Are there prepaid data SIMs an international traveler could easily buy when visiting the U.S?

almost 9 years ago about United States

I am aware that AT&T have prepaid plans available, I would like to know if I can purchase one without being a U.S resident.

internet mobile phone roaming sim

Asked by Guy Boyd via

Travellr.com

7 Answers

+1

My friend who is from the United States is fairly certain that you need to be a US resident for an AT&T prepaid sim card, but suggests that you could ask about whether there are other providers which may be available.

In contrast, however, my own reading suggests, however, that it is in fact possible to purchase and activate a prepaid sim card. In fact, a postpaid sim is what you would most likely not be able to obtain given that you are a non-resident in the U.S. Good luck =) over 8 years ago

Answered by Dan via Travellr.com
0

There's a similar question here - http://travellr.com/questions/united-states/2060/what-is-the-best-prepaid-sim-card-deal-in-the-usa over 8 years ago

Answered by Ian C via Travellr.com
0

It's not a problem buying a prepaid SIM for the US. You can buy Red Pocket and T-Mobile SIMs online at travelgear.com.au or simcardguru.co.uk so you can get your phone number before you travel, but these don't include data.

AT&T have a prepaid SIM that includes data, but their prepaid data plans will not work with an iPhone (as AT&T wants iPhone users to sign up for a two year contract). If you have an iPhone your best bet is to buy a T-Mobile SIM (which will give you voice and text messages but not data) and use free Wi-Fi (in parks, hotels and cafes) to access data.

If you just want data for your computer, then go to a Best Buy store and buy a prepaid dongle (I've seen Virgin Mobile dongles in vending machines at some airports). over 8 years ago

Answered by Tim Uden via Travellr.com
0

I was able to get a data and mobile plan from T-Mobile, no special arrangements were needed. Staff at Boulders T-Mobile store were very helpful, $59 no contract sim with unlimited data. On an iPhone it runs at Edge speeds only but I can live with that.

My researched turned up http://www.mrsimcard.com/ , they provide AT&T 3G 30 day prepaid sims for $129, I decided against that idea because of the price and the 100mb quota on AT&T. over 8 years ago

Answered by Guy Boyd via Travellr.com
0

It looks like you got a good deal. I've used T-Mobile in the past and have been happy with them, but I didn't think that they still had the $59 plan. Data on EDGE isn't a big problem for email, Twitter and most apps and 3G is only really neccessary for video and some VOIP applications.

T-Mobile do have high international call charges so it is best to either use a service like Rebtel or the Skype app on your iPhone for any international calls. But for everything else they are a good option. over 8 years ago

Answered by Tim Uden via Travellr.com
+1

Well looks like i will be searching for a T-Mobile store when I arrive in JFK.

Still $59 is a pretty steep price though... It is highly unlikely that I would need unlimited data. Was there options with less data included?

In Portugal you can get a single month prepaid card for 15€ with some credit (5€ from memory) and then sign up for 7€ for 100mb download over 8 years ago

Answered by Nicholas Roberts via Travellr.com
0

You can choose T SIM cards. They provide less outgoing charges and free incoming in most of the countries, data charges are also very less, and you don’t need to change when you travel to a different country you can use the same number. http://tsim.in/ about 6 years ago

Answered by Rohit Verma via Travellr.com