sim cards

[Fairground]

Hi all

I have an unlocked mobile phone has anyone got any experiance buying pre paid or pay as you go mobile phone sims?

Is it best to buy before you go(ebay) or get one when you get there?

I have read a recent thread regarding buying a cheap mobile from wall mart with credit included but I would not like this idea as I want to use my own phone and be able to phone out as soon as possible.

I wonder if site owners have considered adding a sim service?[msnwink]

Thanks Chris

[Kazzie]

Chris,

Since you want to use your phone as soon as possible it is probably better buying a sim card before you go.

Many villa owners already include free international call packages from their villa phone and as it is so cheap for guests to buy either a sim card to fit their own mobile or buy a new mobile with credit already included, I honestly dont think it necessary to include sim cards in with the villa package.

[Snapper]

Hi Chris,

Check out eBay for the T-Mobile SIMs. I can't remember the exact details (although I could probably find one given a few minutes). They run to something like $15 and come with something like $10 worth of airtime.

They need registering in the US but the chappie who sells them does all this for you. You just bung the SIM into your phone and away you go.

Last time I looked you could also pay a little extra to get a SIM localised with a Florida area code - so local calls would work out a little less.

I'll have a quick dig around and see what I can find ...

[Snapper]

Here you go Chris, here's an example: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/KIKIR002

If you search eBay for T-Mobile USA Sim Card or similar you should find heaps of options.

Do read the Ts&Cs. The minutes and phone numbers will expire after a few months if you don't top up the minutes.

If you are a frequent traveller to the US this shouldn't be a worry as you can either keep topping them up or look for a longer term solution.

If you aren't a frequent traveller to the US this shouldn't be a worry either - just use the minutes, enjoy having a local US number (and so making sure the office back home can't get you [msnwink]) soak up the sunshine, have a great time and just bin the card when you are done with it.

[florida4sun]

Stating the obvious make sure it is tri band. I have a tri band phone but will end up buying a virgin phone out here as they cost as little as £7.50 with minutes.<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Fairground
Hi all

I have an unlocked mobile phone has anyone got any experiance buying pre paid or pay as you go mobile phone sims?

Is it best to buy before you go(ebay) or get one when you get there?

I have read a recent thread regarding buying a cheap mobile from wall mart with credit included but I would not like this idea as I want to use my own phone and be able to phone out as soon as possible.

I wonder if site owners have considered adding a sim service?[msnwink

Thanks Chris[/quote]

[Fairground]

Thanks everyone ,what a great site!

My phone is a tri band, I must say that I like the idea of a cheap pre pay but can it be unlocked and used in the UK later?
Although thanks to link above for £20 ish you get a T Mobile sim with 200mins and 10c a min rate + 20 Mins to call back to your country! Sounds good, maybe too good. Anyone tried this sort of thing?

Thanks Chris

[Karen]

Chris, we use a T-mobile card when we visit and it is very good. You can buy top up cards if you need extra minutes from lots of the shops.

[Majik]

We have bought several in the past. We keep one of them topped up for ourselves and buy a second new one each trip for our teenage children. They can then go to the parks or shopping on their own and still keep in touch with us.Bought one a few days ago on ebay for our trip next week. It is a $1 a day rate this time but can be converted to minutes.