Q: Hi, visiting USA, and bought an I-Phone 5, unlocked. Then bought monthly pay as you go $25, and added a features package. Then found I needed to be on the $50 plan. Still says cannot activate cellular data!

There are AT&T stores on practically every street corner. Stop into one and ask them to help you.

Go to an AT&T store for help. They are everywhere. Best to

go to a corporate store and not to a 3rd party that resells AT&T

service.

Start here:

www.att.com/maps/store-locator.html

As provided, go to an AT&T store.

Be warned: You're getting that message because AT&T's policy is that they do not permit iPhones on any pay-as-you-go plan. All iPhones either have to on a contract plan or "post paid". If you mention post paid, AT&T employess will act like you're speaking a foreign language.

Look at this instead:

http://www.straighttalk.com/

They rent spectrum from AT&T...same coverage.

Just FYI: I believe this was changed recently with the introduction of a special pre-paid plan for smartphones. I've seen som conflicting reports on the price ranging from $50 to $65 per month for a plan including 1GB of data.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410458,00.asp

I know I've seen an actual AT&T document detailing this, but can't find the link to it at the moment.

When you filter by device, on AT&T's site, all iPhones are removed as being eligible for that plan.

AT&T does not offer an iPhone for sale when selecting the GoPhone Prepaid plan for smartphones, but the plan should work in an existing iPhone. http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/voice/sku6280283.html#fbid=ftmFbuJjuLW

Look again & filter by iOS or Apple...all iPhones disappear.

I see that. That's because they do not sell an iPhone to go with the plan. It does not mean that the iPhone can not be used with the Prepaid plan for smartphones.

Leeme see here...go to an AT&T store, try to convince someone there to let you purchase a $65 per month plan, with only 1GB of data...to use with an iPhone...vs purchase a sim from Straight Talk for $14.99 & then sign up for the $45 per month unlimited Talk + Text + Data plan...with the identical coverage. Only thing you don't get is LTE, but a foreign iPhone won't get that anyway.

What do you think is the best choice for a foreign visitor...

I didn't say it was the smartest choice, just that it was possible.