I’m planning to visit the United States in a few months and thinking of getting a SIM card for calls and messages. I won’t need data since I’ll be using it in my own phone with roaming on. Can you recommend a phone company that has a plan without data and works when I’m abroad for making calls to the US? I want to keep the same number and use it back home too. It’d be great if the company has a cheap option to keep the number or charges only when I make calls or send messages. I’ve looked around, but most plans have lots of data that I won’t use and they’re pretty pricey (for the usage i will be giving it per month once I leave the country) which is not what I’m looking for.
9 comments
If less than $3 a day is causing you sticker shock, you’re going to be shocked at prices once you land.
It seems you’re aware of where to get this service, you just don’t like the price. You can either budget appropriately to afford the service you want, or settle without and rely on Wi-Fi while you’re visiting.
Also I’d reconsider data. In urban centers it really seems like a lot of cafes and restaurants are clamping down on free wi-fi to reduce laptop camping, and in rural areas….I mean its a rural area, you’ll need data (if you can get service at all).
> I’ve looked around, but most plans have lots of data that I won’t use and they’re pretty pricey, like $15 or $20 per month
That’s *extremely* cheap here. You can check over at /r/NoContract, it’s a supportive community with exhaustive information and resources. But if that $15-20 plan fits your needs, I’d just go with it and move on with planning your trip.
I’m a little confused by your goals, but something like Google Voice might work, it’s anywhere from free to a one time $20 depending on what you want to do. If you need an actual phone plan, you can get a cheap voice+SMS plan. US Mobile has unlimited for $8/month, I’m sure there are others, you just have to pick your network.
No offense but how are you budgeting for the rest of the trip if a $15 expense is too steep for you?
Our phone companies and convenience stores don’t sell top up SIM cards like you find in other countries. You can go to an AT&T store (ATT uses GSM SIM cards) and explain what you need. They may be able to make it work. Otherwise, your best bet would be to buy a pay as you go phone at Wal Mart or somewhere (these are often called Burner Phones) and you can top them up as needed.
I second the recommendation for r/nocontract. There’s often fine print about activation and keeping an active account.
>pretty pricey
>$15 per month
…are you sure you’re in a financial position to go travel right now?
Red Pocket, Gen Mobile, and Mint could be viable options.
What about Ting wireless
https://tingmobile.com/plans
A no data plan is 10 dollars