US help.

[fone]

Hi guys,

Just want to check something with you all. As I understand it, mobile carriers in US predominantly do not use GSM for their 3G networks, ie no sim cards. So how do they work actually? You have to buy a phone from a carrier and it’ll be registered with their network?

Asking because I may be going to Houston for a training stint and want to know if our local smartphones can work there if I purchase a plan from a US carrier =p

They do use sim cards and GSM what they use for 3G. However, kindly check your smart phone's frequencies vs the wireless provider's frequencies before choosing a wireless provider. IIRC, like AT&T uses 850 MHz (or switching to this frequency) for their 3G while T-mobile uses like 1900 MHz (like sg). So your phone might or might not support that frequency for 3G. I'm using a US-bought AT&T-frequency Nexus one is sg.

 

[stormcontrol]

They do use sim cards and GSM what they use for 3G. However, kindly check your smart phone's frequencies vs the wireless provider's frequencies before choosing a wireless provider. IIRC, like AT&T uses 850 MHz (or switching to this frequency) for their 3G while T-mobile uses like 1900 MHz (like sg). So your phone might or might not support that frequency for 3G. I'm using a US-bought AT&T-frequency Nexus one is sg.

I am using HTC Desire which supports 900/2100 MHz HSPA/WCDMA. I found from wikipedia that TMobile is using 1700/2100 UMTS(W-CDMA)/HSPA. Would seem like my phone is compatible. But when i google it i find alot of ppl saying that their Desire couldn't work with TMobile's 3G network....?? =s

 

[stormcontrol]

I am using HTC Desire which supports 900/2100 MHz HSPA/WCDMA. I found from wikipedia that TMobile is using 1700/2100 UMTS(W-CDMA)/HSPA. Would seem like my phone is compatible. But when i google it i find alot of ppl saying that their Desire couldn't work with TMobile's 3G network....?? =s

wahh... search until my brain want to break le.... Do you know any android smartphone which are sold in sg which i can bring over there to use?

Seems like Samsung's Nexus S and Galaxy S can but the way the official webpage write their tech specs make me unsure.

Or iPhone 4? (nooo... all my paid android apps)

Or just buy phone in US? expensive anot?

 

[devilish_me]

wahh... search until my brain want to break le.... Do you know any android smartphone which are sold in sg which i can bring over there to use?

Seems like Samsung's Nexus S and Galaxy S can but the way the official webpage write their tech specs make me unsure.

Or iPhone 4? (nooo... all my paid android apps)

Or just buy phone in US? expensive anot?

how long will you be in US? just buy a prepaid phone....super inexpensive!!! unless if you want a super fancy phone then could be expensive unless you are able to get a monthly subscription package (but without credit history, could be harder).

i paid like $20 for my net10 phone (just regular phone/no camera/no nothing!) and it came with $30 worth of phonecalls. i top up my phone with $30 worth of calls once every 2 months and i get to roll-over my unused minutes. my overseas calls are charged at $0.15/min. local calls $0.10/min.

 

[alexljy]

Hmm, I noticed their data package there also quite expensive for pre-paid. By the way, where can these pre-paid phones be gotten? Like official At&t stores? Or they got those authorised phone sellers like Singapore.

 

[fone]

Hmm, I noticed their data package there also quite expensive for pre-paid. By the way, where can these pre-paid phones be gotten? Like official At&t stores? Or they got those authorised phone sellers like Singapore.

Many places, even supermarkets like walmart.

 

[maumu]

hey folks

i'm going to Philly for a week and will also will drop by NYC for a few days (~3 days). quite a last min arrangement (work-related)...

it's my 1st time to US and i have the following queries. good if u can help me:

1. how do i get a pre-paid SIM card that comes with data plan? browse around and seems like only AT&T offers that? how do i check if their SIM cards are compatible with my fone (Xperia arc)? are their pre-paid data package reasonably priced?

2. wanting to do some tech shopping more than anything... ipad 2... laptop (thinkpad)... hdd (or ssd actually)... lol may i know where can i find good deals in retail stores? or outlets?

3. if buying coach bags, kate spades for my frenz... where in NYC or Philly can I find the outlets?

4. are there any unlimited day-pass for transport in NYC? for buses, tubes, etc.?

thanks in advance if u can answer the above for me.

 

[stormcontrol]

hey folks

i'm going to Philly for a week and will also will drop by NYC for a few days (~3 days). quite a last min arrangement (work-related)...

it's my 1st time to US and i have the following queries. good if u can help me:

1. how do i get a pre-paid SIM card that comes with data plan? browse around and seems like only AT&T offers that? how do i check if their SIM cards are compatible with my fone (Xperia arc)? are their pre-paid data package reasonably priced? I'm still looking at this one myself. What i found so far is that so long as your phone supports the radio band and protocol that the carrier is using, you can use their plan. For AT&T Mobility, they are using 850MHz and 1900MHz UMTS/HSPA. Check your phone manual/box to see if it can support those.

2. wanting to do some tech shopping more than anything... ipad 2... laptop (thinkpad)... hdd (or ssd actually)... lol may i know where can i find good deals in retail stores? or outlets? tech stuff, i think most stuff is actually cheaper in SG then over there...

3. if buying coach bags, kate spades for my frenz... where in NYC or Philly can I find the outlets? go outletbound website to check for outlet center closest to wherever you will be

4. are there any unlimited day-pass for transport in NYC? for buses, tubes, etc.? Should be, check the Metrocard website bah

thanks in advance if u can answer the above for me.

Answer above in red. Me newb as well. but this is what i find out.

 

[stormcontrol]

thanks for the advice, fone and devilish_me. Will take into consideration. Gonna need a prepaid data plan on top of a voice plan. Cz wife wants the ability to skype me anytime/where while i'm gone lol. I think i will hunt for prepaid plans first, gather which radio band and protocol the carriers use, then go look for suitable local smartphone bah.... sigh

anybody who used their locally bought phone in US successfully with US data plan please share ur phone model k?

 

[maumu]

Answer above in red. Me newb as well. but this is what i find out.

thanks buddy

i've checked out gsmarena... seems like Xperia Arc is fine since its 3G Network is based on:

3G Network
HSDPA 900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800

for tech stuff... i tot US is much cheaper? at least that is what i see online... but those are online prices.. not sure how those retail prices will differ. problem is, not sure where the 'sim lim squares' are in NYC or Philly.

 

[devilish_me]

2. wanting to do some tech shopping more than anything... ipad 2... laptop (thinkpad)... hdd (or ssd actually)... lol may i know where can i find good deals in retail stores? or outlets?

best-buy, target, walmart, staples, officemax, radioshack etc...are good places to look. while not everything might be cheaper....sometimes the sale items could be really good deals. but do note that you might require adaptors for your appliances and some equipment (diff voltage) might not work in singapore.

3. if buying coach bags, kate spades for my frenz... where in NYC or Philly can I find the outlets?

in philly, http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/directions.asp?id=75
in NYC, http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/directions.asp?id=7
remember to check online for discount coupons before you head down to the outlets. sometimes, there are those 20% discount coupons for in store shopping.

4. are there any unlimited day-pass for transport in NYC? for buses, tubes, etc.?

you could get the $10 pay-per-ride pass (your fare per ride would be at discounted rate vs buying a single ride fare). the other unlimited ride passes i think are for 1-2 weeks...and only if you make many trips per day then is justifiable.

 

[starstruck123]

hello!!

it's me agn. haven been reading this thread as i have been busy with internship.
wanted to ask whether it is safe to book 1 hotel room for 2 but actually 4 ppl are staying?

i had initially booked accomodation at big apple hostel but they just emailed saying the hostel has been shut down by the building department of nyc. shocked and super sian.

so i was wondering whether it is possible to save money by booking a room for 2 but shared among 4 ppl.

thanks people!

 

[genie47]

Got arrangements with my friend in SF.

First thing we do when I land is eat.

Will be close to lunch. First stop? Swan's Oyster Depot.

Then to Rosamunde Sausage Grill. My wife now having nightmares and swore she should begin dieting 3 months before this trip. I'm gonna try the duck sausage. Would be my first time taking a duck sausage. The most f***ing beautiful thing about this place is the dive next door. Toronado. Every freaking beer you can think of.

The next day's lunch most likely to be at Ike's Place. The sandwich choices are bewildering!

Flight is this Sat. I've also booked a City Pass. Will be going to the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Bay Cruise to go under the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course free Muni and cable car rides all the way.

 

[genie47]

Then when I visit every city, I will always try their coffee. I'll be going to Philz Coffee. Looks really cool and hip compared to the act cool and hip people in our Starbucks and CBTL branches.

 

[Erwinlow]

Wah. Diddn't plan my meals to such detail like you. Do post pictures!

Alcatraz?

 

[vernon_wmk]

Got arrangements with my friend in SF.

First thing we do when I land is eat.

Will be close to lunch. First stop? Swan's Oyster Depot.

Then to Rosamunde Sausage Grill. My wife now having nightmares and swore she should begin dieting 3 months before this trip. I'm gonna try the duck sausage. Would be my first time taking a duck sausage. The most f***ing beautiful thing about this place is the dive next door. Toronado. Every freaking beer you can think of.

The next day's lunch most likely to be at Ike's Place. The sandwich choices are bewildering!

Flight is this Sat. I've also booked a City Pass. Will be going to the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Bay Cruise to go under the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course free Muni and cable car rides all the way.

Do bring some thicker clothing. The weather's been pretty wet and cold this past few weeks at SFO. Juz came back yesterday from a 3 weeks trip.

 

[genie47]

Been told about this and I'll be taking the bay cruise which will make it even colder.

 

[martintylor]

Any cheap accommodation in NY to recommend for 1 person? No shared Dorm, prefer near the subway station

 

[spec116]

ehhh..where to get best xchange rates for SGD to USD?

 

[klanse]

Got arrangements with my friend in SF.

First thing we do when I land is eat.

Will be close to lunch. First stop? Swan's Oyster Depot.

Then to Rosamunde Sausage Grill. My wife now having nightmares and swore she should begin dieting 3 months before this trip. I'm gonna try the duck sausage. Would be my first time taking a duck sausage. The most f***ing beautiful thing about this place is the dive next door. Toronado. Every freaking beer you can think of.

The next day's lunch most likely to be at Ike's Place. The sandwich choices are bewildering!

Flight is this Sat. I've also booked a City Pass. Will be going to the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco Bay Cruise to go under the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course free Muni and cable car rides all the way.

Do make a order on phone before going to Ike. The queue is always long...