Can I Use My Phone, Notebook In California?

[10years]

I have to make a sudden trip to the US and wonder if I can use my GSM mobile (currently with AIS SIM card) there. It's a Nokia model for Thailand. If so, are there cheap prepaid SIM cards I can buy there? I will be there only a week.

Likewise, I have a netbook PC with Thai specs. Can I use it on 110V that I think they have over there?

Lastly, is it cheaper to buy PCs in the US? Does it depend on whether it's a US or Asian brand?

Many thanks.

[SeaVisionBurma]

I have a netbook PC with Thai specs. Can I use it on 110V that I think they have over there?

No problem to use this in the US I would imagine. Have a look on the AC adapter - should say 100-240v range.

Pretty much a global standard now.

[IsaanUSA]

Can you post your cell phone model? We need to know what bands it operates on. Also is your phone sim unlocked?

[lomatopo]

Yes, we need the exact make and model number to verify operating frequencies.

Assuming it supports GSM 1900 MHz then yes, you could use this phone pre-paid on T-Mobile or AT&T, or via one of their resellers. This assumes one or both have coverage in the locales you plan to visit. You could also enable international roaming on the AIS SIM, but be forewarned that phone calls will cost on the order of 80 baht/min. In the U.S. you pay for both incoming and outgoing calls.

Your PC's AC adapter supports 50-60 Hz/100-240 V so it will work fine. You may need a physical adapter for the plug.

Newer model, or spec to spec, PCs, notebooks, components are much less expensive in the U.S.

Edited May 24, 2013 by lomatopo

[10years]

Thanks.

My brother said he would lend me a spare, "dumb" phone.

I had looked at the Delta adapter but the print is so tiny that I couldn't read it but it sounds like it should work ok in the US. It does have those big, round plug prongs, though.

[lomatopo]

You should make every effort to verify that the AC Adapter does indeed support 50-60 Hz/100-240 v. I have seen some AC adapters on lower-priced notebooks which only support 50/240, so would not work in the U.S.

You could purchase a new AC Adapter here, if it turns out that yours does not support 60/120. And it should be very easy to find an adapter plug, either here or in the U.S.

Most lower-end Nokia handsets support 900/1800 GSM so would not work in the U.S. You really have to get up into the middle range, ~ 2,500 baht, to get quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900) capabilities.

[IsaanUSA]

Again, you really need to find out what frequencies your phone supports and make sure the SIM is unlocked.

Walmart offers a prepaid SIM called Straight Talk. http://www.straighttalk.com/

AT&T and T Mobile also offer prepaid SIMs

Edited May 24, 2013 by IsaanUSA

[khaowong1]

Again, you really need to find out what frequencies your phone supports and make sure the SIM is unlocked.

Walmart offers a prepaid SIM called Straight Talk. http://www.straighttalk.com/

AT&T and T Mobile also offer prepaid SIMs

this is correct.. AT&T, T Mobile, Cricket to name a few.. you don't have to sign up for a contract, just buy minutes similar to what you do in Thailand. If your phone has the correct frequencies..