Written by When traveling abroad, roaming charges can quickly drain your money. If your obligation requires you to stay in the US for months, you must find a way to avoid roaming charges.
But why are roaming charges so high? Your home network relies on the infrastructure of a local network in a foreign country to provide services. This partnership comes with costs for your home network, and those costs are passed on to you. There are network maintenance charges. The network has to manage bandwidth, security, and compatibility.
If you want to avoid roaming charges, consider using services directly from a local network. Now, you can either buy a local prepaid SIM card or an eSIM for USA. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both options and guide you through the process of purchasing the best option for your needs.
Buying a Prepaid SIM in the USA
The following are the three main carriers offering prepaid SIM cards in the USA:
- AT&T
- T-Mobile
- Verizon
Each carrier offers a wide range of plans to meet various needs, such as data, talk time, and text messaging.
Where to Buy a Prepaid SIM Card in the USA?
You can find a SIM card shop at all international airports. If you miss at the airport, get one at a train station, an official retail store or convenience stores like 7-Eleven, CVS or Walmart.
Buying at a convenience store can be a bit of a hassle as you will not get much information. However, if you want to buy a prepaid SIM card without any hassle, visit an official retail store. The staff will help you choose the right plan and set up the network, and you will have a working connection on your device.
Documents Required to Buy a SIM
An American needs to provide a valid photo ID and proof of address. An international traveler like you needs to provide a passport and a valid visa. Don’t forget to compare the different plans offered by each carrier.
Buying an eSIM card in USA
If you travel frequently, buying a local prepaid SIM every time can be a hassle. An eSIM for USA travel is a more convenient and affordable option. If your smartphone is eSIM-compatible, you don’t even need to wait at the airport, a train station, an official retail store, or a convenience store. The SIM is already embedded in your device.
Why eSIM
Convenience
You don’t need to swap out physical SIM cards every time you visit a new country. An eSIM allows you to store multiple carrier profiles on your device. You can switch carriers to choose the most suitable plan and activate it anytime and from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.
Multiple Profiles
The ability to store multiple carriers allows you to have both a local plan and a home country plan. You just have to switch and activate your preferred carrier profile.
Global Coverage
With an international eSIM, you get global coverage without buying a new prepaid SIM card. Providers like Numero eSIM offer multiple plans for a wide range of nations.
Security
Anyone with malicious intent can easily misuse your prepaid SIM card. Physical SIM cards are prone to damage, loss, or theft. Techniques like SIM cloning or SIM swapping can also be used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to your phone number. This can compromise your personal information, accounts, or security. You don’t have to worry about any such thing with an eSIM for USA.
Whether you should buy an eSIM or a local prepaid SIM card depends on your needs. However, if you are a traveler, you should buy an eSIM.
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