| Author |
Message |
Marjorie
 Posts: 3 |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:47 am |
We are traveling to the US in Sept for a 6 week vacation. We each have a Samsung mobile phone (SGH-A501 and SGH-A701 - both have the capability to run on 900gsm).
Here's what we would like to do - it would be great if someone could tell me if it is possible and, if not, an alternative.
1. Use our phones - removing the Australian sim card
2. Buy a new sim card and have it sent to us
3. When we arrive, phone to activate the card and receive a new phone number
4. Be able to 'recharge' or buy time for the 6 weeks we will be in the US
5. Have coverage all over the US as we are traveling from the west coast, through Texas, to the east coast
6. We have a relative in Texas who's address we could use as a base. Alternatively he will buy the cards in his name and we will 'borrow' them.
Hoping for some good help - thanks in anticipation!
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Barciur
 Posts: 247
Phone Model: Nokia 5300
Service Provider: T-Mobile USA/Plus GSM |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:52 am |
First of all, you don't need GSM 900. You need to make sure that your phones run on 850/1900.
1. As long as it is unlocked it will work.
2. Why have it sent to you if you're not gonna use it until over there anyway?
3. ?
4. Yes
5. Not possible with any network.
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Marjorie
 Posts: 3 |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:17 pm |
Ok so I can go into an AT&T store when I arrive and arrange to buy a new sim card, activate it, receiving a new phone number and put a $ amount on the phone as prepaid - presuming this is right.
My phone is able to run on GSM 850/1900.
Is there a map somewhere that shows where the phone will work. We will be in San Francisco, Texas (driving San Antonio to Dallas), Washington DC, then driving through Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and then to Boston, San Diego, Los Angeles. I'm going to presume that any major city or large town will have coverage - am I right?
My phone can be used with any provider - I am currently signed on a two year contract but when that runs our the phone is mine and I can change providers. I could buy out the contract and change providers now so I am going to assume my phone is unlocked, however I will call my provider to double check that.
Is there anything else I need to know? If not, then thanks for clearing my mind on these things. We don't want the phones to call home, we want them as security - or to find each other if we separate - or to call a cab if we are on foot and lost!
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Barciur
 Posts: 247
Phone Model: Nokia 5300
Service Provider: T-Mobile USA/Plus GSM |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:30 pm |
Here's the coverage map.
Click GoPhone and there you go
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer
As you can see, Maine and Vermont will be problematic. Otherwise it should be ok
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Marjorie
 Posts: 3 |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:51 pm |
I appreciate the link to the map - I had a look too and it looks pretty good - as good as the cover we get here. It is mainly in the large cities that we might need to be in touch - one might want to go shopping (amazingly, my husband) while the other has a read on the bed. It's good to be able to ring and see what he/she is up to.
Cheers from sunny Queensland
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Barciur
 Posts: 247
Phone Model: Nokia 5300
Service Provider: T-Mobile USA/Plus GSM |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:43 pm |
Glad I could help
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iowa
 Posts: 1155
Phone Model: Sanyo Katana Deluxe\LG Rumor\Palm Centro
Service Provider: Sprint~MyPlan (2 Lines 1000 Min, Free Roaming,Free Internet, Free Text, Free Pick 5, Free Mobile 2 Mobile, 25% Loyalty Discount, Free Nights & Weekends@5PM, 7$ Recurring Credit.) 80 Bucks. |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:48 pm |
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Another alternative is virgin mobile. since cdma has better coverage in america than gsm, this may be a better choice for you.
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Barciur
 Posts: 247
Phone Model: Nokia 5300
Service Provider: T-Mobile USA/Plus GSM |
 Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:13 pm |
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They clearly said they want to use their phones.
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iowa
 Posts: 1155
Phone Model: Sanyo Katana Deluxe\LG Rumor\Palm Centro
Service Provider: Sprint~MyPlan (2 Lines 1000 Min, Free Roaming,Free Internet, Free Text, Free Pick 5, Free Mobile 2 Mobile, 25% Loyalty Discount, Free Nights & Weekends@5PM, 7$ Recurring Credit.) 80 Bucks. |
 Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:10 pm |
| Barciur wrote: | | They clearly said they want to use their phones. | They also said they needed good coverage. just giving options.
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 Shalalala
 Posts: 661 |
 Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:20 pm |
| iowa wrote: | | Barciur wrote: | | They clearly said they want to use their phones. | They also said they needed good coverage. just giving options. |
They clearly did not need your opinion Iowa. Stop trying to press ATT customers on OTHER providers.
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