Phone use in States

Berty · 05-06-2017 2:25am

Using it in San Francisco. Not great connections here. Barely get 3g. Sometimes hardly useable at all.

dodzy · 05-06-2017 6:46am

12gb three SIM update:

Daughter using it in Florida currently. Only thing she had to do was change the APN settings (three.co.uk) to enable internet access. Can receive calls and texts too. Well worth it.

aaronm13 · 07-06-2017 9:43pm

Just got my sim today and put it in my phone. Is all I have to do is set up an account on the 3 UK site and I'm good to go? Heading to Germany on Friday so just want to make sure I have it all working when I get there. Is there anyway to check your data usage on this sim?

Atlantic Dawn · 07-06-2017 11:13pm

aaronm13 wrote: »

Just got my sim today and put it in my phone. Is all I have to do is set up an account on the 3 UK site and I'm good to go? Heading to Germany on Friday so just want to make sure I have it all working when I get there. Is there anyway to check your data usage on this sim?

Yes log on to Three.co.uk and setup a new account with the number on the SIM, you will get a verification text to the number with confirmation code to login with and then it's setup, you can then check your balance when you login, seems pretty accurate.

You can topup too on the account but it's a lot cheaper to just buy a new card.

wiz569 · 08-06-2017 11:11am

My daughter used it in Germany last month,didn't set up an account, just put sim in here to make sure it worked,it automatically setup the correct APN .

dodzy · 08-06-2017 12:10pm

wiz569 wrote: »

My daughter used it in Germany last month,didn't set up an account, just put sim in here to make sure it worked,it automatically setup the correct APN .

Same here (worked fine in Dublin) but APN had to be manually changed once she hit Florida.

wiz569 · 08-06-2017 12:14pm

dodzy wrote: »

Same here (worked fine in Dublin) but APN had to be manually changed once she hit Florida.

Yeah I think she had to actually change to the correct APN,but initially when the sim was put into the phone it created the APN itself

jwcurtin · 08-06-2017 12:22pm

Just to add to the Three Sim Card, did great for us in Macau and Hong Kong recently. It seems to be a valuable piece of kit!

Duff · 08-06-2017 1:02pm

How does it fair with Whatsapp? If it's a data only sim you won't have your original sim int he phone with your number for Whatsapp?

aaronm13 · 08-06-2017 3:41pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Yes log on to Three.co.uk and setup a new account with the number on the SIM, you will get a verification text to the number with confirmation code to login with and then it's setup, you can then check your balance when you login, seems pretty accurate.

You can topup too on the account but it's a lot cheaper to just buy a new card.

Thanks for that. Have it all set up on the my3 site. Hopefully I won't have to start messing with APN's.

bk · 08-06-2017 4:11pm

Duff wrote: »

How does it fair with Whatsapp? If it's a data only sim you won't have your original sim int he phone with your number for Whatsapp?

When you put the three sim in, whatsapp will ask you if you want to keep your existing number or change to the new sims number. Obviously tell it to keep using your Irish number and then it works perfectly.

Atlantic Dawn · 08-06-2017 4:50pm

aaronm13 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Have it all set up on the my3 site. Hopefully I won't have to start messing with APN's.

Yes stick it in the phone now as Ireland would also be roaming, if it works here it should also work fine in whatever other roaming country you are in.

finbarrk · 09-06-2017 9:52am

Be careful if you are on Eir anyway. €5,600 for 40 mins of data usage in the USA.
http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/home/254150/laois-mother-warns-nation-after-being-hit-with-5-600-data-roaming-charge-from-eir.html

bk · 09-06-2017 10:50am

finbarrk wrote: »

Be careful if you are on Eir anyway. €5,600 for 40 mins of data usage in the USA.
http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/home/254150/laois-mother-warns-nation-after-being-hit-with-5-600-data-roaming-charge-from-eir.html

I once got a bill from Vodafone for €960 for data use in the US!

Though after many days of stress they admitted they made a mistake and agreed to clear it. However ever since then I switched to pay as you go so that it can't happen again and it is why I sue services like this three UK sim.

Ro-76 · 09-06-2017 11:09am

Any possibility of tethering in USA with 3 UK sim? How about with jailbreak app MyWi?

Atlantic Dawn · 09-06-2017 1:18pm

Ro-76 wrote: »

Any possibility of tethering in USA with 3 UK sim? How about with jailbreak app MyWi?

Tethering is not allowed on it, I presume they have a system in place with the host provider to police this but you never know.

You can't use your phone as a personal hotspot (tethering) while you're abroad.

http://www.three.co.uk/feel-at-home

Ro-76 · 09-06-2017 1:37pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Tethering is not allowed on it, I presume they have a system in place with the host provider to police this but you never know.

http://www.three.co.uk/feel-at-home

Thanks for the reply. I had seen that but wondered if anyone had tested it to see if they enforce it.

Atlantic Dawn · 09-06-2017 1:55pm

Ro-76 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I had seen that but wondered if anyone had tested it to see if they enforce it.

Yes I don't know how much data the host provider would provide back to Three, I suppose you could always risk it.

bk · 09-06-2017 2:06pm

Great news, it looks like Three UK are adding yet more countries to their Feel At Home plan (just got the email now), they are adding:

Brazil, Singapore, Aland Islands, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, R?union, Saint Barth?lemy, Saint Martin, San Marino.

Obviously the big ones there is Brazil and Singapore, this is in addition to the likes of USA, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, etc.

Also if you have a SIM from them that includes free calls and texts, they now allow you to call Ireland for free while anywhere in Europe, per the new EU rules, though obviously your number will come up as a UK one.

Very handy SIM to have for world travellers, hopefully they will continue to add countries to this.

bluemachaveli · 09-06-2017 2:45pm

Ordered a free sim from 3 using parcel motel a couple of weeks ago. Topped it up and used it in NY this week with no issues. Was fantastic for maps, Uber and staying in touch.

Thanks for all the helpful advice, will be hanging onto it for future travel

Ro-76 wrote: »

Any possibility of tethering in USA with 3 UK sim? How about with jailbreak app MyWi?

FYI tethering worked fine for me with no workaround, but I only used it for two other phones that were travelling with me. May be blocked on a laptop unless you switch the user agent.

One Question · 09-06-2017 6:49pm

Hi,
I'm asking a colleague get me a 3UK SIM with 12 GB for 20 Sterling.
I plan on putting in my unlocked iPhone 4S and bringing to States this month for data mainly, and hopefully letting my kids sponge (tether) off the data.

I'm encouraged by last post!

Can anyone see a problem with this plan?
I assume I get a new uk mobile number with this plan, is that right?

Cheers

One Question · 09-06-2017 9:44pm

Also, has anyone used this, or heard anything good/bad about them. Saw it on Amazon.
GigSky Data SIM Card with 4G LTE / 3G 100MB Mobile Data Plan to Use in USA, UK, Europe, Asia (90+ Countries)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GigSky-100MB-Mobile-Europe-Countries/dp/B01CN75FZC/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1497006832&sr=8-20-spons&keywords=three+uk+sim+card&psc=1
Thanks again

bk · 10-06-2017 1:45pm

One Question wrote: »

Also, has anyone used this, or heard anything good/bad about them. Saw it on Amazon.
GigSky Data SIM Card with 4G LTE / 3G 100MB Mobile Data Plan to Use in USA, UK, Europe, Asia (90+ Countries)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GigSky-100MB-Mobile-Europe-Countries/dp/B01CN75FZC/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1497006832&sr=8-20-spons&keywords=three+uk+sim+card&psc=1
Thanks again

I'm not sure why you would bother with that, seems extremely expensive compared to the 3 UK SIM. Only advantage is if you were heading to a country not covered by the 3 UK SIM.

CeilingFly · 10-06-2017 1:50pm

finbarrk wrote: »

Be careful if you are on Eir anyway. €5,600 for 40 mins of data usage in the USA.
http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/home/254150/laois-mother-warns-nation-after-being-hit-with-5-600-data-roaming-charge-from-eir.html

1.5gb in 40min

I reckon the daughter is telling fibs, but even at that, eir should not have allowed it go over €500 without some notification

One Question · 11-06-2017 9:59am

bk wrote: »

I'm not sure why you would bother with that, seems extremely expensive compared to the 3 UK SIM. Only advantage is if you were heading to a country not covered by the 3 UK SIM.

I was looking at Gigsky as an option because it's only 10 pounds for 100GB data

One Question · 11-06-2017 10:00am

CeilingFly wrote: »

1.5gb in 40min

I reckon the daughter is telling fibs, but even at that, eir should not have allowed it go over €500 without some notification

I would certainly expect that +5000 would never be paid! No justification for that ridiculous amount.

Thephantomsmask · 11-06-2017 10:28am

One Question wrote: »

I was looking at Gigsky as an option because it's only 10 pounds for 100GB data

100 megabytes, not giga according to the page

bk · 11-06-2017 10:55am

One Question wrote: »

I was looking at Gigsky as an option because it's only 10 pounds for 100GB data

100MB NOT GB, that is nothing, you would use that in a day or two of just whatsapp and a little web.

€25 for 12GB is 120 times more data then that!

Happy_Harry · 12-06-2017 1:51pm

Going to the States in August and doing my homework..

Reading this thread, it seems people have varying success with three at home or local SIM card. I see quite a few people are mentioning speed issues.
Can it be this is related to people having devices that don't support 4G LTE bands and therefore by default get 3G speeds ?

I am trying to figure out if I have any device that will work in US.
I have Mifi Vodafone R215 which will most likely not work on 4G. I have a Huawei P9 lite that probably also won't do 4G and then an old HTC M8 where I am not sure whether it will work or not.
The specs online say the US frequencies are supported, but I am wondering whether there are mutliple versions of this phone, if not , it seems to support almost every frequency worldwide...and if something seems to be too good to be true.....

Anyone that can definitely say which devices work on 4G in US ? By that I mean personal experience of the device in the US.

Atlantic Dawn · 12-06-2017 6:20pm

Happy_Harry wrote: »

Going to the States in August and doing my homework..

Reading this thread, it seems people have varying success with three at home or local SIM card. I see quite a few people are mentioning speed issues.
Can it be this is related to people having devices that don't support 4G LTE bands and therefore by default get 3G speeds ?

I am trying to figure out if I have any device that will work in US.
I have Mifi Vodafone R215 which will most likely not work on 4G. I have a Huawei P9 lite that probably also won't do 4G and then an old HTC M8 where I am not sure whether it will work or not.
The specs online say the US frequencies are supported, but I am wondering whether there are mutliple versions of this phone, if not , it seems to support almost every frequency worldwide...and if something seems to be too good to be true.....

Anyone that can definitely say which devices work on 4G in US ? By that I mean personal experience of the device in the US.

This is a good site to see what networks your phone work on in various countries...
http://willmyphonework.net/

glog · 12-06-2017 6:34pm

Happy_Harry wrote: »

Going to the States in August and doing my homework..

Reading this thread, it seems people have varying success with three at home or local SIM card. I see quite a few people are mentioning speed issues.
Can it be this is related to people having devices that don't support 4G LTE bands and therefore by default get 3G speeds ?

I am trying to figure out if I have any device that will work in US.
I have Mifi Vodafone R215 which will most likely not work on 4G. I have a Huawei P9 lite that probably also won't do 4G and then an old HTC M8 where I am not sure whether it will work or not.
The specs online say the US frequencies are supported, but I am wondering whether there are mutliple versions of this phone, if not , it seems to support almost every frequency worldwide...and if something seems to be too good to be true.....

Anyone that can definitely say which devices work on 4G in US ? By that I mean personal experience of the device in the US.

Feel like home for Three.co.uk does not include data roaming on 4G - only 3G.
And even on 3G it is throttled that you cannot stream.

Happy_Harry · 12-06-2017 10:02pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

This is a good site to see what networks your phone work on in various countries...
http://willmyphonework.net/

OK, so I looked at a few devices and am I wrong to state that in general devices bought in Europe don't work on 4G in the US ? I checked for AT&T and T-mobile. I wouldn't mind buying a new phone here, but I wonder if there are any Android phones here that would work on US 4G ?

In which case it may an idea to pick up a cheap 4G phone over there and use it as hotspot and satnav in combination with a t-mobile prepaid SIM ?

glog wrote: »

Feel like home for Three.co.uk does not include data roaming on 4G - only 3G.
And even on 3G it is throttled that you cannot stream.

That is very useful information... thanks. Streaming is a must on a road trip with an 8 year old..

MB05 · 12-06-2017 10:10pm

If you are just going to the US for a couple of weeks would either of the other size SIM cards 3 do work? They do a 1 GB (expires after 30 days) and a 3GB (expires after 90 days) on Amazon that I was looking at. I don't need 12GB as all I want to do is be able to call an Uber and use either Whatsapp or Viber for calls. The prices have jumped up recently but this is the link for reference purposes:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B01B23ZK94/ref=olp_twister_child?ie=UTF8&mv_size_name=1&qid=1497300032&sr=8-6

The 1GB was only £4.39 last week so I am hoping it goes back to that level again soon. I am not travelling until the end of the year so I am in no rush to buy it. I just wondered if I see it again at this price would it do the same job the 12GB one does?

The Duk · 19-06-2017 3:40pm

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'm flying over to the States on the 1st of July mymemory.co.uk says it'll process the order in 24 hrs and delivery takes 7 to 10 working days. Any chance I'll get this in time if I order now???

Atlantic Dawn · 19-06-2017 5:33pm

The Duk wrote: »

I'm flying over to the States on the 1st of July mymemory.co.uk says it'll process the order in 24 hrs and delivery takes 7 to 10 working days. Any chance I'll get this in time if I order now???

I ordered one and it took about 7 working days to get it, I'd say if you order today you will have it easily before you leave. I think it's the Channel Islands they are shipped form.

biebiebie · 19-06-2017 5:48pm

The Duk wrote: »

I'm flying over to the States on the 1st of July mymemory.co.uk says it'll process the order in 24 hrs and delivery takes 7 to 10 working days. Any chance I'll get this in time if I order now???

So long as you don't procrastinate any longer

wolfyboy555 · 19-06-2017 7:17pm

Just back from 2 weeks in the States using the three 12GB sim. Worked a treat. Had 3g pretty much everywhere and used google maps pretty much everyday since it was a road trip. Dead handy. Only used 4GB of data overall. I would also advise people to sign up to Revolut as a means of paying for things over there too.

oakshade · 19-06-2017 8:40pm

wolfyboy555 wrote:

Just back from 2 weeks in the States using the three 12GB sim. Worked a treat. Had 3g pretty much everywhere and used google maps pretty much everyday since it was a road trip. Dead handy. Only used 4GB of data overall. I would also advise people to sign up to Revolut as a means of paying for things over there too.

Can I ask how long it took for the three sim to be delivered? I ordered it nearly two weeks ago and there is no sign of it hitting my address pal yet.

gizmo81 · 19-06-2017 9:05pm

Vodafone do a €2.99 a day add on for the states with 200mb plus endless call and texts.

http://www.vodafone.ie/roaming/rates-by-country/bill-pay/

I'm thinking of going with this for my upcoming short trip.

Would people advise or advise against this?

Atlantic Dawn · 19-06-2017 10:20pm

gizmo81 wrote: »

Vodafone do a ?2.99 a day add on for the states with 200mb plus endless call and texts.

http://www.vodafone.ie/roaming/rates-by-country/bill-pay/

I'm thinking of going with this for my upcoming short trip.

Would people advise or advise against this?

200 MB is grand if your just checking emails, having a look Facebook etc but if you need to use Google Maps or watch videos on Youtube it will be gone in no time. A good idea would be to set a limit of 200 MB on your phone tomorrow to see how much data you go through. The unlimited calls and texts is great.

gizmo81 · 19-06-2017 10:22pm

Oh cool thanks, I didn't know I could do that lol

I'm googling as we speak

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

200 MB is grand if your just checking emails, having a look Facebook etc but if you need to use Google Maps or watch videos on Youtube it will be gone in no time. A good idea would be to set a limit of 200 MB on your phone tomorrow to see how much data you go through. The unlimited calls and texts is great.

Lima Golf · 19-06-2017 11:43pm

The Duk wrote: »

I'm flying over to the States on the 1st of July mymemory.co.uk says it'll process the order in 24 hrs and delivery takes 7 to 10 working days. Any chance I'll get this in time if I order now???

I ordered on a Saturday and it took the full 10 working days to reach me.

Doodah7 · 20-06-2017 8:51am

On the other hand, I ordered on a Thursday and it was delivered the following Tuesday. So it very much depends on luck...

As an aside, I had used it in Spain earlier in the month and once I got it working in my mifi it worked very well. I was in London on the weekend and used it again to hopefully reset the roaming month and it was brilliant.

aaronm13 · 20-06-2017 10:25am

Had mine in 3 days to parcel motel. Used mine for the first time in Germany two weeks ago and it was great other than the usual 3 dropping signal every now and then having to do a reboot. Don't miss the 3 network here at all. Will be using it in the states for the first time in September.

Duff · 20-06-2017 12:34pm

I've just ordered the Three sim for my trip to California in August. Did you guys just pop it in and away you went or did you have to register?

dodzy · 20-06-2017 1:21pm

Duff wrote: »

I've just ordered the Three sim for my trip to California in August. Did you guys just pop it in and away you went or did you have to register?

I tested SIM here before daughter went and registered on three.co.uk. Very easy to do and you can then just login anytime and check your usage. Also, worked here in Dublin straight away but APN had to be manually changed once she hit Florida. Working fine for her there at present.

Doodah7 · 20-06-2017 2:04pm

dodzy wrote: »

Also, worked here in Dublin straight away but APN had to be manually changed once she hit Florida. Working fine for her there at present.

Same for me in Spain. I spent a day grappling with this issue as I assumed that my mifi (and 3 sim) would automatically just use the local telco that the 3 sim was piggybacking off. Once I manually added the 3 APN, it worked.

Tom Mann Centuria · 20-06-2017 3:56pm

Have a three UK 12gb sim I've bought for the US, what will I need to change to get it working in America? Have it in a mifi thing at the minute. What apn info do I need to change it to? Thought it'd work out of the box there. Any help gratefully received.

Doodah7 · 20-06-2017 6:05pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Have a three UK 12gb sim I've bought for the US, what will I need to change to get it working in America? Have it in a mifi thing at the minute. What apn info do I need to change it to? Thought it'd work out of the box there. Any help gratefully received.

Add in a manual APN as follows:

Name:3
APN: three.co.uk
Leave username and password blank.

Should work then.

Tom Mann Centuria · 20-06-2017 6:54pm

tallpaul wrote: »

Add in a manual APN as follows:

Name:3
APN: three.co.uk
Leave username and password blank.

Should work then.

Thanks for that.

Phone use in States

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