Canadian Travelling in the USA Looking for Prepaid iPhone SIM
I have an iPhone with Rogers Wireless and visiting Los Angeles area. Roaming in the USA is expensive with Rogers. Around $1.50 per minute for calls and $0.75 per text message.
Is it possible to buy prepaid wireless while visiting? Does it come with SIM card? Which company?
Comments for
Canadian Travelling in the USA Looking for Prepaid iPhone SIM
International Prepaid SIM Cards for iPhone by: PrepaidWirelessGuy
This is a great question! More and more people have been inquiring about how to get the best value while traveling abroad. Host carriers really haven't stepped up yet to offer good, or even decent(!) value when traveling abroad. I'm especially surprised that prices between the U.S. and Canada aren't better than they are.
I do believe that over time carriers will focus more attention on the opportunity to offer better value for international travelers. The good news is that in the meantime there are options!
Of course, you can always just buy a cheap phone while you're in the U.S. There are a number of options for that route. However, from your question, and from what I understand of most people asking this question (including myself), the preference is to continue using your own phone. That way you have access to your numbers, notes, and other info. You're also familiar with how you're phone works, so you know how long the battery lasts, how to mute the phone, navigate your contacts, etc. While these may sound like simple things, it's amazing how much time and headaches you can save by not having to hassle with these things while traveling.
Anyway, down to your question! If your iPhone is unlocked, you have several options. In the U.S. you can try a prepaid GoPhone SIM, though I don't know if all of your iPhone data features will work (hopefully someone with experience with that can comment). You can also try a T-Mobile prepaid starter kit. These are the two largest GSM carriers, which means that your phone is technologically compatible (assuming your phone is unlocked to allow you to roam on other, non-Rogers, networks). If you use your phone as is in the U.S., it will be roaming on AT&T, however, with a prepaid SIM card, you can get better rates.
There are also a number of companies focusing specifically on prepaid international SIM cards. Below you'll find links to more information on these as well. The thing to keep in mind is that you'll want to compare the rates of each provider. The rates to/from some countries are really reasonable, however, some really aren't going to be any better than what Rogers is charging you. In my opinion, if you can buy a prepaid SIM starter kit from T-Mobile or AT&T, you're going to get the best rates if you're just calling in the U.S. while in the U.S.
Links to more info: Table with local rates - focus on T-Mobile and AT&T:Compare PAYG
