Which service provider can I buy pre-paid SIM card for my GSM phone in the U.S.?

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James Hwu - 27 Jul 2003 08:15 GMT

I have a never-been locked tri-band GSM phone and is looking for GSM service
providers here in the U.S. (western region) that will allow a customer to
buy their SIM card and use their service. It really puzzles me that every
company wants me to buy a GSM phone I don't need in order to access their
service. You can walk into almost any 7-11 store and buy a pre-paid SIM
card for you GSM phone in countries like Taiwan. That's a great way for
cellular provider to sell their service to anyone with a cell phone. Anyone
with a GSM phone can choose any service provider they want at any time.
Whatever happens to freedom of choice in America?

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John S. - 27 Jul 2003 12:55 GMT

>It really puzzles me that every
>company wants me to buy a GSM phone I don't need in order to access their
>service.

You can go into a T-Mobile store and buy their SIM for $20. Then put it in your
phone and call them and sign up for whatever plan that you want to sign up for
over the phone!

Or, the store reps will sign you up. But you do not need to buy a phone!

--
John S.
e-mail responses to - john at kiana dot net

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Joseph - 27 Jul 2003 16:58 GMT

>I have a never-been locked tri-band GSM phone and is looking for GSM service
>providers here in the U.S. (western region) that will allow a customer to
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>with a GSM phone can choose any service provider they want at any time.
>Whatever happens to freedom of choice in America?

Depends on where you are out "west." T-Mobile sells prepaid cards
only for $50 which includes $30 of talk time. If you go to corporate
stores they will have the prepaid kits. Also some authorized dealers
have prepaid kits they will sell you. As for the "all inclusive" kits
there are some dealers at times that you can get a phone and the SIM
for $70 so basically you're payingi $20 for a phone. Cingular also
provides prepaid service in California, Nevada and Washington state.
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