It doesn’t seem super-likely that the NTT DOCOMO SIM would work on iPhones and Samsung devices, but not other Android devices or hotspots like the G3. As long as you can enter APN details (you can on the G3), I’d expect it to work.

That said, if it doesn’t, buy one of the b-mobile SIMs mentioned in the article I wrote about the best local SIM cards for Japan. I personally used that SIM in the G3, and once I’d entered the APN information, it worked fine.

I will going to Japan end of this July 2019. Can you suggest Japan local sim that compatible with G3? Currently, I have bought NTT DOCOMO sim, but unfortunately the salesman said this simcard only compatible with iphone and samsung. So, do you think this simcard have any chance to be read by G3?

Thanks for the US SIM Card link. Another very helpful piece. As I am going to Yellowstone this Fall, will pick up an AT&T data sim try the GlocalMe again.

Happy trails and best regards. – Tom

Hi Tom,

I haven’t used a US SIM in the G3, only in various phones over the years. That said, I’ve had no problem configuring APN settings for other SIM cards with the G3 when they need it, so can’t see a reason why our usual US SIM card recommendations (AT&T or T-Mobile) shouldn’t work with it.

Thanks much for this thorough review. We bought a GlocalMe G3 for our trip to France and Ireland earlier this month (before reading the article). I am fairly tech savvy, but admittedly ignorant to the ways of cellular data. We used the sim-free 1GB data until we could get to a local cellular outlet in Dublin. Despite only using it for email transfers and a bit of browsing, we found it sucked through the GB very rapidly (especially versus our international data use on our AT&T Passport plan). Without getting long winded, we had difficulty getting it to work with a SIM (some success with an MBB Sim from “3”). My question is this – do you have any experience or know which prepaid SIM plan/card will work in the GlocalMe in the states so that we can get it figured out before our next overseas trip? (e.g. the GigSky website states that GlocalMe devices “are unable to configure the GigSky APN.”). Thanks in advance for any help with a recommended North American SIM. Just wanting to get this thing up and going. Regards!
(I am bookmarking your site! It’s great! Thanks.)

Thanks so much, Dave!

Hi Annie,

I used b-mobile – you can find all the details here.

Hi AJ,

Yep, this would meet your needs, and is a good way of sharing data between two (or more) people when traveling overseas. When the initial data allowance runs out, it looks like it’s a bit over $12 USD to buy another 1GB of data valid for a month in Canada, or 3GB for just over $20. Either of those should be enough if all you’re doing is booking campsites and running Google Maps, especially if you download map data to your phone(s) over Wi-fi ahead of time.

In terms of other options — I know that AT&T and T-Mobile both include roaming in North America on some of their plans, but whether it’d be worth switching providers just for that reason is debatable unless you’re unhappy with Verizon already. Other options include buying an unlocked hotspot and sticking a Canadian SIM card in it, or using an international SIM card, but for what you’re trying to achieve, a GlocalMe device will likely be easier, with similar pricing.