Coming to America

You probably want to go to an AT&T store since they are the ones who will have the micro sim cards and will be able to help you. Those stores are just about everywhere. As far as hotel wifi, many offer that free with the room. Just check with them before you leave to see if the hotel you are staying offers free wifi.

wxman2003 wrote:
You probably want to go to an AT&T store since they are the ones who will have the micro sim cards and will be able to help you. Those stores are just about everywhere. As far as hotel wifi, many offer that free with the room. Just check with them before you leave to see if the hotel you are staying offers free wifi.

I don't know what hotels you stay in, but most higher end hotels charge for their WiFi or ethernet in the US. Some lower cost business hotel chains do provide free service (like Courtyard by Marriott), but I've found that many still provide wired connections to the internet.

AT&T stores have spotty availability of micro sims. I'm not sure if AT&T has any other product that uses the micro-sim other than the iPad.

If the hotel has wired internet, sometimes they will have wireless in the lobby.

If you get a room close to the lobby, it'll usually pick it up.

I am used to Hampton Inn and HI Express. Can't afford the better ones.

Depending on where you'll be, I believe you'll find free Wi-Fi at Barnes & Noble bookstores (which also have a cafe), many chain restaurants, etc.

In the US, if you have a Europe-compatible cell phone (i.e. tri-band or quad-band GSM) you can get "international roaming", which lets you use the phone in Europe. Your UK iPad carrier might or might not have something equivalent.

Imperial109 wrote:
.......or b) use hotel wi-fi or broadband [via airport express] at unreasonable cost?

If you have your hotels lined up, their web site will tell you if Wifi is free.

Also here's a locator web site:
http://v4.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm

If AT&T requires a credit card with a U.S. billing address, you can get a pre-paid Visa card or what is called a Visa gift card, which are available at a number of locations in the U.S. - various banks, some major chain grocery stores, Office Depot, CVC Pharmacy, etc. You can use the address where you are staying for the card which may not require an address. The chosen data plan is good for 30 days beginning on the purchase date which is renewed automatically every 30 days unless you cancel before the renewal date.

Yes, the airport express is overpriced (IMHO) but it does do it's job well. I purchased one years ago, and carry it whenever I'm on business. I often find that it's cheaper to purchase wired internet connection and create my own wireless with the express.

In most hotels, the wireless signal isn't very good. And yes, I'm staying at nice hotels. Calling the tech support usually result in being told something like "try working on the bed, it's closer to the router in the hall".

So despite the cost of the express, I'd recommend a place that has free internet, or a place that has wired connections in the room, and then attach the express to create your own wifi.

coop

OrangeMarlin wrote:

wxman2003 wrote:
You probably want to go to an AT&T store since they are the ones who will have the micro sim cards and will be able to help you. Those stores are just about everywhere. As far as hotel wifi, many offer that free with the room. Just check with them before you leave to see if the hotel you are staying offers free wifi.

I don't know what hotels you stay in, but most higher end hotels charge for their WiFi or ethernet in the US. Some lower cost business hotel chains do provide free service (like Courtyard by Marriott), but I've found that many still provide wired connections to the internet.

AT&T stores have spotty availability of micro sims. I'm not sure if AT&T has any other product that uses the micro-sim other than the iPad.

If you are paying for internet at the high end places you are getting ripped off. You need to negotiate with them. The way the economy is, and with most hotels half full at best, it's quite easy to have them throw in the internet service for free. They will give you an access code if you ask.

There's no point trying to tie anything to your SIM (not going to work anyway) because it's from another country and you'll be getting hit with international data roaming. Apple stores don't provide SIM cards.

Signing up for AT&T's iPad internet is done on the device and requires a debit/credit card. Not a big deal. You could get a prepaid VISA/MC/Amex card and try that. They're are sold conveniently at places like drug stores (Walgreens, Duane Reade and so forth).

Also, McDonalds in the U.S now provide free WiFi, and they're everywhere.

Just be aware of one thing in case your hotel provides paid WiFi in your room.
They usually charge by Mac addresses. So if you use your iPad, then your iPhone and a laptop, you'll be charged 3 times!

After 2 trips to the States from Canada, a few phone calls to AT&T, and a lot of grief here is how I did it. Purchased my iPad in the States (Seattle), they come with the AT&T Sim card in the machine. Then purchased a prepaid Visa Debit Card from Safeway in Lahaina HI. They are logo'd "Giftcard mall", I'm sure all Safeway locations sell the same brand of card. The card is activated immediately on purchase so you can make in person purchases but if you want to use it online for anything then you need to register your card online (instructions come with the card). I'm sure most prepaid visa debit cards work this way. I used a friends address in the US to register the card (Texas) and then obviously used to the same address with AT&T and it worked no problem. I used a friends address as I didn't know if they send any mail etc. I'm sure any valid US address will work. Once iPads come out in Canada (Tomorrow) I'll be purchasing a microSim from the Canadian supplier (Rogers) and registering with them as that will be my standard provider. Instructions to switch sim cards are online and not too difficult. Once I'm back in the States on my next trip I'll go back to my AT&T card, sign up for an AT&T plan again, and I won't have to pay the ridiculous roaming charges ALL the cellular providers ding you with. Once you get to the US just pick up a microSim from AT&T, they're online but not sure what stores will have them in stock. Follow my instructions above and you'll be good to go.

Did you need to use itunes in this process? I saw another comment that said it was required but do not see why. Thks

Pilus just curious if you have done this again recently and whether your friend in Texas ever did receive any mail resulting from your use of their address with your online registration.