prepaid SIM for two months in California

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alexandre_paterson@yahoo.fr - 02 Jun 2006 00:40 GMT

Hi all,

I'll be in SoCal for two months (Irvine). I've got a Blackberry 7290
that is "quadriband" so it's supposed to work in the U.S.

While in California I'll be mostly receiving calls from people in
California.

In Belgium it's possible to buy cheap "pre-paid" (anonymous) SIMs
(as low as 12.5 Euros), they can last for as long as one year if
you're only receiving calls.

Is it possible to anonymously buy prepaid cards in the U.S.? If
it is, in what kind of place should I go to find one? Walmart?

I'm concerned about "anonymous" because if I buy a SIM without
ever giving my name I'm sure I'm not signing some "agreement"
printed in a tiny font that says that the provider has the right
to take all my money later on ;)

If anonymity is impossible, is it possible to buy a pre-paid card
valid for two months *without* nasty fineprints that could
screw a non-native english speaker?

Thanks in advance for any hints or similar experience you
could share,

Alex

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Mike S. - 02 Jun 2006 00:51 GMT

>Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>Is it possible to anonymously buy prepaid cards in the U.S.? If
>it is, in what kind of place should I go to find one? Walmart?

The cleanest way to do this is with T-Mobile USA's "T-Mobile To Go"
prepaid service. You activate the account over the phone and do not have
to give your name. You can get the SIM starter pack at just about any
T-Mobile company owned store.

(Places like Wal-Mart etc carry this stuff too, but they are bundled with
a low-end phone that you don't need).

Alternatively, you can usually buy already-activated T-mobile prepaid SIMs
from private individuals on eBay. If time permits, that would allow you to
leave for the USA already knowing the US phone number you will be
receiving calls on.

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Yazzan Gable - 02 Jun 2006 01:00 GMT

If you have certain people that you will be calling in Irvine, you
should see who their carriers are before buying a prepaid SIM.

Cingular has prepaid service that has unlimited mobile to mobile
minutes. If the person you are talking to is also using Cingular, you
won't get charged.

At least that's how it was a few months back...

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Alex

Reply to this Message

www.goldno.com - 02 Jun 2006 09:11 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Alex

Yes you can buy them pre activated.
http://experimentalist.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=24

Signature

www.experimentalist.co.uk/shop/index.php
Australia, New Zealand, USA, German, UK, South Africa, Thailand, Brazil Sim
Cards &
EPIRB.
My help forum
www.experimentalist.co.uk/forum/index.php

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alexandre_paterson@yahoo.fr - 02 Jun 2006 15:41 GMT

Thanks everyone,

I'll be leaving in two weeks so I won't take the risk of buying an
already activated SIM now (it could arrive here after I leave).

I'll be landing in LAX or SNA with my Belgian SIM then I'll go
buy a pre-paid.

Thanks a lot all, good news :)

Alex

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www.goldno.com - 02 Jun 2006 19:58 GMT

> Thanks everyone,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Alex

No worries mate have fun.

Signature

www.experimentalist.co.uk/shop/index.php
Australia, New Zealand, USA, German, UK, South Africa, Thailand, Brazil Sim
Cards &
EPIRB.
My help forum
www.experimentalist.co.uk/forum/index.php

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matt weber - 02 Jun 2006 22:08 GMT

>Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>Is it possible to anonymously buy prepaid cards in the U.S.? If
>it is, in what kind of place should I go to find one? Walmart?

Walmart has T-Mobile booths in many Walmarts, but either Cingular or
T-mobile will work, and you can re-charge online. You can get the SIM
from virtually any T-mobile or Cingular outlet, wherever you find one.
However you will need to provide contact details to obtain the SIM.
The cheapest prepaids are good for 2 months, if you buy a $100
prepaid, you usually get a year.

You can often get these on eBay as well. With Cingular, buy a $25
prepaid, and the SIM is free.

>I'm concerned about "anonymous" because if I buy a SIM without
>ever giving my name I'm sure I'm not signing some "agreement"
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Alex

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mrcamp - 05 Jun 2006 14:29 GMT

A preactivated sim on ebay is your best bet. Most of them actually d
come with a California areacode. Not that it matters since they al
include nationwide calling, so any areacode should do. Also, you ca
even change the areacode for free my calling tmobile customer service
These sims come with about 125 -150 minutes. And you can get them fo
about $10 or less shipping included. Overseas shipping may be extra
Once you top it up with $100 you achieve “gold reward” status an 1 yea
expiration. Any topup after that (even the $10 one) extends the validit
for another year.

Sims on ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/ne42

--
mrcamp

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