Prepaid Options when Travelling in USA

**mtbeercan** · 08-22-2011, 12:11 AM

Hi There,
I have an unlocked BELL 9700 Bold.
Any recommendations for a prepaid SIM when travelling in the USA?
BIS/Data would be nice, but even voice/text would probably be cheaper than Bell's Roaming rates.

What US carriers would work on my Bell 9700 Bold?

Any suggestions would be great....

T-mobile?
AT&T?
Sprint?

Thanks,
Sean

**costco1** · 08-22-2011, 06:09 PM

AT&T or T-mobile are your only option. 2G only with T-mo due to band difference

**312** · 08-22-2011, 07:08 PM

AT&T doesn't offer prepaid BIS. T-Mobile does. Unlimited talk/text/BIS for $63/month after tax. And by the way, your GSM 9700 won't work on Sprint or Verizon.

**kevinnugent** · 08-22-2011, 07:24 PM

So, can you just grab a $63 SIM, activate it and rock on?

If so, that's the way I'll go next visit! (We have family in NW US - and visit a lot). My last "roaming" bill was about $400!

**312** · 08-22-2011, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by kevinnugent

So, can you just grab a $63 SIM, activate it and rock on?

If so, that's the way I'll go next visit! (We have family in NW US - and visit a lot). My last "roaming" bill was about $400!

Technically, you have to pay for the SIM which can be $10-$20. (don't remember off the top of my head) But, yes...once you have a new SIM, $63 and you're ready to roll.

**312** · 08-22-2011, 07:29 PM

This is what you want: Prepaid Plans | Prepaid Cell Phone Plans | Prepaid Data Plans | T-Mobile

The $50/month unlimited everything, plus there's a $10 add on for BIS. (don't bother with the $70/month 4G plan, your phone will NOT get 4G or even 3G) Total after tax (for me) came to $63.

**kevinnugent** · 08-22-2011, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by 312

This is what you want: Prepaid Plans | Prepaid Cell Phone Plans | Prepaid Data Plans | T-Mobile

The $50/month unlimited everything, plus there's a $10 add on for BIS. (don't bother with the $70/month 4G plan, your phone will NOT get 4G or even 3G) Total after tax (for me) came to $63.

Excellent! Thank you. Next time we're in Portland I'll grab one!

Regards
Kevin

**costco1** · 08-26-2011, 06:30 PM

If you are from Canada, there are unlimited North American data plans available from some carriers. Voice roaming has come down to as low as 20cents a minute.

**blackberry-unlocking710** · 10-13-2011, 12:12 PM

You can get a Pre paid Blackberry Data plan with T-Mobile.. i don't know if they still have it but they sure used to sell SIM cards with pre paid Blackberry data services same as Orange in Europe.

**312** · 10-13-2011, 12:16 PM

Simple Mobile now has the best deal. $50 unlimited everything, including BIS.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**method76** · 11-07-2011, 02:09 PM

Hi, I'm a newbie. I also have a BB 9700 from Bell. Can I pop in a virgin mobile US SIM card into my 9700 or do I have to unlock it first (assuming virgin mobile will let me)?

in general, do i have to unlock my phone?

**TanGyal** · 12-31-2011, 02:31 PM

Yes the phone needs to be unlocked. Mind you, if the phone is still under warranty Bell will tell you that unlocking it voids the warranty.

**brisbanebroncos** · 05-24-2012, 07:48 PM

Hi I am travelling to the US from Australia for 3 weeks and i have an unlocked bold 9900, would the $63 option from t mobile would that be my best option, need phone calls, bbm and text.
Any suggestions would be great.