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Pre-paid Phones for Travellers?

Posted by Cliff on from the blockbuster-should-rent-cell-phones dept.

Bifurcati asks: "My friend and I, both from Australia, are going to the US for a two month trip (combining both work and pleasure!) and I'm faced with a bit of a dilemma with my much loved mobile phone. It isn't tri-band, so won't work in the U.S., and, additionally, roaming rates are horrendous. I really appreciate the comfort of having a phone, particularly for working out meetings with my friend, so I was thinking of getting a pre-paid mobile over there (with a new number) which I can use and then sell off the phone when I get back. What's the best (read, in part at least, cheapest) company and phone deal? Anyone else had experience doing this? I'm going to both the East and West coast. Any help much appreciated!"

8 of 34 comments (clear)

  1. You won't be able to sell the phone back... by bhtooefr · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...but you might want to try Virgin Mobile. $0.25/min for the first 10 minutes of a day, $0.10 every minute after that. Unfortunately, selling phones back doesn't seem to be common over here. The phone is $60 for the lowest end model, if you're interested.

  2. verizon by Wakkow · · Score: 2, Informative

    I used to use Verizon's prepaid phone service before switching to a annual plan.. I pretty much always had reception, but not necessarily the best sound quality (compared to GSM). They cover pretty much all of the US, but it looks like their prepaid service charges extra for roaming if you're out of their coverage area. I was also able to sell my phone on Ebay when I was done with it.

    If you know the general areas you'll be, check out the coverage maps and prepaid services. I know Tmobile, Cingular and AT&T have prepaid services. AT&T also has a Go Phone service which is a rate plan without the annual contracts.

  3. Walmart, etc... sell prepaid phones. by Wycliffe · · Score: 2, Informative

    Walmart and other retail stores have started
    selling phones that you can buy at the register.
    This might be the best bet for a short stay as
    you don't have to talk to the carrier, etc...
    It also has the added advantage of being more
    free/anonymous, as you don't have to sign anything.

  4. This site has everything you need. by Deagol · · Score: 4, Informative
    It compares most every pre-paid cell phone deal there is out there (in the US, that is), along with coverage areas:

    http://markson.net/cell_prepaid_compare.htm

    If you plan on a lot of travelling in remote locations, and you have the money, check out a satellite phone -- the price has gone down in price. Yeah, it's overkill -- but I thought I'd suggest it anyway. :)

    --
    Method of processing duck feet
  5. Yo look at this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Most likely if your overseas your phone is GSM. There are a number of 3G GSM networks here that might be able to support your phone. Have you tried calling local providers? What area are you going to be in?

    Also you can try Virgin or Verizon Wireless. Don't do TrackPhone. That really sucks.

    Cheers,

    Scott

  6. Don't bother with resale by MerlynEmrys67 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Throw it away - many plans will give you a free phone when you purchase x minutes... Therefor the phones are effectively free, and there is almost no resale market

    --
    I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them
  7. Comparision by $exyNerdie · · Score: 2, Informative

    Here is a list of 5 of the most common prepaid cell phone plans so that you can compare their features.

    Note that above list doesn't include plans by Virgin mobile. It's rates are here. A friend that used Virgin mobile didn't appreciate the choppy quality...

  8. Coverage by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 2, Informative

    - If you stay in cities, any service should do. IS-136 "TDMA" (AT&T and Cingular's "Old" network), GSM (T-Mobile, AT&T/Cingular's "New Network"), CDMA (Sprint, Verizon, Virgin Mobile), and iDEN (Nextel) should all work fine.
    - Virgin mobile seems to have a very nice service with free domestic long-distance and roaming (useful if you intend to travel very far). T-Mobile also offers free roaming and LD.
    - Keep in mind that with T-Mobile (And posibly AT&T), your phone is a standard GSM phone (in many cases a triband phone) so you may have better luck selling it.
    - You will pay for incoming calls. On the upside, other people don't pay to call you.
    - If you plan to go out of major cities (20,000+), off of Interstate highways, you will likely not get service with GSM. Your best bet is Verizon. They have excellent coverage throughout the country, even in the great barren land we call "Wyoming".

    And, finally some travel tips:
    - Gas is cheap, even more so now that the dollar is weaker. You can probably rent a big car and it won't be too expensive.
    - Don't depend on mass transit. Amtrak isn't exactly the most efficent company.
    - Gas station bathrooms range from awful to pretty decent. Tip: If you have to go outside the building to get to the bathroom, it's probably pretty dirty.