Hi
I currently live in the UK, but am emigrating to Massachusetts (New Bedford) soon.
I upgraded my O2 XDA II, to an O2 XDA II S primarily for the quad band, and to give a greater network choice when I get to the USA.
Being new to the states (no credit history etc) I will go PAYG to avoid the huge deposits they want from someone with no credit history.
Can anyone suggest a good network both price and customer satisfaction? Are Virgin any good in the USA - I see they use the Sprint PCS network - They certainly are cheap in the uK!
Also if I did upgrade again to a HTC Universal / XDA Exec, what networks in the USA have good network coverage using just the tri band (900/1800/1900?) as apposed to the quad band (850/900/1800/1900).
Cheers for any help or advice!
Dude, how did you get the visa? I went to California for 9 months as part of my degree, all I'm trying to do now is get back after I finish this year!
As for Virgin, no dice on that. Virgin/Sprint use CDMA (not GSM which is what SIM cards are designed for).
I've not heard of the deposits you're talking about, all I knew is you needed a social security number (which I didn't have), but I guess you know more about that than me. T-Mobile let couples talk for free, so if you are going over to live with a girlfriend or something, that might be ideal, but you both need a T-Mobile contract :roll:
I was on ATT Wireless (now Cingular) GoPhone when I was there. It's PAYG, but lets you pay automagically when you run out of cash or the month is up, so it's like a contract but you don't need the credit check. Or you can just do normal top-ups. The rates aren't exactly stellar, but it's a safe bet. Cingular reception was never great for me (had to walk to a very specific window in my house if I wanted to make calls), but in the US you live with the fact the whole country isn't covered.
Cingular should also let you do a SIM only deal at their stores (not online) which saves you 80 bucks buying a phone you won't use.
Don't have any dealings with Verizon, they are bad people. Metro PCS seem to have a good plan (40 bucks each month, all you can talk) but I don't know if that's on CDMA or if that needs a credit check as well.
Don't forget to unlock your phone before you leave!
And how *did* you get that visa?
Chris
Hey, send me a PM as I am moving from UK to Boston, MA with my job in October too! I'll be working in Framingham but I'll live in Boston.
Anyway, I think your best bet is Cingular or T-Mobile as you'll want the same data services as you have here in the UK. e.g. Verizon uses CDMA (not GSM)
As for Visas, I'm working on that now. A company will need to sponsor you. The US government grants 65,000 H-1B visas annually and this is currently oversubscribed. A new allotment of 65,000 visas comes in on October 1st when the new congressional year begins. So if you apply now you won't get one before October 1st which is what I'm aiming at. If you have a masters degree or similar the US make an extra 20,000 visas available to these persons. (that category is not currently oversubscribed).
To get one for October 1st would mean the sponsoring company would need to pay a $1,000 premium which pushes the descision process to within 3 business weeks and get the application off ASAP, like last week. (not done mine yet...)
Lewisham said:
And how *did* you get that visa?
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was an extremely long and hard process (not entirely for me), but I will be getting a fabled GREEN CARD in the next month or two, as being a spouse I get the same visa.
My wife is a nurse - a skill they are in dire need of (like every other country around the world). She was sponsored by a nursing agency, revised for 6 months then had to fly to Atlanta to take NCLEX which is the American nursing license. We are currently awaiting Packet 4, the final interview at the London embassy, all the other stages complete. I have got to have a big pile of injections to on Friday, MMR etc which I can't prove I have had over here <OUCH>
It's been a long process, quite often stressful with loads of running around and calling people to find out if they have done there job properly!
The only otherways to get a Greencard straight away, invest $1 million dollars in a business, or marry an American........... Otherwise you just get temporary Visas (H-1B etc) where they can kick you out of the country at any time! Not good if you buy a house etc.... But you can try to get a Green card once in position of having a visa, but it's a slow process, usually 6 - 8 years!
Good luck though, with determination you can do it!
Saldous, I will PM you.....
I never noticed this thread before
First of all welcome to the state - I live in MA too - live in Salem, work in Boston.
There are several GSM pay-as-you-go options:
Carriers:
T-mobile with PAYG: http://www.t-mobile.com/prepaid/rates.asp
Cingular with GoPhone: http://www.cingular.com/myaccount/prepaid
MVNO:
1. Oxygen
2. Locus Wireless GSM
3. CallPlus Wireless GSM
4. POP
http://www.icallplus.com/2html/wireless.html?PHPSESSID=ccb69a994a490423b31b019f4a272adb
5. 7-eleven prepaid: www.7eleven.com (you have to buy a phone, but you can just use the SIM and resell the phone on ebay )
GSM you cannot use:
1. Net10 (www.net10.com)
2. TracFone (www.tracfone.co)
While the two above are GSM prepaid services and do have SIM cards, the SIM serial is tied to an IMEI of a phone with custom firmware. I have not been able to use my TracFone SIM in any "standard" GSM phone
Also for more info on pay as you go worldwide: www.prepaidgsm.net
and/or www.howardforums.com (in the prepaid forum there is a sticky).
BTW: CDMA carriers do use SIM cards (they call them RUIMs). CDMA Carriers in North america, japan and korea don't use SIMs, but there are phones coming out with RUIM capability hopefully all CDMA systems in the future will feature SIM cards
Ok quick question for all you geniuses out there in XDA land.
I want this phone but I am not sure how to go about getting it.
I bought the Touch HD in the UK from my girlfriends provider, she got a new contract and i just bought her a new phone and she kept the SIM.
I hated the fact that there was no keypad on that phone and it drove me crazy so i sold it.
NOW~
I want the TP2, i can get it in the UK with a min plan ( i plan on moving there next year anyway) and this way i can pay monthly on it and will get all the goodies the phone was intended to have that the US markets kill, much like every other HTC phone I have had in the past.
OR~
I can wait for it to come out thru AT&T but wont be able to get a discount on it till November when my contract exp. (lame). Plus who knows what will be removed from the phone and how much it will cost to buy outright here.
I guess I will be losing 3G again as the bands are not the same right?
Other than that I have front facing camera and all the other goodies that come with the phone.
Suggestions?
thanks
I'm coming to the end of my UK T-Mobile contact and I'm planning to get a Touch Pro 2.
It looks like the best deal is the MobilePhonesDirect on T-Mobile but to keep my number I'll need to go from T-Mobile to another operator before I can transfer my number back to T-Mobile as a new contract.
Any recommendations who I should transfer to first? Anyone I should avoid?
Thanks
you might not have to....
ive just started up a 2nd contract with Orange (so i could get TP2 through phones4U) and found that i could cancel my original contract and be left with its number on a pay as you go sim
then theyll happily take the number from that and attach it to my new contract.
the only downside is I cant get the PAYG sim until my 30 days notice is up on the older contract so ive got the number from the second contract for a bit...but you could time it better, and im sure most/all operators would do it.
did it with 3
no problems at all
g
Hi,
next month i'll move to London for work and i'm starting to look around for a good phone operator with convenient internet data plans.
Since i still don't know how long i'll stay, but i still need a UK phone number, i'd like to buy a sim without contract and pay an extra each month for a data plan.
Any advice is welcome, i was looking on orange and t-mobile sites but i'm sure there're other carriers around the uk.
Thanks in advance
3 are looking good with the One Plan but no idea on what they're like as a company
Sim only contracts can be cancelled at any time with one months notice. They start from £10-15 and you get much more for your money over payg with an internet add on.
I used to be with 3 on a sim only £15 contract, 300 minutes, a gig of internet, and unlimited texts.
I am on the o2 pay as you go network and I top-up £15.00 each month which gives me unlimited internet access and virtually unlimited text messaging. I signed up to this offer some time ago but certain that even now the plan is the same. On the whole I have been with o2 for many years and not encountered any major problems.
Regards
Scott
Three are good but their customer service is horrible. Your best bet is probably O2 as you can get pay and go offers or a month contract.
Orange and T-Mobile have merged and you will be able to use either network. For 3G, Three have the best network, followed by Orange/T-mobile, Vodafone then O2. I have no idea about deals, but whatever deal you go for, you will need a decent signal
Thanks guys
Ok, i'll start looking on Three site then, but if sim contracts can be cancelled with one month notice i'll probably look for one of those then.
EDIT:
T-Mobile plans are interesting, with 10£/month you get a sim with 100 minutes and 100 sms included each month plus one "booster" for free, since i need a data plan with them i can get one for "free".
Looks interesting, atleast i got a base price.
I was looking to get it from Samsung. com and wanted to make sure if it will work fine (all the bands) on T-Mobile. I checked with Verizon and they said I wouldn't have to unlock it and it should be already unlocked.
My verizon version arrived today and I want to use it on Cricket. Fist boot looks positive showing LTE and 3 bars, but halfway through initial setup LTE disappears and prompt shows that alternate SIMS cannot be used at this time. From the little I have researched looks like since a few months ago Verizon phones no longer come unlocked out of box and require you to activate on their network. Upon activation the phone should automatically be unlocked within 48 hours.
I jumped on xda to see if there was an unlocked firmware i can flash to avoid that, and if I find something... if i dont update it means I never did and probably asked a family member whose on Verizon to use my phone for a few days until its unlocked.
*update/edit*
Just to clarify, my first boot had an alternate sim in(Mint mobile). Next boot I tried with the provided Verizon sim, and got through the initial setup screens choosing to skip the Verizon account setup. Then tried switching the sims, which prompted me to restart. Upon restart I again see LTE and 3 bars while booting. Once booting is complete I see the gray antenna mark with the "x" again. So still no good. Havent seen a release of an unlocked firmware yet, except for one paid service ($4). Not willing to pay for something that should be free... yet. SO I will keep looking
Similar issue, did you ever find a solution? Third party unlocks via ebay also do not support the Verizon or Sprint version it seems.
Ended up biting the bullet and paying for a month, but its prorated so I figure should get 90% of the money back -$20 fee for opening the line. Also rakuten has $75 cashback for opening a new verizon line. So not too bad. Might even make money in the end.
Anyway here is my process:
1. Get a plan - $55 single device plan is the cheapest you can get
2. Stick sim in and it will activate fairly quickly (less than 10 minutes, likely less that 5)
3. Wait 12-24 hours. Might not be necessary but I did this anyway
3. Create Verizon online account and login
4. Chat with agent and ask them to unlock the phone (do not call, it takes longer and they are worthless)
I did this, and immediately swapped out the sim and put it in another Verizon A50 bought from samsung and it quickly activated, Waited 12 hours and chatted with another agent. Now I have two unlocked, and if I get that $75 cashback the cost will be under $15.
($55 + $20 activation fee + tax = ~$90) - $75 cashback = $15 + prorated return on the $55
Thanks, may try that if flashing to the canadian version A-505W fails. Usually Canadian and US samsung phones are the same hardware and firmware compatible. This seems more like a software lock on Verizon firmware than a true SIM lock as those would not register any signal from a different provider for any length of time (which these do) and ask for an unlock code which in the case of these is no where to be found or entered.
Would activating on a prepaid Verizon plan works or does it have to be post pay?
moku160 said:
My verizon version arrived today and I want to use it on Cricket. Fist boot looks positive showing LTE and 3 bars, but halfway through initial setup LTE disappears and prompt shows that alternate SIMS cannot be used at this time. From the little I have researched looks like since a few months ago Verizon phones no longer come unlocked out of box and require you to activate on their network. Upon activation the phone should automatically be unlocked within 48 hours.
I jumped on xda to see if there was an unlocked firmware i can flash to avoid that, and if I find something... if i dont update it means I never did and probably asked a family member whose on Verizon to use my phone for a few days until its unlocked.
*update/edit*
Just to clarify, my first boot had an alternate sim in(Mint mobile). Next boot I tried with the provided Verizon sim, and got through the initial setup screens choosing to skip the Verizon account setup. Then tried switching the sims, which prompted me to restart. Upon restart I again see LTE and 3 bars while booting. Once booting is complete I see the gray antenna mark with the "x" again. So still no good. Havent seen a release of an unlocked firmware yet, except for one paid service ($4). Not willing to pay for something that should be free... yet. SO I will keep looking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol i dont think u will get an "unlocked" firmware on the A50 since it is a exynos chipset and the "unlocked" firmware you speak of assuming you mean U1 firmware ive only ever seen on qualcomm..
to add, it sounds like ur device is probably unlocked but u need to set the apns and network mode.. vzw typically uses LTE/CDMA/UMTS or something rather whereas tmo uses GSM n other modes..
on my A10e from tmo it works with vzw and tmo and spr etc etc but usually i need to play with the modes and apns to get it just right..
to add, if it was still locked itd tell you.. usually something about using a non vzw sim or simply say the device is locked etc etc
undertaker2k14 said:
Thanks, may try that if flashing to the canadian version A-505W fails. Usually Canadian and US samsung phones are the same hardware and firmware compatible. This seems more like a software lock on Verizon firmware than a true SIM lock as those would not register any signal from a different provider for any length of time (which these do) and ask for an unlock code which in the case of these is no where to be found or entered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct.. wat ppl r describing in here seems to me the devices r unlocked lol.. wat i noticed on my tmo a10e is that it seems the carrier configs are not switching over properly at times so it might seem like its locked but it isnt..
then again my tmo a10e is sim/carrier locked.. chimera tool is pretty good.. they have a paid feature they recently added called carrier relock.. instead of unlocking the sim they lock the device to up to 64 carriers which works the same as a sim unlock without actually sim unlocking lol.. quite clever i must say..
i get a vzw a50 tomorrow and will b testing it out on tmo and will try to remember to report back here..
romeo0119 said:
Would activating on a prepaid Verizon plan works or does it have to be post pay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
id research that if i were u.. go to vzw site and view the device unlock policy.. sometimes prepaid has different policies.. if its purchased for vzw postpaid then might need to b activated on postpaid.. prepaid might require a longer timeframe possibly as most prepaid carriers have a time frame such as 50 days or somethin
elliwigy said:
id research that if i were u.. go to vzw site and view the device unlock policy.. sometimes prepaid has different policies.. if its purchased for vzw postpaid then might need to b activated on postpaid.. prepaid might require a longer timeframe possibly as most prepaid carriers have a time frame such as 50 days or somethin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea seems like it’s 60 days for prepaid, I might just open a line and cancel after a month.
romeo0119 said:
Yea seems like it’s 60 days for prepaid, I might just open a line and cancel after a month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I asked the question about unlocking at my local Xfnity store. They said they want to see it activated for 60-90 days (she wasn't sure exactly how long) on the Xfinity mobile plan (postpaid only available) before they will entertain any unlock requests. They only sell the phone if you bundle it with some sort of plan. I believe the US carriers with the A50 (Sprint, Verizon, Xfinity) will want you to activate it on their network first for a specific length of time before they will unlock it. She said it will work on any US carrier after unlocking, but she was unsure whether the phone will automatically rebrand like the higher end Samsung phones.
As far as I can tell the only out-of-the-box unlocked phones available in the USA are grey market. Their specs are not identical to the multi-CSC A505U version that is sold in the US that support the domestic carrier bands (and features like wifi calling.)
I asked Verizon and they said 60 days, doesn’t matter post or prepaid. I think it will depend on the rep. I activated mine on the cheapest prepaid plan, will try to chat in a few days and ask them to unlock the phone. I don’t think it will be a problem.
Why Switch...
occams-razor said:
I asked the question about unlocking at my local Xfnity store. They said they want to see it activated for 60-90 day on the Xfinity mobile plan before they will entertain any unlock requests.. She said it will work on any US carrier after unlocking, but she was unsure whether the phone will automatically rebrand like the higher end Samsung phones.
As far as I can tell the only out-of-the-box unlocked phones available in the USA are grey market. specs are not identical to the multi-CSC A505U version that is sold in the US
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just sent back an Overpriced (IMO) Galaxy S9+ ($600.00) after tax (Amazon..) after using it for 14 days once I seen this deal at Xfinity for the Galaxy A50..
How The Hell can you beat $385.00 (Out The Door) with a $250.00 rebate after 3-4 Months using the service.. ?
$0.00 down.. and after making four $14.58 payments and applying the $250.00 rebate to the balance.. you throw $75.00 on top of that and your done.. for only $135.00 out of your pocket.. :angel:
And to top it off... Xfinity still has the cheapest Unlimited Plan That I see in the U.S.A. @ $45.00 a month.. Hell I was paying $50.00 on MetroPCS for the same thing.. and get better and faster coverage with Xfinity using Verizon's Towers.. :good:
The coverage may not be as good as using other carrier's for some of you.. I get that.. but, the price is consistent across the U.S.
This device is equal to the S9+ I just sent back minus the stereo speakers.. battery is superior.
For a Brand New device that has Samsung Pay and only cost the buyer $135.00 bucks.. This is a STEAL.
RaiderWill said:
I just sent back an Overpriced (IMO) Galaxy S9+ ($600.00) after tax (Amazon..) after using it for 14 days once I seen this deal at Xfinity for the Galaxy A50..
How The Hell can you beat $385.00 (Out The Door) with a $250.00 rebate after 3-4 Months using the service.. ?
$0.00 down.. and after making four $14.58 payments and applying the $250.00 rebate to the balance.. you throw $75.00 on top of that and your done.. for only $135.00 out of your pocket.. :angel:
And to top it off... Xfinity still has the cheapest Unlimited Plan That I see in the U.S.A. @ $45.00 a month.. Hell I was paying $50.00 on MetroPCS for the same thing.. and get better and faster coverage with Xfinity using Verizon's Towers.. :good:
The coverage may not be as good as using other carrier's for some of you.. I get that.. but, the price is consistent across the U.S.
This device is equal to the S9+ I just sent back minus the stereo speakers.. battery is superior.
For a Brand New device that has Samsung Pay and only cost the buyer $135.00 bucks.. This is a STEAL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was even a bigger steal before August 1st. You could buy the phone outright from XFinity with their "free" unlimited calling and text plan and not use any mobile data (it was $12/gig rounded up if you used it). Leave the plan after a couple of months and then you have an unlocked phone and $250. As of August 1st, the minimum charge per month changed to $12 after Xfinity realized what was going on. Only issue for some was the need to be an xfinity internet customer. So outright robbery is now just theft.
I Mean.. Really...
occams-razor said:
It was even a bigger steal before August 1st. You could buy the phone outright from XFinity with their "free" unlimited calling and text plan and not use any mobile data (it was $12/gig rounded up if you used it). Leave the plan after a couple of months and then you have an unlocked phone and $250. As of August 1st, the minimum charge per month changed to $12 after Xfinity realized what was going on. Only issue for some was the need to be an xfinity internet customer. So outright robbery is now just theft.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What You Are Stating Is Not Entirely Correct..
You still can NOT use Data.. and just pay the Sir-Charges..
These A50's ( Verizon's Sprint's and Xfinity's ) all released at: $349.00 + Tax..
In what State did someone sell you one for only $250.00 + Tax ???
Even with NOT using data.... and only using Wi-Fi for your connection to the Internet.. ( Which Most People Cannot Do.. ) you still have Sir-Charges of a few dollars a Month.
Finally... Please Tell Us....
What United States "U-Version" A50 Do You Have That Came With A "Carrier Unlocked Bootloader" ..
Every version I've seen does not even have the option in Developer Settings... So, you're saying you just Pop In any old Sim and it works for "You" ? :victory:
If Xfinity sold you a GSM / CDMA "Unlocked" version of this device ( ) AND you only paid $250.00 for it.. AND you can use it on any CDMA / GSM Carrier.. Then *Bully!* for you.
RaiderWill said:
What You Are Stating Is Not Entirely Correct..
You still can NOT use Data.. and just pay the Sir-Charges..
These A50's ( Verizon's Sprint's and Xfinity's ) all released at: $349.00 + Tax..
In what State did someone sell you one for only $250.00 + Tax ???
Even with NOT using data.... and only using Wi-Fi for your connection to the Internet.. ( Which Most People Cannot Do.. ) you still have Sir-Charges of a few dollars a Month.
Finally... Please Tell Us....
What United States "U-Version" A50 Do You Have That Came With A "Carrier Unlocked Bootloader" ..
Every version I've seen does not even have the option in Developer Settings... So, you're saying you just Pop In any old Sim and it works for "You" ? :victory:
If Xfinity sold you a GSM / CDMA "Unlocked" version of this device ( ) AND you only paid $250.00 for it.. AND you can use it on any CDMA / GSM Carrier.. Then *Bully!* for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You completely misunderstood me. The phone was $349 + local sales tax at Xfinity. The $250 is the gift card they give you back after you port your number, activate the phone, and stay on the plan for a few months. Before August 1st you could get away without being charged the minimum $12 per month for being on the "by-the-gig" plan. Use no data and you just pay the telecom taxes and fees if you bought the phone before August 1st (effectively a free plan). After you meet the minimum requirements for being on the Xfinity mobile plan, the phone is yours and unlocked + the $250 dollar visa gift card or whatever it is. This deal is still available but the cheapest "by-the-gig" plan now is $12 +taxes because they don't want you getting a free plan.
Since only xfinity internet have access to this deal, any decently populated area should have enough access to their hotspots so lack of mobile data is not a deal killer for many. Kids, grandmas, and the like will probably be ok with this if all they need is a way to call and text mom and dad from the mall or school.
And I did not participate in this deal since I already have the verizon version.
Time To Close This Out..
occams-razor said:
You completely misunderstood me. The phone was $349 + local sales tax at Xfinity. The $250 is the gift card they give you back after you port your number, activate the phone, and stay on the plan for a few months. Before August 1st you could get away without being charged the minimum $12 per month for being on the "by-the-gig" plan. Use no data and you just pay the telecom taxes and fees if you bought the phone before August 1st (effectively a free plan). After you meet the minimum requirements for being on the Xfinity mobile plan, the phone is yours and unlocked + the $250 dollar visa gift card or whatever it is. This deal is still available but the cheapest "by-the-gig" plan now is $12 +taxes because they don't want you getting a free plan.
Since only xfinity internet have access to this deal, any decently populated area should have enough access to their hotspots so lack of mobile data is not a deal killer for many. Kids, grandmas, and the like will probably be ok with this if all they need is a way to call and text mom and dad from the mall or school.
And I did not participate in this deal since I already have the verizon version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A Lot To Unpack Here...
AS I AM A BUYER WHO "DID PURCHASE THE DEVICE UNDER THIS PROMO".... Let me explain the FACTS to you. :angel:
FACT 1 ) Xfinity Gives You * 100 mb of data* FOR FREE.. If One Can Use That To Quickly Check Their Mail, Tweets.. Whatever.. And Somehow Stay Strictly on Wi-Fi.. Then Their Bill Is NOT A MINIMUM OF $12.00...
It Will Consist Of Regulatory / 911 / Misc Fees.. Totaling Less Than $5.00 A Month.
August 1st Had Nothing To Do With Changing That.. That's All Day Every Day.. Standard Fare With Xfinity. :victory:
FACT 2 ) You're Thinking Of Yourself... Maybe All You Do Is Call Mommy & Daddy... But, Most Of Us Adults Need And Want Internet Access *When We Want It* And Are Not Going To Drive / Walk / Bus Or Bike Their Way Around Towns Looking For A Wi-Fi Connection.
If You Have The Funds / Credit To Purchase A $350.00 Phone.... Then You Have The Means To Pay A Monthly Cellular Bill.. :victory:
Fact 3 ) The A50 Through Xfinity Will Cost $100.00 + Tax @ Whatever A Person's County Tax Rate Is... PERIOD.. After The $250.00 Rebate Which Indeed Comes Around The 4th Month Of Service.
And Finally,
So... You Think Your CDMA Verizon A50 ( Or Xfinity's And / Or Sprint's ) Has All The Bands.. And Is Ready For You To Unlock It And Run It On ANY Carrier's Network You Choose?
I'd Like To See That...
By All Means.. Hit Me Up.. with A Pic Showing Your Verizon A50 Running On T-Mo , Cricket, MetroPCS Or AT&T..
You'd Certainly Be The 1st To Do So..... :victory:
I got one from Verizon and it is GSM unlocked.
Hi,
Has anyone found a solution to use the Verizon A50 on other carriers. Some where I read that the device can be used on international Sim, but when I tried the international Sim, it's not working
Any suggestions?
Thanks
As of today after unlocking from xfinity, an Xfinity a50 works on the T-Mobile mvno mint and att postpaid plans. I tried various flavors of gsm Sims including FreedomPop and they are all working. Only issue is sprint and their mvnos. Sprint still uses their IMEI whitelist and the Xfinity branded phones are not in their database. Maybe a corporate cs can add it if you beg.