SIM Card Options When Moving from India to the United States
Leaving home to begin work in another country is hard, but leaving your loved ones is even more difficult. Indian expats moving to the United States are going to be looking at ways to stay connected to their families and friends back home.
In this era, where you can buy anything you need at the touch of a button, having a smartphone and a SIM card is essential. Once you arrive in a foreign country, you’ll need to get around and it helps if you can call a friend, colleague, employer or family member. To do this, you’ll need to check out which choice of America’s telecommunication service suits your purposes.
A newbie setting foot in the US should have an idea of which mobile plan to purchase and which sim card to use. The team at Allied has compiled a list to help you make that choice.
It is important to know that not all service providers will be available at all locations, so choosing your service will depend on which US state you are moving to from India.
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Your Best SIM Card Options when Moving to the US
There are 4 major telecommunication services in the US, and here is an overview of the SIM Card options.
- Verizon
Verizon has, by far, the greatest number of subscribers in the US making it America’s largest mobile network. It delivers a fast and reliable 4G mobile internet, with an 11Mbps download and 3.5Mbps upload speed. It also offers unlimited calls and texts within the US, once you’re subscribed to their plan. You can achieve the ultimate connectivity wherever you are.
SIM Price: You can order a free SIM card for an existing line by setting up an account with Verizon (terms and conditions may apply).
Most Competitive Plan: $40 per month postpaid plan with unlimited talk, text and data.
Drawbacks: The plan is quite expensive compared to others. Verizon SIM cards are also limited to compatible devices only.
- AT&T
AT&T has the second largest number of subscribers in the States. It has wider coverage compared to T-Mobile. Nowadays, everyone is looking for a SIM provider that has a strong mobile data connection because connecting to the internet has become an essential part of life. AT&T not only has wider coverage, it also has a good internet speed.
LTE services averages to about 5-7Mbps speed. So, if you are looking for better connectivity with stable coverage even in a rural area, we recommend this service provider.
SIM Price: $5 for the SIM card.
Most Competitive Plan: Data Only: $35 per month (plus tax), including unlimited calls and text within the US with 1GB mobile data.
Drawbacks: AT&T network is often congested due to the number of subscribers.
- T-Mobile
Most expats moving from India to the US are talking about the versatility of T-Mobile. It offers a competitive package compared to its rivals.
If you are a tourist in the US and you’re visiting for a limited number of days, T-Mobile offers a 21-day International Tourist Plan, which you can purchase for $30. Otherwise, if you are planning to stay longer, you can get a prepaid or a plan package of your choice.
SIM Price: $25 for the SIM, with a free $3 credit up-front.
Most Competitive Plan: Data Only: 500MB for $5 per day.
Drawbacks: Limited coverage when you are staying in rural areas, particularly Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Idaho, Eastern California and New Mexico.
- Sprint
Sprint might be the least popular choice of any Indian expat moving to the US. However, it has the most affordable plan once you are subscribed.
SIM Price: You’ll receive a Sprint SIM cards when you purchase a smartphone.
Most Competitive Plan: $40 per month, with unlimited talk and text plus 2GB data.
Drawbacks: SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers, but you need to purchase a smartphone, too.
The thought of moving to the US can be overwhelming but America can provide countless opportunities for work and a stable family lifestyle. Once you’ve arrived, it’s easy to connect to family back home with the right mobile phone and data plan.
Contact Allied Pickford for all the information you need when you’re moving from India to the US.
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