB £0.50
24 hours 100MB £2.00
7 days 250MB £12.50
30 days 1GB £25.00
Considering this will be your only expenditure on top of your monthly bill, it is fairly reasonable.
Feb 17, 2013, 10:00 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
Useful Thread, and thanks to all who contribute.
I just need a cheap (really cheap) Sim for use in the USA for 3 weeks twice a year - and one or two phone calls a day. I have a twin-Sim Android phone, but the cheapest option seems to be to just buy a TracPhone from Walgreens and throw it away at the end of the trip.
I just need a cheap (really cheap) Sim for use in the USA for 3 weeks twice a year - and one or two phone calls a day. I have a twin-Sim Android phone, but the cheapest option seems to be to just buy a TracPhone from Walgreens and throw it away at the end of the trip.
Feb 17, 2013, 10:09 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
Having just bought a cheap Jersey Telecom Android phone with 2 Sim slots, I'm watching this space with great interest.
I don't need data, just voice for 3 weeks at a time at a sensible price - like PAYG. Any tips?
Where I stay I have free Internet on the iPad.
I don't need data, just voice for 3 weeks at a time at a sensible price - like PAYG. Any tips?
Where I stay I have free Internet on the iPad.
Feb 17, 2013, 10:20 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alameda, CA, US
Programs: BAEC Gold (GGL/CCR), HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,346
SFO has a shop on the arrival level of the International terminal which sells mobile stuff, including SIMs.
As someone suggested to buy a cheap phone and use a pay as you go service. Besides the mentioned providers of AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, there are also their offsprings/different marketed providers such as MetroPCS, Boostmobile, Virgin Mobile, etc. These all have usual offers for a cheap phone and then different daily or monthly service with no contract.
As someone suggested to buy a cheap phone and use a pay as you go service. Besides the mentioned providers of AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, there are also their offsprings/different marketed providers such as MetroPCS, Boostmobile, Virgin Mobile, etc. These all have usual offers for a cheap phone and then different daily or monthly service with no contract.
Feb 17, 2013, 12:10 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 445
Tmobile is extending coverage for "euro-usable" 3G-frequency
http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobile-te...e-users-202986
Coverage in urban areas has improved significantly during the last months.
Feb 17, 2013, 12:52 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA S
Posts: 1,335
Feb 17, 2013, 2:11 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: BAEC Silver, LH FT, Accor Plat
Posts: 235
3 will unlock any phone on their network for around 15 quid
I posted a link to the three site but it didn't work, but look under "device support" in their support section and you can find out about unlocking your three handset.
Pay Monthly.
You can unlock your device when you’re 30 days or more into your contract and once you’ve paid your first bill, or straight away if you’ve upgraded your contract.
You can unlock your device when you’re 30 days or more into your contract and once you’ve paid your first bill, or straight away if you’ve upgraded your contract.
Feb 17, 2013, 2:28 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
I go to New York a couple of times a year, and end up surviving on wi-fi - free at (my) hotel, coffee shops etc. as pointed out above.
To fill in the gaps I use $2 per day for unlimited talk/texts/2G data with TMobile.
To fill in the gaps I use $2 per day for unlimited talk/texts/2G data with TMobile.
Feb 17, 2013, 2:51 pm
#55
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,328
Vodafone offer 25mb per day for £5 anywhere in the world. Not as good as the EE deals in the countries where that's available, BUT I prefer it as I haven't got to worry about what country I'm in before turning on my 3G.
Feb 17, 2013, 7:18 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
Straight Talk offers $45/ month with unlimited data on any unlocked GSM phone. SIM cards are only sold through their website... problem is they're paranoid about credit card fraud and have policies make it difficult to get one delivered even as a resident (let alone a foreign visitor): restricted delivery to the cardholder's billing address only - absolutely no exceptions. The first SIM I ordered from ended up being returned to sender and refunded since I was always at work when the FedEx man came by and my fiancee wasn't allowed to sign for it as a restricted delivery (I even called FedEx to see if she could be authorized to accept the package for me, and the CSA I spoke to said that she wouldn't be able to sign "even if we were married and had the same last name", he was very apologetic about it and said I wasn't the only one to have this issue with Straight Talk). Second time we had our retired neighbor place the order under her name and paid her to sit around on delivery day and wait for the package. Pain in the you know what but their monthly prices made it totally worth it.
Realistically you'd need a friend or relative in the US who could place the order for you, preferably somebody who works from home or is retired and would be able to sit around for a few hours on delivery day waiting for the FedEx man/woman, but if you can somehow make it work their prices can't be beat.
Realistically you'd need a friend or relative in the US who could place the order for you, preferably somebody who works from home or is retired and would be able to sit around for a few hours on delivery day waiting for the FedEx man/woman, but if you can somehow make it work their prices can't be beat.
Last edited by thomwithanh; Feb 17, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Feb 17, 2013, 7:38 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 668
By far the best option for this situation is the T-mobile $30/month plan. Unlimited data (5GB at 3G/4G speeds), unlimited texts, and 100 minutes.
It's available at Walmart and with new activations (so don't buy an already-activated SIM card).
As noted above, T-mobile only recently gained access to the 3G/4G GSM spectrum that the iPhone uses, but they are rapidly converting towers, and living in central NJ I get 3G about half of the time, and in NYC nearly all of the time.
You can see the coverage here:
www.airportal.de
It's available at Walmart and with new activations (so don't buy an already-activated SIM card).
As noted above, T-mobile only recently gained access to the 3G/4G GSM spectrum that the iPhone uses, but they are rapidly converting towers, and living in central NJ I get 3G about half of the time, and in NYC nearly all of the time.
You can see the coverage here:
www.airportal.de
Feb 17, 2013, 7:50 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 668
Useful Thread, and thanks to all who contribute.
I just need a cheap (really cheap) Sim for use in the USA for 3 weeks twice a year - and one or two phone calls a day. I have a twin-Sim Android phone, but the cheapest option seems to be to just buy a TracPhone from Walgreens and throw it away at the end of the trip.
I just need a cheap (really cheap) Sim for use in the USA for 3 weeks twice a year - and one or two phone calls a day. I have a twin-Sim Android phone, but the cheapest option seems to be to just buy a TracPhone from Walgreens and throw it away at the end of the trip.
- Get a T-mobile prepaid SIM, not on a plan but rather "pay as you go." If you add $100 to the SIM you gain "gold status" and your balance will then have an expiration date a year in the future. You can then add $10 at any time during that year, and the entire $110 balance is extended a further year (this can be done online at tmobile.com so you don't need to be in the USA physically). So for just $10/year you get a USA cell phone and SIM card number, with full rollover of your balance each year. I did this for several years while an expat who visited the US occasionally. You can order SIMs on t-mobile.com, they are usually free or $10 at most shipped to a US address.
- Sign up for Google Voice. They will give you a phone number for free in perpetuity. Each time you come to the US and buy a cheap disposable phone (or SIM card). You then log into google voice and enter this new number. Calls will be forwarded from your Google Voice number to your phone. This means that you don't have to tell everyone your new number, they can just dial your same old Google Voice number each time you're in the USA and it will ring your phone. You can also get an Obihai Obi 100 for $40 and be able to use that same google voice number from anywhere in the world with unlimited calling (this requires an ethernet connection).
- For the ultimate configuration, sign up with localphone.com and get another US number. Then forward your Google Voice number to that localphone number, which then forwards to your international mobile phone. Also add your USA T-mobile SIM card. And then in your overseas home hook up an Obihai 100 with a normal phone. What does this give you? If someone calls your Google Voice number and you are NOT in the USA, then BOTH your home phone rings AND your mobile phone rings (just like Google Voice in the USA). Whichever one you answer will take the call. The person calling pays no long distance from the US, and if you answer at home the call is free for you. If you answer on your mobile it's free to receive calls but your localphone balance will be deducted (it's cheap though). Finally if you happen to be INSIDE the USA, then your American phone will ring. Basically this gives you a US number that will work to reach you no matter where you are in the world, all for much, much cheaper than any kind of roaming. For instance, I did this in Russia and the costs are less than 10 cents a minute total, or free on the Obi 100.
Feb 17, 2013, 9:47 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
A note for us on the big island, Jersey Telecom SIMs are often used by international roaming call services as 'UK' mobile numbers with a 'UK' code such as 07937. They are not. Most operators charge higher than UK rates for calls to these numbers.
(Not a problem for T8191, of course.)
(Not a problem for T8191, of course.)
Feb 17, 2013, 10:05 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK, France and USA
Programs: *A, BAEC -Gold
Posts: 291
Mods, please allow a brief percolation here 
So... It's 2013 and I feel like it should be a breeze to get mobile data everywhere. Some progress has been made roaming to the EU but the USA is still prohibitively expensive.
For my forthcoming trips I'd buy another SIM and dual sim adapter but my phone (Samsung s3) is locked to 3.
Does anyone have any bright ideas for a cost-effective solution for getting data the US?
So... It's 2013 and I feel like it should be a breeze to get mobile data everywhere. Some progress has been made roaming to the EU but the USA is still prohibitively expensive.
For my forthcoming trips I'd buy another SIM and dual sim adapter but my phone (Samsung s3) is locked to 3.
Does anyone have any bright ideas for a cost-effective solution for getting data the US?
Very efficient delivery too - to any address of your choice.