Community Forums => General Chat => Topic started by: Plugabugz on December 19, 2009, 05:30:47 PM
Title: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: Plugabugz on December 19, 2009, 05:30:47 PM
Is there a pay as you go sim card plan (any GSM network) that doesn't expire? Or expires after a longer period like 6 months?
I phoned T-Mobile USA about it (I'm with T-Mobile UK and thats why i thought of the USA one!) and they said theirs disconnects after 30days (which don't help me if im in america 2 or 3 times a year). I'm going to NYC in January and would like something that would remain active for longer periods.
Anyone have any advice?
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: nickmitch on December 19, 2009, 06:29:44 PM
I think Virgin Mobile has a pay as you go plan. I'm not 100% though.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: ShyGuy on December 19, 2009, 06:30:43 PM
AT&T GoPhone doesn't expire for a year if you prepay $100
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: MegaByte on December 19, 2009, 06:32:37 PM
Not sim card-based, but you could try http://www.tracfone.com/
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: Plugabugz on December 19, 2009, 07:06:19 PM
Not sim card-based, but you could try http://www.tracfone.com/ (http://www.tracfone.com/)
What does it do?
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: MegaByte on December 19, 2009, 07:24:39 PM
You get a really cheap phone (<$15) and then buy the minutes you need... there are GSM and CDMA versions (I'd recommend the latter for most places in the US). It looks like at least with certain minutes packages, they'll keep your account for a year.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: Plugabugz on December 19, 2009, 07:38:23 PM
I'd prefer to get a GSM variant, and just a sim card because i already have a workable phone to take with me to use.
I can't see anything that says i can though.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: ShyGuy on December 19, 2009, 08:03:16 PM
I wanna hear more about your trip to our fine country.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: MegaByte on December 19, 2009, 08:12:01 PM
Okay, forget Tracfone because of their phone locking... there are other alternatives out there though that should work with your phone, such as 7-11 Speak Out Wireless. There's a list of other ones here you can check on http://www.mvnolist.com/
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: Plugabugz on December 19, 2009, 08:42:39 PM
Okay, forget Tracfone because of their phone locking... there are other alternatives out there though that should work with your phone, such as 7-11 Speak Out Wireless. There's a list of other ones here you can check on http://www.mvnolist.com/ (http://www.mvnolist.com/)
I just skimmed through that list and only a couple seemed to be roughly in the ballpark for useful. American mobile phone systems are confusing as hell. Pay to receive calls? AND TEXTS? Long distance calls? Activation fees? This was all abandoned a decade ago.
Also, what about Virgin prepaid phones? I think you have to make a payment every 90 days.
Atlantis is next. And Los Angeles is definitely on there too. It doesn't help that our holidays are usually dictated by the Virgin Atlantic route map ;)
Virgin Mobile USA uses CDMA which doesn't help because we use GSM only here and my phone (that i'd use) wouldn't work.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: ShyGuy on December 19, 2009, 09:23:30 PM
Europes POTS was sucktastic so y'all jumped on mobile faster than we did.
Check out Seattle. and Las Vegas.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: Stogi on December 20, 2009, 04:52:08 PM
Boost mobile is probably your best bet.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: vudu on December 21, 2009, 02:04:32 PM
OH HAY, WHY DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO SEE THIS THREAD
Is there a pay as you go sim card plan (any GSM network) that doesn't expire? Or expires after a longer period like 6 months?
I phoned T-Mobile USA about it (I'm with T-Mobile UK and thats why i thought of the USA one!) and they said theirs disconnects after 30days (which don't help me if im in america 2 or 3 times a year).
This is true of the Pay by the Day plan, but what the shitty customer service rep forgot to tell you is that they also have a Pay as you Go plan. Check it out here. (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx)
Once you become a "Gold Rewards" member (i.e. you load $100 onto your phone) you get 1 year of expiration on all refills. So the first year will cost you $100 (like AT&T) but every year after that could cost you as little as $10. It's probably the best option for someone like you.
Title: Re: American mobile networks - some advice pleasie weasie
Post by: Plugabugz on December 21, 2009, 06:27:14 PM
Is there a pay as you go sim card plan (any GSM network) that doesn't expire? Or expires after a longer period like 6 months?
I phoned T-Mobile USA about it (I'm with T-Mobile UK and thats why i thought of the USA one!) and they said theirs disconnects after 30days (which don't help me if im in america 2 or 3 times a year).
This is true of the Pay by the Day plan, but what the shitty customer service rep forgot to tell you is that they also have a Pay as you Go plan. Check it out here. (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx)
Once you become a "Gold Rewards" member (i.e. you load $100 onto your phone) you get 1 year of expiration on all refills. So the first year will cost you $100 (like AT&T) but every year after that could cost you as little as $10. It's probably the best option for someone like you.
That's the second one to mention this $100 method. Here nearly numbers automatically expire after 180 days (and in some cases you just need to receive a call to keep it active). $100 = £60, so it may be the best option, especially if i intend to travel to Atlantis and LA later on in the year. Even if the idea of paying to receive calls freaks me out.
