adviceman49's advice column

My column is dedicated to telling it like it is. I will always give you the best information available to me or the best advice I can. I will be upfront and never hide the truth from you.

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advice

Hi all,

I apologize if this question might come across as stupid or obvious to those of you who live in the states, but as a European I really don't know!

Next fall I will be going to the states with my boyfriend and we'll be doing a road trip though a couple of states. My question is that if we buy a very basic prepaid sim card (without a contract), how does calling work. Does the phone number limit you to one state, or can you call from one state to another without added fees, etc?

For instance, here in Europe you have to pay a lot more if you're calling from country to another. I'm just wondering if the same applies in the US from one state to another...?

Any information on this would be much appreciated as things are quite different over here! :) Thank you in advance.

Here in the states we do have (cell)phone systems that allow unlimited calling from state to state regardless of where you are. What I do not know is if your phone will be compatible with any of these systems. The IPhone is probably the best as it is one of the most popular in this country followed by the Verizon Droids.

The people who can best answer this question for you are the people you presently have service with. They are the ones who know what carriers their systems are most compatible with the systems here. You should be able to use your present phone with some type of extended contract for service will here in the states though what ever agreements they have with carriers here.

I would suggest you try to hook up with either Verizon, ATT or Sprint as they are the largest carriers in the country in that order.

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(Rating: 5) Sounds good enough. I was considering buying a very cheap basic phone for the trip anyway, although I have an iPhone, I know that it is probably impossible to get a prepaid card for it in the States, and I would really not like to get a contract as it would not work with a month or two of traveling.

I've looked up the services which my current provider offers abroad, but it would still amount to HUGE amounts of money which I would not want to pay.

My best shot will be a basic phone with any sort of prepaid card that I have to top up.

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