Phone use in States

muirsin · 23-06-2017 9:16am

Hi
I have just got one one of the 3 uk sims. Its asking for a sim network unlock pin. Where do I get this

dodzy · 23-06-2017 10:51am

muirsin wrote: »

Hi
I have just got one one of the 3 uk sims. Its asking for a sim network unlock pin. Where do I get this

Ate you sure that your handset is unlocked to all networks? Again, don't assume that a UK 3 SIM will work in a three ireland handset. If so, then there should be a 4 digit on the card that the SIM card was inserted into when you received it.

muirsin · 23-06-2017 5:22pm

Thanks for that. I presumed because phone was 3 here it would be ok

vicadd · 27-06-2017 6:06pm

Just arrived in Newark airport and using the 3 data sim in a dwr-720 d-link wifi dongle. This was working perfectly in Ireland, but only connecting to 2g network and getting no Internet connection on my phone over WiFi.
Any ideas? Do I need to get 3g connection?

LeChienMefiant · 27-06-2017 6:18pm

I tried my ee osprey mini 2 and it didn't seem to pick up a signal on the bands they use here. My xiaomi 5 works no problem however.

Atlantic Dawn · 27-06-2017 10:23pm

vicadd wrote: »

Just arrived in Newark airport and using the 3 data sim in a dwr-720 d-link wifi dongle. This was working perfectly in Ireland, but only connecting to 2g network and getting no Internet connection on my phone over WiFi.
Any ideas? Do I need to get 3g connection?

Tethering is not supported with it so while it will work fine on dongle it's unlikely to work with any other devices trying to tether to it.

august12 · 27-06-2017 10:28pm

sugarman wrote:

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

sugarman wrote:

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

sugarman wrote:

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

Yes, this is a great option, I contacted 3 uk and this sim normally lasts for 12 months for UK residents but there is a 2 month limit for Irish Residents, still a great deal.

MB05 · 27-06-2017 11:59pm

Hi August12, do you know how they would know you are an Irish resident? I just assumed that if you bought the 3 UK sim via parcel motel etc they would class you as a UK resident.

I am thinking of just getting either the 1gb or 3gb data only Sim to use in my phone in Orlando later this year so it might not matter as they are only 30 day or 90 day deals. I'm a little nervous though that the data only one designed for tablets and dongles won't work in my phone. Do you know if you get a phone number with it?

Someone told me to get the payg sim instead, top it up by £10 or £20 and get a calls, texts and data add on. They said we can't ring home but we can ring each other if we both get one. I just don't know which one is best to go for.

august12 · 28-06-2017 12:10am

MB05 wrote:

Hi August12, do you know how they would know you are an Irish resident? I just assumed that if you bought the 3 UK sim via parcel motel etc they would class you as a UK resident.

I couldn't process order through parcel motel, credit card problem, they recognised a non UK credit card and for some reason, from what I remember, credit card not accepted. The sim card can be purchased from a third party site, think it's something like memory.ie, will have to double check that or if you knew someone in UK, they could purchase for you. I'm not sure how they would know im not a UK mobile customer, probably something to do with satellite receiver filtering software.

dodzy · 28-06-2017 6:56am

august12 wrote: »

Yes, this is a great option, I contacted 3 uk and this sim normally lasts for 12 months for UK residents but there is a 2 month limit for Irish Residents, still a great deal.

august12 wrote: »

I couldn't process order through parcel motel, credit card problem, they recognised a non UK credit card and for some reason, from what I remember, credit card not accepted. The sim card can be purchased from a third party site, think it's something like memory.ie, will have to double check that or if you knew someone in UK, they could purchase for you. I'm not sure how they would know im not a UK mobile customer, probably something to do with satellite receiver filtering software.

https://www.mymemory.ie/3-payg-4g-trio-data-sim-pack-incl-12gb-data.html

The Duk · 28-06-2017 7:46pm

Received 3uk sim today from mymemory. Popped in to my phone, registered and its working perfectly. Thanks again.

august12 · 28-06-2017 8:31pm

The Duk wrote:

Received 3uk sim today from mymemory. Popped in to my phone, registered and its working perfectly. Thanks again.

Can you link to the one you bought and maybe post back after 2 months to let us know if it still remains active, 3uk customer service told me it would expire after 2 months for non UK residents.

muirsin · 28-06-2017 10:35pm

Mine working ok here in new york. Nothin needed for settings. Fairly slow but working on T mobile

dodzy · 29-06-2017 12:33am

august12 wrote: »

Can you link to the one you bought and maybe post back after 2 months to let us know if it still remains active, 3uk customer service told me it would expire after 2 months for non UK residents.

That's bull. It's good for a year from activation. Doesn't matter where you're from.

Doodah7 · 29-06-2017 9:45am

There may be issues if the sim is used exclusively outside of the UK for more than two months in the twelve. However there is little definitive proof that they have actually pulled the plug on anyone breaching this condition.

On their website under 'Usage Restrictions' is the following:

"If you roam exclusively in a Feel At Home destination for any 2 complete months in a rolling 12 month period, we may suspend international roaming on your account, which means you'll no longer be able to use your device or allowances abroad. We'd let you know if this were likely to happen first. If you spend a full month abroad but some of that time is spent in a destination that isn't included in Feel At Home, this restriction won't apply".

Therefore if you do not use the sim in the UK at all in a month then it counts towards the two months 'limit'. In any event they will give a heads up before cutting off the customer.

In my case I used the sim in Spain earlier this month but then happened to be in the UK later. I used my sim in both countries, but as I was not roaming exclusively 'abroad', June will not count towards the two month limit.

http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBISAPI.DLL?Command=New,Kb=Mobile,Ts=Mobile,T=Article,varset_cat=roaming,varset_subcat=4157,Case=Ext(EM38751)

bk · 29-06-2017 10:14am

august12 wrote: »

Can you link to the one you bought and maybe post back after 2 months to let us know if it still remains active, 3uk customer service told me it would expire after 2 months for non UK residents.

I've had mine for almost a year now and have used it on and off in four countries in that time no bother.

The point of the 2 month rule is that you shouldn't just use it constantly in Ireland. Basically they don't want people signing up to this from other countries and using this in Ireland all year round.

If you keep it for just when you go abroad and don't use it in Ireland at all then you should be ok. Obviously good to use it up in Northern Ireland or U.K. when you can. But I wouldn't worry too much about it.

seven stars · 29-06-2017 11:54am

Give yourself plenty of time if you're ordering the 3 sim from mymemory. I ordered mine at 8am on 13 June and it still hasn't arrived. Didn't use parcel motel, which may have been a mistake.

WayneEnterprise · 29-06-2017 11:57am

seven stars wrote: »

Give yourself plenty of time if you're ordering the 3 sim from mymemory. I ordered mine at 8am on 13 June and it still hasn't arrived. Didn't use parcel motel, which may have been a mistake.

Odd, I ordered mine on the 16th June and it arrived on the 21st. Delivered direct to Dublin, no parcel motel. Maybe get in touch with them, it may have gone missing in transit.

ED E · 29-06-2017 11:59am

Ordered form MyMem last week (microSD cards), arrived in four or five days. Somebody(AP or Jersey Post) have lost your packet.

bluemachaveli · 29-06-2017 12:37pm

I ordered a free sim to parcel motel direct from the 3 website on this link: https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order

Took about a week or so to arrive. For anyone having issues topping up directly on the 3 UK site, it's down to the fact the use address verification on their payment system. This will stop most cards, including Revolut from working.

If you need to top up, just sign up for a Neteller UK account (I used the PM address) and use their virtual card. You can use Revolut etc to top up this account and then top up via the 3 site.

Bit of a pain, but it's an easy enough work around.

seven stars · 29-06-2017 11:23pm

WayneEnterprise wrote: »

Odd, I ordered mine on the 16th June and it arrived on the 21st. Delivered direct to Dublin, no parcel motel. Maybe get in touch with them, it may have gone missing in transit.

ED E wrote: »

Ordered form MyMem last week (microSD cards), arrived in four or five days. Somebody(AP or Jersey Post) have lost your packet.

Nuts. I've given MyMemory a shout, but there's no chance of them sending a replacement to me in time, and I've really no need for the thing otherwise.

Looks like I'll have to look at alternative options.

aon1998 · 30-06-2017 7:34am

seven stars wrote: »

Nuts. I've given MyMemory a shout, but there's no chance of them sending a replacement to me in time, and I've really no need for the thing otherwise.

Looks like I'll have to look at alternative options.

Have a look at amazon.com, you might be able to get 1 day shipping to your hotel.

WayneEnterprise · 30-06-2017 9:13am

seven stars wrote: »

Nuts. I've given MyMemory a shout, but there's no chance of them sending a replacement to me in time, and I've really no need for the thing otherwise.

Looks like I'll have to look at alternative options.

You could just pick up something like this while you are there:

https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-international-tourist-plan

Berty · 30-06-2017 9:13am

I had a problem with Mymemory and the postage and they said they wouldn't entertain me until at least 28days had passed. It was not tracked, it came from the Netherlands eventually.

I have mine, wanted it for the USA. Used a small few GB on a 12gb Data only thing. Don't need it anymore.

seven stars · 01-07-2017 11:37am

Berty wrote: »

I had a problem with Mymemory and the postage and they said they wouldn't entertain me until at least 28days had passed. It was not tracked, it came from the Netherlands eventually.

I have mine, wanted it for the USA. Used a small few GB on a 12gb Data only thing. Don't need it anymore.

Don't suppose you'd be prepared to let it go for a small fee? :pac:

Berty · 01-07-2017 11:44am

seven stars wrote: »

Don't suppose you'd be prepared to let it go for a small fee? :pac:

Don't see why not. I don't need or want it anymore. My upcoming trips are all EU so I have free roaming now anyway.

Send me a PM sure.

seven stars · 01-07-2017 3:13pm

Berty wrote: »

Don't see why not. I don't need or want it anymore. My upcoming trips are all EU so I have free roaming now anyway.

Send me a PM sure.

Legend. PM sent.

The Duk · 02-07-2017 3:13am

august12 wrote:

Can you link to the one you bought and maybe post back after 2 months to let us know if it still remains active, 3uk customer service told me it would expire after 2 months for non UK residents.

Will do working fin in SFO at the moment

RocketRaccoon · 03-07-2017 5:59am

WayneEnterprise wrote: »

You could just pick up something like this while you are there:

https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-international-tourist-plan

Has anybody used this? Seems like a really handy option. I am going to the states next week for 6 days and have had a read through this thread, is this the best option available?

bk · 03-07-2017 10:24am

RocketRaccoon wrote: »

Has anybody used this? Seems like a really handy option. I am going to the states next week for 6 days and have had a read through this thread, is this the best option available?

The best deal is the Three UK 12GB SIM. But that probably wouldn't arrive in time for you, so this might be the next best thing.

If you are with Vodafone, they do 200MB for €3 a day, which could be a handy option too.

Coeus · 03-07-2017 11:42am

RocketRaccoon wrote: »

Has anybody used this? Seems like a really handy option. I am going to the states next week for 6 days and have had a read through this thread, is this the best option available?

I went with this option for my last trip to the US as I was there for work and needed a US number.

2 things to note about this option, I had to pay another $11 to activate the number and not all phones that can access 4G here will be able to access it there. The use different LTE bands in the US and some older phones don't support those bands. I have a Moto G 1st gen which can connect to 4G here and in Europe but I could only get 2G access which is pretty much usable these days.

oakshade · 03-07-2017 12:00pm

Three UK are not letting me top up with an Irish card this morning. Any workaround? Thanks all.

WayneEnterprise · 03-07-2017 12:27pm

oakshade wrote: »

Three UK are not letting me top up with an Irish card this morning. Any workaround? Thanks all.

Revolut, Neteller, PayPal, Pockit?

Also, you could try just entering the first line of your Irish address and then any UK postcode.

oakshade · 03-07-2017 1:07pm

WayneEnterprise wrote:

Revolut, Neteller, PayPal, Pockit?

WayneEnterprise wrote:

Also, you could try just entering the first line of your Irish address and then any UK postcode.

Thanks for the response. My Revolt is Irish registered and failed and they don't accept PayPal. I might try a UK VPN. I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of this bargain.

bk · 03-07-2017 1:49pm

oakshade wrote: »

Thanks for the response. My Revolt is Irish registered and failed and they don't accept PayPal. I might try a UK VPN. I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of this bargain.

Did you not buy the SIM online pre-load with the credit already from my-memory, etc.?

That is the easiest way to get this deal.

WayneEnterprise · 03-07-2017 2:19pm

bk wrote: »

Did you not buy the SIM online pre-load with the credit already from my-memory, etc.?

That is the easiest way to get this deal.

I'm guessing the poster used the included 12GB and is now trying to top up

oakshade · 03-07-2017 2:24pm

WayneEnterprise wrote:

I'm guessing the poster used the included 12GB and is now trying to top up

I found a solution

you can top up using myphonecard.co.uk and PayPal. You need to email them first and explain your from Ireland ya-de-ya just for fraud prevention but it works, for a small fee. I only go to the US once or twice a year but 12gb for 26euro (20GBP plus fees) is still worth it to me. Thanks all

august12 · 03-07-2017 8:59pm

oakshade wrote:

Thanks for the response. My Revolt is Irish registered and failed and they don't accept PayPal. I might try a UK VPN. I hope this isn't the beginning of the end of this bargain.

I've read it's cheaper to buy the 12gb sim card again as opposed to topping up.

Atlantic Dawn · 03-07-2017 11:11pm

august12 wrote: »

I've read it's cheaper to buy the 12gb sim card again as opposed to topping up.

Yes to topup the 12gb sim online on Three.co.uk it's...
£10 1GB
£15 3GB
£25 7GB

These topups are also only valid for 30 days, far better to just buy another 12GB SIM each time for £25ish.

Ro-76 · 21-07-2017 2:11pm

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

As a follow up to this, I used the SIM in an old iphone with MyWi in the US no problem. It worked as a mobile hotspot.

muirsin · 21-07-2017 3:41pm

I used mine in an old phone too but found connection speed poor. Would send whats app message but sending pics of even low quality took lot time. Was on T mobile network automatically.
Should I have connected to different operator ?
Or was there some setting I should have changed.

RocketRaccoon · 17-08-2017 5:25pm

Hey guys, with the 3 UK sim. Does that allow me to tether from it? For instance could I put that in an old phone and turn on the hotspot to use data on my "proper" phone?

Benzino · 23-08-2017 11:30am

Has anybody has any trouble buying the SIM card from mymemory.co.uk using visa debit? Just says card payment failed. Prefer not to use PayPal if possible. Thanks

Cherry_Cola · 23-08-2017 11:39am

RocketRaccoon wrote: »

Hey guys, with the 3 UK sim. Does that allow me to tether from it? For instance could I put that in an old phone and turn on the hotspot to use data on my "proper" phone?

Didn't allow me to do it in the States

Berty · 23-08-2017 12:09pm

Cherry_Cola wrote: »

Didn't allow me to do it in the States

Did allow me to on a OP3T with a Data Only Sim. My wifes phone tethered to it.

gizmo81 · 23-08-2017 1:50pm

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

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

Berty · 23-08-2017 2:09pm

gizmo81 wrote: »

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

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

From personal experience I assure you it works.

griffdaddy · 23-08-2017 2:13pm

The 12gb sim arrived yesterday from my memory and I popped it into the 2nd sim card slot on my LG v20. Do I need to register it? I don't seem to have 4g on it, only 'H' is this normal?

gizmo81 · 23-08-2017 2:21pm

Berty wrote: »

From personal experience I assure you it works.

Just in case though it might be worth having a back up

Atlantic Dawn · 23-08-2017 4:22pm

griffdaddy wrote: »

The 12gb sim arrived yesterday from my memory and I popped it into the 2nd sim card slot on my LG v20. Do I need to register it? I don't seem to have 4g on it, only 'H' is this normal?

2nd sim slot is highly unlikely to be 4G, it may actually not even be 3G, sometimes they are voice and text only. I'd register, it's handy to keep tabs of how much your using.

Phone use in States

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