Prepaid GSM phone SIMs in the USA? Channel showing Rugby world cup?

[sub]

Next week I'm going to be in the US for a couple of weeks, and I had a couple of questions you guys might be able to help me out with.

If I take my GSM phone with me, is it possible to pickup pre-paid SIMs in US that I can use in my phone while I'm there. I know you can get them in most countries, but I'm not sure about the US. I dont want to roam with my existing SIM.

Also, does anyone happen to know if any channels are showing the Rugby World Cup over there? I suspect I'll be recordings the one game I want to see and watching it when I get back, but thought it was worth checking anyway.

[groover km]

Also, does anyone happen to know if any channels are showing the Rugby World Cup over there? I suspect I'll be recordings the one game I want to see and watching it when I get back, but thought it was worth checking anyway.

No luck I'm afraid. I spent a couple of hours on friday trying to find a way to watch the England and Scotland games, but it's not being carried any of the cable networks. 2003 Fox Sports carried them a day late but nothing this year.

A channel called Setanta (I think they operate in Australia as well) have exclusive rights, but they are megabucks, even if your operator carries the channel. You might be able to find it in a pub though, some sports bars license it. Go to the Setanta website and they have a list of venues by zipcode.

Failing that, it's torrents (which is how we watched the 6 nations as well )

Good luck!

[sub]

You might be able to find it in a pub though, some sports bars license it. Go to the Setanta website and they have a list of venues by zipcode.

Good idea - thanks for the info. I can see a few pubs listed that'll be showing it.

[toedeloese]

Next week I'm going to be in the US for a couple of weeks, and I had a couple of questions you guys might be able to help me out with.

Also, does anyone happen to know if any channels are showing the Rugby World Cup over there? I suspect I'll be recordings the one game I want to see and watching it when I get back, but thought it was worth checking anyway.

Sub, why don't use orb on your gb-pvr machine !
i am able to watch or listen were ever i go !

http://www.orb.com/orb/

enjoy your trip

[sub]

I did consider streaming it from EWA, but I'm not sure I'll have a decent internet connection available. It sounds like a good excuse to go to the pub to watch it anyway!

[Fatman_do]

Not sure, but I think T-Mobile sells pre-paid SIM's.

Cingular and Nextel might.

See alot of stuff on the 'Net..but not in person, but then again, I don't live in an urbanized area. Someone from the big cities would have a better handle on what is available in that area.

Taken from....

http://wikitravel.org/en/Telephone_service_for_travel

United States and Canada

Some things to keep in mind when using cellular phones in the US and Canada:

* For a GSM phone to work in the US or Canada, it has to work on the 1900 MHz and/or 850 MHz GSM frequencies. Some locations provide service on both frequencies, others use one or the other.
* The SIM card and sometimes the phone itself needs to be programmed for international roaming ("unlocked") and your carrier needs to arrange for your account to accept international billing. Most European accounts accept international billing.
* Major American GSM carriers are T-Mobile and Cingular. Some smaller regional companies are converting to GSM and have roaming agreements with the larger carriers. Canadian carriers include Fido and Rogers.
* Prepaid SIM cards are easy to find online but expect to pay more. However most shops will only sell the phones bundled with a SIM card in which case you can expect to pay $59 for a Tracfone or Verizon prepaid phone. Often, stores and internet websites not run by the providers themselves may sell them unbundled, sometimes at a very good discount.
* Refills for prepaid cards are generally available at any convenience shops/stores, gas stations and Canadian post offices.
* Dialing 411 is a reliable method of obtaining phone numbers and addresses. Phone carriers typically charge about two dollars per 411 call, although directory assistance is also available for free via 1-800-Free411, which is ad-supported.
* North American cell phone providers typically charge for both incoming and outgoing minutes. However, there is no difference in cost when calling an American land line or cell phone.
* Long Distance from a cell phone can often be very expensive, especially international calls. It is often prudent to buy a calling card with a local access number for making international calls from a cellular phone.

Some older phones need to select or allow a roaming change from a user menu. Bring your manual or make sure you know how to access the menus. An explanation and listing of who is on what system and frequency, including old systems is at Siemens.

[pastro]

Next week I'm going to be in the US for a couple of weeks, and I had a couple of questions you guys might be able to help me out with.

If I take my GSM phone with me, is it possible to pickup pre-paid SIMs in US that I can use in my phone while I'm there. I know you can get them in most countries, but I'm not sure about the US. I dont want to roam with my existing SIM.

Also, does anyone happen to know if any channels are showing the Rugby World Cup over there? I suspect I'll be recordings the one game I want to see and watching it when I get back, but thought it was worth checking anyway.

If your phone is a quad band phone you are ok. You need 1900 and 850Mhz. 1900 was more prevalent at first, now more 850 is coming on line. Cingular does have a gophone sim package. I'll call a store tomorrow and see if they sell them locally.
Rugby - good luck, American rules football started this week.

[sub]

Cheers.

My Nokia is a quad band phone, so physically has no problems with the US GSM frequencies. In asia you cant get out of the airport without seeing a heap of places selling prepaid mobile phone SIMs. They're also pretty easy to come by in Europe and NZ. I wasnt so sure about the US though.

On groover's recommendations above I did find a few irish pubs that say they'll be showing the RWC games on their websites. There also seems to be a kiwi pub in NYC that shows the games, so I'm hopeful I'll be able to catch it at one of these.

[pastro]

Cheers.

My Nokia is a quad band phone, so physically has no problems with the US GSM frequencies. In asia you cant get out of the airport without seeing a heap of places selling prepaid mobile phone SIMs. They're also pretty easy to come by in Europe and NZ. I wasnt so sure about the US though.

On groover's recommendations above I did find a few irish pubs that say they'll be showing the RWC games on their websites. There also seems to be a kiwi pub in NYC that shows the games, so I'm hopeful I'll be able to catch it at one of these.

I have a feeling that on Broadway you will be able to find a number of places that sell prepaid sim cards.

[colin]

A big downside to Setanta is they encourage pubs to charge a fee for punters to watch the matches. The good Irish ones will at least give you a fry

You can get each game through their broadband service for $9.99 a pop. Also livesportson.tv show the games but they charge a little more.

Enjoy NYC, next time drop down to Atlanta.