[Completed] Prepaid Data Plan USA - XDA Assist

Hey XDA-lers,
I think it's an unusual question because it's not directly related to tech... But maybe it can be answered here (hope it's the right forum?).
My girlfriend and me want to travel to USA next month for 5 weeks. We want to rent a car and drive through california, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho - typical touristic thing everybody does .
Since we need internet (for navigation and everything else), we search for a data plan. We don't need SMS or phone - only data. 5gb would be perfect.
Does anybody know a cheap plan with good coverage in this region?
I found this one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tmobile-30-Wireless-Airtime-Card/15443357
But I think, you need to buy a phone at Walmart to get it?!
Something in this direction would be perfect!
Thank you very much!
snoK

Nobody an idea? No Americans here?

Hi
Thanks for writing to us at XDA Assist. I can't find anything relating to your question on XDA, it would probably be best to ask here:
Questions and Answers

No response in two days, thread closed.

Related

WANTED: XDA IIs or BETTER???

I've been a loyal Siemens SX56 user for the last couple of years, but after accidentally driving over the unit last week, I need to get a new unit ASAP.
I've been considering the XDA IIs (or the PDA2K) but need to find a place to buy one immediately, in Canada!!! I've been watching eBay for days, and hope to avoid the whole cross-border or international shipping nonsense.
I'm in the Toronto area. ANY SUGGESTIONS??? Thank you!
Check out http://www.dweiniger.com -- he's in Toronto, and is very highly regarded over at Howard Forums.
Are you SURE he's in Toronto, Ontario? I looked all over the website you mentioned (http://www.dweiniger.com) and didn't find anything to indicate he is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Based on some of the postings I read over at Howard Forums, I'd thought he was in Toronto -- however, it appears he's actually in New Jersey (or at least his domain is registered there).

[Q] Sprint contract workaround?

Hi all, this is my first post here. I'm relatively tech-savvy but mobile development isn't my forte. Anyway, I've tried many search strings on the site but I haven't found a directly relevant answer.
Essentially the issue is I have a grandfathered service plan from approximately 2004 where I'm getting data for $5/month. I was using a lame HTC Touch Pro until it shattered. Unfortunately, to purchase a new smartphone (figuratively anything that isn't a flip phone), I would need to enter into a new contract on their exponentially more expensive terms. Additionally, I'm going to get nailed with all kinds of new bull**** fees (a 4G fee when it has barely been developed in NYC). Obviously I'm hoping for a more cost-effective approach.
Furthermore, I saw someone briefly mention in another thread that the OP could just buy a phone outright. I'm wondering if purchasing a phone unlocked and then somehow activating it on Sprint's network or some other hack would be possible. Price is a significant constraint; it's not feasible for me to drop $750 on an unlocked smartphone, so it's preferable if I can find some kind of workaround that's subsidized.
Thanks for reading through this, hope you can lend some advice on the optimal solution.
Sprint won't accept unlocked phones. I don't think there is a such thing as a unlocked cdma phone.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
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Moving to Q&A

How can I buy a T-Mobile prepaid SIM card for my US vacation?

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.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
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.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
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.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
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.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
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.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
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.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Walmart and online arethe only points of sale for the $30 plan
Source: used to work cell phones in Walmart, then wireless advocates (staples/Costco) and TMobile
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Hi Again
OK, so regarding the T-mobile 30$ 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 $30 option is available to anyone who activate by phone.
2. Because people are jerks
3. disregard that, I sell these plans to people on a daily basis at numerous locations and in any phone. I have activated these for customers with unlocked iphones (not proud of that).
4. You provide your IMEI when activating buy it's only to make sure you're not going to use a phone that's been reported stolen from retail. (if a phone is stolen from a retail location the IMEI guess into a database)
I highly advise staying away from Straight Talk - just my opinion but there service on every level is less than respectable.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
Hi guys
Thanks for all the replies!
I'm probably taking the 30$ unlimited web plan and Skype pay as you go credit for the long distance. I think it's ideal for a 10 days period.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA
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.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium

[Q] Travelling to France and prepaid data sim

Hi people,
Not sure if anyone has experience with this but on the old continent we have providers per country. This means that if I travel about 60 to 300km I will be paying like crazy for 1MB of data (at least 0.7€ or like US $1).
Now these prices are insane I know and yes I once had the pleasure of owning a wm6.5 phone that liked roaming and cost me .... a lot for a week.
Now I will be in France (Mount Ventoux area) for 2 weeks in July in the middle of nowhere and I want to have 3G or at least some data coverage so I can be in contact with my parents (read XDA) etc.
Does someone , preferably some French person here have any possibilities to find out if there is something like a prepaid card with data?
Thx in advance!
lukesan said:
Hi people,
Not sure if anyone has experience with this but on the old continent we have providers per country. This means that if I travel about 60 to 300km I will be paying like crazy for 1MB of data (at least 0.7€ or like US $1).
Now these prices are insane I know and yes I once had the pleasure of owning a wm6.5 phone that liked roaming and cost me .... a lot for a week.
Now I will be in France (Mount Ventoux area) for 2 weeks in July in the middle of nowhere and I want to have 3G or at least some data coverage so I can be in contact with my parents (read XDA) etc.
Does someone , preferably some French person here have any possibilities to find out if there is something like a prepaid card with data?
Thx in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump

[Q] 3 wks NY - Provider / Data plan

Hi everyone
In case this thread is in the wrong subforum – I apologise in advance!
I’m going to stay in New York for three weeks and I was wondering if there is any recommendation for a guy from Europe who won’t abstain from mobile surfing.
Are there any short-term data plans or something else?
I have an HTC One S(4), will it be problematic using an US provider because of other bands used? Frequency?

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