Virtual Cards in the USA
By TOI Desk Report September 4, 2023 Update on : September 4, 2023
The USA is a unique country with an interesting history and beautiful nature. It is not without reason that America is one of the most popular travel destinations for tourists. But how to not only enjoy the beauties of America, but also have time to share them with family and friends? Today, in this article, we will consider the main nuances of using mobile communication in America and select options of sim cards for America.
To begin with, let’s understand what SIM card options exist.
The first option is the familiar physical SIM card. When you buy a regular SIM card in America, to use the Internet, you will need to replace your SIM card, that is, take out the current card from the slot and insert a new card. This is not always convenient. Also, you will often have to register with your phone number, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Another option is a virtual card or eSIM. eSIM is short for “embedded sim” and is the chip on your phone. You can set up tariff plans on the eSIM card and continue to use your phone number and even get US phone number list from which you can choose the number you are interested in. When you activate a tariff plan on the eSIM, your regular SIM card will also continue to work, but the virtual SIM card will also start working. By the way, you have the option to easily manage the eSIM on your phone. You can also create a personal hotspot to use cheap data in NYC on other devices. The eSIM isn’t just in phones: the chip is also built into iPads, among other things.
Basic facts you need to know about getting a sim card in America:
- An eSIM account can be prepaid or postpaid. The essence of the postpaid tariff: the client receives a certain number of sms and minutes, and at the end of the month pays a certain amount (it is fixed). If you calculate the cost of cellular communication per minute, it comes out inexpensive.
- For tourists in America, there is another option of tariffication of cellular communication is the prepaid plan. Such tariffs provide the following functions for customers: put money on the account and then make calls. The only disadvantage of Prepaid tariffs is a very high cost. But such tariff plans help tourists in emergency moments.
- In the U.S. pay for both outgoing and incoming calls, this also applies to sms messages.
- Paying for the purchase of any tariff may be more expensive, because in America, prices are listed without taxes.
Based on the benefits of getting a virtual card, let’s look at the process of connecting a virtual card for the US. Setting up a virtual card will not be uncomplicated.
- Before you buy one, check if your phone is suitable for an eSIM. Engineers have been including a virtual card chip in modern smartphones for a long time, but it’s worth checking if your phone supports this type of sim card.
- Choose a data plan that interests you, based on the length of your stay in America and the amount of mobile data you need. Also, many tariffs offer for an additional fee connection SMS messages, the ability to set an access point.
- Buy the required tariff plan in the application of the operator, after which you will receive a QR code.
- In the section of mobile data in your settings, add a new tariff plan. Scan the QR code with the phone you will use to access the internet in America. The data plan will then be installed on your phone.
- All you’ll have to do in America is turn on the plan in your settings, and you can start exploring the country! The provider’s website has explanations, including videos, if you require more help.
Thus, to communicate in the United States of America, you can choose between two types of SIM cards: a physical SIM card and a virtual SIM card. The physical SIM card may cost you more, besides, not all operators provide an opportunity to buy a SIM card for tourists. The other option, the virtual SIM card, will cost you less, its connection takes only a few minutes, and you can choose the tariff and the validity period of the card, supplementing it with the necessary features, you can independently in the application of the telecom operator.
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