T-Mobile To Go (or others) - Can I Buy Only The SIM Card/Number?
Oct 5, 2005 | 8:36 am
#1
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T-Mobile To Go (or others) - Can I Buy Only The SIM Card/Number?
I will be in the US for about two weeks. I have my own GSM phone, and wonder if I can just buy the SIM card to get a GSM service in the US?
I have searched the forum and found that T-Mobile has a prepaid service. Went to their website but can only find 'starter packs' which includes (locked) mobile phone - which I don't need.
Thanks in advance for any info.
I have searched the forum and found that T-Mobile has a prepaid service. Went to their website but can only find 'starter packs' which includes (locked) mobile phone - which I don't need.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Oct 5, 2005 | 9:50 am
#2
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Yes, any T-mobile (or Cingular) store will sell you the sim. For T-mobile your phone will need to be able to do GSM1900, for Cingular you'll need GSM850/1900.
Last time I purchased a Cingular sim it was free if you purchased a top-up card, T-mobile charges $25 for the sim and requires a $25 top-up card.
They will assign any phone number you want, though you can change this for free.
You can also order one off ebay.
Last time I purchased a Cingular sim it was free if you purchased a top-up card, T-mobile charges $25 for the sim and requires a $25 top-up card.
They will assign any phone number you want, though you can change this for free.
You can also order one off ebay.
Oct 5, 2005 | 10:28 am
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Oct 5, 2005 | 11:53 am
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Thanks ScottC for the reply & mashav for the link. ^
ScottC, so does my phone need to have 850 and 1900 for Cingular? I will bring my Nokia N70 - don't think it has 850. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.
ScottC, so does my phone need to have 850 and 1900 for Cingular? I will bring my Nokia N70 - don't think it has 850. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.
Oct 5, 2005 | 3:10 pm
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Originally Posted by mashav
Oct 12, 2005 | 10:59 pm
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Just bought a T-mobile sim card on E-bay and popped it into an Ericsson T39 unlocked tri-band I had also just bought on E-bay. Popped it in and it works.
The cost was something like 8 bucks (plus shipping, how they can charge another 6 for putting an item into an evelope is beyond me), so about 15 bucks including California tax for 150 minutes.
The cost was something like 8 bucks (plus shipping, how they can charge another 6 for putting an item into an evelope is beyond me), so about 15 bucks including California tax for 150 minutes.
Oct 13, 2005 | 12:45 am
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Originally Posted by StarG
Thanks ScottC for the reply & mashav for the link. ^
ScottC, so does my phone need to have 850 and 1900 for Cingular? I will bring my Nokia N70 - don't think it has 850. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.
ScottC, so does my phone need to have 850 and 1900 for Cingular? I will bring my Nokia N70 - don't think it has 850. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.
If your phone doesn't support 850 MHz then you might want to stick with T-Mobile. If you want to go with Cingular, you could always pick up a an 850 MHz handset once here in the states. If you're into gaming, the Nokia N-Gage QD phone is dual-band 1900/850MHz and only $99 at GameStop with games on clearance at 50% off.
Oct 13, 2005 | 6:42 pm
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The cheapest way to do this is an ebay purchase of a new Tmobile prepaid sim. BUT, from my experiences,Tmobile's network os a clear step or two down from Cingular's. But that hasn't keep me from buying more Tmobile refills.
At least Tmobile's telephone agents have been great!
At least Tmobile's telephone agents have been great!
Oct 13, 2005 | 7:21 pm
#9
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I did it on Ebay. Got the sim that was activated already, had something like 150 or 200 min on it, popped it in and it worked from day one. Called T-mobile up and asked to get a number change to my local area code, no problem. Most of the e-bay cards have a very fast expiration time, two weeks to a month, but you can keep them working with a recharge.
Beware of one thing with t-mobile prepaid, you don't roam to many other networks. If you are going someplace other then a major area, it may not have coverage for you.
I've been preapid only since April, I dont' think I'll ever go back.
Beware of one thing with t-mobile prepaid, you don't roam to many other networks. If you are going someplace other then a major area, it may not have coverage for you.
I've been preapid only since April, I dont' think I'll ever go back.
Oct 14, 2005 | 12:32 pm
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Originally Posted by roberto99
BUT, from my experiences,Tmobile's network os a clear step or two down from Cingular's...At least Tmobile's telephone agents have been great!
And ditto on the T-mobile agents. Just switched the initial phone number to a local area code, and it all worked as promised.
Oct 14, 2005 | 1:55 pm
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Originally Posted by roberto99
The cheapest way to do this is an ebay purchase of a new Tmobile prepaid sim. BUT, from my experiences,Tmobile's network os a clear step or two down from Cingular's. But that hasn't keep me from buying more Tmobile refills.
At least Tmobile's telephone agents have been great!
At least Tmobile's telephone agents have been great!
Funny; my experience is the opposite. Cingular has a larger coverage area but very spotty quality. T-mobile for me has been constantly good.
Oct 14, 2005 | 3:03 pm
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Originally Posted by StarG
I will be in the US for about two weeks. I have my own GSM phone, and wonder if I can just buy the SIM card to get a GSM service in the US?
I have searched the forum and found that T-Mobile has a prepaid service. Went to their website but can only find 'starter packs' which includes (locked) mobile phone - which I don't need.
Thanks in advance for any info.
I have searched the forum and found that T-Mobile has a prepaid service. Went to their website but can only find 'starter packs' which includes (locked) mobile phone - which I don't need.
Thanks in advance for any info.
You can most likely use your phone that you have now. if you want pvt me its model and make and I'll verify. Since you said you'll only be here for two weeks don't bother with Cingular, thier prepaid plan isnt really going to be suite for you and you lack a frequency they use. Although if you provideme the area you'll be in I can verify if it is a 1900 only market of not.
Good Luck!
-Vincent