US prepaid/pay as you go SIM cards?

[chris]

Hi guys
I posted a question at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...919#post293484 about prepaid/ pay as you go SIM cards in the United States. Have you got any suggestions?

Cheers for your input,
Chris

[boarder]

I have used a Tuyo.com SIM, bought on EBay US. The credit that came with the SIM was worth more than I paid ($5). I think this is a rebadged T-mobile SIM for the Spanish speaking population. Coverage same as T-mobile.

I used my normal unlocked GSM triband phone with the SIM. No need to mess around with TracPhones or T-mobile prepaid prices. Same service for much less.

You can buy call time at some gas stations or online with a credit card. Worked well for me for 3 month.

Works well with Google Voice too. I can send you a Google Voice invite. That way you get TXT and phone calls as emails as well if you give out your GV number and forward to your Tuyo number or local accommodation number from there. If you sign up to Google Voice before you leave you can leave a number with friends before you actually get to the US and buy your SIM.

Cheers

[chris]

Many thanks for the tuyo lead. Looks like a good deal. Have ordered one.
cheers
Chris

[chris]

Feedback on Tuyo mobile sim cards in USA after using one for 8 weeks: In large latino urban areas like PHX AZ, LA and SFO it worked fine. Everywhere else, virtually no cover what so ever: So for a CDT, Oregon and TAT trip virtuually useless. A total waste of money. Best to pay more for something from Verizon or ATandT.

HTH
Chris

[gunt86]

Get a TMobile SIM card. cheapest prepaid rates. decent coverage near urban areas and on major highways. if you are going into the wilderness, get verizon or ATT.

[fatbot686]

I'm looking for a pre-payed SIM card for use in the US, but also want data. Is the t-Mobile option good for that?

Thanks.

[Marius356]

Hi,

I am rinding across CANADA and the USA (Halifax, Québec, Montréal, Chicago, Denver, California etc.).

I need a simple SIM-Card, just for telephoning and maybe for Google Voice (never heard of it until I read thisi thread).

Is there a good provider with reasonable rates? Since I don't know much people overseas, I only need the SIM/Mobile Phone to make reservations or in case of an emergency.

[ozhanu]

Originally Posted by fatbot686

I'm looking for a pre-payed SIM card for use in the US, but also want data. Is the t-Mobile option good for that?

Thanks.

t-mobile has not data option on pre-paid cards unless you want to pat $50/month and get 200MB.

[Thermal]

T-mobile is fine for just voice. You may be able to find something that's a few pennies cheaper, but IMHO not worth the hassle if something doesn't work. You can get a t-mobile kit pretty cheap at Wal-mart and avoid the long wait at those phone stores that always seem to be packed for some unknown reason. The kit only comes with a few minutes of air time, so recharge it with a credit card:
$10 - 30 minutes ($0.33 / minute)
$25 - 130 minutes ($0.19 / minute) expires after 90 days
$50 - 400 minutes ($0.12 / minute) expires after 90 days
$100 - 1000 minutes ($0.10 / minute) does not expire for 1 year.

I buy the $100 and it lasts me about a year since I'm not a big fan of constantly yakking on the phone.

Data is quite expensive in the US and generally only available in larger cities and along the interstates - just the places you will want to avoid when touring on a motorcycle. I think ATT is a little bit cheaper than t-mobile on data, but I've had enough bad experiences dealing with them that I'll NEVER use them again.
Also - only ATT and T-mobile networks use GSM as in Europe, so if you already have an unlocked quad-band GSM phone, you don't need to buy one.

[John Ferris]

March 21, 2011|By David Sarno and Alex Pham, Los Angeles Times
AT&T's surprise $39-billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA Inc. could lead to more consolidation in the U.S wireless industry, leaving the market with just two dominant providers — and the prospect of higher rates and fewer choices for consumers.