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Where do you buy nano sim cards in the USA? Which carrier?

Fastfwd75
Explorer
Explorer
Here I would go to the carrier's own shop. In my travels I have found that many hotels carry sim cards.

I have an unlocked iPhone 5s(nano sim) and would like a large data plan. 3+GB. Talk is not necessary; text could be useful but not a must have.

I will be crossing into the USA in NY state probably by highway 87 near Plattsburg. The data is important as it will our main source of navigation. Coverage is also important and we are headed for Moab and possibly Yellowstone, Las Vegas and California.

So which carrier for best coverage and best prices for a prepaid 3GB+ nano-sim? Do I buy at the carrier's store? Wallmart? Other?
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11 REPLIES 11

Skid_Row_Joe
Explorer
Explorer
Charlie D. wrote:
Check the phones on Straight Talk. I just purchased a no-contract Smart Phone from Wal-Mart and the $45/month plan. It uses the Verizon network.
How much $ was the Smart Phone? Which model?

paulcardoza
Explorer
Explorer
Be careful. Your phone is GSM/LTE. If you are going to be traveling a lot, you need a GSM/LTE compatible SIM and service. Verizon MIGHT would for you when in their LTE coverage areas, but off the beaten path you'll likely have no service with them.

T-Mobile has spotty coverage footprint as well.

Personally, I would look at a prepaid service from AT&T, or with a re-seller that uses the AT&T network.
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MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
You want to buy a sim card for data only service with text msg
I don't think you are going to find that
You still need know what tech your phone is
GSM or CDMA~LTE to find the correct virtual carrier
I phone 5, is available with for both types of service

Fastfwd75 wrote:
Here I would go to the carrier's own shop. In my travels I have found that many hotels carry sim cards.

I have an unlocked iPhone 5s(nano sim) and would like a large data plan. 3+GB. Talk is not necessary; text could be useful but not a must have.

I will be crossing into the USA in NY state probably by highway 87 near Plattsburg. The data is important as it will our main source of navigation. Coverage is also important and we are headed for Moab and possibly Yellowstone, Las Vegas and California.

So which carrier for best coverage and best prices for a prepaid 3GB+ nano-sim? Do I buy at the carrier's store? Wallmart? Other?
I can explain it to you.
But I Can Not understand it for you !

....

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Charlie_D_
Explorer
Explorer
Check the phones on Straight Talk. I just purchased a no-contract Smart Phone from Wal-Mart and the $45/month plan. It uses the Verizon network.
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drleen
Explorer
Explorer
You can buy a Straight Talk micro sim at Walmart for $15. Then you can buy a 30 day plan for $45 that gives you 2+GB data, unlimited talk & text. Straight Talk uses the AT&T grid. I have used them for several years on an unlocked iphone.

blw2
Explorer
Explorer
Verizon will generally give you the best coverage accross the US
AT&T is probably the next best, arguably better in some areas
then comes T-Mobile and Sprint, which are great in many areas
the other no-named carriers, at least all the ones I know of use the sprint network, as third party re-sellers
There are some other more regional carriers
These carriers all have coverage maps, which by my estimation are a bit 'optimistic' but they'll give you an idea if you know exactly where you'll be going.

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Dick_A
Explorer
Explorer
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Nutinelse2do
Explorer
Explorer
Bought one from TMobile for $6
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wandering1
Explorer
Explorer
Why don't you post this in the Technology Corner forum?
HR

wilber1
Explorer
Explorer
Check out roammobility.com. Haven't used them yet but looks interesting.
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Ranger_Smith
Explorer
Explorer
You can get a straighttalk nano sim at walmart for around 15 bucks
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