SIM card question
Aug 23, 2004 | 12:40 pm
#1
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SIM card question
I'm still new at this, so I hope this is not a dumb question. I use Verizon here in the states (CDMA). I've bought a second, unlocked GSM phone to use in Europe. I'm going to buy local SIM cards there. It occurs to me that I might get a pre-paid SIM card here, with a small amount of minutes, so that I can use the phone right away for emergencies until I get the local SIM card.
Any suggestion on which carrier would be best to buy a US-based SIM card here on a pre-paid basis for this purpose?
Any suggestion on which carrier would be best to buy a US-based SIM card here on a pre-paid basis for this purpose?
Aug 23, 2004 | 12:48 pm
#2
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Originally Posted by sfolawyer
I'm still new at this, so I hope this is not a dumb question. I use Verizon here in the states (CDMA). I've bought a second, unlocked GSM phone to use in Europe. I'm going to buy local SIM cards there. It occurs to me that I might get a pre-paid SIM card here, with a small amount of minutes, so that I can use the phone right away for emergencies until I get the local SIM card.
Any suggestion on which carrier would be best to buy a US-based SIM card here on a pre-paid basis for this purpose?
Any suggestion on which carrier would be best to buy a US-based SIM card here on a pre-paid basis for this purpose?
I think* T-mobile is better in the SFO part....
Aug 23, 2004 | 12:55 pm
#4
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Originally Posted by sfolawyer
Any suggestion on which carrier would be best to buy a US-based SIM card here on a pre-paid basis for this purpose?
Aug 23, 2004 | 5:17 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by KVS
Most, if not all, North American GSM operators do not provide any international roaming capabilities to the users of their pre-paid services...
http://www.telestial.com
Aug 23, 2004 | 6:03 pm
#7
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O2 in the Uk do pre paid sims with credit that doesn't expire as long as you make or receive a call once every couple of months, they work anywhere in the world and are very cheap, you can normally buy them for 1 on line direct from the website.
I checked out that website above and oh my god!! $40 dollars for a card that are nealry given away
Link to there website where you can find out the charges for calls in a specific country
http://travelabroad.o2-uktech.com/coverage.php?n=b
Dino
I checked out that website above and oh my god!! $40 dollars for a card that are nealry given away
Link to there website where you can find out the charges for calls in a specific country
http://travelabroad.o2-uktech.com/coverage.php?n=b
Dino
Aug 23, 2004 | 7:48 pm
#8
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best thins is the buy before leavgin
Originally Posted by sfolawyer
I'm still new at this, so I hope this is not a dumb question. I use Verizon here in the states (CDMA). I've bought a second, unlocked GSM phone to use in Europe. I'm going to buy local SIM cards there. It occurs to me that I might get a pre-paid SIM card here, with a small amount of minutes, so that I can use the phone right away for emergencies until I get the local SIM card.
Any suggestion on which carrier would be best to buy a US-based SIM card here on a pre-paid basis for this purpose?
Any suggestion on which carrier would be best to buy a US-based SIM card here on a pre-paid basis for this purpose?
From an in country providor. Like Virgin, t-mobile, etc.
There are companies that will sell online, or go with an ebay seller. Find osmeone with mnay cards, and ask them for one of each once you win an auction.
no us providors do interneational at all
Aug 24, 2004 | 8:58 am
#9
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Originally Posted by sfolawyer
It occurs to me that I might get a pre-paid SIM card here, with a small amount of minutes, so that I can use the phone right away for emergencies until I get the local SIM card.
Aug 24, 2004 | 1:47 pm
#10
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Having just returned from London with my unlocked GSM phone I can tell you that my US T-Mobile prepaid card did not work in the UK. I quickly found a stationary store and purchased a Virgin Mobile pre-paid SIM. Unlike purchasing a prepaid card in the US; there were no forms to fill out, ID to produce, or credit card to be given.
Aug 24, 2004 | 1:50 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by UAVirgin
I quickly found a stationary store and purchased a Virgin Mobile pre-paid SIM.
Aug 24, 2004 | 1:51 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by UAVirgin
Unlike purchasing a prepaid card in the US; there were no forms to fill out, ID to produce, or credit card to be given.
They ASK for a name and DOB but that is only for your own account security. You can give them any name and DOB you want, as long as you remember it.
You do not need ID or a CC to get a US (T-mobile) prepaid sim.
Aug 24, 2004 | 1:54 pm
#13
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Originally Posted by pdhenry
What was the cost, and how many minutes were included? Is Virgin Mobile 1800MHz only? (My phone uses 900 MHz overseas).
Virgin is a virtual operator on the One2One network so it's fully GSM1800.
You can buy a starter kit with Nokia phone for just GBP40 or with a colour Motorola for just GBP50.
Aug 24, 2004 | 2:21 pm
#14
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Are you talking about Virgin USA, because it clearly is CDMA... It would've been nice if they offered GSM service here in the States, then it will be easy for people from UK to use their Virgin Services while in the States....
Aug 25, 2004 | 1:13 am
#15
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Originally Posted by FLYDCA
Not a single US based pre-paid GSM provider allows International roaming that I know of. You can however buy pre-paid sims before your trip at this web site:
http://www.telestial.com
http://www.telestial.com