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Using American Sim while over there?

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  • 24-04-2013 3:29pm
    #1
    Qwerty Dub
    Registered Users Posts: 612 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I will be going back and forth to NYC a few times in the next year and was wondering if anyone can recommend a carrier with decent Pay as you Go offers. Not interested in calls and texts just data really for using the web and google maps to naviagte my way around the place. Cost me a fortune the last time on 3 roaming.

    Any carriers to avoid? And are some not an option on a regular iPhone?

    On my last trip I will be taking in San Fran, Miami and Vegas. Do the carriers cover the whole country or are they restricted to any States?

    All help appreciated.


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    #2
    BuffyBot
    Registered Users Posts: 24,924 ✭✭✭✭BuffyBot


    The major carriers cover the most of the populated areas of country. AT&T and T-Mobile and the virtual operators based on their networks are the main users of GSM. The other major networks use CDMA which means your iPhone won't be much use.

    I use a T-Mobile SIM, but none of the carriers there are as generous with data as the networks here in Europe are, especially on PAYG. (Yes, we actually have a better deal here for once).

    Mostly, to avoid using data there, I just make use of the ample free wifi spots in the cities (Starbucks, McD's etc all have it) as much as possible.


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    #3
    clairefontaine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,390 ✭✭✭clairefontaine


    Make sure your phone is unlocked before you get there. They passed some stupid regulation about unlocking phones.


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    #4
    Aprilmay
    Registered Users Posts: 282 ✭✭Aprilmay


    Get a Maxroam SIM in Ireland you can use it in the US and data 69 cent MB, you can keep your own number too! Husband uses it going back and forth for calls messaging etc.


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    #5
    Qwerty Dub
    Registered Users Posts: 612 ✭✭✭Qwerty Dub


    clairefontaine wrote: »
    Make sure your phone is unlocked before you get there. They passed some stupid regulation about unlocking phones.

    Yeah 3 are going to unlock the iPhone for me so I can use it. I have a dual sim adapter in my iPhone so I'll have a US sim and my own sim in there but will use the US one for data. Calls and texts dont bother me at all.


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    #6
    Qwerty Dub
    Registered Users Posts: 612 ✭✭✭Qwerty Dub


    Aprilmay wrote: »
    Get a Maxroam SIM in Ireland you can use it in the US and data 69 cent MB, you can keep your own number too! Husband uses it going back and forth for calls messaging etc.

    Will check it out. Googled US sim yesterday and got stuff like red pocket etc. $59 for unlimited calls, texts and data for 30 days which seems ok but i just want to go for an option someone has tried and can vouch for. Cheers...


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    #7
    little lady
    Registered Users Posts: 339 ✭✭little lady


    Just one this to be aware of, i recently moved to the US and brought my iPhone from home, I had a really difficult time getting a Pay As You Go micro sim for my phone, alot of carriers dont seem to do them. In the end my brother who lives on the west coast had to put me on his family plan so he gets the bill and I got a micro-sim!!


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    #8
    Aprilmay
    Registered Users Posts: 282 ✭✭Aprilmay


    little lady wrote: »
    Just one this to be aware of, i recently moved to the US and brought my iPhone from home, I had a really difficult time getting a Pay As You Go micro sim for my phone, alot of carriers dont seem to do them. In the end my brother who lives on the west coast had to put me on his family plan so he gets the bill and I got a micro-sim!!

    I got a micro sim pay as you go for both myself and my daughter when we moved here with T-mobile


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    #9
    Qwerty Dub
    Registered Users Posts: 612 ✭✭✭Qwerty Dub


    Its actually a nano sim I would be looking for for the iPhone 5, so even smaller again. Can see people are selling red pocket nano (and micro) sims on ebay and amazon. They can just be set up online then. Just looking for someone to vouch for a service / plan based on experience.

    I have a dual sim adapter for my iPhone 5 anyway so it takes any size sim and I can flick between the 2 different sims in the settings menu so no issue there.


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    #10
    clairefontaine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,390 ✭✭✭clairefontaine


    little lady wrote: »
    Just one this to be aware of, i recently moved to the US and brought my iPhone from home, I had a really difficult time getting a Pay As You Go micro sim for my phone, alot of carriers dont seem to do them. In the end my brother who lives on the west coast had to put me on his family plan so he gets the bill and I got a micro-sim!!

    Did you try ordering one from amazon?


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