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eSIM for upcoming US Holiday

gypsymoth

Super Pro Member
Hello

Wife and I are off to the US in 2 weeks. She's with Talkmobile, I'm with Spusu - neither offer a competitive US roaming add on, so *I think* the recommendation is an eSIM - correct?

If so, if anyone could recommend a rock solid provider that would give us about 30gb of data each for about 3 weeks would be appreciated. Feels like the wild west out there so some ISPReview validation is welcome!
thanks
 
Do you mind me asking what devices you're both using? Recommendations are probably going to vary depending on band access, since there's not a lot of point recommending a SIM that uses T-Mobile or something like that if you don't have B71 (I think).

Most devices don't have B66 and B71 which may impact things unfortunately.
 
Do you mind me asking what devices you're both using? Recommendations are probably going to vary depending on band access, since there's not a lot of point recommending a SIM that uses T-Mobile or something like that if you don't have B71 (I think).

Most devices don't have B66 and B71 which may impact things unfortunately.
Thanks - good point

She's got an iPhone 15 Pro, I've got an iPhone 14 Pro. Both unlocked.
 
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Thanks - good point

She's got an iPhone 15 Pro, I've got an iPhone 14 Pro. Both unlocked.
Not sure which model are the UK models but some of them are missing B71 (600MHz).

They have B66 though (1700MHz). Might have reduced coverage on T-Mobile.
 
3 payg sim still has roam like home, but unsure if it’s 12gb cap.
I think it is still a 12GB cap.

I don't think any networks offer it inclusive unless OP wants to pay extortionate prices for a 30d contract on O2 and has a Virgin Media broadband plan (hoping that Volt applies quickly)?

Some people have mentioned Tello (which I think is T-Mobile) in the past, I think all you need to provide is a US address for WiFi calling? You would have calls and texts through that as well (although I think it's probably to the US only) when you wouldn't through data eSIMs.
 
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I think it is still a 12GB cap.

I don't think any networks offer it inclusive unless OP wants to pay extortionate prices for a 30d contract on O2 and has a Virgin Media broadband plan (hoping that Volt applies quickly)?

Some people have mentioned Tello (which I think is T-Mobile) in the past, I think all you need to provide is a US address for WiFi calling? You would have calls and texts through that as well (although I think it's probably to the US only) when you wouldn't through data eSIMs.

You can sign up for Tello eSim now using your UK address and use it here on wifi. You need a US address for the 911 emergency location. Just give an address of a hotel or friend.
 
Have a look at US Mobile: https://www.usmobile.com/plans

I go to the US regularly and use the Unlimited Starter Warp option when I'm there for a couple of weeks. $25 per month for unlimited data.

There are cheaper options too if you need less data.

Warp uses the Verizon network which works fine with my iPhone 15, I got 5G everywhere I went. The GSM option uses T-Mobile and I think some of the bands are missing on a UK/Europe iPhone so you might not get full coverage everywhere.

Alternatively, you can try Verizon's "Free Trial" which gives you 30 days of unlimited service if you've never used their network before: https://www.verizon.com/plans/free-trial/

You have to jump through some hoops to get it though - the app is only on the US app store so you need to change your location or set up a separate apple account. Also, you can only activate it once you're actually in the US.

It is handy having a US phone number though, which most "global esims" don't give you. Many restaurants will ask for a phone number when you arrive to text you when your table is ready.
 
I think some of the bands are missing on a UK/Europe iPhone
I could be wrong but they're missing on practically every device except Pixels. I have B66, B71 and the 5G equivalents on my Pixel 6 Pro.

I think the T-Mobile prepaid app may also be worth investigating but I think you have to wait until you land.

(im glad i have O2 Travel Inclusive so I don't have to pay anything if I wanted to go over there)
 
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I could be wrong but they're missing on practically every device except Pixels. I have B66, B71 and the 5G equivalents on my Pixel 6 Pro.

I think the T-Mobile prepaid app may also be worth investigating but I think you have to wait until you land.

(im glad i have O2 Travel Inclusive so I don't have to pay anything if I wanted to go over there)
I've tried that before, it's awful! In the US, O2 throttle your speed and it's only good for maps and basic text apps like WhatsApp.

In my personal experience, I would always recommend a local SIM over UK roaming options outside Europe.
 
I've tried that before, it's awful! In the US, O2 throttle your speed and it's only good for maps and basic text apps like WhatsApp.

In my personal experience, I would always recommend a local SIM over UK roaming options outside Europe.
Some people have had uncapped speeds on Travel Inclusive. 2mbps doesn't really seem that bad to me honestly, it's not like you're going to be playing games or watching videos on data on holidays (unless you have no WiFi)?
 
iPhones and Pixels support all the bands in the US. I use Tello here and in the US and it works like a charm and they now offer roaming for just 25¢ a minute in most countries outside North America although I just use calling over wifi and mobile data, which is included.
 
I've tried that before, it's awful! In the US, O2 throttle your speed and it's only good for maps and basic text apps like WhatsApp.

In my personal experience, I would always recommend a local SIM over UK roaming options outside Europe.
I’m on a Plus Plan, was in NY at the start of the year and was getting good 5G speeds.
 
iPhones and Pixels support all the bands in the US. I use Tello here and in the US and it works like a charm and they now offer roaming for just 25¢ a minute in most countries outside North America although I just use calling over wifi and mobile data, which is included.
I looked, some models of the 14 and 15 Pro miss band 71 which is used for T-Mobile's 600MHz service, so no, it's only really Pixel.
 
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I’m on a Plus Plan, was in NY at the start of the year and was getting good 5G speeds.
Oh cool, fair enough.

It's been over a year since I tried so maybe O2 have changed it!

All I remember was the mrs constantly wanting to hotspot to my phone (with a US sim) as she couldn't get fast data on O2 in NY!
 
Hello

Wife and I are off to the US in 2 weeks. She's with Talkmobile, I'm with Spusu - neither offer a competitive US roaming add on, so *I think* the recommendation is an eSIM - correct?

If so, if anyone could recommend a rock solid provider that would give us about 30gb of data each for about 3 weeks would be appreciated. Feels like the wild west out there so some ISPReview validation is welcome!
thanks
My friend used https://www.visible.com/ for their stay in the states, they said coverage was good and speeds were excellent, runs on Verizon. You do need a US address but customer service said you can write your hotels address for that. Oh and its unlimited!
 
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