SIM card for data in the USA

azzap

Heading to the USA for a few weeks, could do with using some data over there for Uber etc. EE (my network) however will charge me a fortune, even for a 'bolt on'. I have an unlocked phone, could anyone recommend a sim I could purchase that has a good data rate allowance for the USA?

Many thanks

grumbler

>> Three.co.uk - Feel at Home

Either AYCE for £15 or 500Mb for £10: https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order

gjchester

You can pick them up in phone network store like AT&T or supermarkets such as Walmart.


However PAYG is not as cheap as the UK, you'll likely pay $5 to $10 for the sim card and then $20 to $30 for data on top.

azzap

Sounds best to buy one over here then. The Three payg options look good value.

spannerzone

azzap wrote: »

Sounds best to buy one over here then. The Three payg options look good value.

Yep, just make sure you setup the SIM before you go and get online account sorted for topping up and other settings before you leave the UK. Don't expect fast data rates to watch iplayer or such like but it should be ok for email, web browsing and social media malarkey.

Also you need a phone that's unlocked / capable of working on Three's network, ie a 3G capable phone.

azzap

Unlocked iPhone is what I will have. Will activate (insert) the sim before I go. Is there any other setting I need to be aware of other than having data roaming switched ON?

gjchester

azzap wrote: »

Unlocked iPhone is what I will have. Will activate (insert) the sim before I go. Is there any other setting I need to be aware of other than having data roaming switched ON?

Try and turn off anything that updates in the background Especially the App Store to avid using too much data..

azzap

gjchester wrote: »

Try and turn off anything that updates in the background Especially the App Store to avid using too much data..

Many Thanks. Novice question thoug how would I do this?

19lottie82

I used 3 at home in the states recently and it was horrifically slow. I certainly wouldn't rely on it for google maps, you tube etc.

azzap

19lottie82 wrote: »

I used 3 at home in the states recently and it was horrifically slow. I certainly wouldn't rely on it for google maps, you tube etc.

Would be using it for googlemaps but wouldn't be using it for heavy usage apps like YouTube.

Is there any alternatives with faster data in this price range? £15 at home from three does seem impressive

gjchester

azzap wrote: »

Many Thanks. Novice question thoug how would I do this?

Normally there's settings to alter, but it can be in the App or in the general phone general settings.

So on my iphone I can set the inbuilt Apps or the AppStore within the settings to not update, but individual apps form other people may have there own settings too.

Sorry that's not really useful but there normally not one on/off switch to do it all, , just Data on or Off or Roaming on or off, which is an all or nothign approach.