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help! prepay sim for htc desire in New york, which to buy for DATA???

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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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.

Where To Buy 4G Note 10.1 In US?

I've looked everywhere for a Note 10.1 and can only find it on Amazon for $600+. Is this the only place to buy it? Why isn't this available in Best Buy, Wal Mart, ATT Stores etc?
I'd really like to pick one up by the end of the year.....

LuckyStrike88 said:
I've looked everywhere for a Note 10.1 and can only find it on Amazon for $600+. Is this the only place to buy it? Why isn't this available in Best Buy, Wal Mart, ATT Stores etc?
I'd really like to pick one up by the end of the year.....
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Click to collapse
There's no LTE version of the galaxy note 10.1, just 3g (the 8020--an LTE version doesn't seem to be shipping to retailers anywhere). You can buy the 3g galaxy note 10.1 from other vendors, including Sams Stores; however, most are higher than Amazon's price--expect to pay $625-$629 USD. (Right now, Negri Electronics has the unlocked 3g version available for $595 USD, I'm not sure how long that price will be valid, Negri is usually higher. http://negrielectronics.com/samsung...l?gclid=CI_s68298rMCFQmCQgodYWoAkw#.ULZxSqL-u ) If you really want LTE, look at the galaxy note 2, but expect to pay about the same price for the off contract version from US carriers (going unlocked international right now limits you to 3g). I'm seriously considering upgrading my existing Android tablet with the WIFI only version of the note 10.1. I'm not doing a lot of traveling right now and LTE isn't available in my area. Should I do more traveling next year to LTE areas, I'll get a prepaid MIFI to get LTE to supplement Internet access when WIF hotspots aren't available. I use VOIP on both my tablet and smartphone via WIFI and am happy with it, but then I've used VOIP at home exclusively for the past 8 years.

LuckyStrike88 said:
I've looked everywhere for a Note 10.1 and can only find it on Amazon for $600+. Is this the only place to buy it? Why isn't this available in Best Buy, Wal Mart, ATT Stores etc?
I'd really like to pick one up by the end of the year.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There will never be an N8000 sold in the U.S.; Samsung doesn't sell (or allow to be sold) any unlocked devices. So anywhere you get it it's going to be imported. An LTE Note passed the FCC a while ago with AT&T's bands so I'd expect them to offer it shortly; maybe in the beginning of the year. And any Note you will import is going to be HSPA+ 21MB which is 3G, not 4G. And if you find a N8020 it's highly unlikely it's LTE bands will be compatible with the U.S. carriers.

verizon gnote 10.1 with LTE is coming soon (allegedly). Google "sch-i925"
I'm not sure if this is bogus news....but anyone hear anything else about this mythical device?

There is LTE version of Note it has been launched in South Korea recently with JB as default and it also supports voice calling. It should launch in US soon as that will be the key market for the LTE version. The only reason Samsung delays its products in US is because of Apple Patent law suits

biswasd said:
verizon gnote 10.1 with LTE is coming soon (allegedly). Google "sch-i925"
I'm not sure if this is bogus news....but anyone hear anything else about this mythical device?
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I made a parenthetical reference to it in my post above. It's the 8020. It's been trotted out for press views but I couldn't find any references to it being stocked anywhere yet, even Korea. Given the non-uniform LTE standards stateside, you'll probably only be able to get this via a carrier. I would expect the off contract price to be slightly higher than the off contract price for the Note 2. I wouldn't expect to see the 8020 showing up at any US carriers until late in the 1st quarter of 2013 or possibly not even until the 2nd quarter.

I might get the att version if it ever comes out. 600 + for this tablet and 3g is just crazy .
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Sorry, I forgot my audience, I mean 3g not LTE which of course is true 4g. (I'm used to talking with people who don't understand)
Kind of depressing though, I can go to any electronics store and buy and iPad, yet a 3g Note 10.1 is next to impossible. And they wonder why android hasn't shaken up the tablet market? I don't want to buy this device if in 3 months I can get it through ATT by that point it there will be something newer...... I don't understand this business model.
So my next question would be is are there any high end android tablets I can get through ATT? Locally it is just the Galaxy Tab 2 which isn't really what I'm looking for. Also I would like to be able to make calls from the device if possible, but this is not mandatory.
Thanks.

LuckyStrike88 said:
Sorry, I forgot my audience, I mean 3g not LTE which of course is true 4g. (I'm used to talking with people who don't understand)
Kind of depressing though, I can go to any electronics store and buy and iPad, yet a 3g Note 10.1 is next to impossible. And they wonder why android hasn't shaken up the tablet market? I don't want to buy this device if in 3 months I can get it through ATT by that point it there will be something newer...... I don't understand this business model.
So my next question would be is are there any high end android tablets I can get through ATT? Locally it is just the Galaxy Tab 2 which isn't really what I'm looking for. Also I would like to be able to make calls from the device if possible, but this is not mandatory.
Thanks.
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I don't see a new LTE tablet coming out at the same time as the inevitable upgrade to the Note 10.1. There will probably be several months delay again in getting LTE tablets out because Samsung will need to work with individual carriers on LTE versions (same will be true of Europe as it rolls out LTE to more regions). If you live in an area with a Sams Store and have a membership or know someone who has a membership, check them out. They carry unlocked GSM phones and tablets. They have the Samsung P7320 (Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G LTE) as well as the 3G Note 10.1. I can't say how many stores have all items in stock. The problem with LTE in the US, as usual, is fragmented standards. This means that most LTE devices are only available through a carrier unless you're diligent and shop around online (NegriElectronics and Ebay are sources that occasionally have unlocked LTE devices that run on specific US carriers' LTE networks). You pay through the nose buying an on contract device locked to a fairly expensive monthly data plan that is added on top of a minimum of minutes for voice calls and texting. When you add up the cost of monthly fees over a 2-year minimum period plus the subsidized cost of a device, it's generally much, much more expensive than buying an unlocked, off contract device and then buying a prepaid service like Straight Talk (you can get an AT&T SIM or T-Mobile SIM, depending on which service is best in your area) https://www.straighttalk.com/secure/ServicePlans. There are also MVNOs for CDMA carriers Verizon and Sprint that have better prepaid monthly plans. Just take your time and do some research. If you're willing to carry a table rather than a phlablet, another option is getting a prepaid LTE MIFI device, which will be pretty small. Heck, if you have an LTE cellphone, check to see if you can use it as a hotspot.

mke1973 said:
I don't see a new LTE tablet coming out at the same time as the inevitable upgrade to the Note 10.1. There will probably be several months delay again in getting LTE tablets out because Samsung will need to work with individual carriers on LTE versions (same will be true of Europe as it rolls out LTE to more regions). If you live in an area with a Sams Store and have a membership or know someone who has a membership, check them out. They carry unlocked GSM phones and tablets. They have the Samsung P7320 (Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G LTE) as well as the 3G Note 10.1. I can't say how many stores have all items in stock. The problem with LTE in the US, as usual, is fragmented standards. This means that most LTE devices are only available through a carrier unless you're diligent and shop around online (NegriElectronics and Ebay are sources that occasionally have unlocked LTE devices that run on specific US carriers' LTE networks). You pay through the nose buying an on contract device locked to a fairly expensive monthly data plan that is added on top of a minimum of minutes for voice calls and texting. When you add up the cost of monthly fees over a 2-year minimum period plus the subsidized cost of a device, it's generally much, much more expensive than buying an unlocked, off contract device and then buying a prepaid service like Straight Talk (you can get an AT&T SIM or T-Mobile SIM, depending on which service is best in your area) https://www.straighttalk.com/secure/ServicePlans. There are also MVNOs for CDMA carriers Verizon and Sprint that have better prepaid monthly plans. Just take your time and do some research. If you're willing to carry a table rather than a phlablet, another option is getting a prepaid LTE MIFI device, which will be pretty small. Heck, if you have an LTE cellphone, check to see if you can use it as a hotspot.
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I can tether with my Note, but I'm planning on using this as a headunit in my car so I'd like to have Google navigation without having to be tethered constantly, plus according to the guy I know at ATT he says it will be $10 per month for a tablet because at work I'm on a family share plan of 10 lines and we only have 7 now.
I will call a few Sams Clubs I am a member but online they just have the wifi note 10.1 so I wasn't sure.

Please help ? Off-Contract purchase

I live in Lebanon, Middle East. My friend is currently in NY for few days, so can't have to wait for the phone to arrive in few weeks from Google. How can I basically purchase the phone unlocked from a retailer on the go? Can I buy it from Sprint or T-Mobil being unlocked and Sim Free? If not, what are the other ways? Please anyone? Only few days left for his arrival LOL !

its not in any other retailer at this time

Ensifolk said:
I live in Lebanon, Middle East. My friend is currently in NY for few days, so can't have to wait for the phone to arrive in few weeks from Google. How can I basically purchase the phone unlocked from a retailer on the go? Can I buy it from Sprint or T-Mobil being unlocked and Sim Free? If not, what are the other ways? Please anyone? Only few days left for his arrival LOL !
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The ones sold in the US are North America version, especially the LTE bands and isn't 100% compatible with the ones sold in other regions - like Asia & Europe as those bands (radios) are tuned differently.
My suggestions is that you find and ask ANOTHER friend going somewhere else in the Euro zone to buy one for you, assuming that it is not available or for sale at your location or home country.
As for trying to buy it in retail store, Sprint is supposed to have them in their local USA stores tomorrow (or later) but there could be a waiting list and you will be paying an extra surcharge for it + taxes - there's another thread about the higher prices (around $450 USD is what I recalled vs. $350 in Google Play Store) - that is if they will sell it without contract or activation.
No news yet as to whether T-Mobile USA will be selling them directly, most likely - later on, it will for a premium surcharge, similar to Sprint prices - without contract.
Nexus 5 are shipped from the LG unlocked - carriers do NOT lockup the Sim functions for their network only.

Letitride said:
The ones sold in the US are North America version, especially the LTE bands and isn't 100% compatible with the ones sold in other regions - like Asia & Europe as those bands (radios) are tuned differently.
My suggestions is that you find and ask ANOTHER friend going somewhere else in the Euro zone to buy one for you, assuming that it is not available or for sale at your location or home country.
As for trying to buy it in retail store, Sprint is supposed to have them in their local USA stores tomorrow (or later) but there could be a waiting list and you will be paying an extra surcharge for it + taxes - there's another thread about the higher prices (around $450 USD is what I recalled vs. $350 in Google Play Store) - that is if they will sell it without contract or activation.
No news yet as to whether T-Mobile USA will be selling them directly, most likely - later on, it will for a premium surcharge, similar to Sprint prices - without contract.
Nexus 5 are shipped from the LG unlocked - carriers do NOT lockup the Sim functions for their network only.
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Thanks for your valuable reply, really saves a ton of asking and research. To be honest I am willing to pay the extra charge to get my Nexus 5, since later on, when the phone arrives to my Country, it's going to match this exact price if not even more, which is like 600 USD for the 16 gb.
The only gamble is, if it's gonna work in my Country or not. My friend is going to buy two unlocked iPhones from NY already, is it almost the same gamble case? of it working in Asian/Middle East region or not ? ( Btw he works at one of the two carriers in Lebanon )

Ensifolk said:
Thanks for your valuable reply, really saves a ton of asking and research. To be honest I am willing to pay the extra charge to get my Nexus 5, since later on, when the phone arrives to my Country, it's going to match this exact price if not even more, which is like 600 USD for the 16 gb.
The only gamble is, if it's gonna work in my Country or not. My friend is going to buy two unlocked iPhones from NY already, is it almost the same gamble case? of it working in Asian/Middle East region or not ? ( Btw he works at one of the two carriers in Lebanon )
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It is possible that they will have it at retailers tomorrow. Sprint, Best Buy and RadioShack would be good places for your friend to check. The phone will work, aside from possibly LTE. It is also available for preorder on the Best Buy website and it ships tomorrow.

lowandbehold said:
It is possible that they will have it at retailers tomorrow. Sprint, Best Buy and RadioShack would be good places for your friend to check. The phone will work, aside from possibly LTE. It is also available for preorder on the Best Buy website and it ships tomorrow.
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Alright, high hopes - Too bad his plane leaves at noon. Maybe he can snatch one for me ! Thank you

Ensifolk said:
Thanks for your valuable reply, really saves a ton of asking and research. To be honest I am willing to pay the extra charge to get my Nexus 5, since later on, when the phone arrives to my Country, it's going to match this exact price if not even more, which is like 600 USD for the 16 gb.
The only gamble is, if it's gonna work in my Country or not. My friend is going to buy two unlocked iPhones from NY already, is it almost the same gamble case? of it working in Asian/Middle East region or not ? ( Btw he works at one of the two carriers in Lebanon )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, the Nexus 5 has 2 verisons as far as the radio/band or country compatability are concerned - the Americas and the Euro-Asia models, two different SKU's - the other is whether it is a 16GB or 32 GB model, color in black or white - simple.
Both model are unlocked from the factory for quadbands (GPRS/2G/Edge Speed) including the 2100 Mhz band popularly used in Asia, so the US ones will work in your country at the "slower" data speed - but most likely not the so called 4G/LTE. For the average users, the 3G and HSPA+ compatability is more complex but depending on your cellular provider's network towers, speed can be just as fast.
In "third-world" or undeveloped countries with basic mobile networks, speed isn't your major concern - just basic coverage & a good signal.
As for the iPhone 5c and 5s, we don't use them but some of the nieces & nephews have them and use them - if your friend is buying them from the Apple store, they should be able to help him/her select the best model to bring overseas to use at your home country. There are different models and you want to match it as closely as possible. Here's a link to Apple's ITE coverage on different models sold, and the ITE bands used - you should reference it and perhaps alert your friend via email, look up a compatible carrier that you match yours. http://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/
I know that the last time I was shopping & looking around for an unlocked GSM phone in Asia, the store sales people were helpful & making sure that I understood what they have & support are aimed at the local market with the proper radio bands, and that they cannot guarantee that it will work in the U.S. once I bring it back - returning it and exchanging it are out of the questions or very expensive to do. It will work but mobile data speed could & would likely be lowered.
Of course, if you are using WiFi or broadband signal at home or at work or in the universities with ultra fast connections most of the time - then you might find it acceptable given the cost savings. We have super fast fiber optics (Fios) connections and are reliable and having 4G LTE and/or HSPA+ enabled and working are just extra bonuses at our local price point - $350 USD for 16GB - with taxes & shipping, came to less than $400 still.
Good luck !

[Q] Can you recommend a pre-paid plan for a visitor visiting US?

Hello everyone.
I have a nexus 5 and I visit US 3 times a year, each time for 3 weeks. I used to use my european simcard but now I am considering getting some sort of pre-paid plan (with more toward a data usage rather than call minutes usage). If you have any recommendation (and the network should be compatible with nexus 5) please let me know.
Maybe something like 2-3 GB per month and each time I am visiting I can buy a 1 month top-op for it.
Thanks.

legolas.w said:
Hello everyone.
I have a nexus 5 and I visit US 3 times a year, each time for 3 weeks. I used to use my european simcard but now I am considering getting some sort of pre-paid plan (with more toward a data usage rather than call minutes usage). If you have any recommendation (and the network should be compatible with nexus 5) please let me know.
Maybe something like 2-3 GB per month and each time I am visiting I can buy a 1 month top-op for it.
Thanks.
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Click to collapse
The national carriers that are compatible with Nexus 5 are T-Mobile and ATT. ATT is basically evil and I hate them. T-Mobile is owned by Deutsche Telekom, which may or may not mean anything to you coming from Europe. The problem with T-Mobile is that while they are "national" they are not "universal". If you get out of the major markets you're going to be challenged for service. T-Mobile was very late to the LTE party, but this means the places they have it (which is a great many places indeed by now) it is among the fastest service available - all 4th Generation equipment.
T-Mobile recently bought Metro PCS, so that might be the best choice for a pre-paid SIM. They also offer direct no contract service so even that might work? I found out about a year ago ATT too has pre-paid offerings but I don't know much about it.

Your only options are AT&T and T-Mobile. I have my Nexus 5 on AT&T and I get good coverage. They have some decent prepaid plans here: http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html but you have to add more money to add data.

What about AT&T and T-Mobile's MVNOs?

legolas.w said:
Hello everyone.
I have a nexus 5 and I visit US 3 times a year, each time for 3 weeks. I used to use my european simcard but now I am considering getting some sort of pre-paid plan (with more toward a data usage rather than call minutes usage). If you have any recommendation (and the network should be compatible with nexus 5) please let me know.
Maybe something like 2-3 GB per month and each time I am visiting I can buy a 1 month top-op for it.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try a keepgo data only sim, which uses att network, just do the math on your length of stay, i did a price of 11 days in the screenshot -
$65= 500mb (fair use) of lte data per day (in US only),
http://www.keepgo.com/order
i know not, if you could get it cheaper from tmobile of att, prepaid..

Check out straight talk. $45 a month unlimited text and min 2.5 GB at 4g speeds then throttled to 2g and unlimited data. You can choose at&t or T-Mobile as a network when you get the starter pack.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

jwhyte said:
Check out straight talk. $45 a month unlimited text and min 2.5 GB at 4g speeds then throttled to 2g and unlimited data. You can choose at&t or T-Mobile as a network when you get the starter pack.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
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+1 on StraightTalk. It is actually 3GB now. I got a text from ST direct to confirm.
Note that your European Nexus 5 is probably the European one D821 which uses different LTE bands to the USA D820 meaning your probably won't get 4GB speeds, but I get 1Mbit-6Mbit on 3G on StaightTalk on my Nexus 4 in USA (just today bought a Nexus 5).
Suggest you order from ST and deliver to a friend in USA, and register and buy a month's credit before you land in USA, so its working on landing.
I do the equivalent opposite direction, I visit UK and use GiffGaff which is about half the cost of StraightTalk

If you're staying in a decent sized city (aka one with good tmobile coverage), tmobile's $30 plan (100 minutes, unlimited text & 5gb data) could be a good option.
Or, like many others have said, straight talk's $45 plan is a good balance for minutes & data.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Q] Verizon vs ATT: orange county performance

Hi guys,
Im not used to stressing so much about my carrier but this will be the first time I consider changing carriers since unlimited plans became extinct (between att and vzw). I have an unlimited plan on verizon that my wife and I use (12-15GB a month with peaks in the 20's when traveling) and now that att is offering the double data plan I am very close to jumping ship. We can get 30GB a month for what we pay now but I only want to do this is the network performance is better in Orange County, CA.
We moved here 2 years ago and I find I get horrible network performance around town, I am a field technician so I like to enjoy data on my breaks and lunch. In Irvine in particular I can have 4 bars and still only get 3-8Mbps. Its upsetting that I often get 3Mbps when on LTE no mater the reception. So this is mostly why I want to try ATT out. Any thoughts?
Another thing I noticed, I was at a VZW store in Whittier, CA and my note 2 on cm11 got 3.54Mbps with 1 bar shy of full and the new s5 got 39Mbps with 1 bar less than full also. I know that phone has xlte but really I dont see why the bad performance of my note 2. My wifes s3 (stock) is the same way so its not rom related. I would consider staying with Verizon if buying new retail phones Guarenteed great performance, but otherwise its not worth staying on Vzw for me. Im not the only one that has had recent complaints (past few months especially) about vzw network speeds between friends and family.
So for where I live, in Orange County, CA who is king? Verizon or ATT? Traveling is usually within the USA to places like Seattle, Vegas, Miami.
If you got this far down thanks for reading :laugh: