US Simcard

[mackayae]

Need advice on travelling to the States over the Christmas holidays. Any advice on getting a US simcard for our Thai cell phones would be welcome. Four phones in our family: 2 iphone 5, 1 iphone 4 and 1 Samsung.

[tonray]

You have a choice of many prepaid providers: ATT / T-Mobile / also many 3rd companies using those networks....Net10/Straight Talk/etc etc.

Just head into any Walmart Store or CVS or Walgreens Pharmacy and buy a prepaid SIM and as many minutes as you think you need.

Easy as that.

[RichCor]

Please check this ThaiVisa topic and verify that your mobile device is 'capable' of working on US network:

Can I use my phone in USA

Started by beb, 2015-09-15 07:57

Many of the posts will discuss the Pay-as-you-go SIM card offers.

My post (#14) in that thread discusses the 'technical' obstacles, making sure your device has the capability of using the BANDS and NETWORKS used in the US.

It come down to this:

Make sure your SIM-based phone is capable of working with one of the network operators in the area you will be visiting (Bands and Networks).

Then find a Pre-Pay/Pay-as-you-go SIM that works on that network. It might be the network operator, or an MVNO.

It may be possible to place/receive calls using your Thai SIM (costly when roaming) or temporary swap in a US SIM.

Band/Network incompatibilities may prevent your phone from obtaining DATA Internet access.

High-end phones, like an Apple iPhone or Samsung, are more likely to work in other countries and be compatible with more networks.

[Langsuan Man]

Do all four members of your family have to have access to their phones for your vacation ?

If so, it is going to be an expensive proposition since the SIM card(s) that you will have to buy will have to be both for data and voice and if anyone wants to call back to Thailand a special "international" package will have to be purchased

[BudRight]

The best deal is this http://www.walmart.com/ip/T-Mobile-Complete-SIM-Kit/39081494

$30 prepaid for a month, 100 minutes voice unlimited data.

The best coverage however is from AT&T GoPhone.

I believe all those iPhones are quad band world phones, the "Samsung" I have no idea.

Get a Google Voice account and run it from the iPhone and Android apps to call Thailand. 2 cents a minute.

Edited October 14, 2015 by BudRight

[Langsuan Man]

Actually the best coverage is from the Tracfone, since they pay a premium to use the majors (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile) towers, thus providing coverage in all markets, regardless of who is the dominant player in the area

I have had both and just recently went back to Tracfone from AT&T because AT&T's signal was so weak in most areas where I was traveling

Was never a problem with the Tracfone and since number portability has been in effect for several years now only took a day to get my number back from AT&T

[BudRight]

Actually the best coverage is from the Tracfone, since they pay a premium to use the majors (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile) towers, thus providing coverage in all markets, regardless of who is the dominant player in the area

I have had both and just recently went back to Tracfone from AT&T because AT&T's signal was so weak in most areas where I was traveling

Was never a problem with the Tracfone and since number portability has been in effect for several years now only took a day to get my number back from AT&T

Quite right. I didn't even think of them.