Pay as you go Data Tariff for New York?

[oxman]

Hi everyone,

i'm going to new york in 2 weeks and would like to use my phone for internet (and maybe tethering)

What's the cheapest tariff around for PAYG (i'd still need a sim, ebay is probably best for that) with a minimum of 200mb traffic?

I live in Germany atm.

 

[SunnyD]

Not sure if it still works, but T-Mobile's prepaid sidekick plan was $1/day for what amounted to unlimited use on data ($0.25/minute voice?). Not sure if they plugged the holes though, and you'd likely be stuck on EDGE speeds regardless.

 

[oxman]

Just read this on a Forum:

Sidekick prepaid data NO LONGER works on any phone! Only Sidekicks, or you'll be side-KICKED!

So apparently it doesn't work anymore. Any other cheap prepaid/PAYG plans?

 

[aceO07]

You might be able to get a T-Mobile Even More Plus plan, which is not annual contract, and just cancel after the first month. It will probably amount to $60 for the month for 500minutes and unlimited data/txt. I think they have a pure data/txt plan for $40, but there are no included minutes for calling.

I don't know if they have any activation fees for it. I don't know if your phone will support the T-Mobile 3G, so you might be on EDGE.

 

[oxman]

Hm, there's the 40$ data package, but as i live in germany, i doubt i can buy any postpaid/contract sims

It looks like T-Mobile doesnt actually have a prepaid tariff with web access (except sidekick, which only works for sidekick^^) A shame, because in the 40$ Tariff, Hot Spots are included as well (we'll be staying at a novotel for a few days, they have t-mobile hotspots)

Any other carriers?


PS: i have the motorola milestone, so yeah, with t-mobile i'd only be able to get edge.

 

[SunnyD]

Even More Plus is non-contract.

Your only other realistic GSM option is going to be AT&T, and their prepaid data is ridiculous.

 

[jlee]

Boost Mobile is the only thing I could think of...might not do what you need, though.

 

[SunnyD]

Boost Mobile is the only thing I could think of...might not do what you need, though.

Boost != GSM.

 

[oxman]

These are the specs from the motorola site:

WCDMA/900/2100, GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSPA, GPRS Class 12, WiFi


So wouldn't it be alright for me to use Boost?


just checked out the Boost mobile site, it's dirt cheap, right? (35¢/day unlimited usage) And 10 cents for a minute is really cheap as well.

 

[SunnyD]

These are the specs from the motorola site:

WCDMA/900/2100, GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSPA, GPRS Class 12, WiFi


So wouldn't it be alright for me to use Boost?


just checked out the Boost mobile site, it's dirt cheap, right? (35¢/day unlimited usage) And 10 cents for a minute is really cheap as well.

No. Boost is CDMA using Sprint's network, not GSM. Not to mention I don't believe Boost is BYOD capable even if you had a CDMA phone. (WCDMA != CDMA)

 

[oxman]

what a shame, boost seems so straight forward

So say i'd get a T-mobile Prepaid sim on ebay, could i activate the (40$ for 5gb/24,99$ for 200mb) for that sim?

 

[SunnyD]

what a shame, boost seems so straight forward

So say i'd get a T-mobile Prepaid sim on ebay, could i activate the (40$ for 5gb/24,99$ for 200mb) for that sim?

That should work. Shame you're not already in the US, I have a spare T-Mobile sim card laying around that I'd send to you for free.

 

[oxman]

If you are positive that we can book that tariff onto that sim card, i could send you 5$ for the sim-card (via paypal) and you could send it to the hotel we'll be staying at. I'd be really grateful

 

[oxman]

I just checked on the t-mobile forums, it's only available as postpaid, so it can't be activated on a prepaid sim.

Aren't there any other operators that do prepaid data packets?

 

[vshah]

just fyi, all the starbucks will have free wifi starting in july, so maybe a data plan isn't even required?

in general i don't find it too hard to find an open wifi network walking around on the street...

 

[pm]

I agree with the conclusion - T-Mobile is expensive and slow but your best bet.

oxman, there are no others that use GSM. And, yes, if you think this is ridiculous for a country like the US to have no other options, then you can join the rest of us who live here who agree with you.

On the other hand, as vshah mentioned, WiFi is extremely common - much more than I have seen when I've been in Europe. In my town (Fort Collins, Colorado), all coffee shops (and there's a LOT of those), all hotels, all bookstores, and the entire downtown area all offer completely free WiFi (or at least WiFi to customers). Even the nearest grocery store (Safeway) offers free WiFi. And then there's all the un-password protected WiFi basestations, and lots of miscellaneous stores. It's more hassle to use WiFi, but it's free.

 

[SunnyD]

I just checked on the t-mobile forums, it's only available as postpaid, so it can't be activated on a prepaid sim.

Aren't there any other operators that do prepaid data packets?

The SIM doesn't matter. You can take a prepaid SIM and "upgrade" to a postpaid plan.

 

[oxman]

thanks for all the help everyone!

I guess i'll rely on wifi then. The public library is just 3 blocks from the hotel anyways

And i ordered a starbucks card from ebay (which i cant register - says card number inactive- any ideas? - i contacted the support). Hope that will do

 

[jlee]

thanks for all the help everyone!

I guess i'll rely on wifi then. The public library is just 3 blocks from the hotel anyways

And i ordered a starbucks card from ebay (which i cant register - says card number inactive- any ideas? - i contacted the support). Hope that will do

Every hotel I've stayed lately has had wifi - have you looked into that yet?

 

[oxman]

yeah, i'm staying at the roosevelt, but the internet is quite expensive (don't have the exact price anymore) and later on at a novotel, both of them have hotspots (roosevelt=att; novotel=t-mobile)

 

[jonesthewine]

there is plenty of free wifi in NYC -http://www.openwifinyc.com/classic/index.php

 

[vshah]

thanks for all the help everyone!

I guess i'll rely on wifi then. The public library is just 3 blocks from the hotel anyways

And i ordered a starbucks card from ebay (which i cant register - says card number inactive- any ideas? - i contacted the support). Hope that will do

what did you need a starbucks card for? starbucks wifi will be free starting july 1st.

 

[oxman]

well, i ordered it a week ago and the statement was made 3 days ago.

Oh well, i'll try my luck with starbucks, public library and other open networks i can find