Cell phones in America

**Bigfella** · 13 Jul 11,, 10:09

Once again I am keen to pick the collective brains of the forum.

As some of you know, I am heading for the US soon. A mate of mine from work is getting there in a week or so. We both have some questions about cell phones that people here might be able to answer.

Both of us are planning to either buy a simcard or a cheap phone in the US to use there on a pay as you go basis. Is this easy to do? Can I just walk into a shop & buy a phone or a simcard?

The next question is who to use. I don't really know how the market is structured there. Here we have one large carrier (the rump government owned former monoply), one large totally private competitor & a bunc of smaller companies. Most people go with one of the big two - widest possible service & choice of plans, etc.

Who are the reliable carriers in the US? If we are visiting places like Seattle, LA, NYC, DC & Memphis, does it make much difference who you use?

Remember that this is short term - a few weeks in each case. Reliability of service & an easy to deal with company are at a premium here.

Any & all ideas & information is welcomed. Thanks in advance.

**Julie** · 13 Jul 11,, 12:55

I don't know about services available where you are going to be, but here alot of people are going to the pre-pay smart phone. You can buy a one-month phone card for $45.00 and it is unlimited everything...minutes, texts, and web. Just my two cents.

**bigross86** · 13 Jul 11,, 13:03

I had an unlocked phone, I walked into an AT&T and just bought a prepaid sim card. It worked as long as I put money on it. Once the money ran out, so did phone usage until you reloaded.

Something you should pay attention to: In the USA you have to pay for incoming texts and calls as well as outgoing.

**Bigfella** · 13 Jul 11,, 13:21

Originally Posted by Julie

I don't know about services available where you are going to be, but here alot of people are going to the pre-pay smart phone. You can buy a one-month phone card for $45.00 and it is unlimited everything...minutes, texts, and web. Just my two cents.

That could be the way to go julie. Thanks. Is that sort of deal widely available or is it only specific providers you are aware of?

**gunnut** · 13 Jul 11,, 19:39

Originally Posted by Bigfella

That could be the way to go julie. Thanks. Is that sort of deal widely available or is it only specific providers you are aware of?

That sounds like a good deal.

I'm not sure if every single carrier has a deal like that, but if I were you, I'd go with AT&T pre-paid phone service. It has the largest network in the US that is also GSM based so you can use a SIM card.

You can just walk into a Best Buy, Walmart, or Target and ask for pre-paid phone. Don't need to go into AT&T store. These retailers should also carry pre-paid phones from other carriers so you can see what kind of deal is available.

**Julie** · 13 Jul 11,, 20:33

Originally Posted by Bigfella

That could be the way to go julie. Thanks. Is that sort of deal widely available or is it only specific providers you are aware of?

Wal-mart is where my friends purchased the phones and cards. I'm sure it is available throughout the US. They have no problems with their phones, calls, or anything. My contract with verizon is up in August, and I'm seriously been thinking about doing it, AND I can keep my same cell phone # I've had for like the past 15 years.

**Parihaka** · 13 Jul 11,, 20:40

yep sirree, that miss Julie, she sure moves with the times

**ace16807** · 13 Jul 11,, 20:41

Keep in mind that many of the cities that you listed probably won't have a wal-mart downtown (or the equivilant of). You may have to wander around the surrounding areas to find one, so it might be a good idea to locate a venue that is relatively close and also has what you're looking for. I believe that service provider stores will generally have pre-paid options, although I've never tried.

Regarding service at various locations you listed off, your primary service such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint should be fine.

Speaking for DC only, all these providers should work, although if you plan on being able to use your phone in the metro, I believe Verizon is the only one that has installed hardware underground.

**Bigfella** · 13 Jul 11,, 21:48

Thanks folk. Just the sort of thing I am after. Is ther any hassle buying a pre-paid? Here I have to give all sorts of info about who I am & where I live - probably to track these things if bad guys use them. Is this normal in the US, or is this an area where your libertarian streak kicks in?

**gunnut** · 13 Jul 11,, 21:57

Originally Posted by Bigfella

Thanks folk. Just the sort of thing I am after. Is ther any hassle buying a pre-paid? Here I have to give all sorts of info about who I am & where I live - probably to track these things if bad guys use them. Is this normal in the US, or is this an area where your libertarian streak kicks in?

That's a good question. I had never given it a thought. I always thought I could just walk into Best Buy and buy a pre-paid phone and walk out to use it.

Anyone here with any experiences?

How about activating it? Any hassle to do that or just punch in a code?

**bigross86** · 13 Jul 11,, 22:03

I don't recall them asking me for much info, but it was a year and a half ago and I didn't give it too much attention...

**YellowFever** · 13 Jul 11,, 22:16

Last time I got a pre-paid phone, the hassles were minimal and if you're not going to be texting or checking emails on it, I suggest you get a disposable since it's not going to be much longer than a month.

Also since you're going to be visiting different cities, I suggest something from Verizon.

Although AT&T boasts they have the best reception in America, I never had problems with receptions carrying my Verizon phone around from city to city...unlike AT&T.

**gunnut** · 14 Jul 11,, 00:14

Originally Posted by YellowFever

Last time I got a pre-paid phone, the hassles were minimal and if you're not going to be texting or checking emails on it, I suggest you get a disposable since it's not going to be much longer than a month.

Also since you're going to be visiting different cities, I suggest something from Verizon.

Although AT&T boasts they have the best reception in America, I never had problems with receptions carrying my Verizon phone around from city to city...unlike AT&T.

Really? I haven't had any trouble with my AT&T servince with the exception of a friend's house. It's a black hole of cell service with the exception of Sprint.

A few years ago, AT&T was the only service near Mammoth Lake. Verizon, Sprint, Tmobile did not have good service there. Not sure about now.

**YellowFever** · 14 Jul 11,, 00:32

Well, you mostly won't have trouble with either but I noticed that AT&T has "blackhole" areas in every city I've been to.

I asked a friend (who's a regional manager for AT&T business accounts) and after a few drinks, he admitted AT&T has alot more dead zones than they'd like to admit.

I dunno...I constantly look for them. Maybe that's why I notice them so often.

**USSWisconsin** · 14 Jul 11,, 02:01

I got a simple LG trac-phone with 100 min, 5 months of service and a double minutes deal (doubled to 200 min) for 29.95$. I don't use it a lot, but it is cheap. I added 400 min (doubled to 800 min) and 1 yr of service for 100$ when the 5 months was up, I like this company.