Pre-paid Phones for Travellers?

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!"

Comments

Pre-Paid Phones for Terrorists?

[Anonymous Coward]

My friend and I, both from Syria, are going to the US on a one-way ticket 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. Due to a freezing of certain swiss bank accounts I use regularly, I can't afford roaming.

I'm interested in a pre-paid mobile phone where they do not look that closely (or at all) at the picture on the driver's license (someone named "John R. Smith") that I'll be using.

I won't be needing to sell the phone.

I'll be going to both the East and West coast. Possibly simultaneously, if things work out.

Any help much appreciated.

This site has everything you need.

[Deagol]

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. :)