You’ll normally be able to access coverage from both AT&T and T-Mobile USA. You’ll have a UK-based phone number and will be charged for usage through your UK network. Through international roaming, you can use a UK-based SIM card when travelling in the US. There are two ways to use your smartphone in the US: you can either roam on a UK-based SIM card (setting it up before you go) or you can buy a new US-based SIM card upon your arrival in the States. The Two Ways Of Using Your Smartphone in the US This is because Sprint and Verizon use a different technology for their mobile networks (CDMA/EVDO) which is incompatible with most UK smartphones. It isn’t normally possible to use a UK smartphone on Sprint or Verizon Wireless. You should check your manufacturer’s spec sheet to see a list of frequencies supported by your handset. For T-Mobile, your handset will need to support one of the following:.For 3G: WCDMA/HSPA 850 or WCDMA/HSPA 1900.For 2G: AT&T switched off their 2G coverage in January 2017.For AT&T, your handset will need to support one of the following:.Your phone will need to support at least one of the following frequencies for it to work in the US: If you’re using a fairly old handset, or if your smartphone was purchased outside the UK, you should double-check to make sure your handset will work with the US networks. On a limited selection of newer handsets, it may also be possible to get 4G coverage in the USA. Typically, you can get 3G coverage from AT&T and both 2G & 3G coverage from T-Mobile USA. Using a UK Smartphone on US Mobile Networks Most smartphones sold in the UK will work on AT&T and T-Mobile in the USA.Īlmost all UK smartphones sold in the past decade will work in the US without any problems. 5 Other Top Tips For Travelling To The US.1 Using a UK Smartphone on US Mobile Networks.We’ll also compare the cost of using different SIM cards and will discuss network compatibility with your UK handset. In this article, we’ll review and compare the best SIM cards for using your smartphone in the US. You can either roam on your UK SIM card or you can buy a US SIM card upon your arrival in the States. The good news is it’s now really easy to take a UK smartphone and to use it in the US. finding nearby restaurants or attractions using Google Maps). It can also be useful for navigating around (e.g. Having a smartphone in America can make it a lot easier to stay in touch with friends and family who are back in the UK. Whether you’re travelling to New York to do a bit of shopping, touring California to enjoy the beautiful scenery or visiting Florida to enjoy the theme parks with your family, you’ll probably want to use your mobile phone whilst you’re there.
We review the best value SIM cards for using your smartphone in the US.Įach year, almost 4 million Brits visit the USA. If you’re travelling to the United States, having the right SIM card can save you a lot of money. Convert UK to International Phone Number.