Using my mobile in the US - with 02

Maz1963

Hi everyone. I have read the 02 info on using my mobile in the US and it seems that if I add a travel bolt on to my account I can use unlimited data etc for £6 a day. I'm there for 7 days.  I'm happy to pay this if this is the best option.  I want the option to be flexible as I will need to phone for a hotel shuttle on arrival, want to use Google Maps to navigate around and will be meeting a friend for a few days, so calls will be useful as well.  And excuse me if this is a bit of a thick question, but I assume 'data roaming' needs to be on as soon as I arrive in the US? Many thanks in advance for any views/advice.

Mutton_Geoff

Be warned that O2 throttle data speeds heavily on roaming in the USA so it's almost unusable for video/You Tube etc.

You can download Google Maps for offline use for the areas you wish to travel.

https://blog.google/products/maps/google-maps-offline/

Attican

From experience from a couple of weeks ago there wasn’t any issue with my o2 download speeds when in Nevada and California including tictok streaming.

My plan had (much to my surprise) the Volt O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt on included already which gives unlimited data, calls and text when in the USA, without any extra cost. I think it was added as part of the Virgin mobile transfer to O2.

if you are going to remote places…eg Death Valley…where there’s no mobile connection then the above suggestion of Google maps off line may help.

 

bagand96

You say you're happy to pay this, but £6 a day is nowhere near the best option financially.

If your phone is dual SIM or can take an esim then you'll have plenty of other options to get data at a fraction of the cost. 

A Three UK Pay As You Go SIM includes Roaming on their data packs. The 10GB pack is £10 and allows 6GB of roaming. 

esim will offer even better value, probably half that cost. 

Mutton_Geoff

Attican said:

From experience from a couple of weeks ago there wasn’t any issue with my o2 download speeds when in Nevada and California including tictok streaming.

My plan had (much to my surprise) the Volt O2 Travel Inclusive Zone Bolt on included already which gives unlimited data, calls and text when in the USA, without any extra cost. I think it was added as part of the Virgin mobile transfer to O2.

if you are going to remote places…eg Death Valley…where there’s no mobile connection then the above suggestion of Google maps off line may help.

 

O2 increased the speed from 0.5 to 2.0Mbps but it is still throttled ..

https://www.o2.co.uk/international/travel-inclusive-zone

531063

Or download here we go, no data needed for maps

saajan_12

For data the speeds certainly vary, but the big difference will be whether you need to telephone UK numbers or US numbers more. If US, then you really want a US based sim / esim, because even with roaming, your friend may be charged for receiving what is essentially an international call (to confirm). However if you can use an internet based calling method eg skype / whatsapp / etc then that may simplify things. 

There are plenty of esims out there which give cheaper roaming (in the region of £10-20 for the week / month, which will be cheaper than £6 a day ie £180 a month.