Hi Andrew,
Your two options for GSM phones are T-mobile and AT&T. I believe they
cost $25 for a sim. I think AT&T call it a "go phone" and you can even
buy it with a phone for about $50 (although if you are going to do that
then you can go to other carriers too I guess). Walmart might be a place
to get a cheap pre-paid phone, I recall seeing them there.
The US works on a "minutes" concept. You pay for minutes of air-time
(both making and receiving calls). So for regular plans you pay $x for Y
minutes per month, although I think the pre-paid options are more like
what you would expect in Australia (but be aware of the paying to
receive calls or sms). The exact details change all the time (and based
on location within the US), but one thing worth noting, if your credit
expires then you lose your number after a month or so. for AT&T if you
load a pre-paid card with $100 your credit will last for 1 year, so if
you expect to be back and want to keep the same phone number then thats
the way to go. If you plan to be in the US on and off very frequently
then its worth trying to get the lowest monthly plan and letting the
minutes accumulate in the rollover scheme (although you might need a
social security number to get a monthly plan).
For data I am not sure on the costs for pre-paid. But with the monthly
plans they have this stupid concept that you have to pay extra depending
on how you use the data. For example a regular phone is $15 per month
(2G limit), a smartphone is $25 (2G limit) and the ability to tether
your laptop is $45 (2G limit). So you pay more, for the same service,
based on what YOUR equipment is. Go figure (a class action lawsuit just
waiting to happen I think).
Good luck.
Nigel
On 3/16/2011 9:17 PM, Andrew Bruno wrote:
Hello all,
My name is Andrew Bruno, and I am a Solutions Architect (etc, etc,
etc..)& shareholder for Synetek Systems in Melbourne. (my intro :)
I am not sure if this is an OT area... apologies if it is.
I was wondering if any of you have had experience with mobile and data
options when traveling in the US.
Two years ago during the GFC I located myself& family in Europe for 9
weeks, and did a lot of research on what was available, etc. In the
end I ended up getting a 3G(now Vodafone) SIM from here, as I could
receive calls from Australia for free when roaming their 3G network.
I also bought a Vodafone pre-paid data pack and a TIM pre-paid sim for
data travel in Italy with an unlocked usb key I bought from eBay with
an external antenna when in remote areas. It worked really well and I
was online almost 24/7, VPNed into servers, performing deployments,
support, GTM meetings, skype etc. Great network in Italy... I have to
give them credit.
Now I am looking at the US, and thought that I'd pick your brains for
any that have researched this area for their personal US travels.
I know that Telstra data roaming is extremely expensive, as I think
last time I looked at it was $15 per meg.
Any advice/recommendations?
Cheers
Andrew
P.S. Love this group, and the vast knowledge base of members.
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