Phone use in States

Hoolies · 08-11-2017 1:06pm

august12 wrote: »

Could one use a Vodafone Sim in this as well, I purchased a Vodafone dongle for 50 euro with sim, topped up with 20 euro but am still within the 14 day return window,

Yes it is an unlocked dongle so can be used on any network.

Price has risen since I purchased, but this is the one I got.
https://www.mymemory.ie/d-link-3g-mobile-broadband-wifi-hotspot-any-network-unlocked.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiA84rQBRDCARIsAPO8RFz0RBySLvKA5L29kCj5rRd7IX6wkomdKStesSpDN1y-CBUa7CxZRxsaAlkzEALw_wcB

august12 · 08-11-2017 1:17pm

Thank you so much for this, didn't know these existed, wonder is there a 4g option, will google, price is great and fantastic it is unlocked as have a couple of Sims with mobile broadband including the 3 UK 12GB.

the-ging · 08-11-2017 1:20pm

I was trying to top up a Three UK sim, to use in the US but it was stopped due to no UK address.

Kinda annoying.

TheSheriff · 08-11-2017 6:06pm

the-ging wrote: »

I was trying to top up a Three UK sim, to use in the US but it was stopped due to no UK address.

Kinda annoying.

I got around it by buying a Three credit voucher online, cant remember the exact website I just googled it.

I think the total cost of a 20 pound voucher via the website was 21.40 pounds, so you pay 1.40 for the privilege of not having a card with UK address.

mar2000 · 08-11-2017 6:54pm

TheSheriff wrote: »

I got around it by buying a Three credit voucher online, cant remember the exact website I just googled it.

I think the total cost of a 20 pound voucher via the website was 21.40 pounds, so you pay 1.40 for the privilege of not having a card with UK address.

I use mobiletopup.co.uk to top up mine and they email you the code. I used PayPal to pay for it.

Hoolies · 08-11-2017 8:31pm

mar2000 wrote: »

I use mobiletopup.co.uk to top up mine and they email you the code. I used PayPal to pay for it.

Could you use a Revolut card does anyone know?

wotzgoingon · 08-11-2017 9:29pm

Hoolies wrote: »

Could you use a Revolut card does anyone know?

Yea, there would be no problems using that.

n!ghtmancometh · 13-04-2018 12:17am

Sorry to bump an old thread!

Heading to the states in two weeks and fancy having data instead of relying on wifi like I have for last few trips. Just want to make sure that the 3 UK sims ordered from here: https://www.mymemory.ie/3-payg-4g-trio-sim-packa-aio15-3000-minutes-3000-texts-5gb-data.html are still good to use over in the states?

Cheers.

Atlantic Dawn · 13-04-2018 12:43am

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Sorry to bump an old thread!

Heading to the states in two weeks and fancy having data instead of relying on wifi like I have for last few trips. Just want to make sure that the 3 UK sims ordered from here: https://www.mymemory.ie/3-payg-4g-trio-sim-packa-aio15-3000-minutes-3000-texts-5gb-data.html are still good to use over in the states?

Cheers.

Yes still works fine for data. I am not 100% if the calls and texts can be used to non UK numbers when in US so may be of no use if wanting to call non UK. Info on three.co.uk is not too clear. That Sim you linked to is only valid for 30 days from first use, the 12gb data only for a little extra lasts a year and is better value.

wotzgoingon · 13-04-2018 1:28am

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Sorry to bump an old thread!

Heading to the states in two weeks and fancy having data instead of relying on wifi like I have for last few trips. Just want to make sure that the 3 UK sims ordered from here: https://www.mymemory.ie/3-payg-4g-trio-sim-packa-aio15-3000-minutes-3000-texts-5gb-data.html are still good to use over in the states?

Cheers.

Just be aware that they use different LTE bands over there than here. Unless your phone is a international model you will most likely not be able to pick up a LTE signal. But there are a lot of factors depending on which part of America you will be in and which network you will be connected to so you may actually get a LTE signal but you most likely will not.

bliger · 13-04-2018 8:55am

No need to worry about LTE band as with 3uk sim will work in 3g mode.

n!ghtmancometh · 13-04-2018 9:31am

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Just be aware that they use different LTE bands over there than here. Unless your phone is a international model you will most likely not be able to pick up a LTE signal. But there are a lot of factors depending on which part of America you will be in and which network you will be connected to so you may actually get a LTE signal but you most likely will not.

Phone is a nextbit robin bought in the states so no bother on that front. Cheers for the info though.

dodzy · 13-04-2018 10:23am

Bought one myself last year before a US trip in August. Used about 5 GB over the 2 weeks. Fast forward to March 2018 and on a trip to Sydney, remembered I'd stuck it in my wallet. Popped SIM into phone and voila. Internet for the duration. Twas a great deal. Same SIM as the one in the link below. Obviously they've increased in popularity looking at the price

https://www.prepaid.com.hk/3UK-4G-3G-PAY-AS-YOU-GO-MULTI-COUNTRY-24-MONTHS-24GB-DATA-PREPAID-SIM

Stin · 13-04-2018 12:11pm

Do you know of a data sim that would work in Canada?

extra gravy · 13-04-2018 6:26pm

Heading to the States on the 23rd, wish I'd seen this thread sooner. Probably too late to order the UK sim now. Had planned on getting the t mobile tourist plan, would that be my best option now?

webpal · 13-04-2018 7:26pm

wotzgoingon wrote: »

Yea, there would be no problems using that.

Are you saying that you buy credit from three.co.uk if you have a Revolut card? I was going to get a uk sim but the fact I couldn't top up put me off. Do you not need an address with a Revolut card?

sue97 · 13-04-2018 10:21pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Yes still works fine for data. I am not 100% if the calls and texts can be used to non UK numbers when in US so may be of no use if wanting to call non UK. Info on three.co.uk is not too clear. That Sim you linked to is only valid for 30 days from first use, the 12gb data only for a little extra lasts a year and is better value.

Would you link to the one you are suggesting please

Atlantic Dawn · 13-04-2018 10:26pm

sue97 wrote: »

Would you link to the one you are suggesting please

This is it, works for 1 year from the time you initially use it, remember though it's data only, can not be used to make or receive phonecalls or texts, you can login on Three.co.uk when you get it to check your balance...

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/3-payg-4g-trio-data-sim-pack-with-12gb-data.html

jasonhn · 15-04-2018 4:13pm

if your going to the states i'd suggest lyca US mobile pop into one of the small phone shops grab the sim (I'm presuming sim free phone) top up for the month

http://www.lycamobile.us/prepaid-phone-plans/l/100

the 29 plan gives free calls to Irish landlines and mobiles. Lyca US is on the T-Mobile network (GSM so should be no major phone issues) the 19 plan gives calls just to Irish landlines

Simon201 · 18-04-2018 10:01pm

Sorry about the huge non bargain alert but I was wondering were there two April the 1st's this year when I saw this!:mad:

https://www.virginmedia.ie/roaming/

1st option 5 minutes on FB
2nd option stream an advert maybe

18-04-2018 10:15pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

This is it, works for 1 year from the time you initially use it, remember though it's data only, can not be used to make or receive phonecalls or texts, you can login on Three.co.uk when you get it to check your balance...

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/3-payg-4g-trio-data-sim-pack-with-12gb-data.html

Anyone tried one of these sims in a wifi hotspot rather than a phone? I have an O2 one lying around though it's only 3G capable? Still would be very handy as could just stick it in a bag or pocket and two of us would have data everywhere we went. Also with eir wifi calling on my phone I'd be able to make and receive calls as normal for free too.

whiteley91 · 18-04-2018 10:37pm

I have 2 set up with wifi hotspots that are used in the states and around Europe. Just be careful what hotspot you have. Most don't support the US frequencies and they need to be unlocked to accept the sim too

Atlantic Dawn · 18-04-2018 11:08pm

Vicente Freezing Android wrote: »

Anyone tried one of these sims in a wifi hotspot rather than a phone? I have an O2 one lying around though it's only 3G capable? Still would be very handy as could just stick it in a bag or pocket and two of us would have data everywhere we went. Also with eir wifi calling on my phone I'd be able to make and receive calls as normal for free too.

On the Three website it says you are not allowed to use it as a wifi hotspot (tethering), I've no idea if they can police this though especially as you may not be using a Three sister company in the other country.

shanec1928 · 19-04-2018 11:59am

Vicente Freezing Android wrote: »

Anyone tried one of these sims in a wifi hotspot rather than a phone? I have an O2 one lying around though it's only 3G capable? Still would be very handy as could just stick it in a bag or pocket and two of us would have data everywhere we went. Also with eir wifi calling on my phone I'd be able to make and receive calls as normal for free too.

used it in europe before we got the free roaming no issues

Morby · 19-04-2018 12:03pm

Sorry if I'm being thick and asking the glaringly obvious, but what's the deal with the 3 SIM's and the WiFi hotpots that can be used for free when roaming around EU and USA?

Never heard of this before, but you have me all curious now! What have I been missing out on?!

errlloyd · 19-04-2018 12:03pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

On the Three website it says you are not allowed to use it as a wifi hotspot (tethering), I've no idea if they can police this though especially as you may not be using a Three sister company in the other country.

Back in the day they were able to detect this, but loads of apps came out that would trick it into thinking it was normal data usage. I remember getting around o2s limits on my Sony Experia X10. I haven't seen tethering split out separately on my bill for years though.

n!ghtmancometh · 25-04-2018 7:24pm

Probably a stupid question but:

My data SIM arrived from my memory today but with no instructions about how to set it up etc? Do I just wait til I land in the states to insert the sim and it will work grand, or do I have to activate it online etc beforehand?

Cheers

Atlantic Dawn · 25-04-2018 8:09pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Probably a stupid question but:

My data SIM arrived from my memory today but with no instructions about how to set it up etc? Do I just wait til I land in the states to insert the sim and it will work grand, or do I have to activate it online etc beforehand?

Cheers

It should work straight in to the phone. As Ireland is one of the areas where it works as 'Like Home' it will work fine here too so no harm setting it up to see it works here first. When I got mine I logged on to Three.co.uk and setup an account while in Ireland so that I would be able to see my balance of what was left.

stryker mcqueen · 30-04-2018 10:23am

jasonhn wrote: »

if your going to the states i'd suggest lyca US mobile pop into one of the small phone shops grab the sim (I'm presuming sim free phone) top up for the month

http://www.lycamobile.us/prepaid-phone-plans/l/100

the 29 plan gives free calls to Irish landlines and mobiles. Lyca US is on the T-Mobile network (GSM so should be no major phone issues) the 19 plan gives calls just to Irish landlines

If Order a sim from Lycamobile.ie can I then log onto lycamobile.us to top up the above plan, or do i need a sim from the US site?

cfeeneyinterior · 30-04-2018 12:47pm

I have switched to eir recently, business account. Anyways it says I have 1GB of data in USA and unlimited calls and texts in the USA too? Sounds good to me? Details here - https://business.eir.ie/shop/shop-bundles/sim-mobile/?customer=new This is on the €20 per month eir Mobile Business Unlimited SIM

Atlantic Dawn · 01-05-2018 7:03pm

cfeeneyinterior wrote: »

I have switched to eir recently, business account. Anyways it says I have 1GB of data in USA and unlimited calls and texts in the USA too? Sounds good to me? Details here - https://business.eir.ie/shop/shop-bundles/sim-mobile/?customer=new This is on the €20 per month eir Mobile Business Unlimited SIM

For a week a light user might get away with 1GB, the problem is if you go over the 1GB the price is €8.46 per MB so if you wanted an additional GB while there it would cost €8,460...a tad pricey.

https://business.eir.ie/roaming-rate/us

sioda · 09-05-2018 12:11pm

Anyone who had the 3 UK sim can you just top it up after the 12 months or is it a buy another one?

Atlantic Dawn · 09-05-2018 12:30pm

sioda wrote: »

Anyone who had the 3 UK sim can you just top it up after the 12 months or is it a buy another one?

Yes you can just topup but the new topup will only last 30 days, will suit most people to just buy a new 12GB sim and start again.

sioda · 09-05-2018 6:22pm

I've ordered a second but not sure it will get here on time

n!ghtmancometh · 09-05-2018 7:47pm

The three 12GB data only sim worked a treat for me in the states. Popped it in when landed and selected a network and it worked straight away. AT&T seemed to be the fastest network with T-Mobile the worst, in Boston anyway.

mac1961 · 10-05-2018 9:33am

What’s the life on these 3 SIM cards if you don’t activate them. Is it a year? Mine arrived to late, were on my doormat when I got back.

Atlantic Dawn · 10-05-2018 1:40pm

mac1961 wrote: »

What’s the life on these 3 SIM cards if you don’t activate them. Is it a year? Mine arrived to late, were on my doormat when I got back.

It's a year from first use in the phone.

LJ3103 · 10-05-2018 1:47pm

If you use one of these in your phone can use the likes of WhatsApp with out issue,

banchang · 10-05-2018 4:36pm

Simon201 wrote: »

Sorry about the huge non bargain alert but I was wondering were there two April the 1st's this year when I saw this!:mad:

https://www.virginmedia.ie/roaming/

1st option 5 minutes on FB
2nd option stream an advert maybe

That looks extremely expensive ? 500MB for Eur55 ? You'd be through that in no time.

n!ghtmancometh · 10-05-2018 7:26pm

LJ3103 wrote: »

If you use one of these in your phone can use the likes of WhatsApp with out issue,

Yes, I used it without any difference to how it works at home.

Lenny · 10-05-2018 7:52pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

The three 12GB data only sim worked a treat for me in the states. Popped it in when landed and selected a network and it worked straight away. AT&T seemed to be the fastest network with T-Mobile the worst, in Boston anyway.

im going next week, any idea of the speeds you were getting?

Atlantic Dawn · 10-05-2018 7:54pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

Yes, I used it without any difference to how it works at home.

Yes wondering about this, could you use your Irish SIM number for it or does it need to the the UK Three number?

n!ghtmancometh · 10-05-2018 8:11pm

I did nothing to it, and all my chats and groups worked as normal, so I assume it just keeps your Irish number and not the UK sim number.

n!ghtmancometh · 10-05-2018 8:14pm

Lenny wrote: »

im going next week, any idea of the speeds you were getting?

All 3G, never got on LTE in downtown Boston, Cambridge or Providence etc. Perfectly usable for Spotify, podcasts, maps etc. Select AT&T wherever you can would be my advice, I connected to T-Mobile at first and it was very sluggish. American friends told me T-Mobile is the most congested network afterwards, so connected to AT&T instead and had no bother.

wotzgoingon · 10-05-2018 8:25pm

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

All 3G, never got on LTE in downtown Boston, Cambridge or Providence etc. Perfectly usable for Spotify, podcasts, maps etc. Select AT&T wherever you can would be my advice, I connected to T-Mobile at first and it was very sluggish. American friends told me T-Mobile is the most congested network afterwards, so connected to AT&T instead and had no bother.

I was the same when I was in New York. Couldn't get a LTE connection due to having a European phone as they use different bands over there. You can get international phones but they are rare. All the most popular phones sell to different regions.

n!ghtmancometh · 10-05-2018 9:19pm

wotzgoingon wrote: »

I was the same when I was in New York. Couldn't get a LTE connection due to having a European phone as they use different bands over there. You can get international phones but they are rare. All the most popular phones sell to different regions.

I have a Nextbit Robin, bought in the US so don't think it's a problem on that score. I'd say it's more the network providers filtering roaming customers onto 3G.

unkel · 11-05-2018 10:12am

n!ghtmancometh wrote: »

The three 12GB data only sim worked a treat for me in the states. Popped it in when landed and selected a network and it worked straight away.

Is that a three UK data only sim? Any link to ordering it?

Going to the states next month and would like to have some data without it costing a fortune. I have a dual SIM S8+, would it automatically use the second sim for roaming instead of my normal first sim?

sioda · 11-05-2018 10:45am

https://www.mymemory.co.uk/3-payg-4g-trio-data-sim-pack-with-12gb-data.html

Works perfect I my op3 dual sim. I set my eir sim to calls and messages and the 3 sim as my data sim

Atlantic Dawn · 11-05-2018 12:39pm

unkel wrote: »

I have a dual SIM S8+, would it automatically use the second sim for roaming instead of my normal first sim?

Normally the way it works is SIM1 is used for data/calls/texts and SIM2 is calls/texts only so you would put your normal SIM in SIM2.

unkel · 11-05-2018 12:48pm

I see I can't use my micro SD card when using 2 sims. That's not great.

Phone use in States

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