USA local SIM card

Tue Sep 19 00:53:55 UTC 2017

On 2017-09-18 19:01, Nathan Anderson wrote:

> The larger issue for you with T-Mobile might be their previous (and ongoing?) use of AWS bands (split 1700MHz uplink/2100 downlink) for 3G service, which very few phones sold outside of the U.S. support.  They have been working nationwide to reallocate their AWS licenses to LTE, turn off 2G service on PCS (1900MHz) bands,

T-Mobile isn't shutting down its 2G for now. AT&T did and T-Mobile hoped
to get IoT business for people whose devices are stuck on 2G. (Think
parking meters etc).

However, T-Mobile carved a big chunk of its 1900s to support 3G
(UMTS/HSPA+) leaving little for 2G.

> Very very few (if any) prepaid plans, either from the carriers themselves or MVNOs, have roaming in Canada

AT&T's prepaid plans at $45 and $65 provide full roaming into Canada for
voice and Data, using your US "bucket".  The one at $30 and the daily
"pay as you go" don't.

T-Mobile prepaid has roaming in Canada for its $75 plan, as well as it
$45/$55 plans with a $5 surcharge.

because AT&T and T-Mo have reciprocal roaming with the Canadian
carriers, they can afford to offer roaming because it costs them next to
nothing. MVNOs would have to pay higher roaming fees so less likely to
include roaming in Canada.

> If you shop for other MVNOs, be very careful to get clarification on what carrier's network they use before you>fork over any cash.

Sprit is very common for MVNOs which means you can't use it with a
standard handset.