Local Mobile Service in NYC

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ajobbins

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#119096 20-May-2013 14:29

In August I'm off to New York for a week. I'd like to get a local SIM so that we can stay in touch while we are away (Without paying roaming).

I see T-Mobile have a $3/day unlimited plan - but I hear mixed reports about if we will actually get 3G on their network. We have an iPhone 4S and a Galaxy S3. Has anyone been to NYC and used a T-Mobile SIM and got 3G in New York?

I'd also be keen to know if anyone has purchased and activated one of their prepaid SIMs outside the US?

I can buy the SIMs online for about $10 each and have them shipped to me in Australia using Globaleshop - But I'm not sure that I would be able to get them activated and up and running before I got the US. Any thoughts?

I've also thought about AT&T - but the only real option here is here $25/m plan plus a $25 500mb data add on (or maybe it was 1G). But once I do that for 2x devices, plus the cost of the SIMs - it's not that cheap.

Any advice appreciated.

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johnr

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#822469 20-May-2013 15:02

T-Mobile use the 1700Mhz band for 3G if I remember correct, Best choice is AT&T

ajw

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#822470 20-May-2013 15:14

Have a look via this link. List of operators and frequencies used.

http://maps.mobileworldlive.com/

lchiu7

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#822484 20-May-2013 15:35

According to this site your phone should work since TMO offers 1900 UMTS service in these areas.

http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-5736

Interesting question about activating a SIM. I was in the US about a month ago and was using a TMO SIM. I had some problems activating it with the plan I wanted (the Walmart $30/month plan with unlimited data and 100 minutes) and ended up getting the $3/day. I was trying from the phone itself but gave up because of problems with the CSR. I end up activating from a landline in the hotel and adding the money I wanted.

Out of interest why do you want to activate it outside the US because the plan and SIM doesn't support international roaming?

You could just activate it at the airport when you arrive.

I had my SIM sent to me by my daughter so I had it before I left. I also had one shipped to my hotel as a backup. That was the time when they were free with free shipping so I have a spare unactivated SIM at home.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

ajobbins

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#822513 20-May-2013 16:21

lchiu7:Out of interest why do you want to activate it outside the US because the plan and SIM doesn't support international roaming?

It's not an absolute requirement, but it's nice to know the service is up and running before we leave. Means we can give out the number easily to key contacts, and also means that it just works when we get there - one less thing to worry about in a foreign city.

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ajobbins

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#822514 20-May-2013 16:21

johnr: T-Mobile use the 1700Mhz band for 3G if I remember correct, Best choice is AT&T

They do, but from what I am reading they have been adding 1900mhz UMTS for the last little while.

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NonprayingMantis

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#822516 20-May-2013 16:31

have you considered using skype (or other voip) via local wifi (from cafes, hotels etc) for most of your stuff, and paying roaming for the odd call you need to make outside of wifi? If you will only make a few calls/txts it might be cheaper and easier than shellingout for a new sim and data plan for only 1 week

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lchiu7

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#822517 20-May-2013 16:32

ajobbins:
lchiu7:Out of interest why do you want to activate it outside the US because the plan and SIM doesn't support international roaming?

It's not an absolute requirement, but it's nice to know the service is up and running before we leave. Means we can give out the number easily to key contacts, and also means that it just works when we get there - one less thing to worry about in a foreign city.

Just get a Google Voice number and route all calls to the TMO number. Before you arrive have it routed to VM which you can listen to on any browser or phone with the client installed.

Give folks that number.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

ajobbins

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#822528 20-May-2013 16:34

I'm more interested in data than calling (Via any method). Calling is needed, but data is the primary need.

I'll use WiFi on my iPad - but I want data on my mobile so I have a connection everywhere - not just where I can find a hotspot.

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lchiu7

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#823049 21-May-2013 17:14

Then the TMO card at $3/day is pretty good. I used that on my last trip and was always tethering my tablet.

As I mentioned before, order the TMO SIM and have it sent to your first port of call or to NZ if you want.

Setup a Google Voice account and route all calls to VM initially. When in the US activate the SIM, change the GV routing to the new SIM number and you're good to go.

The only hiccup you might experience is TMO might not accept a non US credit card. I had terrible problems even using a US credit on their site to order a SIM and in the end had to do the transaction over the phone. Similarly I bought $30 for the SIM (enough for 8 days at $3/day) over the phone also.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

ajobbins

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#823057 21-May-2013 17:47

Yeah I think T-Mobile will be the go. I'll probably just wait and get SIMs when we arrive, or get some sent to a friend in NYC or wherever we end up staying.

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paulspain

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#824498 24-May-2013 00:48

I currently keep both an AT&T and a t-mobile SIM card active for visits the US. AT&T has traditionally provided the best coverage - but recently t-mobile have become much better thanks to adding the 1900Mhz band for HSPA+ service.

I suggest visiting a dedicated t-mobile or AT&T store to get set up as the staff are usually more switched on (rather than a Walmart, etc). Some stores/staff will be quick but others will take some time - particularly if there is a queue. Allow anywhere from 10-mins to 40-mins.

On AT&T I have a $2/day unlimited talk/TXT plan, and then usually add 1GB data for $25. The $3/day plan mentioned earlier in the thread on t-mobile is great as long as you keep in an area with 3G coverage.

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ajobbins

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#824555 24-May-2013 09:20

paulspain: On AT&T I have a $2/day unlimited talk/TXT plan, and then usually add 1GB data for $25. The $3/day plan mentioned earlier in the thread on t-mobile is great as long as you keep in an area with 3G coverage.

Thanks Paul. We're going to be in Manhattan for most of the trip, and wont venture to far from it - so from what I've heard, their 3G footprint there is quite good.

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