O2 Travel USA

[Anthony1002]

Hi all,

just wondering what speeds everyone is getting with O2 Travel to the US? We're going to LA in a couple of weeks and just want to plan whether or not we need to buy a sim when we're out there. I know that O2 has improved a lot in Europe, so hoping it's the same in the US...!

Thanks in advance  

[MI5]

@Anthony1002 from reports on here it's still not good.

Recommendation is a Three sim from the UK or a T-Mobile or AT&T sim when in the USA.

Make sure your phone is unlocked first though https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Unlocking-an-O2-phone-to-use-a-different-SIM-card/ba-p/1...

[Cleoriff]

Hi @Anthony1002

It tends to vary as to the time of year. AT&T and T mobile are the networks to use....

If you want to use ea local sim, you will need to get your phone unlocked

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Unlocking-an-O2-phone-to-use-a-different-SIM-card/ba-p/1...

[jonsie]

Data speeds aren't good from the reports we've had here and any usage will trigger the daily charge even if connection is difficult. 

[Anthony1002]

Thank you all for your replies.

Does anyone know if Three have 4G in the US? I was hoping to use my phone as a Sat Nav when out there.

[MI5]

Only 3g as far as I know but at least it works !

[Bambino]

@Anthony1002 Three do not have 4G in the US. You would be better off getting a T-Mobile or AT&T Pay & Go sim when you arrive in the US if faster data is important to you.

[iphone4sir]

I used in the Vegas last April and the speeds where about 0.5mb - even though the phone said 4g - I know right! It was actually useable for general message and stuff but maps where useless - I’d recommend local sim

[darrengf]

Hi @Anthony1002

Three do have 4G access while roaming on AT&T. This was signed by them in Mid November 2018.

However this is where there is a but.

USA network frequencies are not the same as EU or the rest of the world.

So even if Three have got 4G access, doesn’t mean your phone will be able to support the 4G frequency in the USA. Also it doesn’t say to which part of the 4G frequency they have access to. 

When 4G was created, over 40+ variants of frequencies have been produced and lots of phones only support a few of them, this general covers the phone in the country/region it’s purchase from.

What phone are you wanting to use will depend on what lte bands it has in it.

Also as it’s been mentioned. Even if you were to connect to the 4G network, doesn’t mean you will get 4G speeds.  Roaming outside the EU has a different and doverened by what roaming deal was signed.

regarding speeds etc.  Network may say they have access to 3G and 4G. But they don’t have to say what speed.

clever wording like, speeds will be dependant of many factors such as useage, weather, roaming network provider, times of the day etc.

Hope the above helps.  

[Andy7856]

Hi, have you not considered an off line map package? I have used "Here" in quite a few countries with pretty much good results.