PAYG in Florida

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Hi guys, not sure where to post this. In about 3 weeks I'll be going on holiday to Florida. My current provider (EE) it appears doesn't give me free roaming in the states (I'm on PAYG), and the costs for calls and data can be quite expensive. Therefore anyone know the best way to get data and talk in Florida using my existing mobile (Samsung Galaxy S9).

Do they do such things as PAYG sims for just a month. It's just for using the Sat Nav on the phone (which will use data) as well as emergency calls etc. I appreciate I'll then have another number temporarily but I'm not sure if this is available for visitors ?
 
Mght be easier to get a UK network that does the free roaming? On a pay as you go deal or 30 day contract? I'm with Vodafone and they include global roaming on mine, I think three do it too. Essentially you can then use your phone the same as if you were at home - worked fine for us while we were in NY.
 
I always get T-Mobile 'tourist' SIM's in the States. Sounds just like what you need.
 
Pop into a 3 shop and get one of their PAYG 30 day sims which work in America. Don't need registering, no contract. Not the fastest speeds once in the USA but does the job.

When we went, I got the 20gb one but in reality something like 5gb would be more than enough.
 
whyone said:
I always get T-Mobile 'tourist' SIM's in the States. Sounds just like what you need.
Click to expand...

The question is "Is the OP's phone locked to EE?" If so he won't be able to use another network's SIM.
 
get florida maps onto a sat nav and take with you
 
You could also download an app like Here We Go with off-line mapping and navigation.
 
Giblets said:
The question is "Is the OP's phone locked to EE?" If so he won't be able to use another network's SIM.
Click to expand...
This is true.

The OP didn't say this was the case, but if it is, I'd advise getting the 'phone unlocked asap.
 
3 is the way to go for the US. When we done our 2,000 miles road trip, our data sims didn't miss a beat for using google maps for Sat Nav.
 
Can't you just download the necessary area of Google Maps to your phone for offline use, and then use that as a sat nav with your data turned off? GPS will still work fine with no data so you can see where you are etc.

I did this when I visited New York a couple of years ago and it worked perfectly.
 
Also depends on the phone.

We used to work on Nokia and they had free maps installed, and then you just used your GPS for nav. It's the constant refreshing and downloading of new parts of maps that kills your data.

Is there an app that will allow you to download the maps when you're on WiFi and do something similar?
 
I am with 3, and was excellent (although wife on 3 had issues with no data and a weird call charge) - Buy a PAYG sim (my son has that) and then add £10, convert that to an add on in the app and you get unlimited calls, texts and 1gb of data IIRC.
 
I used a 3 sim in Florida a year and half ago (pay as you go) and it worked a good bit of the time - if I remember correctly it was 3g rather than 4g - didn't really miss a beat in Orlando area but was much less reliable down the west coast.

Was in Montana and Wyoming last year and got free calls (didn't use them), texts and data via my O2 contract so didn't bother doing the 3 sim again - US carrier for that was with T-mobile
 
Kell said:
Is there an app that will allow you to download the maps when you're on WiFi and do something similar?
Click to expand...

Google Maps lets you download areas to local storage. Not sure if it requires a data connection for directions and voice instructions though. As others have said, get a Three 30 Day SIM. I did this when I went to New York a couple of years ago and it made life much easier. No contract or anything like that. Also even if your phone is locked to EE they have to unlock it for you if you request it.
 
We use maps.me app for offline mapping and nav. Also has an excellent built in POI system where you can plan routes and mark favourite places in advance.
 
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