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/
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Ugh, this is so troublesome.
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I only need one physical SIM card for my smartphone.
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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.
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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’ll focus on US carriers.
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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)
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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
- Auth (University of Tokyo, Columbia University)
- Apple ID
- There must be more besides these… (blu3mo)
- Switch: