T-Mobile USA vs UK for iPhone 5

[BarkingGhostar]

Wife and I will be taking a UK trip toward end of year. Spending about 2.5-3 weeks in UK. We have iPhone 5 from TMo (not 5s/c). Trying to determine best option. Voice between the two of us is primary requirement. No desire to call home or move much data (maybe for GPS, maps, etc.)

Use iPhone 5, TMo USA service with added Simple Choice for a month ($0.20/min voice seems expensive to me).

Use iPhone 5, TMo UK service using replacement SIM in Pay As You Go service.

Buy pair of inexpensive Android phones when we land. No worries of losing iPhone(s) or them being stolen.

Thoughts?

 

[v-600]

I'd double check that your phone is unlocked. I think a UK T-mobile SIM is still a different company than T-mobile USA and it might not be as easy as you think to just pop a UK sim in.

If you can use a UK sim, then maybe you don't need to stick with t-mobile. If you shop around there will be some good offers.

A quick google shows Carphone Warehouse offer a free Vodaphone sim with £10 credit, unlimited data for the first month (great for you), unlimited texts and 150 mins of inclusive minutes. I know you said voice calls to your wife are important but with unlimited data you can skype away between the two of you. As long as you don't end up in the sticks most of the UK has good 3G (and improving 4G).

Personally I wouldn't (and previously haven't) bothered buying a whole new phone. I think you're not likely to get your phone stolen/lost (unless this is a regular occurrence).

 

[cronos]

I would ask for an unlock from T-Mobile here, and over there just find the best prepaid plan for your visit (some UK people here can probably help with that).

 

[tommo123]

one plan from three is cheap and pay monthly. unlimited data and includes tethering too

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I was told that my iPhones from TMo USA were unlocked since I bought them outright and I haven't been on a TMo contract in three years. Of course I've been with TMo USA for about seven years.

I understand that TMo USA and TMo UK are separate companies that do things separately. Not all radio bands are available but I figured if there was at least one band in 3G/4G/LTE then it would be enough. Free SIMs are available from TMo UK, but I am not sure if they'd work in an unlocked TMo USA iPhone 5.

 

[ImDonly1]

I was told that my iPhones from TMo USA were unlocked since I bought them outright and I haven't been on a TMo contract in three years. Of course I've been with TMo USA for about seven years.

I understand that TMo USA and TMo UK are separate companies that do things separately. Not all radio bands are available but I figured if there was at least one band in 3G/4G/LTE then it would be enough. Free SIMs are available from TMo UK, but I am not sure if they'd work in an unlocked TMo USA iPhone 5.

If you bought the iPhone from t-mobile I believe it is locked unless you specifically requested an unlock.

If you bought it from an Apple store and bought the "unlocked model" then it should be unlocked.

There are a few sites online that will tell you if it is locked. I believe I used this one a few years ago. Not sure if they still work correctly. Otherwise, try testing with an att sim or call Apple?
http://www.iphoneox.com/
or http://dev.mk/iphone-simlock-status-imei-checker/

If it is locked, then t-mobile should unlock it if you request it.
iPhone bands...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_5

You should get 3G in the UK but will not get LTE using your iPhone. All of the providers in the UK/Europe run on 2100Mhz 3G and your iPhone supports it.

 

[DeathReborn]

Here in the UK T-Mobile are re-branded as EE (Everything Everywhere). They aren't the cheapest but it's known to work for the GS4 so should work just fine with the iPhone 5.

http://clareverse.wordpress.com/201...-t-mobile-samsung-s4-phone-to-work-in-the-uk/

If your phones are already unlocked you can obviously skip that part.

 

[Samastrike]

If your phone is unlocked or you end up going with cheap android phones then seriously consider 3 on pay as you go. They do 3p/minute, 2p/text and 1P/MB which is absolutely dirt cheap compared to our other carriers. Also their 3G network is very fast and I get great signal in all but the most remote places.