The United States of America is a huge country and traveling to it can be very exciting. Along with the beautiful sights, your journey can also be expensive, as staying connected in the United States is not easy. If you don’t have a USA phone number, you will be charged a hefty roaming fee.
A local phone number allows you to contact relatives, friends, order cabs and make reservations at establishments in the United States of America. Getting a SIM card in the United States is easy, as the application process only takes a few minutes and you can start using it right away.
Currently, one of the main options to stay connected to the United States of America is to get a prepaid SIM card, a card with fixed features that you pay for when you purchase the card. Before you purchase a prepaid SIM card, make sure your device is compatible with it. Once activated, you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of a regular data plan.
Below, we have prepared a rating of the three most popular communication providers with prepaid SIM card feature.
- The first on our list will be the AT&T operator. This company is known for its wide coverage area. AT&T has stronger coverage in rural areas than other carriers, making it a great choice if you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the road.
The service package costs $30 for 5 GB of high-speed internet. You should always check your device’s compatibility with AT&T online before signing up. This package allows you to use mobile hotspot and SMS in over 100 countries.
AT&T has another package in case you need more than 5 GB, for $40 you get 15 GB of mobile internet. You can purchase an AT&T prepaid SIM card either online or in person at an AT&T, Target, Best Buy and Walmart store.
- Second place in our rankings goes to T-Mobile. T-Mobile offers some best prepaid SIM card plans in the United States. T-Mobile’s network has some of the widest coverage and fastest speeds in the country.
T-Mobile has four prepaid plans to choose from, but the best option for most travelers is the T-10GB Mobile prepaid plan for $40 per month. This plan gives you access to unlimited calls and text messages within the U.S., up to 10 GB of mobile internet, and the creation of a free mobile hotspot. If you pay an additional $15, you get international calling feature and 5 GB of mobile data. Taxes and fees are not included, so you can spend more than $50 on this package.
- Closing our list of prepaid sim card operators is Orange. This is a great option for those visiting the United States, as Orange provides 10 GB of usage in the United States of America, in addition to 66 other countries.
You can purchase the SIM card online and fill in the necessary details of it as needed. This SIM card also works as a mobile hotspot and for a Wi-Fi modem.
One of the biggest disadvantages of this SIM card is that it does not allow you to make calls or messages, so this type of SIM card is better suited for travelers who are interested in internet access.
Thus, when choosing a prepaid SIM card for traveling in the United States of America, you should pay attention to the following factors: the cost of connection, the number of days during which your SIM card will be active, the number of GB included in the tariff plan, as well as the included features. For example, some operators offer to use the SIM card only for mobile Internet, some in turn include SMS messages or phone calls in the package.
When planning a trip to the United States of America, remember that roaming will likely cost you more than purchasing a local prepaid SIM card. Also be careful because in the United States, taxes, and other additional price surcharges are not included in the price, so the purchase price may increase. In any case, check in advance whether your device supports connection to a particular network.
