Pre-paid Phones for Travellers? 34
Bifurcati asks: "My friend and I, both from Australia, are going to the US for a two month trip (combining both work and pleasure!) and I'm faced with a bit of a dilemma with my much loved mobile phone. It isn't tri-band, so won't work in the U.S., and, additionally, roaming rates are horrendous. I really appreciate the comfort of having a phone, particularly for working out meetings with my friend, so I was thinking of getting a pre-paid mobile over there (with a new number) which I can use and then sell off the phone when I get back. What's the best (read, in part at least, cheapest) company and phone deal? Anyone else had experience doing this? I'm going to both the East and West coast. Any help much appreciated!"
You won't be able to sell the phone back... (Score:3, Informative)
Don't worry about phones... (Score:1, Insightful)
verizon (Score:3, Informative)
If you know the general areas you'll be, check out the coverage maps and prepaid services. I know Tmobile, Cingular and AT&T have prepaid services. AT&T also has a Go Phone [attwireless.com] service which is a rate plan without the annual contracts.
I've been using Virgin (Score:1)
Walmart, etc... sell prepaid phones. (Score:3, Informative)
selling phones that you can buy at the register.
This might be the best bet for a short stay as
you don't have to talk to the carrier, etc...
It also has the added advantage of being more
free/anonymous, as you don't have to sign anything.
Pre-Paid Phones for Terrorists? (Score:4, Funny)
I'm interested in a pre-paid mobile phone where they do not look that closely (or at all) at the picture on the driver's license (someone named "John R. Smith") that I'll be using.
I won't be needing to sell the phone.
I'll be going to both the East and West coast. Possibly simultaneously, if things work out.
Any help much appreciated.
Re:Pre-Paid Phones for Terrorists? (Score:1)
This site has everything you need. (Score:5, Informative)
http://markson.net/cell_prepaid_compare.htm [markson.net]
If you plan on a lot of travelling in remote locations, and you have the money, check out a satellite phone [globalstarusa.com] -- the price has gone down in price. Yeah, it's overkill -- but I thought I'd suggest it anyway. :)
Re:This site has everything you need. (Score:2, Funny)
Note, however, that the price has gone up in quality.
Yo look at this (Score:1, Informative)
Also you can try Virgin or Verizon Wireless. Don't do TrackPhone. That really sucks.
Cheers,
Scott
Don't bother with resale (Score:3, Informative)
Comparision (Score:3, Informative)
Note that above list doesn't include plans by Virgin mobile. It's rates are here [1888usa.com]. A friend that used Virgin mobile didn't appreciate the choppy quality...
Something to keep in mind (Score:2)
Counter-question (Score:2)
Re:Counter-question (Score:2)
In Australia, there are a number of GSM900/1800 networks, 2 CDMA networks and 1 UMTS (3G) network. Prepaid packs are available for about 15 USD. Prepaid packs with a cheap phone as little as 40 USD, and can be bought just about everywhere (including airports).
Re:Counter-question (Score:2)
Re:Counter-question (Score:1)
Coverage (Score:3, Informative)
- Virgin mobile seems to have a very nice service with free domestic long-distance and roaming (useful if you intend to travel very far). T-Mobile also offers free roaming and LD.
- Keep in mind that with T-Mobile (And posibly AT&T), your phone is a standard GSM phone (in many cases a triband phone) so you may have better luck selling it.
- You will pay for incoming calls. On the upside, other people don't pay to call you.
- If you plan to go out of major cities (20,000+), off of Interstate highways, you will likely not get service with GSM. Your best bet is Verizon. They have excellent coverage throughout the country, even in the great barren land we call "Wyoming".
And, finally some travel tips:
- Gas is cheap, even more so now that the dollar is weaker. You can probably rent a big car and it won't be too expensive.
- Don't depend on mass transit. Amtrak isn't exactly the most efficent company.
- Gas station bathrooms range from awful to pretty decent. Tip: If you have to go outside the building to get to the bathroom, it's probably pretty dirty.
Re:Coverage (Score:2)
You do see very different sides to the country depending on whether or not you have private transport... varies depending on where you are though, SF city was a bit of a nightmare with a car (pay very careful attention to street cleaning signs which are apt to be hidden slightly out of sight). But many other places are impossible without one.
One recommendation, if you're travelling around CA, the train journey from San Lui
Re:Coverage (Score:1)
While traveling in New England (and most of the US), for example, you would be considered highly offensive if you left your mobile phone on during a meal, especially if you took the call at the table. However, in r
What about a card only ? (Score:1)
I'll bring over my triband GSM phone from Europe, and I'd like to get a $20-30 prepaid card with a US phone number (since roaming is not an option with its horrendous prices)
What are good plans that would allow me to call local & international (to europe) ?
Re:What about a card only ? (Score:2)
T-Mobile is the only carrier that offer prepaid GSM. And they only offer "just the SIM" at their corporate stores, not at authorized resellers.
I found it's cheaper to go to Target and but their starter kit then sell the phone on ebay for $10 and keep a spare charger and headset for your office.
I would say I can't wait for US carriers to get with the times like England and most of Europe have, but sadl
Re:What about a card only ? (Score:2)
T-mobile card only is OK in SFO (Score:1)
I used T-mobile's $20 prepaid SIM in my Australian Nokia 3650 (tri-band GSM). No problem. The only limitation of T-mobile is that they were limited to the local area for this prepaid service. Good in San Francisco area, but not for outside of there.
Same question -- but for Europe (Score:2)
Also, how about a Wifi plan?
When you get here. (Score:2)
don't get a tracfone (Score:1)
i've had luck with att wireless (gophone), you can get those for fairly cheap (US$80) and it's not such a bad deal, like some limited number of anytime minutes, free n
Depends what you want... GSM? (Score:2)
Best option for you (assuming Australia is GSM) is to come here and buy a T-Mobile EasySpeak "Starter Kit" which includes a basic Nokia phone (3370 or something like that w/ GSM) and a prepaid SIM card loaded with about $30 of minutes. That whole bundle will cost you about $65 from Target including a charger and wireless headset (required in some states).
Other options are Virgin Mobile which uses the Sprint PCS network. They're reasonably priced if you're going to use a l