Cell Phones - A Great Question!
This page talks about different phone carriers: Some are definitely better in our area than others. PREPAID plans are cheaper.
Two important things to know about using cell phones in the U.S.
First: If you have an international phone plan, it will not work to call American numbers because most Americans can't call or text your number back. We have 9 digits, you probably have 10.
Second: All plans 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 have heard of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile:
T-Mobile has poor receptions in much of the Monterey area. There is a reason why T-Mobile isn't as popular, even with students. True Story: A married student couple shared this. The husband bought AT&T. The wife had T-Mobile. It was free because an uncle paid for it. Using it side by side with her husband, if hers wasn't free, she would have gotten rid of it. There are also other various carriers that will sell you cheap(er) plans... you will be disappointed because of the poor reception. Monterey is small and surrounded by mountains. Other plans do not have coverage here.
Verizon has the best coverage most everywhere, but it costs more than AT&T. (If you search carefully, and if your phone is compatible, there are Verizon vendors that are cheaper.)
AT&T Prepaid plans start at $30 for 5GB -- all plans can be upgraded for free without loosing the number.
To see other plans, including a special unlimited data option for $25, go to this sheet. Or scroll down.
Hint: Everywhere on campus and around town is wireless. If you make good use of Wi-Fi, unless you are far away, you should be good... but you can also upgrade!
If you bring your own phone, be sure it's a newer recognized brand phone, at least 4G. And be sure it's unlocked.
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A very strong suggestion -- many students are doing this.
Regardless of what U.S. carrier plan you choose to get when you arrive, order a temporary plan and sim card online (the minimum you can get, maybe lasting just a few days) so you will have it with you when you leave to come here. 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. :)
When you order it, ask for a number with a prefix for the zip code 93940. Once you get here, there are big advantages to having this specific prefix. If you do this one thing, it will help in a big way as you first arrive and feel jet-lagged.
Switching off the temporary plan and keeping your same phone number is easy.
Once you get here and choose what carrier you wish to use -- AT&T is most popular -- tell them you want to keep the US number you have and move it to the new plan. (They will ask for the carrier & account that gave you the temporary sim card so keep the receipt or info on it when you order it.)
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About Family Plans -- DON'T DO IT: Some think they will join others in a family plan. It means one person sets up the plan and then invites others to join it. They say it will save money. If there are many in the plan, it might... but it might not be as cheap as the regular $30 AT&T Prepaid plan.
But here is the concern: To begin with, the monthly charge can change based on the usage (not fixed). It's also based on the number of people in the plan. If someone cancels out, the rate WILL change. If the person who set it up leaves, the entire plan collapses and no one has anything... and can't get it back. Best to start with the cheaper plan and upgrade if needed.
Two important things to know about using cell phones in the U.S.
First: If you have an international phone plan, it will not work to call American numbers because most Americans can't call or text your number back. We have 9 digits, you probably have 10.
Second: All plans 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 have heard of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile:
T-Mobile has poor receptions in much of the Monterey area. There is a reason why T-Mobile isn't as popular, even with students. True Story: A married student couple shared this. The husband bought AT&T. The wife had T-Mobile. It was free because an uncle paid for it. Using it side by side with her husband, if hers wasn't free, she would have gotten rid of it. There are also other various carriers that will sell you cheap(er) plans... you will be disappointed because of the poor reception. Monterey is small and surrounded by mountains. Other plans do not have coverage here.
Verizon has the best coverage most everywhere, but it costs more than AT&T. (If you search carefully, and if your phone is compatible, there are Verizon vendors that are cheaper.)
AT&T Prepaid plans start at $30 for 5GB -- all plans can be upgraded for free without loosing the number.
To see other plans, including a special unlimited data option for $25, go to this sheet. Or scroll down.
Hint: Everywhere on campus and around town is wireless. If you make good use of Wi-Fi, unless you are far away, you should be good... but you can also upgrade!
If you bring your own phone, be sure it's a newer recognized brand phone, at least 4G. And be sure it's unlocked.
===========================
A very strong suggestion -- many students are doing this.
Regardless of what U.S. carrier plan you choose to get when you arrive, order a temporary plan and sim card online (the minimum you can get, maybe lasting just a few days) so you will have it with you when you leave to come here. 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. :)
When you order it, ask for a number with a prefix for the zip code 93940. Once you get here, there are big advantages to having this specific prefix. If you do this one thing, it will help in a big way as you first arrive and feel jet-lagged.
Switching off the temporary plan and keeping your same phone number is easy.
Once you get here and choose what carrier you wish to use -- AT&T is most popular -- tell them you want to keep the US number you have and move it to the new plan. (They will ask for the carrier & account that gave you the temporary sim card so keep the receipt or info on it when you order it.)
===========================
About Family Plans -- DON'T DO IT: Some think they will join others in a family plan. It means one person sets up the plan and then invites others to join it. They say it will save money. If there are many in the plan, it might... but it might not be as cheap as the regular $30 AT&T Prepaid plan.
But here is the concern: To begin with, the monthly charge can change based on the usage (not fixed). It's also based on the number of people in the plan. If someone cancels out, the rate WILL change. If the person who set it up leaves, the entire plan collapses and no one has anything... and can't get it back. Best to start with the cheaper plan and upgrade if needed.
