Hello,
according the information on the Fairphone webpage, T-Mobile as cellular network is recommended in the US - due to not having support for all common bands used in the US.
So I downloaded the US T-Mobile prepaid eSIM-App (https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/t-mobile-esim-app) - after starting it states, the device wasn’t supported.
So I looked around on the www and found Holafly - eSIM USA from $6 with Unlimited Data - Holafly
According to technical specs (" * Networks: AT&T / T-Mobile") it uses those two networks.
Does anyone have experience? Is T-Mobile supported all the time or only in areas AT&T doesn’t cover? or something like that?
Thank you for tips and hints.
Regards,
Paul
For travelling maybe check also Yesim or Airalo. Yesim worked perfectly fine in Canada for data only.
To use T-mobile directly I guess you need to check once you are abroad and in a physical shop.
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For eSIM experiences in the US, please check out this search in the US users topic:
https://forum.fairphone.com/search?q=esim%20topic%3A5083%20order%3Alatest
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thanks. Using just the tag “usa” I couldn’t find that topic.
Read the thread backwards (~1 year). I only found out, that there’s an issue with (wi-fi calling) on AT&T network - don’t even know what that is. Actually I never use wi-fi at all in general. But otherwise it should work fine there.
Unfortunately nothing special about “Holafly” - which seems the cheapest option for unlimited data (but data only - but still have physical European SIM for calls and sms).
Thanks.
Yesim seems to be similiar. Uses same networks as Holafly + Verizon as network.
It seems to me, that I would need to purchase and install it, when I am actually abroad. Holafly on the other hand let’s you purchase and set up it beforehand, just activate the eSIM when there - and the purchased time period starts then. With Yesim and purchasing beforehand I would end up in a time period longer than I need it (15 days).
Airolo only offers limited data usage, so not an option.
But will have a deeper look in Yesim.
Thanks for this feedback, I added the tag to the topic.
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I used Holafly in the Netherlands recently.
The Internet works fine until you use more than 5GB in a certain amount of time(3-5 days). If you exceed this limit, the speed automatically gets slowed down to 0.1mbps, which is hilariously slow, since i payed for unlimited and fast internet.
If you only want to use WhatsApp and surf for normal stuff on the web, you´ll be fine
Greetings
With Yesim, if you are not planning to use your mobile internet right away, you can tap “Activate later” during the purchase of a new prepaid data plan and activate it during the next 12 months.
(from YESIM FAQ)
that would be disgusting :-/ it says unlimited for US, but states, that “fair usage policy” of providers may apply.
Found a source (Our Honest Holafly Review (Is Data Really Unlimited?)), stating there’s a daily limit of 4.5GiB (UK in that case), but restricted speed will be lifted the next day.
thank you for your input
Yea, I read this.
But I very much assume, that you need an active internet connection to activate. But roaming charges from my service provider are very high.
The FAQs are contradicting:
https://yesimsupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006061797-Can-I-delay-the-activation-of-my-data-plan :
“We recommend activating and installing your eSIM one or two days before departure.”
[which means, I would need to buy a longer time period, 15 days is exactly the timeline of my travel]
United States (USA) eSIM cards for Tourists | Unlimited Mobile Data Plans - Yesim :
“We recommend that you buy a data plan before your trip and activate it immediately when you arrive at United States (USA).”
Can you say anything about “fair usage”? Is there any throttling?
Thank you
Yes, I think you’re right here. Still it shouldn’t be too hard to find some open wifi just for that.
Maybe someone else. I can’t unfortunately. I’ve never used the unlimited options.
I’m pretty sure I activated it in DE the day I left. I had 5GB for 15 days which was sufficient. In countries like Canada or USA you have free wifi at many many places like airports.
Dont know what fair usage should be