Going to the US next month: prepaid SIMs with data?

[resistanze]

I'm heading down to NY in a couple of weeks. My carrier has a ball-busting US data pack of $10/day for 10MB. I've looked into getting the AT&T Go phone prepaid when I'm actually in the USA, 150MB for $15. I figure I could just swap out my SIM card.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

[leemajors]

Shouldn't be a problem, but I don't know how Android/carrier activation policies work. I resolve conflicts every day with iPhone activation issues globally, but you need to make sure you are unlocked as well as rooted. I think your carrier should be able to give you a code if you don't have one yet.

[resistanze]

Yeah, I bought my S2 new off kijiji. It was locked to Bell, and I rooted/unlocked it to use on my carrier. I'm guessing it should be fine.

[resistanze]

Fuck, I just learned that data packs since April are only available for AT&T with monthly pre-paid plans (oxymoron?).

I could go with T-mobile, but I'll be limited to 2G if I even get it to work.

Are there any other prepaid data options in the US worth looking into?

[anakha]

Fuck, I just learned that data packs since April are only available for AT&T with monthly pre-paid plans (oxymoron?).

I could go with T-mobile, but I'll be limited to 2G if I even get it to work.

Are there any other prepaid data options in the US worth looking into?

Are you looking for pay-as-you-go options? You might wanna look at NY regional carriers.

When I was assigned to Cincinnati for more than a year, the cheapest option I found was a pay-as-you-go SIM with Cincinnati Bell's i-Wireless prepaid service.

[ElNono]

The regional carrier here in NY is metroPCS, and their plan is a flat $40 a month for unlimited... it's a CDMA carrier, so no SIM swap..

[resistanze]

Are you looking for pay-as-you-go options? You might wanna look at NY regional carriers.

When I was assigned to Cincinnati for more than a year, the cheapest option I found was a pay-as-you-go SIM with Cincinnati Bell's i-Wireless prepaid service.

I'd prefer a PAYG that allows me to tack on data. I need data more so than actual minutes. Where would I go to find regional carriers? Thanks.

[ElNono]

You can use one of these AT&T DataConnect plans, then use Skype for calls...

https://buyasession.att.com/sbd/Common/ShopRatePlans.action

you might need to activate it with a pre-paid phone and then switch the SIM... not sure...

[resistanze]

The regional carrier here in NY is metroPCS, and their plan is a flat $40 a month for unlimited... it's a CDMA carrier, so no SIM swap..

Ugh, thanks. Yeah I'd really prefer a SIM swap with data. Fuck AT&T for removing that option for pay per day plans.

I might have to just bend over to my carrier for a US data pack. Or more likely I'll go without :lol

[baseline bum]

I'm heading down to NY in a couple of weeks. My carrier has a ball-busting US data pack of $10/day for 10MB. I've looked into getting the AT&T Go phone prepaid when I'm actually in the USA, 150MB for $15. I figure I could just swap out my SIM card.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Yeah, go to California instead.

[ElNono]

Ugh, thanks. Yeah I'd really prefer a SIM swap with data. Fuck AT&T for removing that option for pay per day plans.

I might have to just bend over to my carrier for a US data pack. Or more likely I'll go without :lol

Take a look at T-Mobile... If you have an unlocked phone, you can just slip in a SIM and pay as you go. They have 3G/HSDPA in NY...

Just head to a TMobile store to get the sim, and then you can buy recharge cards on any Duane Reade in Manhattan or surroundings.

BTW, where are you staying? I'm 40 mins away from Manhattan...

[resistanze]

Yeah, go to California instead.

:lol Went a couple of years back. I'd gladly go again, tbh. Mail me a ticket.

[resistanze]

Take a look at T-Mobile... If you have an unlocked phone, you can just slip in a SIM and pay as you go. They have 3G/HSDPA in NY...

Just head to a TMobile store to get the sim, and then you can buy recharge cards on any Duane Reade in Manhattan or surroundings.

BTW, where are you staying? I'm 40 mins away from Manhattan...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't T-Mobile offer 3G in the AWS (1700Mhz/2100Mhz) spectrum? I have an unlocked S2 (HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100), so wouldn't I be restricted to 2G in this case?

I'm staying in Midtown Manhattan for 3 nights, tbh.

[diego]

on my last trip to the US, I wanted to do the same but found that tmobile 3g frequencies werent compatible with my phone, so I just got a cheap tmobile prepaid phone (i think it cost less than 20$) that had a ton of minutes but no data, and used my android's wifi for data, that was more than enough as nearly everywhere I found wifi (on the bus, in the supermarket, on the street, at parks, I couldnt believe it- though maybe that is just the bay area).

i think the only option with compatible 3g was ATT but they were more than 50$, had low minutes + data, and I didnt need it enough to justify the extra cost

[ElNono]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't T-Mobile offer 3G in the AWS (1700Mhz/2100Mhz) spectrum? I have an unlocked S2 (HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100), so wouldn't I be restricted to 2G in this case?

I'm staying in Midtown Manhattan for 3 nights, tbh.

T-Mobile is rolling HSPA+ in NY like right now, according to this:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1748046-T-Mobile-is-deploying-1900MHz-HSPA-4G?p=14876753#post14876753

Not sure if you're gonna get lucky... but you can keep an eye on that thread.

That's a pretty short trip for the Big Apple! Have fun!

[baseline bum]

:lol Went a couple of years back. I'd gladly go again, tbh. Mail me a ticket.

Damn, I'm going tomorrow. I would have gladly sent you one if you would carry my pack through the Sierra. Crap, 0/2 in trying to get Spurstalkers to be my pack mule. :depressed

[resistanze]

T-Mobile is rolling HSPA+ in NY like right now, according to this:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1748046-T-Mobile-is-deploying-1900MHz-HSPA-4G?p=14876753#post14876753

Not sure if you're gonna get lucky... but you can keep an eye on that thread.

That's a pretty short trip for the Big Apple! Have fun!
Thanks, never been to NYC beleive it or not. :toast

I'm gonna call my sis to see if she's willing to let me trade my S2 for her Galaxy Nexus next week :lol


Damn, I'm going tomorrow. I would have gladly sent you one if you would carry my pack through the Sierra. Crap, 0/2 in trying to get Spurstalkers to be my pack mule. :depressed

tbh, it's probably better for you. I'd be Swayze the second you mailed me that ticket :lol

[ElNono]

Thanks, never been to NYC beleive it or not. :toast

Have fun, and walk! The city is best enjoyed walking around.

We used to go 3/4 times a year with the wife, but after a while it loses it's luster a bit. We now mostly go whenever somebody is visiting.