Help me find 3G data in the USA!

April 23, 2009 2:40 AM

I'll be in NYC and Boston for a couple of weeks, and I'd like to get a SIM card for Pay-As-You-Go 3G data. I have the requisite hardware, I just need the SIM.

I have an unlocked USB 3G modem (UK O2 Huawei E160G), as well as my unlocked BlackBerry Bold.
I'd like to find a SIM card to pop in either one to get me some 3G data.

Clearly I want PAYG as I can't get a contract and am not in the US for long.
Speeds aren't so much an issue, nor is transfer - some emailing and light browsing is all I need.

Some Google research offered the ATT GoPhone as a suggestion, but it seems the unlimited-$20-a-month-data is out now.

Any suggestions, HiveMind?
(Somewhere to get the SIM or cheap phone package in EWR or BOS would be awesome too!)

posted by nafrance to Technology (3 answers total)

I have a friend who has an unlocked Android phone with data service through AT&T. I am almost positive that he told me he was thinking about switching to T-Mobile as they offered a pay-as-you-go data plan. I don't see it offered on their Web site, but it might be worth calling them to ask.
posted by tomwheeler at 6:38 AM on April 23, 2009

As always, Howard Forums is probably a good place to check for info. I haven't used pay-as-you-go in a while, but I'm certain that site will be helpful.
posted by pete0r at 6:47 AM on April 23, 2009

ATT pay as you go data is ridiculously expensive. Straight out of the gate it $0.01/kb. Sounds cheap, until you realize that 2mb is $20.

They offer something like 5mb for $10 or something stunningly un-worthwhile. I resolved to using my phones wifi connection whenever possible.

Perhaps T-mobile has something better, but I am unaware of it.
posted by wile e at 1:47 PM on April 23, 2009