Taking Iphone to USA - AT&T opinions

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dickytim

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#108858 7-Sep-2012 07:01

Hi All,

I realise this thread has been done over and over but I can't seem to get closure on what is available.

I need to take my iphone over to the US next year for my holiday in Hawaii, LA and Las Vegas

What I need to know, and personal experience is prefered.

1, Is AT & T the best option for coverage especially 3G data on Iphone 4

2, It has been mentioned that there are all you can eat mobile (text and call) packages that you can add data to but Iphone data is blocked is this correct or is it only unlimited data that is blocked.

3, Does it make a difference to where you are in the US to how you can use the mobile? For example is calling from Hawaii to Las Vegas like an overseas call?

My phone is a work phone and I need to get my e-mails while I am away and don't want to lug my laptop around with me.

any help would be appreciated.

joutei

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#682886 7-Sep-2012 17:44

I was in the States a few months ago, basically AT&T is the best option at the moment.
It is quite expensive on prepaid, but they are the best suited for the iPhone.

T-Mobile has really good plans, but unfortunately you will only receive 2G service as their 3G network is not compatible with the iPhone. They are currently working on their 3G network to make it compatible with the iPhone , so things may change next year.

Verizon & Sprint run on CDMA , which you cant get prepaid for.

Hope this helps :)

old3eyes

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#682913 7-Sep-2012 19:09

joutei:
I was in the States a few months ago, basically AT&T is the best option at the moment.
It is quite expensive on prepaid, but they are the best suited for the iPhone.

T-Mobile has really good plans, but unfortunately you will only receive 2G service as their 3G network is not compatible with the iPhone. They are currently working on their 3G network to make it compatible with the iPhone , so things may change next year.

Verizon & Sprint run on CDMA , which you cant get prepaid for.

Hope this helps :)

Actually T-Mo is now rolling out 3G on the 1900 band so it will work with the iPhone if your in one of the new 1900 band areas..

Regards,

Old3eyes

profrink

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#682942 7-Sep-2012 20:52

Straight Talk.

Virtual operator that runs on AT&T, T-Mobile & Verizon.

Buy a SIM (micro available) for one of the above networks (AT&T)

Add a service plan ($45 USD for 30days etc of unlimited everything, $60 plan gets you unlimited international calling included too)

No contracts, don't renew then no service.

https://www.straighttalk.com/secure/ServicePlans

Used this recently for 2 months and was great. Data speed was perfectly fine. You get a local number based on the zip code you provide on signup - can be used in Hawaii. Cheaper than AT&T prepaid.

Only issue I had was trying to find the SIM, they only seem to stock the refill cards in stores. So just buy everything online and it's overnight FedEx delivery.

*EDIT: Can't remember if they accept international credit cards for purchase which could be an issue. I have a US debit card and I cant quite remember if I used that or not.

TechSol

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Technical Solutions Aust

#683699 10-Sep-2012 09:23

I was in the states at the start of August.

I got an AT&T prepaid card (called "Go Phone") - they had an option of $25 or $50 with free texts back to NZ (the only difference between the two was a larger set of minutes)

If you want data, then you then need to go to their website and access your "account" and top it up with $25 for smartphone data. This is a completely online process. I recall it was $25 per gig. You are texted your account pin number when you register. NZ Credit cards are accepted.

You then need to connect your iphone to a wifi network, and go to unlockit.co.nz and install an APN changer for "Go Phone" (I made the mistake of trying the AT&T one) - alternatively you can go to unlockit now and email the APN changer to yourself, which allows you to click it later without connecting to wifi.

And now you are good to go!

Points to note:
1)AT&T staff have been trained to tell you that this won't work with an iPhone - this is untrue.... just tell them what card you want, pay for it, get them to activate, and leave the store.
2)You will not be able to tether using this method - I can't vouch for wifi hotspot as my 3GS is not capable.
3)If you are buying your card in Vegas, the closest AT&T store is about 1.5kms down E. Flamingo road, opposite Terribles casino.
4)Make sure you either pre download the APN unlocker, as Vegas has very little free wifi outside of hotels (managed to find some at "Earl of Sandwich" in the miracle mile shops)

NonprayingMantis

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#683702 10-Sep-2012 09:35

If you aren?t buying unlimited minutes then you will also need to be aware of a few things when working out how many minutes you will need
1) US carriers charge you for incoming as well as outgoing minutes
2) US carriers nearly always charge you for ring time, not just talk time. (think how often you call someone and they don?t answer ? US carriers will charge you a minute for that, NZ carriers won?t)

What this means is that if you use, say, 100 minutes a month in NZ, then, under the exact same usage pattern, you would probably use more like 200-250 in the USA

surfisup1000

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#683716 10-Sep-2012 10:24

Evilg:
1)AT&T staff have been trained to tell you that this won't work with an iPhone - this is untrue.... just tell them what card you want, pay for it, get them to activate, and leave the store.
2)You will not be able to tether using this method - I can't vouch for wifi hotspot as my 3GS is not capable.
3)If you are buying your card in Vegas, the closest AT&T store is about 1.5kms down E. Flamingo road, opposite Terribles casino.
4)Make sure you either pre download the APN unlocker, as Vegas has very little free wifi outside of hotels (managed to find some at "Earl of Sandwich" in the miracle mile shops)

AT&T retail staff I spoke with said data does not work out of the box on the gophone plan. They knew of the apn unlocker and agreed to load a $25 data pack but at my own risk.

The salesperson said iPhone is a 'premium' product, and the bosses don't want premium phones on 'budget' plans. I guess this is why they make it difficult.

He mentioned that the gophone data is speed limited. So, you will not get 4g speeds even if your phone indicates a 4g connection.

The unlockit trick worked ok for me.

Speedtest on the gophone plan averaged around 1.2Mbps down, 0.20Mbps up.

Phone at&t customer services to recharge your simcard because their web interface does not take foreign Credit cards.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

profrink

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#683718 10-Sep-2012 10:28

Seriously, just take a look at Straight Talk or a similar MVNO. $45 USD for 30 days of unlimited everything, no mucking around with APN's, smart phone friendly and it runs on AT&T. Plus good speeds.

drquack32

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#685866 14-Sep-2012 07:49

I was in Dallas in April. I had to go to unlockit.co.nz to get the data to work. as mentioned above, AT&T are the best but they are very anti the iPhone on a prepay plan.

IT Guy, ex-FIFA Referee, Dad