Cell just for emergencies

I think at the $100 refill level the minutes are good for 1 year. Otherwise if the phone is just for emergencies just let the service run out. Even without service the phone will call 911.

-Jay

 

Fellow 'Pond Hopper' -- WELCOME TO AMERICA!

Good Day Mate,

As a fellow European Immigrant; I just wanted to welcome you to America (which IMO is a great place to live), and to WA (which is a great forum to live at - haha!). By the way I am from London, England so... I think we can relate somewhat on that level.

Asides the point,

To answer your question. Yes and No. We here in the USA (just as in the EU) have T-Mobile (USA). Which does have prepaid GSM coverage (GSM in America doesn't sound like GSM in Europe - In My Opinion - but T-Mobile quality is better than that of AT&T - IMO). Therefore you get the SIM card, and all.

So... T-Mobile does have a prepaid programme where you can setup an account, get a local phone number, and a phone for about $30(USD) or so - with a free $10 (or $15 depends on market) airtime card. At that time for your service to be good for one full calendar year you would need to purchase the $100 refill card for the account to be good for a year.

After that year, you only pay $10 each year thereafter for each year. (Taking into account that you replenish your account and you still have the minimum payment of $100 for that account -- doesn't matter the balance though). The per minute rate for local and domestic long distance calling (within the fifty US state - I think Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands too) is only .10 per minute which is the cheapest around.

As for coverage, I am not exactly sure. But I think T-Mobile's network is fairly good in California (better than that of AT&T's). Also, you can roam (for free/no cost!). The coverage map is at: Unsupported Browser

Please respond, and allow me to know if this makes sense.

Whilst you are phone hunting. You can try Target; they usually have promotions on the start-up prepaid kit.

And have a great life in America! Let us know how things work out for ya in choosing a mobile service for emergencies.

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EDIT: (In response to Jay - and to inform Original Poster) -- AT&T requires a $100 refill every year (compared to T-Mobile's $100 first year/$10 a year thereafter), and the per minute cost is higher than that of T-Mobile.

 

An AT&T $25 or $50 card will last 90 days. A T-Mobile $10, $25, or $50 card (before Gold Rewards) will also last 90 days. Of course, if you top-up any of the services before expiration, you don't lose the remaining minutes.