Travel to USA, best mobile communication options?

altopiet · 06-20-2013, 12:07 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Why not just have him turn off the cell portion and instead use the wifi features of the phone?
I am assuming the phone can connect to a wireless router?
When I travel abroad I use Skype to talk to my family via wireless using any free wi-fi access point such as my hotel or a Starbucks.
Other apps you can use are Tango or Voxxer.

His phone will be able to do what you suggest (Galaxy S3 is similar in capabilities as IPhone), but if you mean activating roaming with our SP in South Africa, data will work out at about US35 cents/25kB. He plans to take a lot of photo's with his phone and either e-mail them or upload to Google drive or something like that. At that rate it is still very expensive, so much easier to get a sim card as he arrives in the USA, even if only for data, and using Skype, Whatsapp e-mail etc..

EDIT: Just for info, call rates on roaming with our SP, is about US$2/minute

**crewl1** · 06-20-2013, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

His phone will be able to do what you suggest (Galaxy S3 is similar in capabilities as IPhone), but if you mean activating roaming with our SP in South Africa, data will work out at about US35 cents/25kB. He plans to take a lot of photo's with his phone and either e-mail them or upload to Google drive or something like that. At that rate it is still very expensive, so much easier to get a sim card as he arrives in the USA, even if only for data, and using Skype, Whatsapp e-mail etc..

EDIT: Just for info, call rates on roaming with our SP, is about US$2/minute

I don't mean activating roaming.
I mean turn off the cellular feature entirely and only use the phone as a wi-fi device using the communication apps I mentioned.
As long as he can limit calls to when he has free wi-fi access it should cost nothing.

**LaurenOE** · 06-20-2013, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Why not just have him turn off the cell portion and instead use the wifi features of the phone?
I am assuming the phone can connect to a wireless router?
When I travel abroad I use Skype to talk to my family via wireless using any free wi-fi access point such as my hotel or a Starbucks.
Other apps you can use are Tango or Voxxer.

Yup. Agree 100%
Skype is your friend and I use it for ALL of my overseas communication needs.
My Galaxy Tab 7 is my email, GPS and Skype platform.

**crewl1** · 06-20-2013, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

Yup. Agree 100% Skype is your friend and I use it for ALL of my overseas communication needs. My Galaxy Tab 7 is my email, GPS and Skype platform.

altopiet:
Try it at home to make sure it will work for you.
Put the phone in Airplane mode or whatever setting to disconnect the cellular signal but make sure wireless is working.
Install one of the mentioned apps on both your phones.
For Skype and most apps you will each have to get an account ID so you can find each other and add to your contacts in the app.
Try having a conversation using the app.
Pretty sure you will find it is just like using the cell phone, but without the cell system charges.

altopiet · 06-20-2013, 08:37 AM

Sorry, I see what you mean, using Wifi he won't need data (head slap for self

) I'll get him to google all the places he'll be visiting and staying, and find out about that one, that seems like a brilliant suggestion!

**crewl1** · 06-20-2013, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

Sorry, I see what you mean, using Wifi he won't need data (head slap for self

) I'll get him to google all the places he'll be visiting and staying, and find out about that one, that seems like a brilliant suggestion!

Everywhere in the US you are not far from a Starbucks if you have no other options for free wi-fi. Store Locator | Starbucks Coffee Company
Main thing for him to remember is DO NOT turn on cellular from the point he gets on his flight out until he steps off the return flight home.
Even one minute of turning on the cellular service in the US will be charges you don't want.
If he wants to text his friends have him install a texting app that works over wireless.

pdo · 06-20-2013, 09:15 AM

Either Starbuck or McDonald's have free wifi.

altopiet · 06-20-2013, 10:00 PM

Thanks everyone, I think our problem is solved now thanks to all your suggestions, much appreciated!

faceless_el · 06-20-2013, 10:56 PM

Cheapest option is to purchase one of the prepaid units here. I used to bring my local phone on travels to USA but the roaming charges was ridiculous.
I picked up a AT&T prepaid unit on sale from bestbuy for $2.99 (yes two dollars) and just loaded it up with $15.00

It's easy on the pocket and when you lose it while travelling it is ok as it doesn't cost that much

06-20-2013, 08:37 AM	#20
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Sorry, I see what you mean, using Wifi he won't need data (head slap for self) I'll get him to google all the places he'll be visiting and staying, and find out about that one, that seems like a brilliant suggestion!

06-20-2013, 08:52 AM	#21
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by altopiet Sorry, I see what you mean, using Wifi he won't need data (head slap for self) I'll get him to google all the places he'll be visiting and staying, and find out about that one, that seems like a brilliant suggestion! Everywhere in the US you are not far from a Starbucks if you have no other options for free wi-fi. Store Locator \| Starbucks Coffee Company Main thing for him to remember is DO NOT turn on cellular from the point he gets on his flight out until he steps off the return flight home. Even one minute of turning on the cellular service in the US will be charges you don't want. If he wants to text his friends have him install a texting app that works over wireless.

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06-20-2013, 12:07 AM	#16
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Originally posted by crewl1 Why not just have him turn off the cell portion and instead use the wifi features of the phone? I am assuming the phone can connect to a wireless router? When I travel abroad I use Skype to talk to my family via wireless using any free wi-fi access point such as my hotel or a Starbucks. Other apps you can use are Tango or Voxxer. His phone will be able to do what you suggest (Galaxy S3 is similar in capabilities as IPhone), but if you mean activating roaming with our SP in South Africa, data will work out at about US35 cents/25kB. He plans to take a lot of photo's with his phone and either e-mail them or upload to Google drive or something like that. At that rate it is still very expensive, so much easier to get a sim card as he arrives in the USA, even if only for data, and using Skype, Whatsapp e-mail etc.. EDIT: Just for info, call rates on roaming with our SP, is about US$2/minute

06-20-2013, 08:22 AM	#17
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by altopiet His phone will be able to do what you suggest (Galaxy S3 is similar in capabilities as IPhone), but if you mean activating roaming with our SP in South Africa, data will work out at about US35 cents/25kB. He plans to take a lot of photo's with his phone and either e-mail them or upload to Google drive or something like that. At that rate it is still very expensive, so much easier to get a sim card as he arrives in the USA, even if only for data, and using Skype, Whatsapp e-mail etc.. EDIT: Just for info, call rates on roaming with our SP, is about US$2/minute I don't mean activating roaming. I mean turn off the cellular feature entirely and only use the phone as a wi-fi device using the communication apps I mentioned. As long as he can limit calls to when he has free wi-fi access it should cost nothing.

06-20-2013, 08:27 AM	#18
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Originally posted by crewl1 Why not just have him turn off the cell portion and instead use the wifi features of the phone? I am assuming the phone can connect to a wireless router? When I travel abroad I use Skype to talk to my family via wireless using any free wi-fi access point such as my hotel or a Starbucks. Other apps you can use are Tango or Voxxer. Yup. Agree 100% Skype is your friend and I use it for ALL of my overseas communication needs. My Galaxy Tab 7 is my email, GPS and Skype platform.

06-20-2013, 08:33 AM	#19
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by LaurenOE Yup. Agree 100% Skype is your friend and I use it for ALL of my overseas communication needs. My Galaxy Tab 7 is my email, GPS and Skype platform. altopiet: Try it at home to make sure it will work for you. Put the phone in Airplane mode or whatever setting to disconnect the cellular signal but make sure wireless is working. Install one of the mentioned apps on both your phones. For Skype and most apps you will each have to get an account ID so you can find each other and add to your contacts in the app. Try having a conversation using the app. Pretty sure you will find it is just like using the cell phone, but without the cell system charges.

06-20-2013, 09:15 AM	#22
pdo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Westminster CA Posts: 264	Either Starbuck or McDonald's have free wifi.

06-20-2013, 10:00 PM	#23
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Thanks everyone, I think our problem is solved now thanks to all your suggestions, much appreciated!

06-20-2013, 10:56 PM	#24
faceless_el Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: BC Photos: Albums Posts: 138	Cheapest option is to purchase one of the prepaid units here. I used to bring my local phone on travels to USA but the roaming charges was ridiculous. I picked up a AT&T prepaid unit on sale from bestbuy for $2.99 (yes two dollars) and just loaded it up with $15.00 It's easy on the pocket and when you lose it while travelling it is ok as it doesn't cost that much