Phone use in States

raytaxi

Found this on t-mobile usb site, may help some on holidays this year. 30 Dollars 2Gb date calls and texts for 21days plus tax. Texts are international as well.
https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-international-tourist-plan

giannidtz

Thanks raytaxi. 
For everybody else this is something to keep in mind if you plan on buying:
"To keep information secure, only U.S. credit cards can be used to purchase the kit. Ask friends and family to help you, or purchase a U.S. MasterCard® or Visa® gift card."

aaronm13

Be careful with this offer. I tried to get it last week and was told in the T mobile shop it's online only. You'll need to buy it in advance so friends or family over there will have to order it for you. I ended up paying $69 in store for the best available plan for my stay.

pilly

Could you use one of the An Post madtercards to buy it I wonder?

pilly

sugarman wrote:

Just get a free 3 UK sim, they've 3 like home so you are billed as normal.

Even in America?

djdunny

sugarman wrote: »

Just get a free 3 UK sim, they've 3 like home in the U.S so you are billed as normal.

If you have a data allowance it works as normal over there, along with calls/texts.

Costs £10 for 1GB plan, £20 for 12GB or else All you can eat for £25.

I keep one handy for countries my 3 Ireland sim hasnt got 3 like home in.

https://apps.three.ie/roaming/pages/three-like-home

The link from the Three.ie doesn't mention that the US is included in the 3 Like Home offering.

"Accessing internet on your mobile abroad.

Standard mobile internet is available for a cost of €5.08 per MB on the following networks: AT&T"

djdunny

sugarman wrote: »

Yes. Theyve 42 destinations compared to our 6:rolleyes:

See here.



Thats because I said 3 UK

Ahhhh my apologies. Very good to know!! Thank you for highlighting this. Will save me a few quid in the future

sorchaniri

aaronm13 wrote: »

Be careful with this offer. I tried to get it last week and was told in the T mobile shop it's online only. You'll need to buy it in advance so friends or family over there will have to order it for you. I ended up paying $69 in store for the best available plan for my stay.

I think they may have given you the wrong info - it states on the link in the first post that you can pick it up in any T-Mobile store and I did just that in October last year. Walked into a small, local store in Queens (NY) and walked out 10 minutes later with the SIM in my phone, all set up. Worked great in NY, network was a bit patchy down in Miami though.

sweetie

ah if i'd known this three weeks ago! bloody awkward relying on wifi in the states.

grimm2005

sugarman wrote: »

Just get a free 3 UK sim, they've 3 like home in the U.S so you are billed as normal.

If you have a data allowance it works as normal over there, along with calls/texts.

Costs £10 for 1GB plan, £20 for 12GB or else All you can eat for £25.

I keep one handy for countries my 3 Ireland sim hasnt got 3 like home in.

This is definitely the way to go. Used it just over a year ago in NYC with all you can eat data for £15 top up. Price has gone up since but still the best way to go imo.

j_mo

Has anyone had any experience using the TMobile network in the States on a oneplus 3t? I checked the phone bands to see if it would work ok and saw it doesn't work on all the 3g frequencies.

aaronm13

sorchaniri wrote: »

I think they may have given you the wrong info - it states on the link in the first post that you can pick it up in any T-Mobile store and I did just that in October last year. Walked into a small, local store in Queens (NY) and walked out 10 minutes later with the SIM in my phone, all set up. Worked great in NY, network was a bit patchy down in Miami though.

I did get the feeling the girl hadn't a clue what I was on about. Probably should have printed out a screen grab of the offer. I was just after getting off the flight in Chicago and was wrecked tired so maybe I wasn't making sense. Good to know though for next time. T mobile network was great though, got 4g nearly everywhere which I was surprised at.

Doodah7

Last time I picked up one of these in my local Walmart. Very straightforward.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-Complete-SIM-Kit/39081494

slave1

tallpaul wrote: »

Last time I picked up one of these in my local Walmart. Very straightforward.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-Complete-SIM-Kit/39081494

That's exactly what I use every year, reasonable 3g coverage and gives me a US cell number which I immediately use to enrol in all shop/restaurant/mall programs and get texted money off vouchers and offers throughout the trip, it effectively pays for itself. Most of the programs are in the form of texts to a cell number so foreign numbers (with international 0044 at the start) won't work. This option also lets you throw a hot spot so I have it on whilst driving/walking around in a group etc. so all the family can use my data.
Won't let you phone/text an Irish mobile roaming in the states is about the only disadvantage.
Bin the SIM in the airport before my flight home and therefore no spam.
Usual cost is $30.

zeldo

http://www.dbssimtrade.com/product-page/05efafc8-9b94-9645-0fe5-cd1cba23fbf4

I bought one of those before I went to the states the last time. Good service. They post the sim to you. That way you have it when you land in the airport. I used it to check traffic from airport to hotel. There's a note there saying that sim won't work in airports or hotels. That's new. I was in New York last year as had no trouble in JFK or hotels with that SIM. 4g 1gb and all international and local calls for a month for 30 USD.

Berty

I'm going to buy the T-Mobile's Tourist card when I get there. $30 and I really only want Data anyway. Use it for Google maps so I don't have to use my sat nav and buy the us map for €36

thefinalstage

Vodafone are Charging 2.99 a day for unlimited calls texts and the same allowance as you have here in the US & Canada

sharkman

Anyone got and ideas for a SIM that will work in Mexico ?

bk

sharkman wrote: »

Anyone got and ideas for a SIM that will work in Mexico ?

http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Mexico

dodzy

Daughter going to work in Disney Florida for 14weeks in the summer. Any suggestions for PAYG options? She's on bill pay with three but they're a non runner.

sharkman

bk wrote: »

http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Mexico

I shall rephrase that . Has anyone got any recommendations for a prepaid SIM for mexico , From experience ?

bk

sharkman wrote: »

I shall rephrase that . Has anyone got any recommendations for a prepaid SIM for mexico , From experience ?

Sigh, no. That site has fantastic info and recommendations. I've used the SIM's recommended by that site all over the world. Most recently in Brazil.

Guru Maith Agut

sugarman wrote: »

If you have a data allowance it works as normal over there, along with calls/texts.

Great find Sugarman! Going to Florida next month and really need this even though I'm not a 3 network user.

One question though. Have you used this to call Irish numbers from the US and to receive calls from Irish numbers?

I assumed it would be an extra charge to receive/make calls to Irish numbers on that pay-as-you-go UK SIM?


Perhaps I'm getting it wrong..

bk

Guru Maith Agut wrote: »

Great find Sugarman! Going to Florida next month and really need this even though I'm not a 3 network user.

One question though. Have you used this to call Irish numbers from the US and to receive calls from Irish numbers?

I assumed it would be an extra charge to receive/make calls to Irish numbers on that pay-as-you-go UK SIM?


Perhaps I'm getting it wrong..

Just use Whatsapp voice calls instead, they will come out of the data allowance instead.

BTW Just back from the US, used the Three UK data SIM and it worked perfectly over there. Brilliant service.

I change the SIM over while on the plane and it works right off as I step off the plane. Much better then wasting time trying to find a mobile store to buy a local SIM and a lot cheaper too. This is the third trip I've used it in the last 6 months.

Atlantic Dawn

dodzy wrote: »

Daughter going to work in Disney Florida for 14weeks in the summer. Any suggestions for PAYG options? She's on bill pay with three but they're a non runner.

She will need an unlocked phone to avail of a good PAYG deal over there, the likes of Walmart do various plans with US providers...

https://www.walmart.com/browse/no-contract-phones-plans/prepaid-plans/1105910_1072335_1081104

errlloyd

I'm going to the states in a week. How could I get and activate a three UK sim between now and then without actually travelling to the UK? Parcel Motel? Can I then top it up online using a revolut card?

Keano

bk wrote: »

Just use Whatsapp voice calls instead, they will come out of the data allowance instead.

BTW Just back from the US, used the Three UK data SIM and it worked perfectly over there. Brilliant service.

I change the SIM over while on the plane and it works right off as I step off the plane. Much better then wasting time trying to find a mobile store to buy a local SIM and a lot cheaper too. This is the third trip I've used it in the last 6 months.

Do you just top up with the £20 option and that gives you 12GB in the US?

bk

Keano wrote: »

Do you just top up with the £20 option and that gives you 12GB in the US?

I bought it directly off mymemory.co.uk and it included 12GB for 12 months with no need to topup.

I could top it up online using a Revolut card (it is a UK debit card), but no need so far.

messinkiapina

IF you don't need data AND you just want to be able to call and receive calls from Ireland, just port your number over to Lycamobile. Their €15 Ireland Plus plan lets you use your calls and texts (both unlimited to Irish landlines and mobiles) when roaming, for free.

They're also doing a deal for new customers at the moment where you get 50% the Ireland Plus plan (for one month I imagine?). So that's €7.50 for as many calls and texts to and from Ireland as you like.

errlloyd

bk wrote: »

I bought it directly off mymemory.co.uk and it included 12GB for 12 months with no need to topup.

I could top it up online using a Revolut card (it is a UK debit card), but no need so far.

Hey BK, was that this one?

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/SIM-Cards/3/3-PAYG-4G-Trio-SIM-Pack-Incl.-300-Mins%2C-3000-Texts-and-12GB-of-Data

Did you just whack it in the phone, and it worked straight away? It says it lasts a month, does that start from when you first activate it?

bk

errlloyd wrote: »

Hey BK, was that this one?

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/SIM-Cards/3/3-PAYG-4G-Trio-SIM-Pack-Incl.-300-Mins%2C-3000-Texts-and-12GB-of-Data

Did you just whack it in the phone, and it worked straight away? It says it lasts a month, does that start from when you first activate it?

No this is the one:

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/SIM-Cards/3/3-PAYG-4G-Trio-Data-SIM-Pack-Incl.-12GB-Data

The one you linked to will only last 30 days from first use, while this one will last 12 months (or until 12GB runs out). No calls or texts from this one, data only, but I'm fine with that when travelling, just use whatsapp.

Yup just whacked it into my phone and it worked straight off. However note I've an unlocked phone, you will need to unlock your phone first if it is currently locked.

BTW to add to what messinkiapina says above, my Irish number is on that Lyca deal. So what I do when I get to the US, is stick the Three UK sim in my iphone and put my Irish sim in an old dumb phone so that I can still get and make calls and texts from it too.

Alternatively a dual sim phone would get rid of this need.

errlloyd

I have an old Iphone 4 I can use I think. So I get the 12GB and just use it as a hotspot for the whole trip. Seems like a reasonable plan. Just need to stop all the apps on my Galaxy auto updating because they think its Wifi

bk

errlloyd wrote: »

I have an old Iphone 4 I can use I think. So I get the 12GB and just use it as a hotspot for the whole trip. Seems like a reasonable plan. Just need to stop all the apps on my Galaxy auto updating because they think its Wifi

You could also put it directly in the Galaxy if it is unlocked and put your Irish Sim in the iPhone 4

errlloyd

bk wrote: »

errlloyd wrote: »

I have an old Iphone 4 I can use I think. So I get the 12GB and just use it as a hotspot for the whole trip. Seems like a reasonable plan. Just need to stop all the apps on my Galaxy auto updating because they think its Wifi

You could also put it directly in the Galaxy if it is unlocked and put your Irish Sim in the iPhone 4

Yeah, but I'd need to buy one of those sim adapters. Gs7 and iPhone sims are different sizes. Probably best plan though. It'd be a better screen for GPS and the works too.

garyskeepers

this might be a stupid question.. but are these phones unlocked?

https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/samsung-galaxy-on5-prepaid?icid=WMD_PD_Q117SMSNGO_UN3447MPXSM7276

bk

errlloyd wrote: »

Yeah, but I'd need to buy one of those sim adapters. Gs7 and iPhone sims are different sizes. Probably best plan though. It'd be a better screen for GPS and the works too.

You can buy these for a euro or two on amazon or in places like Dealz, also probably phone shops, but might be a little more expensive.

garyskeepers wrote: »

this might be a stupid question.. but are these phones unlocked?

https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/samsung-galaxy-on5-prepaid?icid=WMD_PD_Q117SMSNGO_UN3447MPXSM7276

No, they would be locked to T-Mobile.

sioda

bk wrote: »

No this is the one:

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/SIM-Cards/3/3-PAYG-4G-Trio-Data-SIM-Pack-Incl.-12GB-Data

The one you linked to will only last 30 days from first use, while this one will last 12 months (or until 12GB runs out). No calls or texts from this one, data only, but I'm fine with that when travelling, just use whatsapp.

Yup just whacked it into my phone and it worked straight off. However note I've an unlocked phone, you will need to unlock your phone first if it is currently locked.

BTW to add to what messinkiapina says above, my Irish number is on that Lyca deal. So what I do when I get to the US, is stick the Three UK sim in my iphone and put my Irish sim in an old dumb phone so that I can still get and make calls and texts from it too.

Alternatively a dual sim phone would get rid of this need.

I have a 3 Ireland mifi will this work with it does anyone know. Otherwise it's into the second slot in my op3 with it

Berty

I've an OP3T as well so that would work but I'm looking at the thing about It will work in a 4G area. Does that mean it won't work in a 3G, E or H area(or similar) and only work on 4G or is it just like here? It will work on the best network that's available?

smilgy

errlloyd wrote: »

Yeah, but I'd need to buy one of those sim adapters. Gs7 and iPhone sims are different sizes. Probably best plan though. It'd be a better screen for GPS and the works too.

When I needed one, Vodafone in Dundrum gave me an adapter for free.

bk

sioda wrote: »

I have a 3 Ireland mifi will this work with it does anyone know. Otherwise it's into the second slot in my op3 with it

It would need to be unlocked. I assume it isn't, but you might be able to get it unlocked.

Berty wrote: »

I've an OP3T as well so that would work but I'm looking at the thing about It will work in a 4G area. Does that mean it won't work in a 3G, E or H area(or similar) and only work on 4G or is it just like here? It will work on the best network that's available?

4G is fully backwards compatible, that means it will work fully on areas where only 3G, E, H, etc. are present.

Thephantomsmask

I use at&t gophone - $45 for a month of 6gb high speed data, dropping to slower speeds after that, unlimited national calls and texts and unlimited international texts.

When I top up by the $45 I then have 5 months after that again to top up before the number expires so it suits me well as I go at least once every 6 months.

deiseindublin

messinkiapina wrote: »

IF you don't need data AND you just want to be able to call and receive calls from Ireland, just port your number over to Lycamobile. Their €15 Ireland Plus plan lets you use your calls and texts (both unlimited to Irish landlines and mobiles) when roaming, for free.

They're also doing a deal for new customers at the moment where you get 50% the Ireland Plus plan (for one month I imagine?). So that's €7.50 for as many calls and texts to and from Ireland as you like.

My daughter is on Lycamobile already.

If I make sure she's topped up when we go, we can use her phone to ring Ireland and text for free? Sounds too easy. Does that include landlines?

Pity her 30Gb data isn't the same.

whiteley91

bk wrote: »

No this is the one:

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/SIM-Cards/3/3-PAYG-4G-Trio-Data-SIM-Pack-Incl.-12GB-Data

The one you linked to will only last 30 days from first use, while this one will last 12 months (or until 12GB runs out). No calls or texts from this one, data only, but I'm fine with that when travelling, just use whatsapp.

Yup just whacked it into my phone and it worked straight off. However note I've an unlocked phone, you will need to unlock your phone first if it is currently locked.

BTW to add to what messinkiapina says above, my Irish number is on that Lyca deal. So what I do when I get to the US, is stick the Three UK sim in my iphone and put my Irish sim in an old dumb phone so that I can still get and make calls and texts from it too.

Alternatively a dual sim phone would get rid of this need.

Would this one be better? 12gb data and plenty of calls and texts and cheaper! Ha
https://m.mymemory.co.uk/product?p=47257

pm1977x

whiteley91 wrote: »

Would this one be better? 12gb data and plenty of calls and texts and cheaper! Ha
https://m.mymemory.co.uk/product?p=47257

Do you have to already have a contract/payg sim with 3 for these to work or can anyone use them?

whiteley91

pm1977x wrote: »

Do you have to already have a contract/payg sim with 3 for these to work or can anyone use them?

I think it's essentially a burner sim card? Buy it and when it's expired just throw it away. There's no contract or anything like that.

pm1977x

whiteley91 wrote: »

I think it's essentially a burner sim card? Buy it and when it's expired just throw it away. There's no contract or anything like that.

Perfect, thanks.

bk

whiteley91 wrote: »

Would this one be better? 12gb data and plenty of calls and texts and cheaper! Ha
https://m.mymemory.co.uk/product?p=47257

Not really, it only lasts 30 days. And the calls and texts are to the UK, not Ireland.

If you go abroad just once a year, I suppose that could be ok. But the advantage of the one that I linked to is that it lasts 12 months. So if you go abroad a few times a year, you can use it each time, in which case it would work out a lot cheaper then the above.

Berty

I considered that £20 for the US but with Parcel Wizard(or similar) charges and currency conversion and the 30 day thing it's nearly better just to get the T-Mobile 30 day plan when I get there for $30, dump the sim when I'm flying home.

bk

Berty wrote: »

I considered that £20 for the US but with Parcel Wizard(or similar) charges and currency conversion and the 30 day thing it's nearly better just to get the T-Mobile 30 day plan when I get there for $30, dump the sim when I'm flying home.

Errr, again, the card I linked to lasts for 12 months, not 30 days! And it works in 48 countries. So you can use it on multiple trips.

Also no need for parcelmotel, etc. mymemory deliver directly to Ireland.

I paid €29, including postage for it.

I've been abroad and used my card 3 times in the last 6 months, all in for €29 or to put it another way €10 per trip in 6 months and I'm sure I'll get more use out of it by the end of 12 months.

For T-Mobile you would be looking at paying €36 (including sales tax) and I would have had to pay that three times that (€108) if I had did as you say.

Also there is a real value in getting it all sorted before you go, swapping the sim on the plane and stepping off the plane with a working phone, that you can immediately text family friends at home to let them know you have arrived, let friends you are visiting know that you've landed, order an uber, check public transport directions, google maps, etc. to get to your hotel.

Also who wants to be wasting time on holidays in the US driving around looking for a walmart, shudder, I've better things to do on holidays.

Maybe it would be ok if you are a once a year only traveller. But IME for regular and semi-regular travellers, this card is priceless. And I think saving the effort before hand makes it still well worth it for even a once a year traveller.

whiteley91

Does the data only sim card allow you to receive calls? I was mainly getting it for use with uber when in the states and I think you need a phone number for it. The driver normally rings you so if the 12 month data only sim allowed incoming calls it would be perfect!

bk

whiteley91 wrote: »

Does the data only sim card allow you to receive calls? I was mainly getting it for use with uber when in the states and I think you need a phone number for it. The driver normally rings you so if the 12 month data only sim allowed incoming calls it would be perfect!

Good question, I'm not 100% certain. It does look like it has a UK number. But as I mentioned above I normally put my Irish SIM in a second phone and I leave Uber set to that number, so when they ring they call my Irish phone.