GeoffM

Depends where you go and if you actually use it out and about. Wifi at home, of course. So many places have Wifi these days - hospitals, some supermarkets and restaurants, stores, even a local barbershop. My wife's usage is in the low tens of MB per month and most of that is probably just background chatter rather than actively using it. I use it more but still only use a tenth of my allowance.

markwm

I don't need a data plan since virtually the only time I can't get wireless is in the car - don't do a lot of surfing whilst I'm driving. Why pay for what you don't need?

markwm

Interesting - just been on the site to top-up and the option to add data is not available on the PAYG plan. In any case, that's $25 you don't need to spend: it's hard to go anywhere these days and not find some wireless to use (other than, perhaps, rural Alabama and the like).

rpjs

Maybe when the MTA sees fit to add wifi to the Metro-North I'll drop data, but not yet!

Poppy girl

That's the problem I have to have the internet wifi is not an option for me, and no need for a new sim either I have just got back from one of the so called corporate locations and a transfer of sim is not required and yes it does indeed now work on my Android with my regular sim and I have no restrictions data wise, well 1GB which is ample...(same number)

They think the problem was due to a new contract and change over with thier own data/technology.

But all set, the same phone and $70 a month because I pay $5 for international calling.

So no you don't need to get a PAYG sim.

Poppy girl

I am not going to have a iphone and limited to WIFI not practical at all.....searching around for a WIFI spot yep right!!

markwm

I suppose if you're going to live in the middle of nowhere then it would be hard to get decent wifi: in LA it isn't a problem.

Poppy girl

I am a traveling sales manager I need it and I work in Sacramento for the most part and San Francisco, oh and I do have voicemail with this plan as well.

markwm

As I said, the middle of nowhere...

Poppy girl

Bob

It's pretty shit down my way too.

RICH

When you say "security", you mean "credit"(ie the security of the provider's cashflow). Probably depends on the provider what they require, but a suitably sized "deposit" will likely get you what you want.

McZaki

Wife & I have the T-mobile family plan, no contract, unlimited everything i.e texts-voice(any network) & data including 4G. We pay $130 per month. We brought our unlocked iPhones with us, the shop assistance inserted the sim card and activated the numbers, simples, and so far I've not had any issues.

Verizon, AT&T and Sprint all require Social Security Number for the contract plans. You can get the Pay-as-Go from them without the SSC but none of them offers the data on PAYG plans. The AT&T is the only one who provides the SIM card for your unlock UK phone however no data so it's pish. Also, Verizon and AT&T plans, prepaid and postpaid, are very expensive. The other known vendors like T-Mobile, Sprint and Virgin(runs on sprint) offers the best value for money, only T-mobile gives the SIM card for your smart phone.

AT&T has the best 4G coverage and you can use the hot-spot/tethering feature ii.e use your phone to connect other devices to Internet. The other vendors don't let you do that.

Hope this helps.

P.S: if you're looking for a new phone e.g. iPhone 5 or Samsung S4 then you can trade-in your old smart phone at Radio Shack or BestBuy and purchase a new phone. At present, Radio Shack is giving a $250 gift voucher for an iPhone 4S (good condition with charger) and BestBuy around $220 gift voucher. iPhone5 16GB (no-contract/device only) is $699+tax.

Cydonia

Thanks for all the advice. K so at least I know that pay as you go services are possible....

For data, think I would prefer to organise something myself, since WIFI can be unreliable (might not be present / weak signal) or the WIFI provider might have busted their internet cap etc. Also there's security issues, people can easily sniff your traffic.

The Verizon pre-paid "plans" actually sound pretty decent, they may have updated them recently. Check these out (I selected California as the state):
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/p...e=ppmonthBASIC

So not sure if I'll need an SSN here, or maybe I'll take up RICH's suggestion and give them a nice "deposit"

4G would be good if I can organise it... I don't have a 4G LTE phone yet, might buy one over there.

Poppy girl

Just an FYI the AT&T plan is a better one to be honest, I live in CA and its the No1 provider, Verizon is 2nd plus a PAYG you do not need a SS number.

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/pla...paidplans.html

I know my old room-mate had Verizon and it was spotty in areas!