Mobile phone switch over...
#1
Ongoing K1 Visa


Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 97












Hi folks, I depart to the States early next month and was wondering what is best to do regards my mobile phone. Obviously I will have to cancel my Vodafone contract and get my phone unlocked to be used abroad, what is the best course of action to begin with until I get settled in the US and can open up a contract with a provider, Pay as you go I assume would be OK to begin with? Any advice would be appreciated


#2

Can pick up a sim card from most grocery stores and pay for a month or whatever. Federal law means they have to let you port your number when you find a network that you like.

#3
KCMO



Joined: May 2018
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 162












Get a prepay sim from Walmart for a month and then transfer over to Sprints One Year Free - Bring Your Own Device.
https://www.sprint.com/en/shop/offer...=&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.sprint.com/en/shop/offer...=&gclsrc=aw.ds

#4

^^^^^^
I don't think his phone will work on Sprint. A UK phone will be GSM only. Sprint still has legacy 3G CDMA and a lot of it. I think(??) Verizon is allowing GSM only phones to be activated on their network now. ATT and Tmobile are both GSM only and a UK phone should work.
I don't think his phone will work on Sprint. A UK phone will be GSM only. Sprint still has legacy 3G CDMA and a lot of it. I think(??) Verizon is allowing GSM only phones to be activated on their network now. ATT and Tmobile are both GSM only and a UK phone should work.

#5
KCMO



Joined: May 2018
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 162












^^^^^^
I don't think his phone will work on Sprint. A UK phone will be GSM only. Sprint still has legacy 3G CDMA and a lot of it. I think(??) Verizon is allowing GSM only phones to be activated on their network now. ATT and Tmobile are both GSM only and a UK phone should work.
I don't think his phone will work on Sprint. A UK phone will be GSM only. Sprint still has legacy 3G CDMA and a lot of it. I think(??) Verizon is allowing GSM only phones to be activated on their network now. ATT and Tmobile are both GSM only and a UK phone should work.

#6

t-mobile pay as you go is ok - works very much like a regular post paid contract, You can just walk in to any t-mobile store and open up an account,no credit check. Takes about 30 minutes. You can even pay with a non-US debit/credit card just make sure you have some id on you.

#7
Forum Regular

Joined: Jul 2016
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 37












I used AT&T's prepaid plan with my UK phone when I first came over, and have been happy to stay on it for the last couple of years.
Alternatively I just used Tracfone prepaid sim for a visiting guest. I liked that they had a 60 day plan, $25, 500Mb, 500 mins. You can buy the sim card at places like Target. Seemed much better value than the use-once tourist sims T-Mobile sell.
Your phone is more likely to work on AT&T or T-Mobile (or mobile virtual networks that use them https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...work_operators) than it is to work on Verizon or Sprint. Not impossible you have a phone capable of working on any network, just much more likely those first two,
Alternatively I just used Tracfone prepaid sim for a visiting guest. I liked that they had a 60 day plan, $25, 500Mb, 500 mins. You can buy the sim card at places like Target. Seemed much better value than the use-once tourist sims T-Mobile sell.
Your phone is more likely to work on AT&T or T-Mobile (or mobile virtual networks that use them https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...work_operators) than it is to work on Verizon or Sprint. Not impossible you have a phone capable of working on any network, just much more likely those first two,

#8
Forum Regular



Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Nottingham UK to Boston MA to Orlando FL
Posts: 163












I walked into T Mobile on my very first day on the ground and was given a phone contract with no problem.
I took my UK phone out with me so there was no handset involved which I assumed helped.
I took my UK phone out with me so there was no handset involved which I assumed helped.

#10

I think that phone only came with the Qualcomm modem. So it should have GSM/CDMA radios and work on all mobile providers in the US.
setting>general>about>model>model again. It should say A1662 or A1723. Most likely A1723 as that was the world-wide model. If it says A1724 that was a China only model and I don't know what the differences are radio-wise.

setting>general>about>model>model again. It should say A1662 or A1723. Most likely A1723 as that was the world-wide model. If it says A1724 that was a China only model and I don't know what the differences are radio-wise.

#11
Forum Regular


Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 96


Just wondering - has anybody moved over to the states who already has a UK contract that offers cheap/free internet and calls whilst away?
I currently have unlimited internet and calls with the Three network on a rolling 30 day contract, that lets me use in the USA for no additional cost. Wondering how long I can effectively remain on this when I first move over before it becomes an issue
I currently have unlimited internet and calls with the Three network on a rolling 30 day contract, that lets me use in the USA for no additional cost. Wondering how long I can effectively remain on this when I first move over before it becomes an issue

#12

Just wondering - has anybody moved over to the states who already has a UK contract that offers cheap/free internet and calls whilst away?
I currently have unlimited internet and calls with the Three network on a rolling 30 day contract, that lets me use in the USA for no additional cost. Wondering how long I can effectively remain on this when I first move over before it becomes an issue
I currently have unlimited internet and calls with the Three network on a rolling 30 day contract, that lets me use in the USA for no additional cost. Wondering how long I can effectively remain on this when I first move over before it becomes an issue
The major flaw is that you'll find most things in the US will ask for a cell number. Health insurance, store memberships, contracts... And they won't take a UK number.

#13
Forum Regular


Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 96


OK perfect thanks for the info. Whilst not a complete solution it should help for some things

#14
BE Enthusiast




Joined: Apr 2016
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 334












Just wondering - has anybody moved over to the states who already has a UK contract that offers cheap/free internet and calls whilst away?
I currently have unlimited internet and calls with the Three network on a rolling 30 day contract, that lets me use in the USA for no additional cost. Wondering how long I can effectively remain on this when I first move over before it becomes an issue
I currently have unlimited internet and calls with the Three network on a rolling 30 day contract, that lets me use in the USA for no additional cost. Wondering how long I can effectively remain on this when I first move over before it becomes an issue

#15
Forum Regular


Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 96


I have used it on a few previous trips to NYC / CT previously, and although I noticed it wasn't quite as strong as in the UK, I was perfectly able to stream music and do other various data-intensive things with my phone
