How to use mobile in USA

[NicD75]

Hi, my daughter is moving to America in July on a scholarship and will be there approx 5 months before coming home for Xmas and returning early in the new year. She will only be home twice a year.

She is on a pay monthly plan currently.

what is the best option for using her mobile in America? We’ve been told either an E -Sim, buy a sim when she gets there or someone has said there current provider allows use in America for a few pound more.

I’m unsure what is the best option that works out cost effective for long term use. Anyone had to do this? Thanks 

[madasaf1sh · Accepted solution]

@NicD75 

Buy a US sim whilst she is in the US, as it will be a lot cheaper, as roaming on even the Ultimate plan is not worth the extra expense, and is not meant for permanent or long term roaming.

This is from the T&C's 

Using our inclusive roaming services outside the UK for more than 63 days in any four-month period is what we consider to be unfair use. If you do this, we’ll send you a fair usage notification by text. If you continue to use these services after we’ve notified you, we’ll apply surcharges for further usage that we recognise as overage.

So if you have the Travel Incluive Zone bolt on it will be free to roam, if not its £7 per day to roam, and if you are flush with cash and are able to upgrade an Ultimate plan will be a small fortune per month.

And then use whatsapp etc for calls and messages, as then its cheaper for both parties. 

[MI5]

@NicD75 

Some guides to consider.

Guide: Roaming MegaGuide 

USA - Roaming with O2 

https://www.o2.co.uk/international/using-your-phone-abroad

[Bambino]

@NicD75 To add to the advice from @madasaf1sh, using WhatsApp over a Wi-Fi connection for calls, texts, and video calls to anyone else who also has WhatsApp is completely free. That includes using the app from the US to the UK and the UK to the US. You can also use Facebook Messenger the same way, but WhatsApp is more convenient.