Traveling to USA. MiFi, 3, SIM questions

Django x2 · 25 Mar 2023 at 15:41

I'm with 3 and traveling to the USA soon. That in itself seems to be complicated enough, depending on what plan you're on and when you joined 3. However, in any case, even with the Go Roam details, you have to activate your UK allowance.

What I wanted to do was maybe grab a prepaid USA SIM and stick it in a MiFi device that is compatible with US bands, etc, which most seem to be.

However, the only good option I can find states that it isn't useable in a data only device like a tablet or MiFi. I'm not sure I can really see how that's possible. If you have a data plan, especially in a local (USA) SIM, I can't see that being an issue. My UK three SIM, I could possibly understand where the option to roam each day is behind some sort of captive portal.

This is the SIM in question.

USA Sim Card - Unlimited 5G Data (T-Mobile)

Travel America with ease with a SIM Card for USA. Genuine T-Mobile USA Unlimited Data SIM Card with unlimited calls and SMS. Buy now from SimCorner

uk.simcorner.com

Please note: This sim card can only be used in Mobiles Phones and NOT in any data only devices such as, iPads, Tablets, Wifi Dongles and Mifi devices.

Am I missing any other obvious options?

Kanpai · 25 Mar 2023 at 15:57

Django x2 said:
Am I missing any other obvious options?

An eSIM from Airalo or Ubigi

Django x2 · 25 Mar 2023 at 18:23

Kanpai said:
An eSIM from Airalo or Ubigi

For use in a MIFi Device?

Kanpai · 25 Mar 2023 at 18:32

Django x2 said:
For use in a MIFi Device?

Well no, sorry thought you were open to other options aside from MiFi

Django x2 · 25 Mar 2023 at 20:21

I guess I am, but ideally without the option of having to reconfigure Whatsapp etc but just looking at airalo, it's far more expensive than the one in linked to, with far less data too

Zirax · 25 Mar 2023 at 22:00

So.... is not getting a cheap global android and hotspotting not an option? Or using an old phone as a hotspot?

Kanpai · 26 Mar 2023 at 09:10

Django x2 said:
I guess I am, but ideally without the option of having to reconfigure Whatsapp etc but just looking at airalo, it's far more expensive than the one in linked to, with far less data too

Why would you need to reconfigure WhatsApp? It would prompt you if you want to continue using your existing number or the new one.

The eSIM route is more expensive but does provide a lot of convenience too so it's really coming down to what your priority is

Django x2 · 26 Mar 2023 at 22:51

Zirax said:
So.... is not getting a cheap global android and hotspotting not an option? Or using an old phone as a hotspot?

Yep, it's an option, but I'm guessing if the SIM is clever enough to know it's in a MiFi, it's clever enough to know it's being hotspotted.

I might just get two sims to the one I linked to and shove them in the phone and be done with it. Probably far less hassle than guess work.