Cell phones forum: Prepaid data plan for US visitor

Actually yes, in fact I use a feature the phone has from production. It allows to share internet connection, in other words it allows my phone to become a Wi-Fi hotspot. In my country, as far as I know, there is nothing that would disallow me to use my data limit for connection to the internet for my laptop. But if I understand well, here in USA, you have some amount of data to use, but you have to use it in your phone, not tether to laptop. I don't understand why, because for the operator it doesn't matter how do you use your data limit. I don't even understand how can they find out that I'm not using my data in cellphone, but I send it to my laptop..

I see I asked two questions and can't find you answering either one.

I'll have to assume you didn't read the reply but part with a nod to using EasyTether. It's really good.
Bob

Sorry for that, I read "do you use" instead of "can you use". But after a quick research of what EasyTether is I think I don't need it. The problem I am facing is not "how to connect to the internet", but which plan to use for it. As I have described before, technically I have an option how to tether. I only need an advice which plan to buy.

On virgin mobile. At 35 a month and the fact I can use easytether there I can cut my bill in half.

The handheld from them seems to be from 70 to 199 USD but that's a personal choice.
Bob

Thanks for the tip. I've been in Best Buy to ask about the plan you mentioned. Unfortunately, I'd have to buy their phone, which is 80 $ and more and pay 50 $ a month, which is too much. I don't want to spend 230 $ only for internet and calling here I've went through all the plans of all the major operators and I'll probably have to give up trying to find a data plan, because no one offers the plan I need. It's either too expensive or you have to buy a phone, which means it's too expensive as well.

It's 80 bucks for the phone and 35 a month for the plan.

It is, but I need it for 3 months. And I'd have to pay another 15 dollars a month to be able to tether legally, so that's another 45 bucks. So alltogether it's 275 $. It's way too much just for internet connection and phone I don't actually want..

Is that an option?

There's also the chance that you keep the tethering amounts on the reasonable side so you don't get caught. Also, could you first buy a phone back home you could use here and keep using when your return? I find it hard to believe you couldn't find a decent unlocked Android smartphone for about $200 in Europe (even refurbished).

I guess at some point you will have to pony up to the bar since you aren't entering into a contract with a U.S. carrier. Either you get a subsidized phone somehow, and sell it when you leave to defray part of the cost, or bring one in on your nickel.

Would anyone in the U.S. be willing to add a line on their plan for you until you leave? That would at least reduce the cost of the handset investment up front. Unlocking them is trivial enough as well.

I'd pay the one time fee for the EasyTether app and be done. You can sell the fone later to cut your costs.
Bob

You & I would do the same thing since we understand the rules/risks, and can quickly switch to another (paid) option if needed. Not so simple for the visitor, unfamiliar with our strange patchwork of non-conforming wireless policies/goofy non-global standards on a student budget.

;(

I've been involved with cell coms on the inside since before 1995 and in decades the stories about getting an agreement only to have them conveniently forget it the next day (week, etc) is something that still bugs me. Its very hard to make a business decision given the current players.

Bob

...when my friend's dad came home with two 'car phones' (LOL). Apparently, that put his (small) business light years into the future(!) <all while looking at the betamax decks on their counter waiting for repair...>

Now the college kids practically give you deer in the headlights look when you mention 'car' or 'bag' mobile phones They did give me a toothy smile though when I told them some 'hackers' cloned my wife's old analog Motorola brick phone on the expressway in Chi-town back in the day. I can't even remember if we had international dialing enabled on the account, but that's what appeared on the bill ($9K to Nigeria & India).

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/t-drops-lawsuit-mass-man-030156076.html

Give me an idea so I can recommend some plans/phones/tethering apps that cover where you will be staying for 3 mos. It doesn't sound like you have many options if you are so restricted financially.

How about broadband where you will be living?

Actually I gave up my efforts to find a data plan. No carrier offers the plan I need. I will just use T-Mobile's Pay By Day plan to have a phone number here and to be able to call and text. For internet I have to walk a minute to get a Wi-Fi signal. And in September, I will purchase a $50 plan from them, because I will travel and I will need a connection.
Few times I found a plan I quite liked, so I went to ask about it, but there was always some reason, why I couldn't use it the way I wanted.
I have to say I'm surprised how does this market work here in USA. Different standards, strange plans, strict policies, paying for everything (I even found a plan where you have to pay for RECIEVED messages...wtf?!)..everything is made the most difficult way. For example, why do most of the carriers make differencies between data connection for standard phones, smartphones and even ask extra money to allow tethering? They don't have to care at all how I use my data limit I paid for. Or why do I have to buy new devices to be able to use data, if I have my own phone? (Btw. my phone is unlocked, although I bought it for special price from my carrier. Our carriers don't block phones for their network. No American can imagine it...)
I've spent hours and hours trying to find a solution, but I have enough. And on the top of this, I met a T-Mobile representative, that was not only not helpful at all, but after refusing his offer of $50 plan turned his back on me and started to ignore me. With no words, just in the middle of my speech he left and didn't come back.
Sorry for that, but I have to say I'm very disappointed of how it's set here. In my country people still complain about our carriers, but now I know it's better there than here. Although the prices are sometimes higher, approach is much better. I'm surprised about that, because I expected the market in the USA will be more opened and competitive.
You can think about me whatever you want, but this is my opinion.
But thank you guys for your tips.

..money $$$$. That's what keeps the wheels spinning, hence the attitude of someone as a low paid sales clerk pissed because you wouldn't take his offer. Keep in mind as a prepaid customer they don't make as much money from you so you aren't as attractive as someone who's signing a 2 year contract for service.

Because you are a non-native you haven't discovered the workarounds available, given the patchwork of semi-compatible systems/incompatible hardware. It's certainly more complex here. IME using phones/networks in Europe, you definitely get what you pay through the nose for. I prefer what you have there in the sense of a standardized GSM/UMTS system, even though there are some quite pathetic arguments here by libertarian types that we somehow have 'more freedom' because different mobile standards have caught on/were developed here. It's a bit of a stretch anyway.

The workaround now for incoming text charges is basically a data plan, since a large number have data plans now. Just use one of the free apps to do the same thing (iMessage, Google voice, pinger, etc.).

Oh, and isn't there wifi where you will be staying?