phoning in USA

razia_c

I am soon going to Califonia and wondered the best way to make and receive calls. Is it possible to buy a SIM there or are phone cards a better option? Any advice would be most welcome

I am very new at posting and I am not sure if this is correct forum - apologies if I've got it wrong

amf

We have used these http://www.walmart.com/ip/NET10-Prepaid-Samsung-T201g-Phone-Bundle-with-300-Minutes-Accessories/12509598 in the past couple of trips. We order for store pick up local to our digs, to make sure its available on arrival.

razia_c

Thanks for this information - it looks like a good idea.

jamesbrownontheroad

I may be years out of date here, but before my American partner moved to the UK, I remember learning that many US mobile tariffs (pre-pay and contract) 'charge' for incoming calls, i.e. you'll have xxx minutes per month incoming and xxx outgoing, or xxx minutes incoming/outgoing.

Big networks include Sprint, Verizon and AT&T. Check their coverage maps if you're going outside major cities, because rural coverage can be poor, simply because it's a huge country.

Gloomendoom

jamesbrownontheroad wrote: »

I may be years out of date here, but before my American partner moved to the UK, I remember learning that many US mobile tariffs (pre-pay and contract) 'charge' for incoming calls, i.e. you'll have xxx minutes per month incoming and xxx outgoing, or xxx minutes incoming/outgoing.

Yup, you are correct. In my experience, you pay for incoming calls in the US. Coverage can be patchy outside urban areas too.

Still looks like a good deal though.

eslick

we were there a few weeks ago, virgin phone $8.88 buy a $20 top up card for 200 minutes was the best buy. as said all of the networks you need to pay for incoming calls. we also bought a verizon phone as we got stuck with the volcano, and the coverage wasnt good where we got stranded with virgin, phone was 19.99 but came with airtime, soon eaten up if you called non verizon phones but where we were coverage was much better. have a look at the websites of the phone co before you go to check coverage supprisingly the big brands like AT&T didnt have much coverage where we were.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Virgin-Mobile-Jax-Ultra-Slim-3G-Prepaid-Cell-Phone-VMS130KYKIT117/12718722

Also make sure you use a local zip code to register and then if you can get free local calls in say a rented house you wont be charged to call a mobile.

we have bought sims before over there but found they were $25 each with no credit this time, ebay can be good for these but its getting someone to send them internationally that can be a problem.

neilbond007

Coverage in cities aint too great either. I reckon I've been "dropped" on 80% of the calls I've made over here. I'm with T-mobile. But they're all pretty bad..

amf

I've never had a dropped call when using Net 10, but then I've only used it in Florida. One good thing about Net 10 is that you can call a UK landline (not a mobile) at a rate of 1.5 times the domestic call cost.....not bad.

As others say, do check the coverage maps first.

razia_c

Many thanks to all of you. The warning that I will be charged for incoming calls is really helpful - didn't think anywhere in the world still did that!!
Have checked the Walmart site and seems the best deals don't have coverage in the area I'm off to, but think I will try one of the others. Will let you know what happens after I return