Help - Using my smartphone in US

[Gianlupo]

Hello guys!

This coming week I'll fly to US and stay 10 days in New York and Washington. Since I'd like to use my smartphone and doing so with an Italian SIM card would be a bloodshed for my wallet, I was wondering if you can give me some advice on what carrier/plan is the best to use. Of course I'd like to use a prepaid plan, given that I'll need it only for 10 days, and I think that I'll use it mostly for Internet browsing in 3G (I have an LG Optimus 2x), so I'm basically looking for a good data plan, phone calls and texting are secondary.

BTW, is it easy to buy a prepaid in US? I mean in Italy you have to provide ID, personal info and the SIM usually is activated after a couple of days, how does in work in the States?

[flight17]

There is only one provider that has unlimited data, which Is sprint. All other carriers no longer have it and are capped between 2-5GBs of data.

I have verizon myself and never seem to have any outages, but I can't comment on the others.

[Selino631]

There is only one provider that has unlimited data, which Is sprint. All other carriers no longer have it and are capped between 2-5GBs of data.

I have verizon myself and never seem to have any outages, but I can't comment on the others.

I have Verizon and unlimited data..

[ColTomb]

Gianlupo, NET10 offers an unlimited plan but you will have to buy the phone. The way I read the fine print is you have to activate it with in 25 days of purchase
it will give you service for 30 days, and you can reactivate the phone within 1 year of the date of purchase if you do travel back to the US. It is an on-line deal so you will have to have the phone shipped to your motel or where ever you are staying.

You do not need any kind of ID here in the states. All you need is money. Activation takes only a few minuets. Do read the fine print carefully, I may have missed something.

This link to NET10 is for the N.Y N.Y. zip code 10013.

http://www.net10-store.com/bpdirect/net10/Start.do?action=view&market=GSM5SPR&zip=10013&AID=&VID=&VC=&SAHCID=&COM=&locale=en&siteType=TR&gotoPhonelist=true

[RedBull1]

Hello guys!

This coming week I'll fly to US and stay 10 days in New York and Washington. Since I'd like to use my smartphone and doing so with an Italian SIM card would be a bloodshed for my wallet, I was wondering if you can give me some advice on what carrier/plan is the best to use. Of course I'd like to use a prepaid plan, given that I'll need it only for 10 days, and I think that I'll use it mostly for Internet browsing in 3G (I have an LG Optimus 2x), so I'm basically looking for a good data plan, phone calls and texting are secondary.

BTW, is it easy to buy a prepaid in US? I mean in Italy you have to provide ID, personal info and the SIM usually is activated after a couple of days, how does in work in the States?

I haven't read anything here but I will say, your avatar rival's Spikes! 

[shppr01]

Hit up a Walmart and pick up a go phone . You can put as many minutes and data as you want . Cheapest way to go ..

[ColTomb]

That Go-Phone looks like a pretty good deal. Buy a phone for $50 bucks or so, and a $50 card for unlimited service.

I may get one of those myself..

[Gianlupo]

Thanks for the help, guys!

You're confirming what I feared: the best bet is probably to buy a phone, something I'd rather avoid...

You do not need any kind of ID here in the states. All you need is money. Activation takes only a few minuets. Do read the fine print carefully, I may have missed something.

Good to know!

I haven't read anything here but I will say, your avatar rival's Spikes! 

Lol, too bad I don't post much any more, right?

[RedBull1]

Thanks for the help, guys!

You're confirming what I feared: the best bet is probably to buy a phone, something I'd rather avoid...

Good to know!

Lol, too bad I don't post much any more, right?

You and spikes should have a thread...just you two   :old:and your avatars....k thx 

[shiv]

You might be able to get a simcard for T-Mobile and use their prepaid plan and use your current phone.

[CptA]

You guys are missing the point...

1. He is from Europe where everyone OWNS their un-locked GSM phone...Initial purchase cost is higher, but monthly costs are generally lower in Europe than the U.S. Most users are free to change providers at any time...just put a new SIM card in the phone and go. In the U.S. we are used to free or low cost phones due to the phones being locked-in to a single carrier; and we pay higher montly billing charges which include fees to pay for that "free" locked-to-a-single-provider phone.

2. He just wants to get a Pre-Paid SIM card to plug into his phone for a short period of use.

3. Most of the phones he could buy in the U.S. would be useless to him in Europe, as they are locked to U.S. carriers. A waste of money to buy another phone.

Gianlupo,

I don't know which provider you use in Europe, but when I used to travel overseas for Temporary Military Duty assignments, I would bring along an un-locked GSM phone, and find a Pre-Paid vendor where I was going to be working. In Germany I would generally use T-Mobile as this carrier also offers service in the U.S.

Here's a link to T-Mobile Pre-Paid. http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit

The starter kit includes a SIM card and a few Pre-Paid starter minutes. Buy some additional minutes from the same vendor.

You should be able to find a vendor in any Major U.S. International Airport, but an off-Airport vendor will probably be cheaper.

Best of Luck!

CptA

[flight17]

I have Verizon and unlimited data..

Ya and you had it before they discontinued the offer, therefore you were grandfathered in like everyone else... But u only have it if ur running a 4gb phone, otherwise your throttled down

[CAP1]

Ya and you had it before they discontinued the offer, therefore you were grandfathered in like everyone else... But u only have it if ur running a 4gb phone, otherwise your throttled down

t-mobile. i just looked at my plan......all unlimited.

[gpwurzel]

You could pick up an unlimited StraightTalk phone Gian, $45 and its truly unlimited - not the fastest speed however. You can also add some money to make international calls (separate bit on the website). I pay $45 per month, and every 3 months put $20 on my international calling to phone my mother. Not the cheapest, probably not the best, but I've never been anywhere I cant get signal, and where I live, at&t, Tmobile etc users cannot say the same.

More than likely different in NY mind, being it has many more people than where I live. 

Wurz (whatever happens, enjoy the trip my friend, I miss you slapping me around in the MA's lol......seriously)

[flight17]

t-mobile. i just looked at my plan......all unlimited.

but your missing the point. There is no unlimited data available to him except from sprint.  They are the only carrier that has it.

Verizon- grandfathered in all unlimited people, with 4GB phones, your unlimited, with 3GB, you are throttle on your data if you in top 5% of data usage and/or in very congested area. However, if you leave the congested area, you will be un throttled.

AT&T-Throttle on usage for entire remainder of month after 3GB with 3GB phone and 5GB with 4GB phones. Over those limits, oi are not charged extra, but you will be effectively be put at the bottom of the queue and will only receive the data if its available.

T-Mobile-Same as AT&T, only it's 2GB if on the Plus program and 5g on the premium program.

As I said, sprints the ONLY carrier which you can get an unlimited data plan for your phone, smart phone only.