Which network and tariff options please?
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 83
Which network and tariff options please?
Moving to LA and need either At&T or TMobile.
Any idea which is better in LA?
Secondly, we'll be taking SIM-Free/unlocked iPhones and I need to understand if these networks in the USA offer SIM-Only plans like we have in the UK?
The type of plan is where I'd pay $15 a month for data, texts, calls and no phone subsidiary?
There's no way I want to take out a 24m contract paying for a new iPhone...I may as well continue to use Three's Home Abroad service and get my brother to top it up each month for me!
Thanks
Any idea which is better in LA?
Secondly, we'll be taking SIM-Free/unlocked iPhones and I need to understand if these networks in the USA offer SIM-Only plans like we have in the UK?
The type of plan is where I'd pay $15 a month for data, texts, calls and no phone subsidiary?
There's no way I want to take out a 24m contract paying for a new iPhone...I may as well continue to use Three's Home Abroad service and get my brother to top it up each month for me!
Thanks
#2
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
AT&T is a bigger network. T-Mobile is generally in the cities and not so much the suburbs and rural areas. It's really going to depend on where you live EXACTLY as the cities are so spread out here that reception can vary tremendously.
Take a look at the Data Sim Wiki as it outlines the various plans available on a pay as you go basis.
United States - Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki
Take a look at the Data Sim Wiki as it outlines the various plans available on a pay as you go basis.
United States - Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki
#3
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Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Oakland County, Michigan
Posts: 846
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
I used H20 wireless when I got here - bought a sim from Best Buy, topped it up and I was all set. I did have to jail break my phone to get the sim to work, even though O2 claimed to have unlocked it.
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,156
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
I'm with Ultra Mobile, which piggybacks on the T-Mobile network. The basic numbers line up with what several others are offering BUT for me they win hands-down on international calls/texts.
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 83
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
I dont need it for international calls and texts, it will be for US use
I'll predominantly be within 10 miles of Century City so will check coverage
Thanks for the wiki link - I'd have hoped At&T would be cheaper than it is. I pay £20 a month for unlimited texts, calls and 3GB 4G with O2....the equivalent is $60!!!
I'll predominantly be within 10 miles of Century City so will check coverage
Thanks for the wiki link - I'd have hoped At&T would be cheaper than it is. I pay £20 a month for unlimited texts, calls and 3GB 4G with O2....the equivalent is $60!!!
#6
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
I dont need it for international calls and texts, it will be for US use
I'll predominantly be within 10 miles of Century City so will check coverage
Thanks for the wiki link - I'd have hoped At&T would be cheaper than it is. I pay £20 a month for unlimited texts, calls and 3GB 4G with O2....the equivalent is $60!!!
I'll predominantly be within 10 miles of Century City so will check coverage
Thanks for the wiki link - I'd have hoped At&T would be cheaper than it is. I pay £20 a month for unlimited texts, calls and 3GB 4G with O2....the equivalent is $60!!!
AT&T tried to buy T-Mobile but was stopped by regulators and Sprint tried to buy T-Mobile and the deal fell apart.
#7
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Joined: Feb 2015
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 564
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
Cell phone service here is expensive - my UK mobile deal with EE is £14 a month and includes roaming in lots of countries including the USA!
I went for the T-Mobile family plan that gives you two lines with unlimited LTE data for $100 a month, so $50 per phone. I would have preferred to go with AT&T but T-Mobile do an unlimited international calls add-on including calls to UK mobiles for $15 per month and AT&T don't have an equivalent
So far I've been pretty impressed with T-Mobile though, their coverage around here (Jersey City, NJ) is great and I've seen over 80Mbps down on LTE in places. If you have a recent iPhone they support WiFi Calling too which means you don't need to worry about coverage at home.
They also give you unlimited data and text in about 120 countries worldwide which could be handy.
I went for the T-Mobile family plan that gives you two lines with unlimited LTE data for $100 a month, so $50 per phone. I would have preferred to go with AT&T but T-Mobile do an unlimited international calls add-on including calls to UK mobiles for $15 per month and AT&T don't have an equivalent
So far I've been pretty impressed with T-Mobile though, their coverage around here (Jersey City, NJ) is great and I've seen over 80Mbps down on LTE in places. If you have a recent iPhone they support WiFi Calling too which means you don't need to worry about coverage at home.
They also give you unlimited data and text in about 120 countries worldwide which could be handy.
#8
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
I've been using T-mobile throughout Southern California and metro Phoenix without any issues.
Edit: to add to this comment I got a sim and put it into my unlocked Nexus 5 from the UK. No problems at all.
Edit: to add to this comment I got a sim and put it into my unlocked Nexus 5 from the UK. No problems at all.
Last edited by username.exe; Jun 19th 2015 at 4:14 pm. Reason: Additional comment
#9
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
Sharing the plan between 3 phones.
It's a little different. About 10 years in the past.
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 83
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
Joy...deffo don't need the phones so hoping I can get it cheap
#12
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
Data seems to be the biggest chunk of the bill.
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,156
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
As much as there are many wonders of modern technology, I still find I use a phone internationally far more than Skype/Facetime/etc. Unless you are internet-only communicating already, you might want to go prepaid when you first arrive, so you can wait and see what you actually use.
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Oakland County, Michigan
Posts: 846
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
Virgin mobile is worth a look - you have to pay for the handsets, but i get unlimited talk,text and data (albeit not the fastest) for $30 a month.
#15
Re: Which network and tariff options please?
and the good thing about t-mobile is you can get a service with no ssn and no credit history. You need their pay-in-advance service.
Prepaid Phone Plans | Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans | T-Mobile
Prepaid Phone Plans | Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans | T-Mobile