FYI: Prepaid data plan in US

[alex76]

I was asking ard about it before I came here and doesn't seems to get a definite answer to it.

FOr the benefit of those who wanted to know, here is what I have gone thru:-

THere's 2 GSM mobile providers in the States, the rest is CDMA which might not work with our local SG phones (correct me if I'm wrong)

AT&T OR T-mobile

Knowing AT&T have a better coverage, so I don't bother to look at T-mobile, having read feedback that it is more ex than AT&T.

ok here what you must do for iphone user.

1. go to AT&T stores (not authorize retailers- I will tell u why)
2. ask for a prepaid GOPhone sim card
3. they have both normal sim and MICRO SIM
4. I got the $25 monthly plan + $25 1GB data plan, total you pay $50 only.
5. They will ask you what pohone u use, and said it will not support iphone, BYPASS it! tell them you know it and have a workout around solution and they will sell the sim card and the plan to you.
6. Go to places with free wifi access.
7. Open Safari and access www.unlockit.com.nz
8. choose AT&T and create and install the profile.
9. Put in the new AT&T sim card.
10. voila! you are all to go to use ur data plan!

NOte: if you go authorize dealer, theu will charge you sales tax and that depends which states you go to. But if u go to AT&T stores, u paid $50 NETT.


Hope this helps!

Oh yeah, somehow AT&T disable personal hotspot from the setting menu..... so u can't use your iphone as a wifi router with it.

 

[lameasszz]

Cutting the sim?

Hi, ur thread is very helpful for users going to US!, Anyway, wanna ask. Do they provide micro sim? or do u need to cut it? If need to cut, where to cut?

 

[alex76]

My micro sim still got 700MB data and 100min local call left till 31May12.
Anyone keen pls let me know. It's AT&T GoPhone plan.

 

[patryn33]

all phone provider in USA disable that, you can choose to pay more to the get the feature added.

 

[alex76]

all phone provider in USA disable that, you can choose to pay more to the get the feature added.

Erh... What u mean?

 

[patryn33]

personal hotspot for iphone, Tethering for android phone are usually disable.U can pay more to get it enabled. Gophone for ATT does have plans that they can deduct from your value.

 

[jz1901]

My micro sim still got 700MB data and 100min local call left till 31May12.
Anyone keen pls let me know. It's AT&T GoPhone plan.

Is it still available? I'll be going on 31st May. Can extend e validity of sim card?

 

[alex76]

Hi,
It's still available. But to extend the validity is as good as buying a new card cos u will pay the same amount for buying a new card or add value to existing card.

 

[terrier2307]

Can this still work? I tried accessing www.unlockit.com.nz and doesnt seems to work.

 

[Suleyman]

Alternatively, you could just get one of the unlimited data roaming packages from Singtel. For US, I believe it's $20 per day.

 

[leoang90]

Hi Alex, I'm headed to the states mid-Aug for 4-year studies. I'm intending on bringing my Samsung Galaxy S (I) with me - I hope it works with their service provider there.

Is it recommended I sign up for a monthly plan immediately as soon as I get there? Or is a pre-paid (w/ data) line cheaper in the long term? I will require data for the basic whatsapping / fbing / skyping with my family/friends back at home.

Gotta say though, I'm a little confused at their webpage... and that their line bundles are packaged in so many ways different from what we're so used to here in Sg. Even domestic incoming messages are chargeable!!

 

[cscs3]

Hi Alex, I'm headed to the states mid-Aug for 4-year studies. I'm intending on bringing my Samsung Galaxy S (I) with me - I hope it works with their service provider there.

Is it recommended I sign up for a monthly plan immediately as soon as I get there? Or is a pre-paid (w/ data) line cheaper in the long term? I will require data for the basic whatsapping / fbing / skyping with my family/friends back at home.

Gotta say though, I'm a little confused at their webpage... and that their line bundles are packaged in so many ways different from what we're so used to here in Sg. Even domestic incoming messages are chargeable!!

Snce you wil be there for 4 years. Forget about you S(I), sign up a plan with them and most of the nice phone is almost ZERO dollar. Just stay away from T-mobile and you should be fine.

By the way, try to get a 4G one as thats the way to go.

 

[patryn33]

where to find nice phone today with ZERO dollar.
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, & Wireless Accessories from AT&T
Cell Phones - Smartphones: Cell Phone Service, Accessories - Verizon Wireless
Cell Phones for free with Cell Phone Plans from Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, and more

the data plan for smartphone is where carrier make those $$ back.

depend on location T-mobile can have good coverage. Sprint not great.

 

[leoang90]

Thanks for the info patryn/cscs3!

where to find nice phone today with ZERO dollar.
Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, & Wireless Accessories from AT&T
Cell Phones - Smartphones: Cell Phone Service, Accessories - Verizon Wireless
Cell Phones for free with Cell Phone Plans from Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, and more

the data plan for smartphone is where carrier make those $$ back.

depend on location T-mobile can have good coverage. Sprint not great.

Snce you wil be there for 4 years. Forget about you S(I), sign up a plan with them and most of the nice phone is almost ZERO dollar. Just stay away from T-mobile and you should be fine.

By the way, try to get a 4G one as thats the way to go.

 

[berrycube]

Hi All,

Will be in USA soon, we are thinking to get 2 sim prepaid SIM cards for
local call in USA (splitting into 2 groups so more for ease of contact), answer urgent calls from Singapore and data plan for what's app for iphone 4/4S/5.

1) Any plan that is recommended?

2) I read on some forum that the iphone needs to be "unlocked" what does it mean? How can we unlock it?

Cheers

 

[inveritas]

I was in US for 10 months and used T-Mobile's $50 unlimited everything prepaid plan on my iPhone. Only downside is 2G all the way.

 

[spongywolly]

can't seem to access the site.

will be traveling to US next week and would want to purchase a prepaid card (with data plan) for iphone. hopefully some advice can be provided.

 

[inveritas]

Monthly 4G Prepaid Plans | Compare Prepaid Data Plans | T-Mobile

 

[spongywolly]

is it true that we're unable to use data plan for iphones?

 

[berrycube]

how to unlock our iphones? ^^