Help getting a US phone & carrier

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

I'm looking towards my American friends to help me out here. I thought the Canadian market was difficult, but knowing VERY little about the US phone market I could use some assistance in which direction I should go;


Here are my requirements;


I am looking for something with national coverage, as I'm never sure what state or area I'm going to go, so I will probably go with Verizon, Sprint or AT&T.


I don't want a monthly plan, something pay as you go will do just fine.


Verizon and AT&T have what appear to be daily plans that I only pay for on the days I use, one charge .01 per 5/kb of data the other is like $2 a day.


Phone MUST be able to tether as I will be doing all of my data activity from another device so I need a simple phone without a lot of frills or features. It will be acting as just that. A phone in case of emergencies, and some rare texts, only when I am in the US and as a mobile hot spot for my other devices so I can browse websites, check email etc)


Virgin Mobile has been another consideration, but the 90 day expiry thing is a bit of a deterrent. And what are they referring to when they say "Free in Oz"?

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

Well we Americans call Australia Oz but not sure why they'd say that on the phone plans.
It's not like we have tons of Aussies here. At least not that I'm aware of.

There are lots of pay as you go phones.
Not sure which ones have tethering.
I know many have free international.
Plus you can put in the magic jack app and get free calls that way if you register it in Canada.

WalMart sells quite a few of those pay as you go phones.
Net 10 (pick your provider), Boost Mobile (by Sprint), Go Phone (by AT&T)
Haven't really looked into the tethering capabilites cause I've had the mi-wi app.
Well you know how that went when I tried to upgrade.
Other than that it worked perfectly for years.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I'm looking towards my American friends to help me out here. I thought the Canadian market was difficult, but knowing VERY little about the US phone market I could use some assistance in which direction I should go;


Here are my requirements;


I am looking for something with national coverage, as I'm never sure what state or area I'm going to go, so I will probably go with Verizon, Sprint or AT&T.


I don't want a monthly plan, something pay as you go will do just fine.


Verizon and AT&T have what appear to be daily plans that I only pay for on the days I use, one charge .01 per 5/kb of data the other is like $2 a day.


Phone MUST be able to tether as I will be doing all of my data activity from another device so I need a simple phone without a lot of frills or features. It will be acting as just that. A phone in case of emergencies, and some rare texts, only when I am in the US and as a mobile hot spot for my other devices so I can browse websites, check email etc)


Virgin Mobile has been another consideration, but the 90 day expiry thing is a bit of a deterrent. And what are they referring to when they say "Free in Oz"?

Please send a PM to Happymum, she is traveling but will be checking in.

I know she has access to am american cell Not sure what her deal is but she will be happy to share.