A Brit coming to America for three weeks... some questions about buying prepaid unlimited data plan

[andrewilley]

Hi,

I am a Brit who is visiting the USA next month and I want to get a decent data (and talk) plan for my Samsung Galaxy S3 (UK model) phone, and I understand AT&T is the best option to still provide HSPA+ speeds on this phone variant. I know this will give me a temporary US phone number on my phone, but that's fine.

However I do have a few questions for the assembled experts here.

1) Where should I get the micro-SIM from, and how do I set up the payment onto it using a UK credit card? I'll be flying into Newark airport and staying in central New York, but would ideally like to get it mostly set up before I leave home - or at least done locally/quickly without needing any initial internet access or long phone calls when I arrive on a Sunday afternoon.

2) Does the $50 pre-payment give you $50 worth of credit on the account, which then goes towards any calls or texts made outside of the free allowances? Or is it just a $50 charge for the 'plan', and anything else is on top of that? For example, if I call a UK mobile phone (which is quoted as $0.49/minute) will that fee come out of my initial $50 balance, or would I have to pay it as an extra on top of the $50 - and if so, how? Oh, the site mentions something about a 10c/minute fee in addition to the 49c international rate on the $25 contract - does that apply with the $50 contract too, or is the 10c part included in the free allowance?

2) Same question for outgoing international SMS and MMS (which are apparently charged at $0.25 and $0.50) - is that all I would pay per outgoing text message to a UK mobile phone, and again does it come out of that $50 pre-paid balance?

3) How would incoming calls (probably from the UK too) be charged to me, do these count within the 'unlimited minutes' allowance? i.e. so there would be no fee (to me) for receiving any calls, even from a UK number?

4) Same with receiving SMS or MMS from UK phones, would receipt of text or picture messages be free (to me) within the plan?

5) The $50 plan details in the link above seem to imply that unlimited data is included within that basic $50 fee - is that correct, or would I have to pay for a data bundle on top (as with the lower plans)? If so, I think the $25 plan plus another $25 for data would be a cheaper option for me, as long as I don't lose anything else (other than getting less minutes).

6) Finally, I know I'll have to set up a suitable APN and also the SMS message center number, but are there any other settings that I'll need to change on my UK phone? Or will AT&T send that info directly to the phone when it connects with the new SIM?

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to get this all sorted and planned out before I fly so I don't waste my time when I get to the states.

Andre

[ilikewireless ACE - Czar]

Hi, I had my answers typed out in bold letters. 

I am a Brit who is visiting the USA next month and I want to get a decent data (and talk) plan for my Samsung Galaxy S3 (UK model) phone, and I understand AT&T is the best option to still provide HSPA+ speeds on this phone variant. I know this will give me a temporary US phone number on my phone, but that's fine.

Yes. If your phone is unlocked, you can get call and text working. Presently, 4G LTE phones are not supported for prepaid accounts. You may be able to get data working on 3G. There’s plenty of discussions about APN settings on the Internet so that you should have no problem finding them.

However I do have a few questions for the assembled experts here.

1) Where should I get the micro-SIM from, and how do I set up the payment onto it using a UK credit card? I'll be flying into Newark airport and staying in central New York, but would ideally like to get it mostly set up before I leave home - or at least done locally/quickly without needing any initial internet access or long phone calls when I arrive on a Sunday afternoon.

You can check out Internet sellers that will ship overseas. For example, check out AT&T, Amazon.com and others that will ship overseas. On top of what is mentioned in this post, here’s a very good support page that should help you get most things set up before you leave home. Go here: http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB92527&title=Self-serve+options+to+help+you+manage+your...

2) Does the $50 pre-payment give you $50 worth of credit on the account, which then goes towards any calls or texts made outside of the free allowances? Or is it just a $50 charge for the 'plan', and anything else is on top of that? For example, if I call a UK mobile phone (which is quoted as $0.49/minute) will that fee come out of my initial $50 balance, or would I have to pay it as an extra on top of the $50 - and if so, how? Oh, the site mentions something about a 10c/minute fee in addition to the 49c international rate on the $25 contract - does that apply with the $50 contract too, or is the 10c part included in the free allowance?

The $50 is the charge for the monthly unlimited plan that includes data for non-smartphone. A separate data package is recommended for smartphones.  Without the data package, there’s no Internet , e-mail, nor data connection of any kind. The minutes are unlimited for calls withing the US. For International calling, you need to get the International Long Distance package for $10 that gives you 250 minutes of ILD. On top of ILD minutes, you get charged per the International Rates. For example, calling UK will cost ILD minutes plus the International Rate of $0.49 per minutes, deducted from the main account. If you go over 250 minutes on the ILD, it will cost you $0.10 per minute taken off your main account balance, plus the International Rate. The $50 monthly unlimited plan does not pay for International Long Distance.

When you top up, all money goes into your main prepaid account. You use money from the main account to buy monthly plan, International Long Distance package, and data package. What’s left over in the main account can be used to pay for minutes overage, data overage and etc. For example, if you ever run out of data, you can just buy more data ($25 for 1 GB, $15 for 200 MB or $5 for 50 MB). If you buy more before the 30 day expiration, the data should rollover.

2) Same question for outgoing international SMS and MMS (which are apparently charged at $0.25 and $0.50) - is that all I would pay per outgoing text message to a UK mobile phone, and again does it come out of that $50 pre-paid balance?

Outgoing International SMS and MMS are included in the $50 monthly unlimited plan. You are not charged by the message. As far as I know, there’s no other SMS and MMS charges.

3) How would incoming calls (probably from the UK too) be charged to me, do these count within the 'unlimited minutes' allowance? i.e. so there would be no fee (to me) for receiving any calls, even from a UK number?

I guess that the cost would be the same as outgoing calls as mentioned above.

4) Same with receiving SMS or MMS from UK phones, would receipt of text or picture messages be free (to me) within the plan?

I guess that the cost would be the same for outgoing SMS and MMS (free to you).

5) The $50 plan details in the link above seem to imply that unlimited data is included within that basic $50 fee - is that correct, or would I have to pay for a data bundle on top (as with the lower plans)? If so, I think the $25 plan plus another $25 for data would be a cheaper option for me, as long as I don't lose anything else (other than getting less minutes).

Smartphone users will need to pay for a data package outside of the $50 monthly unlimited plan. Only non-smartphone users get the best deal of unlimited data included in the $50.  As far as I know, you get less minutes with the $25 monthly plan.

6) Finally, I know I'll have to set up a suitable APN and also the SMS message center number, but are there any other settings that I'll need to change on my UK phone? Or will AT&T send that info directly to the phone when it connects with the new SIM?

You are right about the APN. As I mentioned earlier, you can easily google to find out.  I guess that you may have to set the SMS message center number based on googled information if not this link http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB414625&ct=9005490&pv=3&title=Configure+Text+and+Pictur...

Additionally, you may go here to set other numbers http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB92527&title=Self-serve+options+to+help+you+manage+your...

Last but not least, I can be wrong about some of the details. If so, anyone is welcome to comment and make corrections. Thank you all. 

[andrewilley]

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like the website 'unlimited all inclusive' price is sort of accurate, but then they 'nickel-and-dime' the life out of you thereafter! I love the fact you are given 'unlimited data', oh, except if you happen to have a phone which can actually use data, in which case you have to pay extra for it! LOL

So first I need to pay for a SIM card, which gives me my US phone number. I assume I can re-use this on my next trip, next year, even though I'll need to top up with new credit/etc as all that will have expired after 30 days.

Then I buy the (for example) the $25 plan and a $25 1GB data add-on (for 3G HSPA+ speeds) and that will include unlimited received calls and unlimited received texts (from both USA and UK numbers), plus 250 mins of outgoing USA calls and unlimited outgoing USA texts.

Then if I call a UK landline or mobile number, it will cost me 10c/minute plus 49c/minute (why the heck not just call it 59c/minute?) - or I can pre-pay $10 for 250 International Minutes - but I STILL have to pay a 49c per minute charge on top of that allowance I've just paid for.

Do you know if outgoing texts/MMS to the UK are also included (i.e. free) on the cheaper $25 plan, or would I need the full $50 version for that? I doubt I'll use $25 of texts to UK numbers in two weeks on vacation anyway, so would prefer to save that if possible and just pay 25c per message as and when I need to.

And I have to pre-purchase enough credit (over and above the basic plan price, data pack, international pack, etc) for whatever non-allowance phone calls I might want to make?

Sorry for all the questions, but they do seem to try to make it as complex as possible - over here you pretty much just pay and use, and everything comes out of the whatever credit you have on the phone as you use it and fixed rates.

Andre

[adidaskid808]

Hello Andre,
   Well,They do 'nickel-and-dime' the life out of you thereafter!
  ilikewireless forgot to tell you, there is a state sales tax add on
  the price of the plan if you active your SIM card with a New York phone number.

  And the 911 access fee.

   Not like in UK ,the 20% VAT was inc.in the price.

   Cheers,and have fun in New york

[ilikewireless ACE - Czar]

The $25 monthly plan and the $50 monthly unlimited plan is for national calls, and global SMS. International calls are included in the $10/250 minutes ILD package, outside of the monthly plans. You can buy a $100 refill that gives you 365 days expiration. I think I have listed all your options in my previous post. It is a lot of materials to digest in one post. So I suggest that you read the post again. If I have left out any details in my previous post, you can read the complete official guide here: http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pyg-cell-phone-plans.jsp If there is anything not covered in the posts or links, I will be happy to fill in.

[andrewilley]

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adidaskid808 wrote:

there is a state sales tax add on the price of the plan if you active your SIM card with a New York phone number.

  And the 911 access fee.

---

---

911 access fee? You guys get charged for calling the emergency services!?!?!? In the UK, those calls are free on any phone (even one without any credit, in fact even one without a SIM card).

So there are also state charges/taxes based on the type of number you select then? I'll be mostly using this SIM in Florida, on this and future trips, although I'll actually be buying the plan in New York (as we'll be stopping by there for a few days first). What extra will I need to pay for a Florida number, and how do I set it up for Florida as my 'main use' location?

Sorry, so many questions!

Andre

[andrewilley]

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ilikewireless wrote:
International calls are included in the $10/250 minutes ILD package, outside of the monthly plans.

---

Thanks again. I don't think (from wading through all the many and varied documents on the AT&T website) that calls to UK mobiles are included in the ILD package, those seem to cost 49c/minute. As I'd be mostly be calling mobiles, it might be best to just pay out of credit balance, rather than buying a $10 plan that I won't get any real benefit from.

Also, there seems to be some confusion about international texts - the site says 25c outgoing, but if they're included in that $25 plan then that's great!

Thanks for the $100 credit info, I'll buy that option if it lasts for a year, as I'll be back in the states in February and will want to re-activate a plan then, so it makes sense to buy now and I can judge how the credit actually gets used up once I start using it.

Andre

[ilikewireless ACE - Czar]

---

andrewilley wrote:

---

ilikewireless wrote:
International calls are included in the $10/250 minutes ILD package, outside of the monthly plans.

---

Thanks again. I don't think (from wading through all the many and varied documents on the AT&T website) that calls to UK mobiles are included in the ILD package, those seem to cost 49c/minute. As I'd be mostly be calling mobiles, it might be best to just pay out of credit balance, rather than buying a $10 plan that I won't get any real benefit from.

Also, there seems to be some confusion about international texts - the site says 25c outgoing, but if they're included in that $25 plan then that's great!

Thanks for the $100 credit info, I'll buy that option if it lasts for a year, as I'll be back in the states in February and will want to re-activate a plan then, so it makes sense to buy now and I can judge how the credit actually gets used up once I start using it.

Andre

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Thanks for catching my error. What I read is that you can buy $10 International minutes to get credit for airtime of 250 minutes - that would mean paying only $0.04/minute + $0.49/minute as opposed to paying $0.10/minute + $0.49/minute. So that's the benefit of the $10 International minutes.

Unfortunately, I read that you may call UK landline but you may not be able to call to UK Mobile as AT&T web site says http://www.att.com/shop/Upper_Funnel_Promo_Modals/Wireless_Promo_Modals/prepaid-international-ld.htm...

"Also, there seems to be some confusion about international texts - the site says 25c outgoing, but if they're included in that $25 plan then that's great!"

That 25c outgoing is for the 0.10/minute plan, a plan in its own right. I see where the confusion is. There are 4 plans to choose from:

1.  $50 monthly unlimited (no per minute charge because it is unlimited for any US states - exclude International)
2.  $25 monthly ($0.10/minute only if you exceed 250 minutes - exclude International)
3.  $2/day (for any calls within the US)
4.  $0.10 per minute (for any calls within the US)

The $0.10 per minute plan is a plan in itself and it can be confused with $0.10 a minute that is considered the regular charge of $0.10/minute for charges over and above the 250 minutes limit of the $10 International minutes. Also $0.10/minute would be charged if you exceed 250 minutes while on the $25 plan.

Next, here's the deal about being charged by the message. Each row in the Plan Chart consists of a plan so that the per message charge only applies to the $0.10 a minute plan.

"Thanks for the $100 credit info, I'll buy that option if it lasts for a year, as I'll be back in the states in February and will want to re-activate a plan then, so it makes sense to buy now and I can judge how the credit actually gets used up once I start using it."

You're welcome.

[adidaskid808]

Hello Andre,
       The 911 access fee is a monthly fee taken from your account
balance ,it's between 30 cents to 75 cents a month.
       It's the same if you have a Florida number,State sales Tax
 do need to be added. Most Easten U.S.State do have sales tax.
 

   I think you will active your SIM and plan in an AT&T store in
 New York,right??Ask them for a Florida 'main use' number at that time.

    I am also a Brit,but I live in Canada,I come back to UK every 5 to 6
 months,so I know how's UK mobile phones works.For AT&T, I drive down south
every 2 months for shopping,so a US cell phone number  an Ipad data plan is a must

Cheers

[ilikewireless ACE - Czar]

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adidaskid808 wrote:

Hello Andre,
       The 911 access fee is a monthly fee taken from your account
balance ,it's between 30 cents to 75 cents a month.
       It's the same if you have a Florida number,State sales Tax
 do need to be added. Most Easten U.S.State do have sales tax.
 

   I think you will active your SIM and plan in an AT&T store in
 New York,right??Ask them for a Florida 'main use' number at that time.

    I am also a Brit,but I live in Canada,I come back to UK every 5 to 6
 months,so I know how's UK mobile phones works.For AT&T, I drive down south
every 2 months for shopping,so a US cell phone number  an Ipad data plan is a must

Cheers

---

@adidaskid808:

Thanks for the 911 info and other information.

We surely appreciate you for sharing your experience, and for participating in discussions.

[ilikewireless ACE - Czar]

Oops. I have to make corrections to one of my posts above (3 messages back).

Here's the revision: 

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Thanks for catching my error. What I read is that you can buy $10 International minutes to get credit for airtime of 250 minutes - that would mean paying only $0.04/minute + $0.49/minute as opposed to paying $0.10/minute + $0.49/minute. So that's the benefit of the $10 International minutes.

Unfortunately, I read that you may call UK landline but you may not be able to call to UK Mobile as AT&T web site says http://www.att.com/shop/Upper_Funnel_Promo_Modals/Wireless_Promo_Modals/prepaid-international-ld.ht....

"Also, there seems to be some confusion about international texts - the site says 25c outgoing, but if they're included in that $25 plan then that's great!"

That 25c outgoing is for the 0.10/minute plan, a plan in its own right. I see where the confusion is. There are 4 plans to choose from:

1. $50 monthly unlimited (no per minute charge because it is unlimited for any US states - exclude International)
2. $25 monthly ($0.10/minute only if you exceed 250 minutes - exclude International)
3. $2/day (for any calls within the US)
4. $0.10 per minute (for any calls within the US)

The $0.10 per minute plan is a plan in itself and it can be confused with $0.10 a minute that is considered the regular charge of $0.10/minute for charges over and above the 250 minutes limit of the $10 International minutes. Also $0.10/minute would be charged if you exceed 250 minutes while on the $25 plan.

Next, here's the deal about being charged by the message. Each row in the Plan Chart consists of a plan so that the per message charge only applies to the $0.10 a minute plan.

---

"Thanks again. I don't think (from wading through all the many and varied documents on the AT&T website) that calls to UK mobiles are included in the ILD package, those seem to cost 49c/minute. As I'd be mostly be calling mobiles, it might be best to just pay out of credit balance, rather than buying a $10 plan that I won't get any real benefit from."

I think you got it right. You should be able to call UK mobile on the regular long distance rate. So it looks like minutes from the plan plus $0.49/minute. That ILD covers mostly landlines so that your best option is to just pay out of the credit balance, rather than choosing ILD.

"Also, there seems to be some confusion about international texts - the site says 25c outgoing, but if they're included in that $25 plan then that's great!"

Yep. It looks to me like the $25 plan ($50 plan) includes unlimited International texts but no MMS to/from International destinations.

"Thanks for the $100 credit info, I'll buy that option if it lasts for a year, as I'll be back in the states in February and will want to re-activate a plan then, so it makes sense to buy now and I can judge how the credit actually gets used up once I start using it.

Andre"

You're welcome.

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[adidaskid808]

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/gophoneE911.jsp

 This make things clear about the 911 access fees (E911) .

No wonder my friends in Washington State told me they got it.

I don't,because I had an Oregon State number

[andrewilley]

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adidaskid808 wrote:

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/gophoneE911.jsp

 This make things clear about the 911 access fees (E911) .

No wonder my friends in Washington State told me they got it.

I don't,because I had an Oregon State number

---

Thanks, looks like New York and Florida don't charge, which works for me.

Andre