Cell Phone Number
Jan 2nd 2019, 4:21 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
Cell Phone Number
Hi - my wife and I will be relocating to NYC in a couple of months and I wanted to know if anyone managed to get a US phone number whilst still in the UK? We've been advised to try and get a US number as early as possible.
I bought my phone in the US but am with EE here and it works fine, so am assuming I can start with a new company/carrier once I'm there. I just want to know if there is a way of securing a number now (possibly prepaid??) but then just switch to a contract once I'm there?
Any help would be great.
Thanks.
I bought my phone in the US but am with EE here and it works fine, so am assuming I can start with a new company/carrier once I'm there. I just want to know if there is a way of securing a number now (possibly prepaid??) but then just switch to a contract once I'm there?
Any help would be great.
Thanks.
Jan 2nd 2019, 4:39 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Cell Phone Number
But if you got one how would you receive calls in the UK? Not sure about this.
You really need one before you relocate? Why?
Might be able to do something with Google voice..or VOIP.
You really need one before you relocate? Why?
Might be able to do something with Google voice..or VOIP.
Jan 2nd 2019, 5:13 pm
#3
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
Re: Cell Phone Number
Was told it would be easier to set things up from here, this is third hand information mind.
Would also save time if I can get as much done beforehand.
Would also save time if I can get as much done beforehand.
Jan 2nd 2019, 6:07 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Cell Phone Number
I don't really know how 'easier to set up' applies. Can you clarify? Set what up?
I think you could get one as soon as you get here, prepaid, no contract sim etc..
Wouldn't really take a lot of time.
And then when you get a full contract, port the number to your permanent phone.
Even if you had one today I imagine you couldn't receive calls in the UK easily anyway.
Let us know what you find out though. Interesting question.
I think you could get one as soon as you get here, prepaid, no contract sim etc..
Wouldn't really take a lot of time.
And then when you get a full contract, port the number to your permanent phone.
Even if you had one today I imagine you couldn't receive calls in the UK easily anyway.
Let us know what you find out though. Interesting question.
Last edited by Hotscot; Jan 2nd 2019 at 6:49 pm.
Jan 2nd 2019, 9:29 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Cell Phone Number
I don't really know how 'easier to set up' applies. Can you clarify? Set what up?
I think you could get one as soon as you get here, prepaid, no contract sim etc..
Wouldn't really take a lot of time.
And then when you get a full contract, port the number to your permanent phone.
Even if you had one today I imagine you couldn't receive calls in the UK easily anyway.
Let us know what you find out though. Interesting question.
I think you could get one as soon as you get here, prepaid, no contract sim etc..
Wouldn't really take a lot of time.
And then when you get a full contract, port the number to your permanent phone.
Even if you had one today I imagine you couldn't receive calls in the UK easily anyway.
Let us know what you find out though. Interesting question.
Jan 2nd 2019, 10:06 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Cell Phone Number
Couldn't that be quite high though? To not much advantage?
In any case it'll be interesting what he determines.
In any case it'll be interesting what he determines.
Jan 3rd 2019, 3:32 am
#7
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: Cell Phone Number
If you’ve got an unlocked UK cell phone get a US T-Mobile prepaid SIM card from EBay or Amazon.
Jan 3rd 2019, 3:41 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 200
Re: Cell Phone Number
A US phone number or a US cellphone number?
if the former then you can sign up for a Skype account and get a SkypeIn number that’s a US number. Then when you’ve moved you can convert the SkypeIn number to a UK one - so people in the UK can call you on a local number.
if the former then you can sign up for a Skype account and get a SkypeIn number that’s a US number. Then when you’ve moved you can convert the SkypeIn number to a UK one - so people in the UK can call you on a local number.
Jan 3rd 2019, 4:20 am
#9
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Cell Phone Number
I don't see any need at all to get a US phone number until you arrive here . You can literally get off the plane, go to t-mobile or whatever and walk out 10minutes later with a fully functioning sim and phone. You don't even need a US bank account, I don't think you even need an address - you just pay with your UK credit/debit card.
Jan 3rd 2019, 9:55 am
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
Re: Cell Phone Number
Thanks for the messages, been looking at this again and it does seem unnecessary to get one over here. The guy who suggested it thought it might help with setting things up with providers who may need a cell number but I don't there's not a lot more we can do from here.
Jan 3rd 2019, 2:49 pm
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Cell Phone Number
You'll be ok.
Do you feel organized otherwise?
Job/House/Transport etc...?
Good luck with everything.
Do you feel organized otherwise?
Job/House/Transport etc...?
Good luck with everything.
Jan 3rd 2019, 3:41 pm
#12
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Cell Phone Number
Thanks for the messages, been looking at this again and it does seem unnecessary to get one over here. The guy who suggested it thought it might help with setting things up with providers who may need a cell number but I don't there's not a lot more we can do from here.
Come to BE and we'll help you out ( with about 10 different opinions!!)
Jan 3rd 2019, 3:55 pm
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 9
Re: Cell Phone Number
Thanks, I'm sure it will be fine.
I'm going over on a spousal visa as my wife is being transferred within her company on an L-1A. We'll be put up in corporate accommodation for about 4 weeks by which time i'll have to find us a place to live and apply for my EAD.
I suppose I still need to work out what to do with myself before and after I receive it!
I'm going over on a spousal visa as my wife is being transferred within her company on an L-1A. We'll be put up in corporate accommodation for about 4 weeks by which time i'll have to find us a place to live and apply for my EAD.
I suppose I still need to work out what to do with myself before and after I receive it!
Jan 5th 2019, 6:00 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 79
Re: Cell Phone Number
You'll be fine giving them a UK number for the most part. Otherwise your wife might be able to get a corporate phone setup early and use that number?
I relocated from Surrey Quays (though I'm from all over) to Queens NY a year and a half ago, ping me if you need anything!!
I relocated from Surrey Quays (though I'm from all over) to Queens NY a year and a half ago, ping me if you need anything!!
Jan 5th 2019, 8:08 pm
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,128
Re: Cell Phone Number
we did this in reverse when moving to the UK. Set up a UK Skype number, Skype app on my smart phone to receive. Very useful while searching for rental places, we were able to give the UK number to estate agents etc. Once in the UK we switched the UK Skype number for a US Skype number which our US banks and brokerage now have.
