Cydonia

I'd like to get a mobile plan with a US company while I'm over there on a B1/B2 visa. I've heard Verizon (as one example) has ID requirements for security reasons. Do I need an SSN and proper US address to sign up with them, or would my Australian ID suffice do you think?

civilservant

You say 'a plan' do you mean pay as you go or contract?

joto

We just signed up with Verizon for a 2 year contract, which I think is the standard length of contract. They needed to see our drivers licenses, but we are citizens. I think DH was asked for his ss#. You could go into a store and ask what their requirements are, or if that doesn't work, use a pay as you go one.

hungryhorace

I presume you're talking about Verizon wireless? If so, don't bother. You'll be tied into a 2 year contract. Their pre-paid plans aren't suitable for an iPhone either as they refuse to activate non Verizon phones unless you push them strongly on it.

My advice: www.redpocket.com (AT&T) or www.tmobile.com or www.pagepluscellular.com (Verizon)

Weeze

Virginmobile.com too.

Poppy girl

As I found out yesterday, PAYG with AT&T does not work on smart phones, iphones, Blackberrys, I decided to save money ie $30 a month by getting the identical plan I was on when my 2 year contract ran out,....result no internet connection, phone (Android) not compatible, why did they not tell me this before, now they want to put me on a 2 years contract again (not in this life time)done with contracts.....plus they want to run my credit again FFS I have been with them since they were Cingular and my 2 years contract this time around only expired Tuesday, flippen joke....they screwed up and I have to suffer

Vent over as you were

Manc

Metro PCS or Boost.......

Poppy girl

Metro PCS sadly does not have the best of coverage

Bob

SSN is just so they can run a credit check on you, which you won't have.

Just get a PAYG and there's loads to choose from, Cricket, Straight Talk, Virgin, Tracfone, etc, etc. All depends on which has best coverage in your area.

GeoffM

I used T-Mobile for an iPhone monthly plan (no contract), $50/pm. The phone had to have been unlocked, and I did have to fiddle with the settings to get the data working properly.

markwm

Yes it does: I use PAYG on both iPhones without a problem. Just go into the store and ask for a PAYG sim for your iPhone: simple. The only downside is you can't add data to your plan so you are restricted to wireless but not found that to be restrictive at all.

civilservant

So you've got an iPhone but cant use the data. Yeah that;s really helpful

rpjs

You can add data to an iPhone on AT&T PAYG - both me and OH have it. You need a little bit of tech savvy though - you have to download the iPhone Configuration Utility from Apple and set up the AT&T data APN. There are a squillion guides on teh Interwebs on how to do this. Also the $2 a day PAYG plan no longer supports data but the $25 per month plan does. It's another $25 for 1GB data for a month, so $50 per month in all, which is still cheaper than a pay monthly plan.

The only thing we don't have working is voicemail.

GeoffM

Wifi.

civilservant

Apparently you must live in a Wifi-ed hub Geoff, because down in the sticks in GA its few and far between!