Anybody from Indianapolis?

[durendal]

Ok, this will be my first time starting a topic about a trip I'm going to, since usually I don't say a word where I'm going.  Tomorrow, I'm going back to Indianapolis, US, for a business conference.  I would like to ask about prepaid sim cards.  Since our local network charge exorbitant amount for data roaming, I was thinking if I should just buy a prepaid sim while I'm in the US to save on data charges.  I need my email and we'll be staying at a different hotal this time which I'm not sure if they have wifi access. 

 

I snooped around online and found the prepaid sim of T-mobile to be a viable option.  But how much will this initially cost me?  I saw that they charge $3 a day for unlimited data, and for one week that's around $21 (which is way cheaper since I'll be paying around $100 for data roaming using our local network).  But what is the minimum amount I need to pay for this?  How much does a prepaid micro-sim cost?  Can I just walk into a T-mobile store and ask for a prepaid micro-sim?  I'll be staying there for only one week so I'd like to know how much I need to spend for data using a local sim.  Any advice would be highly appreciated.

[durendal]

I guess nobody is from the US much less indianapolis. Oh well, i guess I'll just try my luck when i get there. Currently in japan waiting for my next flight. Shame too, i might have picked up something nice for the stand up guy who was willing to help me. Perhaps next time then.

[*YoungGuyver]

what are your connecting flights?  Any stops in YVR (Vancouver?)

Sorry, just read this now

[*Jess♥]

I don't know how it works in america, only the uk.

I might guess that it is similar to if I got a pre-pay sim here.

in that case, the sim itself is free and they usually charge the amount that is 'pre-loaded' if you get my meaning.

so I would imagine I pay £5 for a pre-pay sim and that comes with £5 of credit.

then I could top up that credit in convenience stores and other national chains.

I think you can also top up with credit card, but I dunno if it works with international credit cards. should do I guess.

[*guyverfan]

be sure that the phone you have which your planning on putting the new sim in is unlocked from your current comm provider and that its quad band/3g/4g capable. as different countries use different frequencies for mobile phones.

phone manufacturers by default make their phones universal, but, most communication companies preorder phones to only work on their network/frequency in their country and on sell these phones through their stores,online direct and also offer them as upgrades to their excisting customers.(some of these phones are unable to be unlocked due to onboard circuitry not being complete and can't be used in other countries that use different frequencies.)

i did research this quite afew years ago before my first overseas trip, unfortunately due to A.D.D and a bad memory i really can't offer too much more assistance.

i personally haven't travelled to the US but would think that its the same here in oz and a few other places ive travelled to in asia.

there will be a charge for the sim itself plus the amount cap itself.

ive personally found that around $30-$80 deals give me around the 500-1000mb web access(which is plenty if you only surf, google, email and don't do much downloading) and still phone and text everyone back home everyday for about a month!

you may want to redirect all your emails to your personal home email address or msn/hotmail account and check them through your home providers web page, as you won't be able to access your phone email account. eg, gmail, etc.

you'll also need to set up a new phone email account if you want to send and receive emails direct from your phone.

i use to have an old samsung 900i and had to do all this manually, i've only just recently upgraded to a samsung2 but havn't been anywhere yet so i can't tell you if the new 'smartphones' actually are able to remember all your accounts and link them to your new sim? guess you'll find out.

a good website for phone combatibility i've found is gsm arena.

Edited May 16, 2013 by guyverfan

[*guyverfan]

ooohhh, i forgot to mention, not too sure about the range of sims at the local 711's over there, but when in doubt, just drop into a wallmart/kmart or shopping mall, whichever you come across first.

im sure there's plenty more i can tell but 5am in the morning here, just finished work and been awake for over twenty hours,memory is distant, starting to get really tired, need some sleep as i start to ramble on and on and blahblahblahblahblahuuuurrrrrgggghhhhhhhzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzsnor.....

Edited May 16, 2013 by guyverfan

[durendal]

Thanks for the tips guys.unfortunately, I'm no where near vancouver. I'm currently in detroit coming from japan to my final destination in Indianapolis. I'm pretty sure my phones are capable of the frequencies in the US since I've been here before. I'm also pretty sure my phone is unlocked despite it coming from the carrier. (Long story, but based on info I gathered its unlocked, just can't test it since I don't know anyone with a microsim. ). Anyway, walmart is one of my destinations, so I guess ill go check it out later.

[*YoungGuyver]

If you do swing by here, just give advance notice so the schedule can permit (random internet checks and such).

 

Just in case, when I wanted my cell unlocked for the sim card, the people at Fido were able to help me find a store that would unlock it for me.  The main phone companies didn't want to do it themselves.  The charge was only $25.  But you said you won't have that issue.  Just in case.

[durendal]

Walked into a verizon store and they said they couldn't help me as they don't support unlocked phones. They pointed me to at&t which is just right next door. Walked into at&t, they can support unlocked phones but for calls and text only. No data. I don't need call and text, i need data for my emails. So they tell me there's nothing they can do for me. What a let down for two of the largest carriers. I hope i don't experience the same in t-mobile. Now i get why everyone is complaining about their carriers. But at least the customer rep at these stores are friendly. Now i wonder where i can find a convenient t-mobile store.

[*YoungGuyver]

In Indianapolis:

-2 W Washington St   317-423-2366

-4557 Lafayette Rd    317-297-1049

-3540 W 86th St         317-334-0620

In Indianapolis:

-2 W Washington St   317-423-2366

-4557 Lafayette Rd    317-297-1049

-3540 W 86th St         317-334-0620

In Canada, the Fido store I was at was telling me they needed my phone unlocked before they could serve me.  So if Tmobile doesn't work, they may be a good alternative.  Don't know about the data on them though.  You seem to be going pretty intensive on this.  You must be in the states for a while then

[durendal]

Not really, just staying for a week, but it's a royal pain in the butt without data as i need to check my email from time to time. Not to mention for other uses like navigation and stuffs. Thanks for the address, i think the one in washington is just around the block. But i don't think i have the time and I'll be heading back in a few days so it's kinda pointless now. But at least i know the next time i come back. Besides, if i understand you correctly, it seems that tmobile wouldn't work.

[*Jess♥]

that's a real pain in the backside!

I don't understand why those companies turn away a customer like that. I have never experienced anything like that in the uk.

I mean, I have never heard of a sim that is designed to not work in an unlocked phone. seems ridiculous. I mean, what if somebody just bought a phone outright? they would deny the customer? are they stupid?

maybe this is one of the reasons the US economy is suffering so much.

[*guyverfan]

Wow, really sorry to here about the ordeal your having, and to me it sounded like they were trying to sell you a new phone to go with a sim card you wanted.
Looking at tmobiles website, they mention you can use your existing phone with their sim. Access fee as low as $10 but no mention of cost for sim card and join fee. Also mentions data access for ipads and laptops.
I guess if your only there for couple more days, look for a quiet internet cafe.
Navigation does come handy, that's why i love my old i900, has gps chip built in, doesn't require sim card to operate.

Edited May 20, 2013 by guyverfan