Does anyone have experience with Net10 prepaid cell service?

[Princess Jes]

Hey y'all
My trip is now rapidly approaching (YAY!!) and I'm thinking this time of grabbing a prepaid sim to throw in my iPhone 6s Plus so that I can
A. Contact Steve and Mike when we catch up to go to dinner
B. Have Internet access that I don't have to jump through hoops for at airports (we're at LAX for 4.5 hours between flights and their wifi is crap)
C. To have Internet access at WDW and universal when I'm out of wifi range (i found WDW wifi to be excellent, esp compared to what we get here! I could FaceTime my family and friends from it with no issue!)

So I can get a net10 sim with unlimited calls and text to USA numbers, and 5gb data for USD$50/AUD$70 which is more data than I'll need in 2 weeks, but it's cheap
It runs on AT&T network apparently?
Or I can get an AT&T sim for AUD$114, less data, 3gb I think, but it's at least supported by AT&T
I don't envisage needing to contact customer support so I figure net10 should be fine? And I get a full refund on the net10 one if the service doesn't work on my phone.

The other upside is having it sent to me here prior to the trip and that way I can have it working as soon as we land at lax.

Does anyone have any experience or advise?

 

[jcb]

Sorry, I've never heard of Net10. That doesn't surprise me since I have no reason to look into pay as you go plans. The only thing I noticed was no tethering. If that is important, then you might want to look elsewhere.

I finally broke down and purchased an international plan for travel. It was nice in a sense because I turned off the data connection to not go over my limit. At times I almost felt I had broken free of the game grid.

END OF LINE

 

[Princess Jes]

Sorry, I've never heard of Net10. That doesn't surprise me since I have no reason to look into pay as you go plans. The only thing I noticed was no tethering. If that is important, then you might want to look elsewhere.

I finally broke down and purchased an international plan for travel. It was nice in a sense because I turned off the data connection to not go over my limit. At times I almost felt I had broken free of the game grid.

END OF LINE

Tethering is different than creating a wifi hotspot though right? That was the plan, so Leigh could use it on his phone or on the iPad too.

My telco is ridiculously expensive (it's the best one we have though, so you get what you pay for, most of the time)
And the international roaming packs are pathetic!
14 days (we are away for 16) is $210 for Unlimted calls and text but 1gb of data... Such a rip off!!

The calls and text are the least relevant part for me, it's more the data that I'm interested in.

 

[dina444444]

Tethering is different than creating a wifi hotspot though right? That was the plan, so Leigh could use it on his phone or on the iPad too.

My telco is ridiculously expensive (it's the best one we have though, so you get what you pay for, most of the time)
And the international roaming packs are pathetic!
14 days (we are away for 16) is $210 for Unlimted calls and text but 1gb of data... Such a rip off!!

The calls and text are the least relevant part for me, it's more the data that I'm interested in.

Tethering is when you turn your mobile phone or tablet device that is connected to cellular data into a hotspot that another device connects to as though it's a wifi network.

 

[jcb]

Most "unlimited" data plans prohibit tethering here. I'm not sure if AT&T's 3G plan permits it. I tried to look but the MCP blocked my access.

 

[Princess Jes]

Oh dang!
I knew that tethering was around before the official iOS release that had the hotspot thing.

So net10 is out of the question in that case? Dang.

 

[Princess Jes]

Ok, what about lycamobile?

 

[Princess Jes]

or simple mobile

 

[jcb]

Jes, I'm sorry not to have any experience with these. I've wondered about writing an article for the DIS on sim cards in the US for foreign visitors. @WebmasterMike would know more of the specifics as to how they work but it will take some time to do the research.

I did look at the terms for Lycamobile. It prohibits tethering unless the plan expressly permits it:

Your Data Plan is intended for Web browsing, messaging, and similar activities on your Device and not on any other equipment. Unless explicitly permitted by your Data Plan, other uses, including for example, using your Device as a modem or tethering your Device to a personal computer or other hardware, are not permitted.
http://www.lycamobile.us/en/termsandconditions
​

I tried looking on the AT&T website but since I'm a present customer it didn't like me looking around. There is an AT&T store not far from my house. I could stop there and ask what options there may be. Of course, sometimes that's like asking a WDW bus driver about Disney's future construction plans.....

 

[k5jm]

@Princess Jes, here is a list MVNOs and what networks they ride on.

https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/which-network-is-behind-your-MVNO

I would also look at T-Mobile. They have a prepaid plan for like $30 that includes 100 minutes of talk time and unlimited data

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/other-prepaid-plans

The advantage to using an MVNO that uses ATT is that the DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) and Micro-Cells at WDW are all ATT. Areas with Bi-Directional Amplifier systems will work on most carriers.

You should have no issue with an iPhone as long as your carrier does not "carrier lock" your phone.

ATT charges an extra $20 a month to allow wired and wireless tethering for data sharing (hotspot).

 

[Princess Jes]

Jes, I'm sorry not to have any experience with these. I've wondered about writing an article for the DIS on sim cards in the US for foreign visitors. @WebmasterMike would know more of the specifics as to how they work but it will take some time to do the research.

I did look at the terms for Lycamobile. It prohibits tethering unless the plan expressly permits it:

Your Data Plan is intended for Web browsing, messaging, and similar activities on your Device and not on any other equipment. Unless explicitly permitted by your Data Plan, other uses, including for example, using your Device as a modem or tethering your Device to a personal computer or other hardware, are not permitted.
http://www.lycamobile.us/en/termsandconditions
​

I tried looking on the AT&T website but since I'm a present customer it didn't like me looking around. There is an AT&T store not far from my house. I could stop there and ask what options there may be. Of course, sometimes that's like asking a WDW bus driver about Disney's future construction plans.....

@Princess Jes, here is a list MVNOs and what networks they ride on.

https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/which-network-is-behind-your-MVNO

I would also look at T-Mobile. They have a prepaid plan for like $30 that includes 100 minutes of talk time and unlimited data

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/other-prepaid-plans

The advantage to using an MVNO that uses ATT is that the DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) and Micro-Cells at WDW are all ATT. Areas with Bi-Directional Amplifier systems will work on most carriers.

You should have no issue with an iPhone as long as your carrier does not "carrier lock" your phone.

ATT charges an extra $20 a month to allow wired and wireless tethering for data sharing (hotspot).

Thanks fellas!

Jack, thank you, but you don't need to go out of your way, but I truly appreciate the offer very, very much!

Thanks Mike, I'll have a read later today!
Simple mobile looks like a good deal, $40 unlimited talk and text and 4gb data and allows hotspot, I'm not sure what network they run with though.
I knew WDW was all AT&T so wanted to try stick with that, but I'm limited to the options these sim dealers have, as I want the card sent to me here prior to my departure so I can use it as soon as we hit the ground in LAX, from memory, their wifi was a bit of a pain.

$20 seems reasonable if I can pick up a plan cheap though!

 

[jcb]

Simple mobile runs on T mobile.

Also, AT&T (and Verizon) charges a tethering fee only if you have unlimited data plans. What I couldn't find out is whether they permit tethering on the 3gb data package. If you have a link to that package, post it and I'll ask about it.

 

[k5jm]

Thanks fellas!

Jack, thank you, but you don't need to go out of your way, but I truly appreciate the offer very, very much!

Thanks Mike, I'll have a read later today!
Simple mobile looks like a good deal, $40 unlimited talk and text and 4gb data and allows hotspot, I'm not sure what network they run with though.
I knew WDW was all AT&T so wanted to try stick with that, but I'm limited to the options these sim dealers have, as I want the card sent to me here prior to my departure so I can use it as soon as we hit the ground in LAX, from memory, their wifi was a bit of a pain.

$20 seems reasonable if I can pick up a plan cheap though!

When I get back to the house, I'll check a couple more resources to see what I can come up with. Kind of limited at the moment...

 

[k5jm]

Simple mobile runs on T mobile.

Also, AT&T (and Verizon) charges a tethering fee only if you have unlimited data plans. What I couldn't find out is whether they permit tethering on the 3gb data package. If you have a link to that package, post it and I'll ask about it.

They charge the $20 on my 2gb package but not on my unlimited package (but the unlimited is a corporate account thing).

 

[jcb]

They charge the $20 on my 2gb package but not on my unlimited package (but the unlimited is a corporate account thing).

Odd, I have a 15gb package and pay no additional fee for tethering. Must be the different data limits. I used tethering in Venice 2 weeks ago when the hotel wifi went down.

 

[Princess Jes]

This is the place I'm looking at purchasing through, and one of the options:

http://www.dbssimtrade.com/#!product-page/mog1d/0ce8f9b2-3a89-9d98-73ab-581021c186a1

 

[Princess Jes]

Some other options:

http://www.dbssimtrade.com/#!product-page/mog1d/e625e83a-e7a5-fdde-4b13-29159d049694 (Only 3G speeds, but we use 3G here still anyway if the 4g isn't picking up, it will just be for web browsing and app use)

T-mobile: http://www.dbssimtrade.com/#!product-page/mog1d/f7b169a4-e393-4ea4-3ad4-e87676d10f45

AT&T apparently.
This one lists hotspot as a function.
Downside is, it is much more $$$ than the other options, $114 AUD
BUT, if it is going to be the most reliable, maybe it's the best bet

https://www.usaprepaidsimcard.com.au/plans.html#tabs-2

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Since I don't know nuttin' 'bout no phones (feel like Butterflly McQueen in Gone with the Wind saying that!) , I'll just say "Enjoy the game, Mike - whoever your team is, I hope wins!", and "Good luck with your search, Jes". You definitely have some great help here from these two gentlemen, I"m just here for comedic relief.

 

[jcb]

Simple mobile looks pretty good. I've never used T Mobile but I have not thought it fly by night. Teresa Echols just changed to T-Mobile.

 

[Princess Jes]

Simple mobile looks pretty good. I've never used T Mobile but I have not thought it fly by night. Teresa Echols just changed to T-Mobile.

Thanks Jack!!
I might ask her how the coverage is around WDW (not in the parks but in areas not in wifi reach)

It doesn't necessarily have to be the most amazing provider, I'm only there for 2 weeks, I just want to have the option of data coverage in airports (LAX, Newark, MCO) and in NYC/Brooklyn and WDW/UOR areas.

It's not the end of the world if it's slightly spotty, but even I've heard of t-mobile before and I'm not from the country, so as you said Jack, it can't be fly by night if I've heard of it ALLLLLLL the way down here! Lol