https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/fxepg1/whats_the_cheapest_us_sim_card_that_only_has/

https://www.moneysavingpro.com/plans/best-talk-and-text-plans/

  • Ugh, this is so troublesome.

  • I only need one physical SIM card for my smartphone.

  • Plan A

    • I want to have unlimited communication in the US, so I want to get a cheap phone number with data 0 from an MVNO.
    • Use SoftBank’s unlimited plan for communication and get a US phone number with a cheap no data plan eSIM.
    • Problem: I can’t find a “cheap no data plan eSIM” in the US, unless it’s an eSIM.
  • Plan B

    • I’ll focus on US carriers.
      • There are unlimited plans for around $40/month, so it’s probably cheaper than SoftBank.
    • I’ll switch my Japanese phone number from SoftBank to Povo.
      • Povo has a basic fee of 0 yen, so I can keep my Japanese phone number for free.
      • I can receive SMS, so I can keep using my current Japanese phone number for authentication purposes.
      • When I return to Japan, I can pay for Povo’s communication plan.
      • (Use with eSIM)
    • Let’s go with this option (blu3mo).
  • I chose Plan B (fuka)

    • In Japan, I use Rakuten Mobile (980 yen).
    • For international use, I use Mint Mobile (25 dollars per month, 4GB, but it’s not a problem on campus).
      • It would be convenient if I could sign up using an app with an eSIM.
      • If I use this, I have a referral code to share.
      • Seems good (blu3mo)(blu3mo)(blu3mo)
  • Once I obtain a US phone number, here’s what I need to do.

    • Switch:
      • e-Zairyu (residence card notification) ✅
      • Chase Bank ✅
    • Maybe I don’t need to switch these:
      • Sony Bank
      • Google
      • Auth (University of Tokyo, Columbia University)
      • Apple ID
      • There must be more besides these… (blu3mo)