Cellular communications in the USA: which option should a tourist choose?

It’s hard to imagine life in modern times without mobile phones and communications, and in America you can’t do without them either. Mobile communications in the United States are provided by several providers selling a variety of cell phones and tariffs for them. When choosing a provider and tariff, it is important to consider what services you use when communicating: text messages, data transfer or unlimited calls. All American plans can be divided into non-contract and contract. Operators are ready to offer different plan options or operate on one type of tariff.

Buying a phone

This event will be needed if the gadget cannot pick up US frequencies. Here GSM technology operates at a frequency of 850/1900, while in the Russian Federation it operates at 900/1800. If the device does not support this option, then you will not be able to make calls from it. This point should be clarified in advance before the trip by studying the instructions that come with the device.

You can buy a mobile device in the provider’s showrooms or in small retail outlets that are located throughout the country. You can even do this at the airport, but there is a risk of significantly overpaying. However, there is a way to save money by concluding a contract, but only when you have permission and documents for residence. The contract is concluded for two years, then the savings will be up to 25%. The essence of such a system is that the subscriber is obliged to use communications while the contract is valid. If the contract is terminated early, the buyer must pay a fine in the amount of the full cost of the device plus a penalty for termination.

Google doesn't sleep

The main proponent of the widespread implementation of RCS is Google, which has long wanted to make it the only messaging standard on Android, probably in order to take away part of the audience from instant messengers and secure additional income from advertising. Google has repeatedly tried to “break into” the messenger market itself, but the attempts were unsuccessful - for example, in 2018, the corporation curtailed the development of the unpopular Allo service in order to focus its efforts on the development of Messages.

When the American telecom giants announced the creation of CCMI and the development of a universal messenger with support for RCS technology to replace SMS, Google expressed its support.

However, apparently anticipating that the Big Four initiative would not last long, the corporation began to deploy the “SMS killer” independently, without the participation of operators, using the infrastructure of its own “daughter” Jibe Mobile as a messaging gateway.

Thus, in November 2021, residents of the United States received the opportunity to use RCS for free without intermediaries such as cell phones. The service launched globally in November 2021.

One digital window will appear for all social departments

IT in the public sector

In Russia, “operatorless” RCS is still officially unavailable, as well as in China, Iran, North Korea and Cuba. MTS in November 2020 announced limited support for RCS in Moscow.

As CNews previously reported, in June 2021, a sharp drop in the volume of SMS messages sent was recorded in the networks of Russian operators. Russians are using this service less and less, preferring instant messengers.

Operator selection

You can buy a SIM card at the offices of cellular companies, official showrooms of operators or any retail outlets where mobile devices are sold. It is possible to buy a SIM card even at the airport, but it is advisable to avoid this method, because there is usually a price tag on them.

Cellular operators in the United States operate using the CDMA standard, and this connection is not cheap. This standard says that you do not need to purchase a card, the phone simply must be programmed for this technology.

In the USA, hundreds of companies offer mobile communications, the smaller ones operate within a certain area, and the larger ones serve the entire country at once. Each of them has similar plans, so when selecting a company, two nuances should be taken into account: the availability of communication and its quality.

In the states, communication coverage is uneven; in some parts of the country it is greater, in others it is several times less.

The most popular communication providers operating in CDMA mode are represented by the following operators:

• Sprint Corporation;
• AT&T Mobility;
• Verizon Wireless and Verizon Communications.

GSM operators are represented by only two companies:

• T-mobile;
• AT&T.

Using the services of a Russian operator

This option is perfect for those who do not want to dive into the numerous nuances of paying for US cellular communications from local companies. The client needs to connect to international access from a telephone operator in Russia.

Roaming in MTS

Of course, it is better to contact the nearest MTS office and ask a salon employee to advise you. However, independent connection is also allowed: USSD command - *111* 2192#. We press the call button, and soon the service will be connected.

There are a number of conditions: the client must be connected to the MTS operator and use its services for 6 months, spending more than 600 rubles to pay for these services.

International roaming from MTS has its own characteristics: in particular, paid incoming calls, high cost of outgoing and incoming calls (200 rubles will be charged per minute).

Some important tips:

• Disable forwarding to save money.
• Put as much money on your phone as possible, since doing this in the USA will not be so easy.

Roaming in Beeline

This telecom operator imposes a condition for those wishing to connect to international roaming: you need to put 600 rubles on your phone. As soon as there is this amount of money on the phone, international access will be automatically connected.

Beeline provides this opportunity to users of any tariff. In this case, roaming will be active all the time as long as you have 300 rubles or more on your balance.

Beeline offers more favorable conditions than MTS:

• One minute of incoming and outgoing calls costs only 69 rubles.
• Incoming SMS is free, outgoing SMS costs are low.

It’s better to turn off entertainment packages and services in advance, which will make mobile communications even more profitable.

Roaming to Megafon

Here, connecting to international roaming is also automated: you just need to be in the United States. True, it is better to put more money on your balance in advance: 1000-1500 rubles.

Megafon provides customers with the following tariff features:

• Incoming and outgoing calls cost 79 rubles per minute of conversation.
• Outgoing SMS costs 19 rubles, incoming SMS is free.

It is also recommended to contact the Megafon office and find out more detailed information about tariffs.

Which operator is the most profitable?

Mobile tariffs in the USA are divided into three types:

1. Prepaid system – a SIM card is purchased for a certain period;
2. Payment for calls is actually - the connection functions on the same principle as a landline telephone, i.e. the subscriber makes calls, and at the end of the month he receives a payment for calls;
3. Fixed tariff - a subscriber fee is paid monthly, within which the subscriber receives a certain number of services (text messages, calls and data package).

Please note that some tariff plans from mobile operators charge a fee for incoming calls, which is unusual for Russian citizens. However, it is possible to purchase full unlimited coverage in all states, which will cost the client $100. This service is offered to subscribers by the Ultra Mobile provider. You can buy a SIM card in the USA for $60.

The most popular operator is T-mobile. Its SIM card can be purchased for only 10 US dollars. When purchasing, the client receives 30 minutes of calls for free within the states, after which a minute will cost 33 cents, and for each SMS (no matter incoming or outgoing) you will have to pay 10 cents. This tariff will be active for 90 calendar days.

For 2 dollars a day you can unlimitedly use SMS messages and traffic in 2G format, and if you pay 3 dollars, then the Internet will already be in 4G format. When a subscriber does not go online, money is not debited from the account.

For an additional payment of $30, the client will receive 160 minutes of free calls throughout the country. Terms of provision – a minute of communication for 20 cents, and for one SMS (incoming or outgoing) 20 cents. This option will also be active for three months.

The most favorable mobile tariff for Pas-As-You-Go users, because you need to pay exactly as much as the services used. To do this, you need to put $10 on your balance, which is enough for calls for three months. The only negative is that there is no SMS or data transfer.

But if a tourist needs mobile Internet, you can connect the appropriate traffic packages:

Mobile operator AT&T

AT&T is the largest GSM operator, rivaled only by Verizon. The company provides high-quality communications, has good coverage throughout the country, as well as compatibility. AT&T works not only in GSM format, but also in GPRS, as well as EDGE.

• 2G on 850 and 1900 MHz to EDGE (but this traffic is planned to be closed until 2021).
• 3G on 850 and 1900 MHz up to HSPA.
• 4G/LTE on 700, 1700 and 1900 MHz.

Prepaid SIM cards are called AT&T Prepaid

, if the tourist is not going to buy a device (phone), then in this case you need to order “Bring your own”, the price of which is 9.99. You can also get a SIM card of any format absolutely free, but for this you need to provide a real American address. You can buy a starter pack at various retail outlets. Please note that some stores add their own commission for services to the company's price.

There are 3 options for activation:

• Using your GoPhone. You need to insert a SIM card into the device, turn on the phone, select a tariff, dial the activation code, indicate the appropriate postal code, send the data, turn off the phone. And only after 10 minutes activate it again.
• From any phone, dial 877 426 0525 and act according to the operator’s instructions.
• Activate via the website: https://www.wireless.att.com/activations/

If you need to activate your number before arriving in the US, go to the site we indicated when describing the third activation method. And find the IMEI column, in it you need to enter the number 1 fifteen times, you can specify the number of a non-American payment card, but at the same time select the USA in the countries section and enter any American address and any postal code, write 1234 in the SSN field. After such an operation, you You will now be able to freely top up your account. But you won’t be able to choose a tariff, since the SMS simply won’t arrive. Therefore, you need to call the support operator at +1-800-331-0500 and determine your tariff manually.

AT&T provides two prepaid service options:

• for making calls, sending messages, using the Internet for mobile devices;
• Internet traffic is only for the tablet.

Internet cards, although designed only for tablets, can also be used in phones and modems. Previously, foreign iPhones were not suitable for SIM cards from this provider. But now the issue has been resolved, and every traveler can use their iPhone.

AT&T offers the following monthly bundles of services for smartphones:

Also, these tariffs provide free mms and sms not only for sending within the country, but also to other countries. If you don't have enough gigabytes, you can buy additional traffic (maximum 3 times a month). If megabytes remain, they are transferred to the next month. Once the provided traffic is exhausted, the speed will decrease to 128 KB per second. If you do not connect individual services to the Internet, then for 5 KB you will need to pay 1 cent. A tourist can use his iPhone as a modem only if he orders a tariff for $60 per month.

The mobile operator offers special Internet packages for a month. Can be inserted not only into tablets, but also into phones and modems.

Monthly packages, called Data Connect, are designed for tablets, but also work with phones and modems:

• 10 GB: $50
• 15 GB: $70

If the subscriber has not used up all the traffic, then it is not carried over to the next month; gigabytes expire after 30 days. The tariff plan can be extended if the SIM card is active. It is not updated automatically, which means that without updating it will be impossible to send SMS and talk. You can manage your account online or by phone: 866 707 5550.

The SIM card is completely blocked only a year after the last replenishment. After 365 days, the SIM card is cancelled.

How much do calls to Russia cost?

Calls to Russia are relevant for every tourist. Mobile communications in America offers subscribers a regular plan without discounts or promotions for communication abroad. Therefore, for calls from the states to your home country, you should pay approximately 50 cents per minute. If you connect another tariff designed specifically for these purposes, then calls will cost only 17 cents.

The cost of mobile communications in the USA is not cheap, so pay phones are available for tourists in almost all states. They require a special card, the cost of which is 5-10 dollars, taking into account the volume of minutes presented on it.

Recently, calls through instant messengers have become popular: WhatsApp, Skype, viber, Face Time. But this requires the Internet, so you need a SIM card for mobile communications.

Alternatives

Since calls from the USA to Russia often hit the subscriber’s wallet, we can recommend other ways to call home. These include Internet applications (Skype), calls from hotels, etc.

There are a huge number of payphones on the streets of American cities. All booths have their own number, so you can call a pay phone back. The cost is different everywhere, since pay phones in the USA are also serviced by different operators, usually the first 5-6 minutes cost 25 cents, if you talk longer, you pay extra.

Mobile Internet in the USA

When you need the Internet to communicate in the states, you can use traffic from Russian companies. Let's consider offers from the most popular operators: MTS, Tele2, Beeline and Megafon.

The telecom operator MTS abroad offers its users a line of BIT data transfer packages:

Mobile operator Megafon is ready to offer a meager option: for 999 rubles you can activate a package of only 500 MB.

Beeline operates on a prepaid and postpaid system. In any case, the subscriber receives 50 MB for 250 rubles, and a more expensive option, which will cost the subscriber 1,800 rubles. In addition to 15 GB, the package will include minutes and SMS.

If you are a Tele 2 subscriber, then you can connect unlimited for a day for only 350 rubles.

When it comes to choosing tour operators, look no further than Three. A SIM card from this provider only works with modems, smartphones and tablets that support 3G and 4G coverage. After purchasing a SIM card, the Internet package is activated automatically, and the subscriber receives 12 GB of traffic. The company offers its users the following conditions:

America's mobile operator with the cheapest prepaid tariffs

All four 'major' US cellular operators offer no-contract prepaid plans, plans in which you pay a set amount and receive a fixed number of minutes. When choosing a prepaid tariff from large operators, be careful with the cost of plans, since minutes may be deducted from you daily, simply for the provision of communication services, so in fact, there may be fewer minutes for conversation than you expect. It is also worth paying attention to whether taxes are included in the cost of fixed minutes. If taxes are not included in the price of the plan, then again the cost of a minute of conversation will be more expensive.

How to call

To figure out how to call a mobile phone in the USA, you should take into account that according to the standard, the number in the states includes 10 digits, three of which indicate the state code. It is not necessary to dial them if you are calling within the states where you are located, but this does not apply to metropolitan areas divided into communication zones. If you need to contact a user from another zone, the number 1 is dialed first at the beginning of the number.

If you need to call outside of America, you should enter 011 before the subscriber number, then the country code, city code and phone number for customers. The Moscow telephone dialing will look like this: 011 7 495 XXX XX XX.

How to buy a local US SIM card

The process is as simple as possible. You don't even need a passport. SIM cards are sold at official outlets, in small stalls, and sometimes in supermarkets. They can be purchased with cash or with a credit card.

Please note that prices are higher at New York airports and other popular destinations. Therefore, buy at the operator’s office or in regular stores. The process of purchasing an American SIM is described in detail in the video:

Pre-registration is also available. To do this, go to the website of the desired operator, select a tariff and order SIM delivery by mail. You will need a US address for this as they do not ship outside the country. You may be able to use your hotel's address in New York. In this case, you will arrive at your accommodation location, and the treasured box will be waiting for you at the reception. The good thing is that you don't need a US bank account to pay for your purchase.