Phone questions
Sep 27, 2004 | 4:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Asia
Posts: 368
Phone questions
Hi,
Two quick questions related to phone coverage in the US.
-Can I bring in my GSM phone (which uses a SIM card) and purchase a prepaid SIM card for use domestically within the USA?. If not, are there any other options for cheap prepaid mobile phones. I have a credit history and a social security number etc. in the U.S.A. Its been a while since I have been out of the country
-Which is the cheapest/best way to call domestically state to state for example. I presume there are a lot of phone cards/access numbers etc. that one can purchase?.
Thanks
RJ
Two quick questions related to phone coverage in the US.
-Can I bring in my GSM phone (which uses a SIM card) and purchase a prepaid SIM card for use domestically within the USA?. If not, are there any other options for cheap prepaid mobile phones. I have a credit history and a social security number etc. in the U.S.A. Its been a while since I have been out of the country
-Which is the cheapest/best way to call domestically state to state for example. I presume there are a lot of phone cards/access numbers etc. that one can purchase?.
Thanks
RJ
Sep 27, 2004 | 7:30 pm
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
1) depends on the bands your phone covers. Our GSM here is mostly 850 or 1900. The rest of the world is of course a bit different.
2) Not sure about prepaid Sims
3) State to state and even state overseas, I use onesuite for all my long distance calls. As low as 2.5 cents per minute, with $10 minimum purchase. Full details at www.onesuite.com. I've been using them for years.
2) Not sure about prepaid Sims
3) State to state and even state overseas, I use onesuite for all my long distance calls. As low as 2.5 cents per minute, with $10 minimum purchase. Full details at www.onesuite.com. I've been using them for years.
Sep 27, 2004 | 11:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: F9 Gold, peon and loving it everywhere else
Posts: 4,018
T-Mobile has some good prepaid GSM packages. If you need a new phone (i.e. if your foreign phone doesn't do the 1900 band) I've seen new Nokia 3390s with US SIM and a small amount of starter airtime for $49 to $59.
Your local T-Mobile store should be able to hook you up with a new prepaid SIM for $20 plus airtime, around 40 cents per minute for USA calls. Top-up cards are readily available at gas stations, convenience stores, newsstands and the like.
T-Mo's postpaid plans are much cheaper if you make a lot of calls (my plan is 1000 daytime domestic weekday minutes + unlimited domestic night & weekend minutes for $39.99/month plus tax) but they all require a one-year contract.
Your local T-Mobile store should be able to hook you up with a new prepaid SIM for $20 plus airtime, around 40 cents per minute for USA calls. Top-up cards are readily available at gas stations, convenience stores, newsstands and the like.
T-Mo's postpaid plans are much cheaper if you make a lot of calls (my plan is 1000 daytime domestic weekday minutes + unlimited domestic night & weekend minutes for $39.99/month plus tax) but they all require a one-year contract.
Sep 28, 2004 | 4:54 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: HHonors Silver
Posts: 4,029
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The biggest problem with most prepaid plans, IMO, is that the airtime expires if you don't add more money within 30-90 days. One exception I know of is Tracfone, who sells an annual card with around 250 minutes for ~$95. This isn't really much cheaper than other carriers' 30-90 day cards, but you have a much longer time window between chargeups.
Once in awhile I've seen Tracfone phones for around $60 with a year of service (but no minutes), but maybe only at places like Sam's Club.
Once in awhile I've seen Tracfone phones for around $60 with a year of service (but no minutes), but maybe only at places like Sam's Club.