Dual Sim USA Roaming

[irc]

My new phone is dual dim. Currently on Giffgaff network. For USA trip next year thinking of getting a Three PAYG sim which I understand I can buy a data pack for then get free roaming.

Set my Giffgaff sim to send/receive texts only for banking etc

Use the Three sim for any calls and data.

Probably not a huge amount of data. I'll have a netbook for using with wifi where I get it.

Any issues to think about? I've read not all USA networks will allow roaming.

[Heartworm]

I picked up a cheap t mobile USA SIM for visiting the States, I thought 3 had stopped roaming to the US without a daily charge (£5) United you were a customer pre October 2021.

T-Mobile has been great, kept working during the hurricane too.

[irc]

Correct. Just found on Giffgaff website they only offer roaming in certain countries.

Maybe time to switch provider on the new phone.


Perhaps Just go to Three. Apparently 3 still do roaming on PAYG bundles.


https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/best-pay...

Edited by irc on Sunday 2nd October 15:17

[gotoPzero]

How long are you going for?

If more than a week or so it might be worth just picking up a sim locally or just ordering one from one of the many online places who post to the UK.

[irc]

Just over a month. So stick a Three sim in my new phone.

Thinking about it Three should cover it. Free calls home which will be most of my usage. I will be mainly camping so no need to phone hotels. Riding my bike the whole way so no need to phone taxis.

First bike tour I did in the USA was 11 weeks and I didn't carry a phone at all so I'm maybe overthinking this. Use Three and if I need to make the odd local phone call just accept the £1.40 per min charge.

[valiant]

Can your phone take an e-sim?

Can be a little hassle but it makes calls/data a lot cheaper in the states.

[MesoForm]

valiant said:

Can your phone take an e-sim?

Can be a little hassle but it makes calls/data a lot cheaper in the states.

That’s what I did and it was virtually no hassle, just downloaded the app, think I paid $30 for 30 GB of data for 3 months plus unlimited phone and text, then on my phone I had two numbers running, my UK Giffgaff one and an American T-mobile one. I didn’t need to call any landlines so used WhatsApp and Signal for all messages and calls.
iPhone app link
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/t-mobile-prepaid-esi...

[hellorent]

irc said:

Just over a month. So stick a Three sim in my new phone.

Thinking about it Three should cover it. Free calls home which will be most of my usage. I will be mainly camping so no need to phone hotels. Riding my bike the whole way so no need to phone taxis.

First bike tour I did in the USA was 11 weeks and I didn't carry a phone at all so I'm maybe overthinking this. Use Three and if I need to make the odd local phone call just accept the £1.40 per min charge.

Maybe "viber out"

[gotoPzero]

I would get a 30 day T-mobile sim locally then if for a month.

[BobToc]

I used an Airalo e-Sim and it was super straightforward.

[Heartworm]

gotoPzero said:

I would get a 30 day T-mobile sim locally then if for a month.

This is exactly what I've done for a 4 week trip, £40 got my unlimited everything for the whole stay and having a us number has also been really helpful.

[The Road Crew]

BobToc said:

I used an Airalo e-Sim and it was super straightforward.

I'm in the US at the moment using one of these. $20 odd for a month. Highly recommended, we use WhatsApp for calls and messages via the esim, as well as data. 5G coverage is much better than the 4G only coverage I get with my UK Three contract.
Still have my UK sim in, with roaming on (but not data) so we're contactable immediately in case of emergency when costs don't matter.... Didn't want the faff of having another phone number.

[RammyMP]

I used Ubigi in Europe, worked well but I don’t know what the cost will be in the US.

[RizzoTheRat]

Your two options are a UK sim that gives you free/cheap roaming, or buy a US sim when you get there. If your main use is going to be calling the UK then a UK sim is probably the better option as calls back to the UK will be included in your package, while a local sim will charge them as international calls. If it's just for local calls and data a local sim will probably be cheaper.

[Ambleton]

I'm in the states for 2 weeks at present.

Got a tmobile sim from SimCorner. Was great service and had 10% off at the time with free delivery. It's a US sim from a UK outlet. They pre register it on your chosen date and then you just put it in your phone when you arrive and away you go.

6gb data on a 30day sim - think it was about £22.

Reception in the more remote areas and NP has been quite poor but its been enough most of the time. Really its only been used for Google maps and WhatsApp.

Download offlne maps of areas before you go or on WiFi as they're data heavy.

[NDA]

Is there much of a cost saving to get a US SIM when comparing to, say, the standard EE roaming bundle?

I go to the States occasionally, so would be interested to know.

[Ambleton]

I'm with Vodafone.

Which is a £5/day flat rate charge to use my nornal allowances. 2 weeks is £70

My wife is with Virgin and roaming charges for her are absolutely rediculous. £5/mb!

[The Road Crew]

NDA said:

Is there much of a cost saving to get a US SIM when comparing to, say, the standard EE roaming bundle?

I go to the States occasionally, so would be interested to know.

Depends on your network.. I'm with Three and their roaming is only 4G (in the USA) . I'm in Alabama now but coverage/speed is rubbish compared to the 5G my Mrs has on her airlo esim.
I'll be changing my UK Three sim only deal to a much cheaper UK only tariff and buying an esim next we travel

[surveyor]

RizzoTheRat said:

Your two options are a UK sim that gives you free/cheap roaming, or buy a US sim when you get there. If your main use is going to be calling the UK then a UK sim is probably the better option as calls back to the UK will be included in your package, while a local sim will charge them as international calls. If it's just for local calls and data a local sim will probably be cheaper.

Or an e-sim

I had a T-mobile Esim installed on my phone before we went, just switched on when we got there. 30$ for plenty of data for us as we were only there a week. 40$ for unlimited.

[captain_cynic]

irc said:

My new phone is dual dim. Currently on Giffgaff network. For USA trip next year thinking of getting a Three PAYG sim which I understand I can buy a data pack for then get free roaming.

Set my Giffgaff sim to send/receive texts only for banking etc

Use the Three sim for any calls and data.

Probably not a huge amount of data. I'll have a netbook for using with wifi where I get it.

Any issues to think about? I've read not all USA networks will allow roaming.

This is pretty much how it works.

I've used a 3 PAYG SIM for overseas roaming for years now without an issue.

Keep in mind that you will pay international call rates for calling local numbers as technically you are calling internationally from the UK. However calls to the UK are included (I.E calling your bank or airline intnhe UK).. if you want it just for data it's great as one SIM works in 70 countries.

I didn't have any issues with the US but only AT&T and T-Mobile are GSM compatible, so most of the time you're roaming on those two and coverage can be spotty in places.

I used to have to swap SIMs before getting a dual SIM phone. You pick which SIM to use for data and sending calls/texts. Both SiMs are always on recive... So be careful when picking up calls as you may get a roaming fee for receiving calls on your GiffGaff SIM (which SIM it's on is displayed, at least on Android).