Using data in USA

moneylover

I am going to buy a SIM card as advised on this website to use data abroad and put in spare phone. Presumably I can’t use the data on my own phone as well as it would download messages etc at same time and then that would cost me money. So keep data roaming off at all times is that right?

Secondly I am worried because we have a hire car for three weeks. If that breaks down and I have to use the breakdown service I think Tesco charge me 89p a minute out of my buffer. I will just have to hope that if this happens to me they will answer the phone quite quickly?

Thirdly people say download google maps in advance, but where do you see these?

Lastly, if we follow a google map in a town, in real-time, using our data, how long would 1GB last? Ten minutes, half an hour, one hour? I havent a clue!

Many thanks. Can put some of this on travel forum if more appropriate?

eDicky

You can easily disable mobile data completely, as well as data roaming in the settings (according to phone type).

Local call high costs with a UK SIM are usually unavoidable, including with a Three 'Go Roam'. I use Viber with some 'Viber Out' credit loaded, calls are very cheap and decent quality usually. WhatsApp, Skype etc can be used in the same way.

Maps.me (and other) maps can be downloaded for use offline, not sure about Google maps. There's too many variables to predict data usage but I've found its fairly minimal for navigation with Google maps online.

You may well gain further details from those with US experience if you post on the Overseas board, mentioning details such as your intended 'travel' SIM.

getmore4less

which sim card are you getting?

You can get a free one no need to buy.

I use a 3 data sim in a windows phone satnav with of-line maps and the data use is tiny until I start searching for places like restaurants then it is still very low.

(I need to sort out getting google maps to work offline on my android, I download but they don't work properly)

Have you checked what offers your current provider has for roaming data/calls/text

moneylover

Thank you both we will investigate off line maps my husband has an iPhone XR
We planned on getting a Three go roam for a spare phone I will investigate Viber out is this data and phone? I guess we could switch cards around if only phone. Am only worried about making calls if we had accident or breakdown.
It’s a good idea to try overseas board too if necessary.
Thanks again.

eDicky

moneylover wrote: »

I will investigate Viber out is this data and phone? I guess we could switch cards around if only phone.

I'm not sure what you mean by phone, calls perhaps.

Viber is an app similar to WhatsApp, totally free for chat and calls with other Viber users, over mobile data or WiFi on your phone. You can also use their 'Viber Out' facility to call any phone number worldwide very cheaply if you put some credit on it.

WhatsApp probably has a similar facility and would have the advantage of being more widely used in general, so more useful for the free service, for which I also use it.

moneylover

Thanks
Yes, it’s making phone calls that I an anxious about, does anyone know if What’s App has a paid for facility you can add on in the way’ Viber out’ does? Most specifically if was unfortunate enough to use breakdown services whilst inUsa

SweetPotatoPie

I use a 3 feel at home sim when in America. You use it as if you are in the UK and the allowance is used as if you are in the UK. Really cheap as well!

mchale

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.app.maps&hl=en_GB


Really good ^

eDicky

SweetPotatoPie wrote: »

I use a 3 feel at home sim when in America. You use it as if you are in the UK and the allowance is used as if you are in the UK. Really cheap as well!

Yes, but not for making the local calls to a US number that OP requires, they will be charged at international rates.

moneylover wrote: »

does anyone know if What’s App has a paid for facility you can add on in the way’ Viber out’ does?

I've looked and don't see any such service on WhatsApp. It seems to be only Viber or Skype for this. Anyway an emergency service may be loath to call you back on the UK number that your Viber is registered to, which is displayed as the source of your call to them.

getmore4less

SweetPotatoPie wrote: »

I use a 3 feel at home sim when in America. You use it as if you are in the UK and the allowance is used as if you are in the UK. Really cheap as well!

eDicky wrote: »

Yes, but not for making the local calls to a US number that OP requires, they will be charged at international rates.

Calling an United States number. £1.40 per minute.
Texting an United States number. 2p per text.


Might be worth getting a US sim, AT&T stores gave us the sim free with a top up of $10.

AT&T do a $2 a day plan ideal for US emergency only use

Regular PAYG 25c per min handy if you might want other calls like restaurant booking...

other networks available.

AT&T now call PAYG "Prepaid" used to be call "GoPhone"

eDicky

I've noticed that Viber offer a virtual local US (or other) phone number for£4.59 or month, cheaper six-monthly, which routes incoming calls to that number via your Viber app. So this may be a suitable way to have a US number available during a trip.