All, I'm visiting Florida shortly and I'm wondering how best to stay in touch - should I buy a prepaid SIM card if so any suggestions as to which at all please or any other suggestions.
NB I will probably be using the phone/phones to call local cell phones in Florida.
Thanks
Pete
There was quite a discussion on this a couple of weeks ago, as a search may have shown
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=55828&highlight=
Guys,
I am travelling from Sydney Australia to Vegas in the USA shortly and need to forward my mobile to a prepaid sim I will buy when i land in LA, I was thinking of forwarding my Oz 3 sim to a Skype 'landline number I could buy for $24 for 3 months, then forwarding this to the USA sim card that will be in my mobile when over there? Is this a good idea or can you think of a better way?
Roaming on 3 for Oz people is disgusting, last time I travelled I racked up $700 bill in 4 days!!!!
ps
Whats a good 3G mobile provider in CA & AZ area, do you guys have mobile broadband available on pre-paids?
I actually never seen a place for or to buy prepaid sim cards. Here in the states
Thought that was only in europe
chibixzero said:
Thought that was only in europe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope all throughout Aisa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands etc...no one gets screwed on 12/24 month plans anymore...you guys need to keep up ;-)
i have a uk vodafone desire, its custom with aosp roms and us unlocked.
I am going to new York for a week and i need to get a pre pay sim, mainly just for data, i don't care about calls and texts as i just want access to email and Skype to call home.
I have looked at some of the sites, but i dont know which one to get, can anyone recommend one?
I have a truphone simcard here.
which i need to pay£10 to get the membership this will give me local rates in uk or usa no matter where i am then i can buy a USA number for £5 and then buy some credit maybe £10 may do.... so that's £25 about $50, so i guess thats the bench mark. The desire is quad band so should work over there.
Did you take your trip already?
Your UK Desire doesn't have any 3G bands for the USA, so you'll be stuck with 2G/EDGE. T-Mobile USA has a $1.49/day data pass that is "unlimited". They throttle after 30 MB daily usage, but the speed reduction only shows up in 3G mode. You won't get 3G so you won't notice. It'll just be slow all the time...
If you want faster than EDGE you'll need a separate device.
Missed it. As been already. Bought a samsung fakeberry while I was there. Expensed the topups. Was just for email, for 5days.
But thanks I will look at t. Mobile next time. I bought at&t..... they suck. With the new job I will be going NYC regularly.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
iamdarren said:
Missed it. As been already. Bought a samsung fakeberry while I was there. Expensed the topups. Was just for email, for 5days.
But thanks I will look at t. Mobile next time. I bought at&t..... they suck. With the new job I will be going NYC regularly.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Okay, well if you will be visiting the USA regularly, you may want to consider buying in the US a phone with T-Mobile US compatible 3G frequencies. Most of the T-Mo US phones also have UMTS 2100 for the UK, so you'll get 3G back home.
Be warned, T-Mo US is pretty choppy too, but you get a better deal for data than AT&T.
Another option as long as we're talking new hardware - you could buy a prepaid MiFi device from Virgin Mobile USA (CDMA carrier, runs on Sprint's network) and purchase data for that. Use the wifi on your phone to tap into that instead of data roaming; and you can also run your laptop/tablet/etc on it. It won't do you much good anywhere outside the USA, but for some this is a viable option.
Hi everyone
I bought my SGS 4G during my last US vacation.
Coming back to visit (10 days on August), I'd like to buy a prepaid SIM card with unlimited 3G/4G with a local line just for this stay.
I saw s SIM card for 50$ in the T-Mobile site.
How can I do that, if I'm not at the states at the moment?
What alternatives do I have?
I searched the web and couldn't find a clear, easy & cheap solution.
It has to work with my lovely SGS 4G.
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
itzik
Your best bet is most likely gonna be to just get the plan once you arrive in the states. Tmob stores are all over the place so unless your flying into Podunk, Kentucky(no offense to people from the great state of Kentucky) you should be able to find a store within a few miles of the airport. Hope you figure it out and you have a blast in the States.
Just out of curiosity where will you be? Here in NYC t-mobile stores are everywhere & may be in the airport itself.
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Hi guys
Last year in NYC 2 different AT&T stores didn't want to sell me a SIM card as I'm a tourist with no social security number. This year my starting point is Miami.
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I would contact a store close to where you will be staying in Miami. Tell them whats going on and they will probably be more than happy to help you. Also Walmart sells T-mo stuff so they might be able to help you. IIRC you can save a tiny bit buying from walmart.
Another option is use the Straight Talk sim card program. Its five bucks cheaper and the same service. Im not totally sure of the data connection. Im looking into the type of data connection you get. I know Normal straight talk phones have the same coverage as att,verizon and t-mo. Ill update once I can get a straight answer.
Great, 10x, I'll make some research on the mobile stores around my staying area i.e south beach.
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It would be best to wait until you're in the states. You will have no problem getting a prepaid SIM activated from T-Mobile (I am an Event Rep for them). I'm not sure if they offer it in Florida but if you don't really need many minutesthey offer unlimited 4g (throttled after 5gb) & messaging with 100 minutes for $30. I sell a lot of that plan during conventions here in Denver.
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Talked to a Straight talk rep the byod sims operate 3g service. So if the T-Mo $30 plan doesnt have enough minutes for ya that is a option.
Hi eb13
That plan sounds like just what I need. Is it limited to a period of time? I found a T-mo store in Miami but it has low ratings.. and probably they won't offer this plan. I'll try contacting them on Monday.
Thanks.
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itzik2sh said:
Hi eb13
That plan sounds like just what I need. Is it limited to a period of time? I found a T-mo store in Miami but it has low ratings.. and probably they won't offer this plan. I'll try contacting them on Monday.
Thanks.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The t-mo 30 dollar plan is good for 30 days.
This from the t-mo site.
*First 5GB at up to 4G speeds. New activations only. Available exclusively in-store at Walmart, on Walmart.com, and T-Mobile.com.
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Click to collapse
I would goto walmart and get it. Normally they are slightly cheaper.
eollie said:
The t-mo 30 dollar plan is good for 30 days.
This from the t-mo site.
I would goto walmart and get it. Normally they are slightly cheaper.
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Click to collapse
+1 Walmart and online arethe only points of sale for the $30 plan
Source: used to work cell phones in Walmart, then wireless advocates (staples/Costco) and TMobile
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Hi Again
OK, so regarding the T-mobile 30$ plan I found this on T-mo site :
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
and this one on Wallmart site :
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tmobile-30-Wireless-Airtime-Card/15443357?findingMethod=rr#ProductDetail
Few things still unclear to me :
1. If I buy it from T-mo, do I have to do it in advance and ask for delivery to the hotel or can I just instantly go and buy it from a local T-mo store I found 15 minutes walk from the Hotel ?
maybe I should order it online and just go pick it up from that store ?
2. Why do all stores in Miami get lousy reviews with "bad customer service", "no parking" and "no one speaks English there" ?
3. Wallmart centers are not near my staying place, so I could order it and get it shipped to the hotel I suppose, but here it says :
"The $30 Unlimited Web & Text with 100 min talk plan works only with T-Mobile Phones purchased from a Walmart store or from Walmart.com"
WTF ? I bought my phone in some local Manhattan store I don't even remember its name.
4. Even in Wallmart site I see I get the activation code via mail - but how would they know my IMEI number?
Regarding the Straight-Talk plans I found this one :
http://www.straighttalksim.com/shop.php
So what I understand from this is that it will cost me 60$ overall (which is twice the T-mo price).
I don't really need the unlimited talk, but mabe it's worth the price comparing to T-mobile service.
What do you advise ?
Thanks !!!
The $30 plan is suppose to be part of the byod(bring your own device) promotion so walmart should be willing to sell you the sim card. I would goto my local walmart and ask but I know each store will do things slightly different.
You also might be able to contact t-mobile and tell them what your wanting to do and ask what they suggest. They might be able to have the item shipped to the hotel in advance of your arrival and you pick it up at the desk when you sign in. What you are getting from them is the sim card it costs like 4 bucks and they refund that to you once you activate.
If you dont need the unlimited calling then I would stick to t-mo. In Miami area the 4g service should be super.
itzik2sh said:
Hi Again
OK, so regarding the T-mobile 30$ plan I found this on T-mo site :
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
and this one on Wallmart site :
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tmobile-30-Wireless-Airtime-Card/15443357?findingMethod=rr#ProductDetail
Few things still unclear to me :
1. If I buy it from T-mo, do I have to do it in advance and ask for delivery to the hotel or can I just instantly go and buy it from a local T-mo store I found 15 minutes walk from the Hotel ?
maybe I should order it online and just go pick it up from that store ?
2. Why do all stores in Miami get lousy reviews with "bad customer service", "no parking" and "no one speaks English there" ?
3. Wallmart centers are not near my staying place, so I could order it and get it shipped to the hotel I suppose, but here it says :
"The $30 Unlimited Web & Text with 100 min talk plan works only with T-Mobile Phones purchased from a Walmart store or from Walmart.com"
WTF ? I bought my phone in some local Manhattan store I don't even remember its name.
4. Even in Wallmart site I see I get the activation code via mail - but how would they know my IMEI number?
Regarding the Straight-Talk plans I found this one :
http://www.straighttalksim.com/shop.php
So what I understand from this is that it will cost me 60$ overall (which is twice the T-mo price).
I don't really need the unlimited talk, but mabe it's worth the price comparing to T-mobile service.
What do you advise ?
Thanks !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. No you do not need to buy in advance. You can walk into any Tmo store and buy prepaid activation on site. Choose to activate yourself by phone and the $30 option is available to anyone who activate by phone.
2. Because people are jerks
3. disregard that, I sell these plans to people on a daily basis at numerous locations and in any phone. I have activated these for customers with unlocked iphones (not proud of that).
4. You provide your IMEI when activating buy it's only to make sure you're not going to use a phone that's been reported stolen from retail. (if a phone is stolen from a retail location the IMEI guess into a database)
I highly advise staying away from Straight Talk - just my opinion but there service on every level is less than respectable.
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Hi guys
Thanks for all the replies!
I'm probably taking the 30$ unlimited web plan and Skype pay as you go credit for the long distance. I think it's ideal for a 10 days period.
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Hi everyone,
Excuse me for bringing back this topic, but I have a similar question regarding this topic. We're visiting California next week as an European tourist. I'm willing to buy the 30 days unlimited web prepaid deal from t mobile, however I saw that it is for 'US residents only'.
Do they check this? Do you have to provide a passport or something?
We only need Internet for 3 weeks so 30 days is sufficient, it's mainly for navigation purpose on my HTC Sensation.
Another question, is the sim a standard one or is it a micro sim?
Hope you can give us the answer! Can't wait for our visit!
Best regards,
Jasper from the Netherlands.
Dutchman86 said:
Hi everyone,
Excuse me for bringing back this topic, but I have a similar question regarding this topic. We're visiting California next week as an European tourist. I'm willing to buy the 30 days unlimited web prepaid deal from t mobile, however I saw that it is for 'US residents only'.
Do they check this? Do you have to provide a passport or something?
We only need Internet for 3 weeks so 30 days is sufficient, it's mainly for navigation purpose on my HTC Sensation.
Another question, is the sim a standard one or is it a micro sim?
Hope you can give us the answer! Can't wait for our visit!
Best regards,
Jasper from the Netherlands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they do not check it. You do not need to provide a passport. However you may be required to present an ID. It varies. If you plan to get one at a T-Mobile store, you can request a standard one, or microsim. If for some reason you decide to buy it online, it'll come as a standard similar card.
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Hey everyone, quick question.. going on a last minute trip for a couple days to Amsterdam probably Sunday or Monday....Anyone know if my VZW M8 will work in Amsterdam if I were to pick up a pre-paid sim over there for mainly data and some airtime in case i need to make calls? Anyone have experience doing this? any recommendations on carriers over there? Thanks
baune7 said:
Hey everyone, quick question.. going on a last minute trip for a couple days to Amsterdam probably Sunday or Monday....Anyone know if my VZW M8 will work in Amsterdam if I were to pick up a pre-paid sim over there for mainly data and some airtime in case i need to make calls? Anyone have experience doing this? any recommendations on carriers over there? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The VZW M8 is SIM unlocked so it SHOULD work, KPN, Vodafone and T-mobile are probably the three largest providers there.
Thanks dude