Recommendations for USA Sim Card with Data

[crumycat]

Hi Everyone,

I'm travelling to Hawaii for a week in late June.

I want to purchase a sim card before i go that provides reasonable price data and text. I dont care for actual telephone calls.

I'm with Telstra and have considered purchasing an international roaming data pack, however these packs are still pretty expensive.

I want something that is no fuss and no hassel.

Does anyone have any recommendations based of personal experience?

Kind Regards

 

[plugster2011]

Hi Crumycat,

I am currently in Hawaii and I am using Readysim which I ordered through Amazon. I bought the 14 day unlimited talk and text + 1GB of data for 35 USD (they have a 7 day pack also). ( I bought 4 and its been amazing having easy contact with the family whilst out and about). I had them delivered to hotel a few days before I arrived (as shipping to aus had not been activated as yet - but now all good I believe). - however I note that they recently changed their shipping policy to no longer ship to hotels because they had issues.

Activation was easy (send text to activate). Unfortunately have not managed to get 4G speeds in Hawaii - but the 3G works well for email twitter FB etc.

Only potential snafu is that they don't have micro or nano sims - so I had to get them cut at Ala Moana shopping centre to fit my iPhone 5 and family iPhone 4's. but you can do this before you leave so that you can get communicating straight away.

Hope that helps.

enjoy Hawaii.

cheers

plugster2011

 

[Limewood]

Should be able to get a free sim at AT&T plus sign up for one month at $30 and cancel before you depart. This is OK for mainland USA should be same for HNL.

 

[MAMinOz]

T Mobile prepaid is available for the iPhone. I believe it's $2 per day for unlimited talk and text. Data is unlimited, but is throttled after a certain amount. You can put any amount on to ensure you don't over spend. Just make sure your phone is unlocked before you go. Enjoy the trip!

 

[drewbles]

Should be able to get a free sim at AT&T plus sign up for one month at $30 and cancel before you depart. This is OK for mainland USA should be same for HNL.

No data on this plan though you'll need to add-on.

$65/month will get you unlimited local calling (in and out), text as well as texts to Australia. It includes 1GB of data and they now officially support the iPhone.

There are others such as T-Mobile's MVNO SIMple Mobile SIMPLE Mobile | No Contract Cell Phone Plans | Unlimited Wireless and T-Mo have been expanding their 3G coverage significantly, in the right frequency band, to actually support AU iPhones (was previously only 1700mHz).

As Limewood says though, no t-mo on HI, so if you're headed there, AT&T is your best option.

AT&T offer a $2/day unlimited as well, but no data available on this plan.

 

[drewbles]

Activation was easy (send text to activate). Unfortunately have not managed to get 4G speeds in Hawaii - but the 3G works well for email twitter FB etc.

Lack of 4G/LTE is to be expected. There is no 'global standard' for LTE as yet, each having the same problems as GSM did when it launched (and indeed 3G UMTS). Different bands/channels/frequencies result in incompatibility between everything. In time, this will be ironed out, but expect there to be a gap for the next 2-3 years.

 

[samiam]

T Mobile prepaid is available for the iPhone. I believe it's $2 per day for unlimited talk and text. Data is unlimited, but is throttled after a certain amount. You can put any amount on to ensure you don't over spend. Just make sure your phone is unlocked before you go. Enjoy the trip!

My personal experience steers me well away from T Mobile - especially with iPhone (although this may have changed since last May).

In September I just walked into an AT&T and for $US65 had unlimited calls, text and (I think) about 1G of data (but used wireless where possible).

 

[drewbles]

My personal experience steers me well away from T Mobile - especially with iPhone (although this may have changed since last May).

In September I just walked into an AT&T and for $US65 had unlimited calls, text and (I think) about 1G of data (but used wireless where possible).

See my previous post. T-Mobile 3G frequencies to support iPhone are coming online more and more (I've noticed them working from mid last year). Had good 3G in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and other big cities too (New York etc).

 

[Sprucegoose]

Should be able to get a free sim at AT&T plus sign up for one month at $30 and cancel before you depart. This is OK for mainland USA should be same for HNL.

Would you include Canada in there as well?

 

[hossein_au]

Any ideas for something similar in Singapore or in Germany?

 

[Rebekkap]

No data on this plan though you'll need to add-on.

$65/month will get you unlimited local calling (in and out), text as well as texts to Australia. It includes 1GB of data and they now officially support the iPhone.

There are others such as T-Mobile's MVNO SIMple Mobile SIMPLE Mobile | No Contract Cell Phone Plans | Unlimited Wireless and T-Mo have been expanding their 3G coverage significantly, in the right frequency band, to actually support AU iPhones (was previously only 1700mHz).

As Limewood says though, no t-mo on HI, so if you're headed there, AT&T is your best option.

AT&T offer a $2/day unlimited as well, but no data available on this plan.

Or you could use net10 - I've used them twice - and get unlimited talk, text and data for a month for $50 (or $65 if you want international calls included, but be aware that doesn't include calls to Australian mobiles) NET10 Wireless. The data speeds were ok too, as they use both AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

I did pretty extensive research as I wanted a lot of data and didn't want to pay more than I had to.

 

[drewbles]

Or you could use net10 - I've used them twice - and get unlimited talk, text and data for a month for $50 (or $65 if you want international calls included, but be aware that doesn't include calls to Australian mobiles) NET10 Wireless. The data speeds were ok too, as they use both AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

I did pretty extensive research as I wanted a lot of data and didn't want to pay more than I had to.

Much has changed now since May

AT&T do a $60 unlimited smart phone plan, with 2GB of data and unlimited calling and texting (including text messages to Australia).

AT&T removed the option for data on smart phones from any other plan now (although you can purchase allowances over 2GB if required). They also now happily provide Nano SIM's for iPhone 5/s/iPad Air.

I know nothing of Net10 but it seems like a good deal if you don't need to phone outside the USA that's for sure. Yelp certainly doesn't think much of them (Net10 Wireless - Miami, FL but only 3 reviews).

A quick look shows it's owned by TracFone. SIMple Mobile, a T-Mobile MVNO, was also acquired by TracFone last year.

One thing to note on Net10, unlimited != unlimited

On September 1, 2013, the NET10 Wireless Bring Your Own Phone AT&T-compatible SIM will be limited to 2.5GB of high speed data usage per month on the Unlimited plan.

I'll stick with AT&T. A $100 recharge on AT&T's GoPhone gives you 12 months balance expiry. That works nicely for me as it means I am assured my US phone number will stay the same each time I am there (Which is several times a year). I find keeping a number just as important as having the data

 

[Rebekkap]

One thing to note on Net10, unlimited != unlimited



I'll stick with AT&T. A $100 recharge on AT&T's GoPhone gives you 12 months balance expiry. That works nicely for me as it means I am assured my US phone number will stay the same each time I am there (Which is several times a year). I find keeping a number just as important as having the data

Yes, a different kettle of fish if you need to keep a number.

However the limit on net10 is only for AT&T compatible sims - which I didn't need, not having a phone locked to the AT&T network. It's still unlimited unless you have an AT&T phone.

 

[drewbles]

Yes, a different kettle of fish if you need to keep a number.

However the limit on net10 is only for AT&T compatible sims - which I didn't need, not having a phone locked to the AT&T network. It's still unlimited unless you have an AT&T phone.

The way I read it is, if you want a SIM that works on T-Mobile *and* AT&T, not an AT&T handset, but I could be very wrong too

(I work for a company that has an MVNO with both AT&T and T-Mobile, so know how it works, but I still keep my AT&T SIM; Just easier for me).

 

[Rebekkap]

The way I read it is, if you want a SIM that works on T-Mobile *and* AT&T, not an AT&T handset, but I could be very wrong too

(I work for a company that has an MVNO with both AT&T and T-Mobile, so know how it works, but I still keep my AT&T SIM; Just easier for me).

Nope - I checked with them because I wanted to make sure I had truly unlimited data. All their sims work on both networks.

However, when I just went to look, they have a new disclaimer when you hit the "buy sim" link.

"*30 day Unlimited Plans include 2.5 GB of high speed data per 30 day cycle. After 2.5 GB, your data speed will be reduced for the remainder of the 30 day cycle. High speed data is restored once a new 30 day service plan is added. Other limitations, terms and conditions of service apply. NET10 reserves the right to terminate your service for unauthorized or abnormal usage. Please refer always to the latest Terms and Conditions of Service."

So it looks like this has changed recently.

 

[coles525]

I would rather it (data) turn slow, then go bankrupt with a bill I could never repay!

 

[marki]

Have you guys heard if Vodafone offering they had only recently doubled there data rate and also 5 bucks a day roaming max to pay and then you can use. All your data allowance ie 5 Gig on the 65 dollar plan

 

[Quickstatus]

I'll stick with AT&T. A $100 recharge on AT&T's GoPhone gives you 12 months balance expiry. That works nicely for me as it means I am assured my US phone number will stay the same each time I am there (Which is several times a year). I find keeping a number just as important as having the data

So to keep the US phone number and SIM card active from year to year you only have to have to have a minimum of $100 credit in account?.

Or does a $100 recharge at the start of use keep the SIM active for 1 year even though there is $0 in account - because you used that $100?.

If you have $100 credit in the SIM card when you return home from the US, how do you prevent the credit from being depleted before the next time you go back to US?.

I would think that the prepaid plans (for eg ATT will deduct a fixed amount each month until you tell it to stop, but if you tell it to stop what plan do you default to while keeping sim active?

Anyone had experience with mobipassport.com?

 

[robd]

So to keep the US phone number and SIM card active from year to year you only have to have to have a minimum of $100 credit in account?.

Or does a $100 recharge at the start of use keep the SIM active for 1 year even though there is $0 in account - because you used that $100?.

If you have $100 credit in the SIM card when you return home from the US, how do you prevent the credit from being depleted before the next time you go back to US?.

I would think that the prepaid plans (for eg ATT will deduct a fixed amount each month until you tell it to stop, but if you tell it to stop what plan do you default to while keeping sim active?

Anyone had experience with mobipassport.com?

IIRC, loading the sim with $100 will keep it active for 12 mths. At the end of twelve months, everything expires (your remaining credit & the sim) unless you reload.

 

[Quickstatus]

IIRC, loading the sim with $100 will keep it active for 12 mths. At the end of twelve months, everything expires (your remaining credit & the sim) unless you reload.

Does this mean that at your first reload of $100 your sim will be active for 12 months even though at the end of the first month you only have say $40 credit left?