eSim recommendations for Hawaii?

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alsta

278 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#2955217 16-Aug-2022 10:09

Yeah it is - iOS is pretty smart about dual sims though. You keep iMessage and Facetime identity (and voicecalls) attached to your NZ sim and select the secondary line to do data. Its seamless. The airalo app walks you through things really well, and its all setup before you leave.

You turn off data roaming on the NZ sim before you go and as soon as you land the data e-sim kicks in.

Twitter : @twocolddogs

johno1234

3354 posts

Uber Geek
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#2955236 16-Aug-2022 10:22

By comparison, Spark roaming $30 for 14 days. Only 2Gb data.

Will VoLTE roaming work on iPhone 11 in the USA using Airalo? If so, is that the perfect solution?

unowho08

58 posts

Master Geek
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ID Verified

#2955239 16-Aug-2022 10:33

steve98:

unowho08:

What are your data requirements and what device(s) will you be using?

If you've got an iPhone, login to the App Store with a US App Store account (you can easily create one here if you don't already have one) before looking at the following options.

Here are some options:

If you have a 5G iPhone (US variant with Band 71), download the T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app and create an account. T-Mobile Connect plans are here and T-Mobile Simply Prepaid plan are here. You'll be able to setup WiFi Calling and test the line before leaving NZ

If you have a 5G iPhone and want Verizon coverage with priority data, download the US Mobile app. Plans are here. Note that you have to be in the USA for the line to activate on Verizon's network before you can use it

If you don't have a 5G iPhone, but you do have an eSIM compatible phone whitelisted by AT&T, Red Pocket plans are here

Thanks for this. I have an iPhone 11 which is eSIM compatible but not 5G -- are you saying that options 1 and 2 *require* 5G hardware?

Option 2 definitely does require a 5G phone otherwise you will be deprioritized on Verizon which can be a very frustrating experience.

Assuming you don’t have the US variant of the iPhone 11 and therefore you’re happy to accept that you may not get the best coverage indoors (due to your phone not supporting Band 71 which is T-Mobile’s primary low band frequency), another option is T-Mobile Test Drive. This gives you 30GB of data, and unlimited talk and text for 30 days, for free. Don’t activate this until shortly before you leave NZ and turn on WiFi Calling. This will require you use a US App Store account to download the app.

Edit: Fixed link. Also, if you visit the US occasionally, you can signup using the T-Mobile Test Drive app once every six months and it will be free each time.

alsta

278 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 28

#2955264 16-Aug-2022 10:49

johno1234:

By comparison, Spark roaming $30 for 14 days. Only 2Gb data.

Will VoLTE roaming work on iPhone 11 in the USA using Airalo? If so, is that the perfect solution?

I'm not sure about VoLTE roaming, but when Spark gets Wifi Calling up and running (and working overseas) then yes, these sort of e-sims are going to be great. See thread below for a USA to Europe experience. https://www.reddit.com/r/Airalo/comments/wb2osv/ensuring_i_do_not_receive_any_international/

When we needed to make calls we just used skype (which had $10 of free credit). Whatsapp was super useful for calling in Sth America too as its ubiquitous there.

Twitter : @twocolddogs

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