Hi Harald,

There’s actually a link to Airalo in the article already – I recommend it for anyone whose device has eSIM support and doesn’t need a local phone number. I also recently wrote up a review of the Airalo service, after using it Cambodia.

Thanks for the update — I’ve added a mention of this into the article.

Be sure to check your device’s compatibility before hand as T-Mobile (the network on which Lycamobile operates on) is no longer accepting non-VoLTE devices.

Thanks Heather!!

We purchased a Prepaid Plan at an AT&T store. An inexperienced clerk sold me the wrong plan (I requested one that included calls and text Canada, he sold me one without). I assumed calls from Canada weren’t coming through because of something I was doing wrong with the phone.

Went to another AT&T store (in another state..I was travelling) and the clerk informed me the only option he could do was to sell me another new prepaid plan that was worth $10 more and would restart my month of service.

It was critical at this point I was able to receive calls from Canada and I didn’t want to start over with a new provider – purchasing SIM etc.. so we bought the higher priced plan.

I phoned AT&T customer service to request a refund for the first plan, was transferred to a payment specialist who then transferred me to a customer service person who lost my call and after 1 hour on the phone was told the only way I could get a refund was to contact the store where I purchased the plan.

Using Google Timeline I found the number and contacted the original store and got the store manager. He informed me that he was unable to refund any charges.

Key Takeaways:
– AT&T stores are not actually AT&T stores – they are a third-party provider and therefore have limited ability to do things if there is a problem, and AT&T has a limited ability to resolve a problem made by the store.

– Ask for a clerk with experience when it is clear you are dealing with a new employee who has never sold a prepaid plan to anyone ever

– Use ANY OTHER Cell phone provider than AT&T for future trips to the USA

Thanks again for your always useful insights into SIM cards etc.. we frequently consult your site prior to arriving in a new destination and tell others to do the same.

We definitely do. As soon as there’s more clarity about exactly what each network is doing in terms of accommodating (or more likely, not accommodating) visitors, it’ll be time to update this article and perhaps write up a detailed guide as well, depending on the difficulty level of whatever’s involved.

That being said, perhaps a way to get around it, at least until the networks (and probably the FCC) decide to sort this mess out, is to:

1. get a local or international data-only SIM which can work on phones, or bring a compatible mobile hotspot where such SIM can be used;
2. download an app which can provide a virtual US phone number which can be used for making and receiving calls, and sending and receiving SMS;
3. download a good SMS-forwarding app in order to automatically forward text messages from your mobile number to your virtual US number and your email; and
4. make sure to forward all of your calls to your virtual US number.

Either that, or simply bring an unlocked iPhone without a SIM card (not older than an iPhone 6), get a local SIM card for it, and forward all of your calls and SMS there. Plus, you can use it as a hotspot (as long as your prepaid package allows it).

Hmmm… it looks like we just got ourselves some possible new topics to discuss on this site…