I’m visiting for two weeks and roaming prices are insane, I’m considering getting a prepaid SIM-card. Can I easily grab one in any shop, e.g. at the airport/Walmart? What are the prices? Unlimited data would be nice, but I can survive with a few GBs too, I’d probably need it mainly for navigation.

  • BlushedPotatoPlayersOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    1 year ago

    Any ideas for T-mobile? It seems that Verizon and AT&T use exotic frequencies for my phone, so maybe that could be the best option, but I don’t know how good their coverage is…

    • 353247532631@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      T-Mobile will issue an E-SIM for their prepaid service. I have used it as a secondary network within the past year to supplement the poor Verizon coverage in certain areas. Check their site for details

    • Extras@lemmy.today
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      My bad its like 3am right now so take what i say with salt. So usually these mvnos offer coverage maps so use that tool to check out the area. As for what main options you have i think it would be:

      • metropcs: looks expensive and cant find an option for single lines, sucks for them
      • Boost: 15$ per month for 5gb, 25 for unlimited
      • Tello: pretty flexible with your plans options so pick and choose but 29$ for unlimited. sim card can only be purchased via their online store
      • us mobile: uses both verizon and tmobiles network 25$ for unlimited. sim card can only be purchased via their online store

      Out of the options I would probably go with boost since it has the best chance at being found at a store and us mobile if you can have it delievered to an address within the states. Theres probably other smaller mvnos that uses tmobiles network so keep doing some resesrch

      Edit: I read metro’s website wrong

      • BlushedPotatoPlayersOP
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        Thanks for the great summary! eSIM is unfortunately not an option (it wasn’t really trending yet two years ago), now I just have to check which of these providers use the same bands as my phone does.

        • Extras@lemmy.today
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          Oh no these are actual sim cards not esim just some you can order online. Boost is readily available in most stores but the usual cards youll find are either the 5gb plan 15$, 15 gb plan 24-25$ and the unlimited but for 3 months which is kinda a let down

    • tieme@midwest.social
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Mint Mobile uses the t Mobile Network. And they have a 7 day trial sim at Best buy for like 2 bucks you could just do two of those since you probably don’t care about having the same phone number for both weeks. The bandwidth is limited though. Or you could get a month off unlimited for like 45 bucks.

    • Axxi@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      The best and cheapest option for you would be to have whoever you’re staying with in the US set up an account with Mint Mobile. For $5 they will send a ready-to-go SIM to their address so it’ll be there waiting for you. They use T-Mobile’s network and you can sign up for month-to-month service, cancelled at any time with no hidden fees. Unlimited text, call and Internet for one month is something like $25. All total, with the SIM, you’re looking at $30 for your phone service while here. You won’t find any pre-paid, non-contract service cheaper. I’ve been using Mint for around 4 years now and they’re fantastic! Hope you have a great time and trip while you’re here in the States!

      • Extras@lemmy.today
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        Hey im also a customer but mint isnt a monthly service, you pay something like 60ish dollars for the first 3 months in advance then you choose now long you will pay in advance afterwards, being that op is only staying for 2 weeks it doesnt really make sense to do this. The starter kit that you described only offers 250mbs of data, 250 mins of talk and 250 text messages too so that might be a pain for op.