Guide for Mobile Voice & Data in the USA

[flyer999]

According to AT&T that only worked for IOS 6.0 a not 6.1 or not yet anyway. They tried it on my phone.

 

[totd]

AT&T go phone should work if you set the APN using unlock.co.nz via wifi.

T mobile has 3G that works on iPhone but only in some locations.

It pays to research before you travel

My last trip over I was mostly in San Francisco, and the T-Mo coverage was patchy as hell. Downtown and around the wharfs (The touristy areas) my iPhone mostly saw 3G coverage... but everywhere else I was mostly on Edge, if my phone was lucky enough to pick up a whiff of a signal. The place I was staying had 1 or 2 bars on one side of the room and nothing on the other.

I had an AT&T sim in my iPad, and it never missed a beat. I don't recall ever seeing anything other than 3G on the iPad... But I do agree with earlier posts about the Go-Phone billing for smartphones is... uninspiring... to say the least.

 

[drewbles]

According to AT&T that only worked for IOS 6.0 a not 6.1 or not yet anyway. They tried it on my phone.

AT&T don't like people BYOD'ing iPhones to their network.

It definitely works on 6.1 though.

I also need to badly update the original post. Much has changed since I did that guide, and as mentioned by a few people, T-Mobile are getting 3G rolled out more (although for those wanting LTE in LOTFAP, forgeddaboutit, at least for the foreseeable future; different frequencies, bands and regions; it'll happen, but it's many years away!).

 

[john_l]

Does anyone have any experience with getting a local SIM in US? Is it a big hassle?

 

[Geoffm]

I have a T-mobile sim for the US - have been T-mobile outlets most places i have been and easy to top up on line.

 

[john_l]

Do they ask for your ID or proof of residence when buying the sim?

 

[totd]

Does anyone have any experience with getting a local SIM in US? Is it a big hassle?

Not really an issue at all. It took me about 5 minutes to sign up with T-Mo. As I recall I didn't need anything special ID wise. They may have wanted my drivers license, but I can't recall. I certainly did not get asked for a passport, proof of residency or similar. At the AT&T store I know that they used the store address as the "service address"... T-Mo probably did the same thing but just didn't bother mentioning it.

Pro Tip: ask T-Mo about the $10 per month add-on that gives you discounted international calling. It includes unlimited free calls to Australian land lines and really cheap per-minute rates to Australian mobiles.

Edit: Here's a link to the T-Mo Int'l add-on http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-2873

 

[ronicat]

Have you found good coverage with T-mo recently? The coverage map looks as though it will be good in the places we are traveling. It also looks like the easiest option for using iPhone hotspot.
Is buying T Mobile direct the same as buying it through net10.

 

[totd]

Have you found good coverage with T-mo recently? The coverage map looks as though it will be good in the places we are traveling. It also looks like the easiest option for using iPhone hotspot.
Is buying T Mobile direct the same as buying it through net10.

See post #42 and #43. Coverage looks good on a map, but in a lot of the marginal areas you will get no signal inside a building. I was only in San Francisco, but my observation was that CBD coverage is pretty good, but the 'burbs sucks.

I have no experience with any resellers... So I'll leave that question to someone else.

 

[drewbles]

*I promise i'll get around to re-doing the original post soon *

On a related note, T-Mobile are releasing a carrier update on April 5th (USA time) to allow A1428 iPhone 5's to support 1700mHz. It will not support their enhanced data speed (HSDPA+ which supports 42Mb) on 1700, but it'll allow you go access their LTE network at least.

 

[quick_dry]

On a related note, T-Mobile are releasing a carrier update on April 5th (USA time) to allow A1428 iPhone 5's to support 1700mHz. It will not support their enhanced data speed (HSDPA+ which supports 42Mb) on 1700, but it'll allow you go access their LTE network at least.

what about A1429, which is what Apple sell in Australia?

 

[drewbles]

what about A1429, which is what Apple sell in Australia?

A1429 are a different chipset which has different LTE band and frequency support which are not compatible with any US networks unfortunately.

 

[totd]

Frequency band details, including supported models, are available on the Apple website: Apple - iPhone 5 - View countries with supported LTE networks.

 

[ronicat]

In California and using T Mobile. Signal strength the same as AT&T is showing on the roaming phone. Bought TMobile for the following reasons
NET 10 sims difficult to purchase in Beverly Hills. No iPhone hotspot with Net 10
AT&T was next shop - data is not available on AT&T in California at all. It is available for purchase separately in some states.
T Mobile unlimited data (slows after 2.5gb) and hotspot with unlimited calls and texts in US unlimited texts to Australia and unlimited calls to Australian landlines for $75 added $10 to ring Australian mobiles at 33 cents per min. So far signal is good. Will update when we travel in more rural areas.

 

[flyer999]

Just returned from NYC and this time I bought a cheap AT&T GoPhone (Galaxy) as I will be there several times in the next year. $60 month for unlimited calls and 2GB data worked well. I keep the number and just buy a month at a time when needed.

It's a good deal (for my purposes) for the LTE data.

 

[jastel]

Any new updates on good deals for the USA, and Hawaii as well?

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

Thought I'd share this bargain for those travelling to the USA. They also have a good deal on the DTAC 3G SIM as well.

USA Prepaid Sim Card - Travel Sims Direct

Just $40. SIM needs to be activated by Dec 31 2015

$80USD T-Mobile USA Prepaid Sim Card Preloaded With Unlimited 4G LTE Data

- Unlimited 4G LTE Data
- Unlimited International and Local SMS
- Unlimited Calls to USA mobiles
- Unlimited Calls to AUS Landlines



What Is Included with each USA T-Mobile SIM Card?

- Unlimited International calls to landlines to over 75 countries (Includes Australia)
- Unlimited International texts to over 200 countries (Includes Australia)
- Unlimited local talk & text within USA (to USA landlines and mobiles)
- 4G Speed Data (Amount of 4G Data Specified in each Product)
- Mobile hotspot and Tethering available
(Hotspotting/tethering is capped at 5GB but will still be Unlimited on your phone).
- Nationwide Coverage, including Hawaii
- No Extra Charges to receive calls or send text overseas

To check full list of countries for international SMS and Calls please visit -
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/Content/files/Prepaid_UITT_Takeaway.pdf

 

[Flysense]

I'd take a data only plan (e.g. 3gb for 30$ per month at t-mobile should be more than enough) and make my calls and text messages via a betamax provider like powervoip.com for 0,001$ per minute. It depends on reception though...

 

[ellen10]

We will be travelling to the US for 6 weeks. Leaving in 5 weeks time.

I have an iPhone 4. I have read the thread but am quite confused what I need to do. I would like to have access to US calls and some data.
My son was there last week and his global roaming did not work.

So I am thinking a US sim would be best?

 

[empressjo]

Any updates on this topic? as I'll be in US for 3+ months later this year & wondering of the current offers, what is best choice/s? Have free wifi where I'm staying, but while out & about will need to stay in touch.

Thanks team, the advice from the group is priceless!