UK user in USA - Nexus S, $3/day pay by the day plan

[alanjrobertson]

Hi folks

I previously had success using a T-Mobile USA SIM when on holiday in the States, using an ZTE Blade. The UMTS frequences didn't suit the USA so I only got 2G speeds.

One year on I see that the "web'n'walk daypass" that I used to use has now disappeared but that $2 and $3 "pay by the day" plans are now in place.

A few quick queries as a result:

1) Will it be possible to re-activate my existing T-Mobile USA SIM which has been dormant for 9 months or so now? I'm not bothered about the credit on it (it was all of a $1 or so) but thought it might avoid paying the fee for a new SIM card (?$6.99 or thereabouts)

2) From what I've read the Nexus S supports the following frequencies:
2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100

Am I correct in thinking that if I went for the $3 plan I would then be able to get higher speed data at HSDPA rates for the first 200MB/day, before dropping to 2G/EDGE speeds?

3) Is it still the case that if you top-up by $100 or more then the credit remains valid for a year? If so then I might consider this as I'll probably use up around $80 of it and would be likely enough to be back in the USA again to make use of the remainder. Presumably if my future top-up was <$100 then once the first year was up I would be back to 90 day validity unless I topped up by $100 again?

4) Is there a good link with the recommended APN settings so I can enter them once I've put the USA SIM in?

Thanks

 

[JrzDroid]

Hi folks

I previously had success using a T-Mobile USA SIM when on holiday in the States, using an ZTE Blade. The UMTS frequences didn't suit the USA so I only got 2G speeds.

One year on I see that the "web'n'walk daypass" that I used to use has now disappeared but that $2 and $3 "pay by the day" plans are now in place.

A few quick queries as a result:

1) Will it be possible to re-activate my existing T-Mobile USA SIM which has been dormant for 9 months or so now? I'm not bothered about the credit on it (it was all of a $1 or so) but thought it might avoid paying the fee for a new SIM card (?$6.99 or thereabouts)

2) From what I've read the Nexus S supports the following frequencies:
2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G HSDPA 900 / 1700 / 2100

Am I correct in thinking that if I went for the $3 plan I would then be able to get higher speed data at HSDPA rates for the first 200MB/day, before dropping to 2G/EDGE speeds?

3) Is it still the case that if you top-up by $100 or more then the credit remains valid for a year? If so then I might consider this as I'll probably use up around $80 of it and would be likely enough to be back in the USA again to make use of the remainder. Presumably if my future top-up was <$100 then once the first year was up I would be back to 90 day validity unless I topped up by $100 again?

4) Is there a good link with the recommended APN settings so I can enter them once I've put the USA SIM in?

Thanks

1. Sim cards come with a prepaid activation so don't worry about paying for the sim.

2. Those are the correct frequencies for the Nexus from what i understand

3. Yes, $100 will last a year on pay-as-you go plans. And everything you get after that will have 15% extra minutes since you will a "Gold Member" Anything under $100 the first time will last 90 days

4. If you are nice to the guys at a t-mobile store they might do it for you, at my store we've done it for a few people.

 

[alanjrobertson]

Thanks, JrzDroid - sorry it took me so long to reply but didn't get an email alert for some reason! Sounds like things all sorted, not sure I'll go for the "Gold Rewards" bit as with the $3/day plan it's unlimited minutes anyway (plus I'm more interested in data!) so the 15% extra sounds like it wouldn't do anything anyway.