<p>Yea, just got your PM. Replying.</p>
<p>hello everyone
Integration test over yesterday whew it was heck of a test. And how is everyone, yo anir congrats on your sat, are you giving another attempt? Have you given the subject tests?
And spain won,yaay, but i felt the refree was a bit too hard on netherlands, that red card wasnt right.</p>
<p>Going back a couple of pages…</p>
<p>Even though you can get a contract without a phone, you can get a decent phone by paying like <$50 when you sign one. Thus, it makes much more sense to get a new phone. And as for the carrier, though Verizon>>Other carriers in terms of coverage, it does vary sometimes.</p>
<p>As for pre-paid cards, there are acceptance issues… What I did was carry a pre=paid travel card from India for use during my first 2-3 days there. I then opened up an account and got a debit card - it’s accepted everywhere w/o issues and there’s no headache of monthly payments like those in a credit card.</p>
<p>Lemme know if you guys have any other questions.</p>
<p>Yes I do prateek. I stil have this mobile phone issue. Am I to carry a mobile with me frm India? Fr the first few weeks tht is. Or should I just pay the extra 50$. Tht is cuz I have no quad band phone @home and will have to buy one</p>
<p>I’ve never had any issues with acceptance of pre-paid cards. If its Visa, its accepted almost everywhere.</p>
<p>And it was not suggested as a permanent solution but as a temporary based on the assumption that he would open his bank account like everybody else.</p>
<p>** I’ve said this before and I will this again and in bold so you don’t miss it. YOU can get a free phone with your contract. It will be a really basic one but its free. If you want a phone just because you want to be in touch with whoever the moment you land - then get the matrix connection or even airtel roaming. **</p>
<p>Also keep in mind because you don’t have a credit history you MIGHT be asked for a desposit ranging from $100 to $500 when you get a new phone there which will be returned to you at the end of first year.</p>
<p>Usually, a group of friends get a family plan which is overall cheaper and helps so that everyone can chip in for the deposit.</p>
<p>Thank you-aviator
I WANT a phone with a good camera as I won’t be carrying one. So a free, basic fone wouldn’t do. Hence the question.</p>
<p>Ah well visit [Cell</a> Phones, Cell Phone Plans, 3G Smartphones, the Best Cell Phone Service - Verizon Wireless](<a href=“http://www.verizonwireless.com%5DCell”>http://www.verizonwireless.com) to have a look at the options available to you for Verizon.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind because you don’t have a credit history you MIGHT be asked for a desposit ranging from $100 to $500 when you get a new phone there which will be returned to you at the end of first year.</p>
<p>Usually, a group of friends get a family plan which is overall cheaper and helps so that everyone can chip in for the deposit.</p>
<p>You can get a free phone but they don’t make sense. It makes much more sense in paying 30,40 or 50 bucks and getting a phone [which is probably 2x as better than a free phone and is twice as expensive]</p>
<p>You don’t need to carry a phone. If you want to [you should] to take a family plan, you’ll obviously need a phone until you do that. You can just buy a cheap, prepaid one for the first week or so. Like this one <a href=“http://www.walmart.com/ip/TracFone-LG410-Prepaid-Phone-Bundle-with-Double-Minutes-Accessories/12509597?findingMethod=rr[/url]”>http://www.walmart.com/ip/TracFone-LG410-Prepaid-Phone-Bundle-with-Double-Minutes-Accessories/12509597?findingMethod=rr</a></p>
<p>Of course, the call/message charges will be higher… but then think about it… you probably won’t be making many calls in the first few days. There will be too much orientation related stuff.</p>
<p>And for post-paid phones, as Aviator said, you’ll need to deposit 400-500 bucks which will be refunded after 1 year. </p>
<p>I didn’t get a family plan phone, 'cause I didn’t see the 10-15 dollar saving worth the inconvenience of having to go and pay the bill. + It’s much easier to just link your card to automatically pay your bills… saves you from the ridiculous late payment fees. And my parents wanted me to but a phone as soon as I landed there soo…</p>
<p>As for calling India, if for some reason your parent don’t have the magic jack, take a look at this <a href=“https://www.airtelcallhome.com/ics_war/sem5/[/url]”>https://www.airtelcallhome.com/ics_war/sem5/</a> It effectively comes roughly to 1.67 cents/minute… </p>
<p>Oh and remember… you have 1 month to give back the phone if you don’t like the phone.</p>
<p>It looks like there is a vast difference between the Indian and American wireless networks system. In India, getting a phone is the top priority when you go wireless. In US, as we have seen throughout the discussion, the things are amazingly different.</p>
<p>@Aviator: I saw a number of cellphones through the link that you provided, but, unfortunately, could not get myself to like anyone of them. Are these models the only ones that are in circulation these days or am I seeing a premature list?</p>
<p>@Prateek: Although I was looking to buy a pre-paid travel card for my first few days in the US, people around me suggest that it is ‘wiser’ to continue using this card throughout the duration of study. What do you, or anyone else, think about this? Is it a good move or a dive into some crazy publicity well? Also, would I have any conceivable advantages using an American bank’s debit card?</p>
<p>P.S. Since most of us will be electronically paying our fees, I was thinking the about overheads banks charge these days. Any idea, guys/gals?</p>
<p>P.P.S. I have no idea what Magic Jack is all about. Would anyone please bother to explain?</p>
<p>I don’t know if this has been discussed before, but will phones bought in India (like my Blackberry) work in the US?</p>
<p>They do work in the USA.</p>
<p>Magicjack is VOIP… You can call ppl from the internet… Unlimited calling for a flat fee. Its like a landline.</p>
<p>Exactly one month and ten days till I leave.</p>
<p>Exactly one month and twelve days, I leave too. I am so godamn excited.</p>
<p>One month, 4 days. =D</p>
<p>Win.</p>
<p>Wanderer did u finally get in touch?</p>
<p>one month, 2 days and 7ish hours. i win.
magic jack costs 40 dollars.</p>
<p>@harvard: That’s ridiculous. You can’t survive all your 4 years without a American debit card. The debit card allows you to use ATM’s without a transaction fee [b/w $2-5 if you use a pre-paid/Indian card] when you need cash [think public transportation, some restaurants etc] There aren’t any advantages per se, but you do get the piece of mind that the card will work no matter where you are. And ordering online, paying your bills etc will be easier. Plus if you open an account with a big bank like Chase or BoA, there will be an ATM even in the middle of the Bermuda triangle.</p>
<p>I mean, you could use the pre-paid card if you want but make sure you have a debit card in case you run into issues. And with things like paying fees etc, US bank accounts are important. </p>
<p>I only use my Indian travel card to transfer funds [<$1000] because wire transfers incur a fee of $20, while just withdrawing money from the ATM in the bank and depositing it costs me $3 :P</p>
<p>Your BB will work, but if you want BBM you’ll need to pay at least $80/month with AT&T/Verizon.</p>
<p>lmao aviator you already knoww</p>
<p>once again. 3:30 am. and still can’t fall asleep. i hate this</p>