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Buying a prepay SIM for iPhone in the US

RonanC · 2013-01-18 10:51:19

Hi, I'll be in the US for 10 days in March and was wondering if it is possible to buy a prepay SIM to use in my unlocked iPhone 5? I mainly want to use it for data, not too concerned about making calls. Thanks

18-01-2013 11:51am

#1

RonanC

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Hi,

I'll be in the US for 10 days in March and was wondering if it is possible to buy a prepay SIM to use in my unlocked iPhone 5? I mainly want to use it for data, not too concerned about making calls.

Thanks

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#2 18-01-2013 1:39pm

Simon201

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I posted this on a similar thread a while back -

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=81874036&postcount=6

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#3 18-01-2013 3:43pm

ironclaw

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RonanC wrote: »

Hi,

I'll be in the US for 10 days in March and was wondering if it is possible to buy a prepay SIM to use in my unlocked iPhone 5? I mainly want to use it for data, not too concerned about making calls.

Thanks

As far as I'm aware you need an SSN to buy an iPhone in general in the States. You can get prepaid phones but I don't recall seeing an iPhone as one (I was there June / July this year) I presume your hoping to bring it back here? If you did get a prepaid version you may run into trouble unlocking it. My suggestion would be an unlocked iPhone and get a prepaid Sim which are a dime a dozen over there. Would probably work out cheaper and less hassle.

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#4 18-01-2013 3:48pm

Graham

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I think the OP already has an iPhone and is looking for a US prepaid SIM.

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#5 18-01-2013 3:52pm

ironclaw

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Graham wrote: »

I think the OP already has an iPhone and is looking for a US prepaid SIM.

Opps. Yes! You can for sure. You can get some great plans in the US for them. T-Mobile has one for $30 a month. However, few pointers:

- Ask can you use Data with you iPhone. Some companies only offer Edge and the iPhone is not compatible with their 3G system. Not the end of the world but its painfully slow. Try get a data plan. They are normally really cheap to add on and handy for maps, Skype, WhatsApp etc T-Mobile's 3G system is not iPhone 4 compatible, I know that for sure.

- Everything costs money. Some prepaid plans cost you to recieve texts and calls. Check that out. I thought I was doing something stupid til I realised every call and text I recieved was costing me.

- Get unlimited calls and texts if you going to be calling / texting US numbers, for the reason above.

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#6 18-01-2013 4:32pm

RonanC

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ironclaw wrote: »

Opps. Yes! You can for sure. You can get some great plans in the US for them. T-Mobile has one for $30 a month. However, few pointers:

- Ask can you use Data with you iPhone. Some companies only offer Edge and the iPhone is not compatible with their 3G system. Not the end of the world but its painfully slow. Try get a data plan. They are normally really cheap to add on and handy for maps, Skype, WhatsApp etc T-Mobile's 3G system is not iPhone 4 compatible, I know that for sure.

- Everything costs money. Some prepaid plans cost you to recieve texts and calls. Check that out. I thought I was doing something stupid til I realised every call and text I recieved was costing me.

- Get unlimited calls and texts if you going to be calling / texting US numbers, for the reason above.

Thanks - looks like I can choose AT&T, Sprint or Verizon.

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#7 18-01-2013 4:37pm

Nokia08

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Verizon as far as I know are the only ones that have a week long phone. Now their prepay is not similar to ours. Basically you pay upfront and then they give it to you. You don't top up a phone and let it run out you buy packages and after 30days/week/day you buy another.

*may have changed 2 years since I lived there.

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#8 18-01-2013 9:02pm

ironclaw

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RonanC wrote: »

Thanks - looks like I can choose AT&T, Sprint or Verizon.

Sprint and Verizon are CDMA networks. You'll need a GSM network.

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