iPhone on PAYG use in the states

[Alex Beebee]

Hi,
I would be grateful of some advice..

What are the do's and don'ts in respect to the above??

I have a UK iPhone on O2 PAYG....

I don't want to end up with a huge bill...or bomb out with credit in the first day as soon as I switch it on...!!!

Is it possible to get an AT&T sim card and have that whilst I am there?? would that let me get mails and have 3G internet access??

I would like to be able to use the google maps and GPS instead of taking my ToTom sat nav, as I will have to but the USA map for the tomtom and that is £54.95....

Looked on the net but can't seem to find any info...

Thanks in advance

Alex....

[Alex Beebee]

Hi,
Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Been into the O2 store and they are clueless, asked in the Apple store and they sent me to O2 !!!!!....:-(

Cheers Alex...

[Patrick Neame]

Presumably you've looked at A T and T's web site?

[Alex Beebee]

Hi,
Yes I have looked there but the info is so confusing, AND it is not clear if I can actually do it as my phone is a UK PAYG 4 months old and is not unlocked to any network..
O2 will not do unlock on PAYG according to their web site until 12 months have expired..

But as we know web sites do not tell the whole story, so I am wondering if anyone has any better knowledge or personal experience.

Thanks
Alex

[Dom Barnes]

Alex

There are quite a few Google hits about this.

First, you'd need an unlocked handset, or to unlock the one you have.
AT&T have a PAYG scheme called GoPhone. From what I've read briefly, your best option is to purchase a PAYG sim from eBay.

This is a good read, and might help you choose what to do
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/1296230.html

Of course, your best option is to turn off Data Roaming in the settings, and just use Wifi where possible. I racked up about £6 of data charges for a little email and maps usage. O2 do have an international traveller plan which you get by default with the iPhone that reduces international costs.

Hope that helps

Dom


I used my O2 contract phone in the US for about a week, and only turned on data roam

[ayzee]

You could get the equivalent AT&T PAYG sims, but im sure your phone
would have to be unlocked before you could use it.

Sent from my iPhone

[Derek Buttery]

AT & T 'clamp down hard' on unlocked iphones. there are incidents where irate consumers have threatened staff because their unlocked iphones had been blocked {however, am not sure how 'old' these stories are though}...

satnav devices are far more reliable than an iphone {unless you are in major areas of population} and you can d/l North American maps for less than the £55 you mentioned.

some of the 'other' providers {Verizon is the best, with sprint being quite useful too} offer PAYG sim cards, so don't get stuck in the AT&T is the only phone provider rut.... t-mobile here is better than in europe

http://www.usasims.com/?gclid=CPmfsMrzt54CFRPxDAod5UZqlA

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/prepay.jsp


(apologies, verizon is best prepaid not payg!!)

hth

--
Regards

Dek

VTID

http://familybutteryincanada.blogspot.com/

[Dom Barnes]

Unfortauntely you are limited to T-Mobile and AT&T as Verizon and Sprint don't operate on the GSM network, they use a system called CDMA which doesn't require sim cards.

If its just maps you're after, then yes, there are other options. SatNav apps are available, like Co-Pilot, TomTom, Nmaps, and some other systems that let you download maps for offline use. Alternatively a city guide for where you are going may help.

Dom

[Patrick Neame]

You could always buy a street map for a few dollars.

[Alex Beebee]

Hi,

LOL...yep but not much good in the dark when driving on your own...have been there and done that before...

I also need to pick up emails and stuff but guess that can be done on WiFi easy enough..

I think I am stuffed as I am not prepared to jailbreak or unlock the phone, and without that it seems no good..

O2 will not unlock until 12 months expired...

Though if anyone has any better suggestions??

Thanks

Alex..

[graham thompson]

Presumably you are driving a hire car. Won't they hire you a Sat-Nav?

Graham

`I fly with Stratford-upon-Avon Gliding Club and so can you'.

[Derek Buttery]

cheers Dom... didn't realise sprint was cdma too... totally knew verizon was, as i was roomed with a rep of theirs during a recent seminar.... can this be my "D'oh!" for the year???

[Drew Reece]

On 3 Dec 2009, at 01:00, Derek Buttery wrote:

cheers Dom... didn't realise sprint was cdma too... totally knew verizon was, as i was roomed with a rep of theirs during a recent seminar.... can this be my "D'oh!" for the year???

Maybe

There's still some time left Dek. Knock yourself out :^)

Re:co

[Derek Buttery]

thanks for the vote of confidence re:co...

luckily this one can be kept from my better half!!  :-)