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IPHONE: Travelling to US - prepaid SIM with data available?

#1
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12/3/08 at 9:17pm
  • Joined: September 1999
  • Location: Suva, Fiji
  • Post Count: 2,153
Hi all,

Will be in LAX December 23rd, and travelling to New York and Colorado until January 2nd.

Can I buy a local SIM to use, and also use the 3G network?
Cost, sources?

Thanks!
Yumbiosis - all things Yumbo
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#2
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12/5/08 at 8:19pm
  • Joined: February 2001
  • Location: Albany, NY
  • Post Count: 9,324

Re: IPHONE: Travelling to US - prepaid SIM with data available?

I know you can buy pay-as-you-go SIM cards in the U.S. (though not at virtually every convenience mart like the rest of the world). I'm less sure about 3G capability. AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint operate the only 3G networks I know of, and all are closed (contract subscribers only). AT&T, which operates the network U.S. iPhones run on, probably won't let you on with your iPhone. They do offer "GoPhones" which are cheap phones coupled with pay-as-you-go plans, using calling cards. I'm not sure whether international calling is included, either.

Verizon uses CDMA instead of GSM, so your phone wouldn't be compatible anyway. They do offer an "INpulse" pay-as-you-go plan, with international calling available. Sprint also uses CDMA, and as far as I can tell, offers no pay-as-you-go plan.
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#3
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12/14/08 at 1:11am
  • Joined: April 1999
  • Location: Arcadia, CA (L.A.)
  • Post Count: 555

Re: IPHONE: Travelling to US - prepaid SIM with data available?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt
AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint operate the only 3G networks I know of, and all are closed (contract subscribers only). AT&T, which operates the network U.S. iPhones run on, probably won't let you on with your iPhone.

T-Mobile also has an extensive nationwide 3G network. They were late to the game, but are now there.

But yeah...like adam said, the iPhone in US is locked to AT&T right now and I seriously doubt they will let anyone on "temporarily" with any sim. And I know it won't work with their pay-as-you-go sims. Everything else is a 2 year contract with them. Especially with that "flagship" level phone.

Regards,
Brian W. Ralston

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#4
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12/14/08 at 3:47am
  • Joined: September 1999
  • Location: Suva, Fiji
  • Post Count: 2,153

Re: IPHONE: Travelling to US - prepaid SIM with data available?

My Iphone and many others are unlocked when purchased from Australia.

All I need is a SIM with data, even if just EDGE.
Recommendations?
Will be there for 12 days.

Thanks
Yumbiosis - all things Yumbo
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