Cell Phone help

[Lucienne]

I'm going to US tomorrow, and I need to get a phone, or rather a plan.

The phone I own won't operate without a SIM card, which I thought was a general thing for every cell phone, but it doesn't seem to be the case in US at least.

Basically, I want something that will allow me to call abroad, will work in MD and allows me to pay for what I call for, or just have a three months plan or something.

I think T-mobile uses SIM cards, of what I understand.

Any suggestions appriciated.

[Surealistic]

First off, make sure you're phone is unlocked, which coming from Europe it prolly is, secondly at&t and T-Mobile both use sim cards so both "should" work, and you should be able to get on a prepaid plan, though most carriers here want a full 2 year contract

On a side note, you could always go vonage and just go wifi only

[Lucienne]

Thank you!
My phone's unlocked. I was reading up on T-Mobile, but it seems you need to have a T-Mobile cell phone? It seemed really confusing to me.
Does at&t work in MD?

[Francisco]

Not sure if this fits your needs or not - but it might be an option.

http://www.auristechnology.com/tracf...faqs_ild.asp#1

Don't need a contract or anything... granted I know very little about cell phones.

As for AT&T, it should work just about anywhere in MD.

[Salodin]

You don't need a contract if you already have a phone, that's only for people who get their phones cost subsidized by the company in exchange for locking in a 2 year deal.

If your phone is unlocked and uses sim, im pretty sure you can just go to t mobile or at&t and tell them what's going on and they can help you. I'm pretty sure that's what people in the US do when they go across seas.

[Nitsuki]

You can easily buy a $10 prepaid at&t phone, use the prepaid sim and just pay for your minutes. Also you can get cheap calling cards from gas stations w/ lots of minutes to call abroad and all. (at least here in miami, there's plenty of long distance calling cards, my mom used to use them all the time to call my grandma)

[Osede]

Actually, if you want to use your own phone, make sure it is a quad band phone. I'm believe US use two different band frequencies than other country. And in some area in the states, we also use different band frequency.

Else, just use prepaid phone as suggested.

[Lucienne]

I know my phone works in US with my regular Swedish company. That should be fine right?

[Surealistic]

As a salesman for Verizon, you "can" get a prepaid plan for a short time, but trust me, the salesman will do everything possible to get you on a contract, he will make a lot more money that way

Going overseas for Americans is different as other places don't put such an emphasis on contracts

[Lucienne]

I'll be there for three months, so the only thing they can possibly offer me is a monthly plan, which I don't even mind particularly much I think. The card thing Nitsuki mentioned is really what I'm after in the first place. I didn't really expect this to be complicated in any way, but US sure is different.

[Surealistic]

When your government is run by corporations, things get complicated, it's all about what will make ME the most money, and that is not prepaid unfortunately

[Dmitry]

I think your best bet is a prepaid phone with a SIM card, and just swapping the SIM from that into your phone.

[Odon]

, but US sure is different.

You don't know the half of this backward ass place.

[Isiolia]

AT&T and T-Mobile are the GSM phones around here, which use SIM cards. Past that it'd depend on the phone, far as I know. Whether it supports the bands used, whether it can use a different company's SIM. You might get a mixed result too, like no 3G, but working fine otherwise. Using my AT&T SIM in my brother's old G2 (T-Mobile) nets that result.

What you may want to do is visit a store for one of those carriers and see if someone there has a good solution for you. Results may vary quite a bit in terms of what the people working there know.

Ideally this or this will work with your phone.

[jinkazama]

Nitsukis method is the most efficient. Your best bet for a cheap prepaid sim and minutes is to check in the cellphone store in the airport. I know from working for sprint we get a lot of customers we recommend that to and see good results from it

[Boicpue]

Traveling abroad for business or vacation does not mean losing touch with family and friends - or the use of expensive phones in the rooms in hotels. Mobile phones provide access for emergency travel plans to confirm and local activities. Cellular service providers offer complementary services and plans that enable customers to bring their cell phones outside the United States. Other options include using local SIM cards to make calls while traveling or residing in another country. Some basic guidelines and tips will help you to effectively use a cell phone and smart phone abroad to save money while staying in touch.
Step 1 Contact your cellular provider to activate international calls, rent an international cell phone or buy an unlocked phone and SIM card for use in another country. Note: Some mobile phones are not compatible for use in networks outside the United States. In addition, some providers may charge a fee for an international calling plan or phone rental.
Step 2Compruebe voltage requirements for the desired country and bring a power converter for the charger from the phone, if necessary.
Step 3Type frequently used phone, emergency contact, hotel and transport numbers in the phone and save them in the phone book. Be sure to enter phone numbers using the international dialing format: for example, calls to the U.S. must be entered with the prefix "011" followed by the area code and phone number because calls made abroad will start from the local telephone operator.
Step 4Turn disable "Automatic" check email, if you are using a smartphone like a BlackBerry or iPhone. Instead, change the email settings to "Manual" to reduce data roaming costs. During your trip you can choose the time to check emails when connected to a free wireless Internet, and in the lobby of a hotel or Internet cafe.
Step 5Consider Skype and register for activating a Skype To Go number or downloading and installing Skype mobile application for smartphones (see Resources for links). A Skype To Go is a local number that serves as a gateway to call overseas to save money on roaming charges and provide a series of calls to be sent to your cell phone. Skype mobile application uses the smart phone plan or data wireless Internet Skype calls to other members or phone numbers.

[Skyylya]

Of all the places in the US...why Maryland? I can't think of a less interesting place to come visit unless you're going to be in college or studying or something or interning with the Ravens.

[Surealistic]

Watch "the wire" you will never want to go to Baltimore, ever

[Lucienne]

Of all the places in the US...why Maryland? I can't think of a less interesting place to come visit unless you're going to be in college or studying or something or interning with the Ravens.

I have friends here, and I'm taking a class in DC.
Besides, I actually like the area where I'm staying. It's warm and near the sea.
Not sure why this thread was brought back to life though.

[Melena]

spam bot resurrected it from the grave.