Cell Phones - A Great Question!
This page talks about different phone carriers - some are definitely better in our area than others. It talks about monthly plans that are paid automatically so time, minutes, or phone numbers are not lost. It also talks about pre-paid, no-contract plans... Stay away from contract phones unless you know you will be here for more than 2 years and can afford extra fees required and penalties if you end the contract early.
Three important things to know about using cell phones in the U.S.
First: If you have an international phone plan, it will not work in the U.S. because no one can call or text you back. We have 9 digits, you probably have 10.
Second: In America, you pay every time you receive a call or text just as if you had sent it yourself.
Third: Basically all plans will include Unlimited Talk & Text. Data plans are based on how much you need. International calling is always extra -- most students don't get this option on their American plan.
Most of you have heard of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. T-Mobile has poor receptions in Monterey so there is no local official "T-Mobile" store. This also means you cannot get a T-Mobile Sim card in Monterey. You can get them online, but before you do (they are cheaper), remember there is a reason why they can't sell them here. There are also other carriers that will sell you plans. Do not even try to get a plan with anyone else... you will be disappointed because of the poor reception.
Verizon has the best coverage most everywhere, but it also costs more than AT&T. However, there is an alternate carrier we recommend that uses Verizon towers, and it's cheaper. You can contact us for more about this if you get here and want to explore this option.
If you bring your own phone, be sure it's a newer recognized brand phone. 2 gig phones generally don't work, nor do some 3 gig phones. Be sure it's unlocked.
If you will be here for only a few short months, here's a couple cheaper options that might get you through... You probably won't use it as much as those here for a year or more.
AT&T has been the most popular plan with students because it's cheaper than Verizon. Their most popular plan is for $40 per month for unlimited everything and up to 8 GB at high-speed. Generally it's the best, though the coverage everywhere isn't as good as Verizon.
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A very strong suggestion -- more and more students are doing this.
Regardless of what U.S. carrier plan you choose to get when you get here, order a temporary plan and Sim card online and order it soon enough to have it with you when you leave. The best thing you can do is to have a temporary card that will activate itself once you arrive in the U.S. Then you can use it immediately to call and receive calls... specifically to search for housing but also to contact us if you need help. :)
If you can do this one thing, it will give you help you in a big way when you first arrive and are very tired. If you don't already have a number, getting one will be the very first thing you'll need to do, and if the store is busy it can take a very long time. ...So much better to have a temp Sim card and switch it over when you get a chance.
Once you get here and choose what carrier you wish to use -- AT&T is most popular -- then tell them you want to keep the US number you have but move it to the new phone on the new plan. This way you can keep the same phone number. Again, as with any carrier, they first need to make sure your phone works.
And here's another special offer. Verizon generally has the best coverage but costs more.
A better option is to use SelectelWireless.com. They are a third-party Verizon vendor. If you don't need a huge amount of data, but want unlimited talk & text, it will only cost $30 per month --- for Verizon coverage! If you need a lot of data, go with AT&T.
===========================
Special note on International Calling -- Most students do not pay extra for this on their American plan. If you do want it, a better way might be to look for a cheaper rate with special International Calling Cards available online.
Three important things to know about using cell phones in the U.S.
First: If you have an international phone plan, it will not work in the U.S. because no one can call or text you back. We have 9 digits, you probably have 10.
Second: In America, you pay every time you receive a call or text just as if you had sent it yourself.
Third: Basically all plans will include Unlimited Talk & Text. Data plans are based on how much you need. International calling is always extra -- most students don't get this option on their American plan.
Most of you have heard of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. T-Mobile has poor receptions in Monterey so there is no local official "T-Mobile" store. This also means you cannot get a T-Mobile Sim card in Monterey. You can get them online, but before you do (they are cheaper), remember there is a reason why they can't sell them here. There are also other carriers that will sell you plans. Do not even try to get a plan with anyone else... you will be disappointed because of the poor reception.
Verizon has the best coverage most everywhere, but it also costs more than AT&T. However, there is an alternate carrier we recommend that uses Verizon towers, and it's cheaper. You can contact us for more about this if you get here and want to explore this option.
If you bring your own phone, be sure it's a newer recognized brand phone. 2 gig phones generally don't work, nor do some 3 gig phones. Be sure it's unlocked.
If you will be here for only a few short months, here's a couple cheaper options that might get you through... You probably won't use it as much as those here for a year or more.
AT&T has been the most popular plan with students because it's cheaper than Verizon. Their most popular plan is for $40 per month for unlimited everything and up to 8 GB at high-speed. Generally it's the best, though the coverage everywhere isn't as good as Verizon.
===========================
A very strong suggestion -- more and more students are doing this.
Regardless of what U.S. carrier plan you choose to get when you get here, order a temporary plan and Sim card online and order it soon enough to have it with you when you leave. The best thing you can do is to have a temporary card that will activate itself once you arrive in the U.S. Then you can use it immediately to call and receive calls... specifically to search for housing but also to contact us if you need help. :)
If you can do this one thing, it will give you help you in a big way when you first arrive and are very tired. If you don't already have a number, getting one will be the very first thing you'll need to do, and if the store is busy it can take a very long time. ...So much better to have a temp Sim card and switch it over when you get a chance.
Once you get here and choose what carrier you wish to use -- AT&T is most popular -- then tell them you want to keep the US number you have but move it to the new phone on the new plan. This way you can keep the same phone number. Again, as with any carrier, they first need to make sure your phone works.
And here's another special offer. Verizon generally has the best coverage but costs more.
A better option is to use SelectelWireless.com. They are a third-party Verizon vendor. If you don't need a huge amount of data, but want unlimited talk & text, it will only cost $30 per month --- for Verizon coverage! If you need a lot of data, go with AT&T.
===========================
Special note on International Calling -- Most students do not pay extra for this on their American plan. If you do want it, a better way might be to look for a cheaper rate with special International Calling Cards available online.