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Travel Gear  |  SKU: LYCAUSA

Lycamobile USA prepaid SIM card

$59.00


Delivery and Shipping

AUSTRALIAN ORDERS 

Orders containing items that ALL have an In Stock or Clearance! status, placed prior to 12 Midday AEST, will generally be dispatched on the same day (on business days).

Can I pick up my order from your warehouse?

Currently, we are unable to offer a customer pickup service from our warehouse.

Check Australian Standard Delivery Costs Before Checkout: See rates for all Australian Deliveries via Australia Post eParcel Domestic Service prior to finalizing your order.

Region   Estimated Delivery (Standard) Estimated Delivery (Express) Eligible Next Business Day Postcodes (Express Post)
Melbourne 2 to 4 business days 1 to 3 business days 3000-3207, 3340-3341, 3750, 3755-3757, 8000-8785
Sydney 3 to 5 business days 1 to 3 business days 1000-1920, 2000-2249, 2555-2574, 2740-2786
Brisbane 3 to 5 business days 1 to 3 business days 4000-4209, 9016-9019
Adelaide 3 to 5 business days 1 to 3 business days 5000-5171, 5800-5950
Perth 4 to 7 business days 1 to 3 business days CBD Only: 6000-6005, 6800-6899
Hobart 3 to 5 business days 1 to 3 business days 7000-7019, 7050-7053, 7055, 7248-7251, 7253, 7258, 7261, 7267, 7275-7300, 7306, 7310 (township only), 7311-7315, 7320-7322, 7325, 7800-7899
Darwin 4 to 7 business days 1 to 3 business days --
Canberra 3 to 5 business days 1 to 3 business days 0200-0250, 2600-2620, 2900-29

 

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY ORDER TO BE DELIVERED?

Most orders are shipped out same or next business day when ordering before 1pm (AEST).

We quote the time before an item ships for most products on our site. 95% of our items available to purchase are in stock and ready to ship! We ship items that are in stock same day (or at least within 24 hours) and items that aren't in stock can be sourced and packed for shipment in two to seven days. This is the time that it takes for us to ship the order, not the time it takes for the order to be delivered.

You will receive an email to let you know your item has been shipped, or if you have set up an account, you can login to check the status of your order at any time.

To work out the total delivery time you will need to add the shipping time quoted on our site to the following delivery times quoted by Australia Post, although in many cases can be quicker.  

EXPRESS POST OR EXPRESS COURIER

If you need your order in a hurry and won't be home to sign for the package you can send it by Express Post or Express Courier, often next day in Victoria and usually cuts around two days off the delivery time for other destinations.

Express Post is mostly used for customers with Australia Post PO boxes.

Express Courier is usually with TOLL PRIORITY couriers and can be left with no signature required, so you are not required to be at home.
Delivery by express courier is usually 1-2 days to most areas in Australia, but delivery to remote areas may take longer.

Using Express Post or Courier also gives you a tracking number to trace your order.

Express Post is charged at a flat rate of $9.50 per order to Australia only, using Australia Post

Express Courier is charged at $15 per order (Australia only) 

DO I HAVE TO BE HOME FOR MY ORDER TO BE DELIVERED?

No, just put in the comments box at checkout what you would prefer be done with the parcel (ie: leave at door)

If your parcel is sent by Australia Post, they may leave if they deem it is safe, or may card for pick up at your local post office.
If your parcel is shipped with Couriers Please, the parcel will be left with no signature, or you can login to nominate an alternate address.
If your parcel is shipped with TOLL DX EXPRESS, the parcel will be left with no signature if safe to do so, or (rarely) may be carded for pickup at your local news agency. 

NEW ZEALAND ORDERS 

For New Zealand orders, you have the choice of tracking for $15, or shipping without tracking.


Shipping with tracking will normally be via Australia Post Pack and track service which receives a tracking number. Please ensure NZ addresses are valid for NZ Post delivery, and note that customs clearance may delay your order, so we cannot guarantee a timeframe for delivery.

If your order is required in New Zealand in under two weeks, we recommend shipping with tracking. 

Parcels normally reach the Auckland or Wellington regions within 5-7 business days, however other areas of New Zealand can take longer. Again, any delays at customs are out of our control, unfortunately. We will certainly pack and ship your order same or next business day, and email when shipment is sent. 

INTERNATIONAL ORDERS

All International orders (except free New Zealand shipping) are shipped by Australia Post's Air Mail Pack and Track service (where available to your country).

Tracking will be provided for parcels thicker than 2cm. Tracking is not available to some countries. We are able to deliver to post office boxes and street addresses that are serviced by the postal service in your country.

Please note that certain products are not able to be shipped to international destinations due to international customs regulations. The product page will state this information if this is the case. Also, we are not able to ship to countries that pose a high risk of credit card fraud.

Most international orders arrive within two to three weeks, and often they arrive much sooner. In some cases delays at customs may delay the order. Unfortunately, any delay after we have shipped your order is totally out of our control for international orders.

The international shipping rates are weight-based. The weight of any item can be found on its product detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full 500g. Please feel free to contact us (shop@travelgear.com.au) if you feel the postage rates are not what you expected based on your products - sometimes the calculator gets it wrong!

Standard International delivery charges can be estimated from your shopping basket page before you proceed with the order.  

COMMENTS

Need to leave us a message or comment? Don't hesitate to contact us and we'll get back to you within 24 hours! 

Return and Refund Policy

Faulty or broken items

If you do happen to receive a faulty product (most unlikely) please contact us for instructions on returning the item. We will of course replace or refund the item, and credit you with the return shipping costs, plus pay the shipping on the replacement item.

You may also return most new, unopened items in their packaging within 30 days of delivery for a full refund of purchase price. If you have ordered the wrong size, or just changed your mind, we will issue a credit for the goods only; but not return shipping costs. The goods must be in new condition in packaging and returned by standard air mail. The credit will be issued on receipt of the returned goods. Credits may take a few days to show in your account.

Due to health regulations we cannot accept some items (like underwear) for return (unless faulty).

Please contact us by email or phone to authorize the return.  Please call us at travelgear on  or email shop@travelgear.com.au

Description

Click here if you're looking for a T-Mobile SIM on a Pay By The Day plan.

The Lycamobile prepaid SIM card at a glance:

includedcredit.png
The Lycamobile SIM on a monthly prepaid plan includes the monthly cost of your chosen rate plan plus an extra $10 to use on international calls and international SMS not included in your plan.
You will have all the features of your plan for 30 days from when you activate the SIM. You can activate the SIM and use in your phone as soon as you land in the USA. If you need to, you can buy additional credit online.

Includes $10 International calling credit in addition to your 30 days of inclusive value within USA (including calls and data).

rateplan.png
The Lycamobile USA monthly prepaid plan offers you:
icon-tick.png Unlimited calls to mobile phones and landlines in the USA
icon-tick.png Unlimited text messages to mobile phones in the USA
icon-tick.png Unlimited data (first 500MB at 3G speed); read here for more information about data speed.
icon-tick.png Unlimited incoming calls

The 30 days of your plan will begin when you activate the SIM in the USA. If you are travelling for fewer than 30 days and wish to know your USA number, we can activate the plan for you, but your plan will begin immediately.


intlcalls.png


Lycamobile has cheap international calls.
icon-tick.png USD $10 of international calling credit is included with your SIM card.
icon-tick.png Calls to Australian landlines are /minute (US)
icon-tick.png Calls to Australian mobile phones are 8¢/minute (US)
icon-tick.png SMS text messages to mobile phones in Australia are 12¢ (US)

Lycamobile has cheap international calls as standard rates, but if you choose you can add the Unlimited International feature to your service. For an additional US $10, this add-on feature gives you u
nlimited calls (to the first 10 unique phone numbers you call – landlines only) in 50 countries (including Australia). Most people will find the standard rates to be better value.



The standard rate for calls to Australia without this feature is 1¢/minute to landlines and 8¢/minute to mobiles as above.


data.png
Unlimited data is included in your rate plan. You will only have the first 500MB at 3G speed (which will last anywhere from two to three days for a heavy data user, or 30 days for occasional data use. Most customers checking email, Facebook, uploading photos and using maps will use 500MB in roughly 7–10 days). Read here for more information about data speeds.


importantinformation.png
icon-attention.png Requires an unlocked phone that is compatible with the USA T-Mobile network (read here for more information).
icon-attention.png You will receive your US mobile phone number by email on the date that your phone is activated. You choose this date when ordering your SIM card. Your first 30 days service will start from this date.
icon-attention.png Included value only applies while you use this sim card within Lycamobile's network in the USA. Additional charges apply (and some services may not be available) if you use your phone outside the USA (including Canada and Mexico) or if you roam onto a partner network within the USA.
icon-attention.png Tethering (using your phone as a mobile hotspot) is not allowed on any Lycamobile plan.
icon-attention.png Blackberry phones will not be able to access data, but they can still use the phone plan.
icon-attention.pngYour USA mobile phone number will be provided when your 30 day plan is activated in the USA. If you need a USA number before this, we can activate the SIM for you, but the plan will begin immediately.

The Lycamobile USA SIM card (monthly prepaid plan) features:

  • Includes your first 30 days service – so you can activate the SIM as soon as you arrive in the United States and use your US mobile service straight afterwards
  • Easily buy more credit to extend your service online
  • Includes a US mobile phone number that you can give to friends and family. Your phone number is given to you during the activation process.

Lycamobile's monthly prepaid plan offers great value. When you buy your SIM card, it will include enough credit to pay for your first month of service (each additional month of service will cost US $39). You can change plans after your first month to a different rate plan, or even just recharge with any amount for a Pay as you Go plan. This is ideal for travellers staying just a few days longer than 30 days in the USA.

Lycamobile's Unlimited Talk, Text & Web monthly prepaid plans include:

  • Unlimited free incoming calls (regardless of where the call originates)
  • Unlimited free calls to landline and mobile phones in the USA
  • Unlimited free text messages to US mobile phones
  • Unlimited internet access (500MB data at 3G speed)

Please note that all Lycamobile monthly rate plans outlined on this page are prepaid plans. There are no contracts to sign and no minimum term to commit to. All of these plans are suitable if you're visiting the USA for only a couple of weeks.

This SIM card is activated when you arrive in the USA by dialling 622, and entering a zip code (postcode - any US zipcode will do) when prompted. So all you need to do is put it in an unlocked tri-band or quad-band phone.

Activating your Lycamobile service
You can activate your Lycamobile USA SIM yourself (this takes less than two minutes). Dial 622 to activate your SIM card in the USA, or you can activate it online.

When you activate your SIM card, the 30 days of your first month of service will begin. You can view your US mobile phone number by dialling *613# with the Lycamobile SIM card in your phone, after your SIM has been activated.

Please note: Lycamobile use the T-Mobile network, so you can check the coverage here: T-Mobile coverage map

The Lycamobile Unlimited Talk, Text & Web plan outlined on this page includes unlimited internet access at EDGE speed on T-Mobile's 2G network; but you also get a 500Mb 3G data allowance that gives you faster internet access before your speed is throttled down to the 2G/EDGE speed.

Important note about 3G/4G data: Some of T-Mobile's 3G/4G data network operates on the non-standard AWS 1700MHz band and very few phones sold in Australia are compatible with this band, however recent changes to T-Mobile's network now mean that 3G data is available on the 1900MHz 3G band in many parts of the country including most major cities, which will work with many smartphones sold in Australia (including the Apple iPhone). Because of these recent changes to T-Mobile's network; if you have a rate plan that allows for faster data, in many parts of the country your data may run faster in refarmed areas of LycaMobile's network and in other areas your data will be at the slower EDGE speed on LycaMobile's 2G network.

T-Mobile have confirmed that their networks in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit (including Ann Arbor), Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami (including Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood), Minneapolis (including St Paul), Modesto, Monterey, New York City (including Jersey City & Newark), Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix (including Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe), Richmond (VA), San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco (including Oakland, San Jose and Silicon Valley), Santa Cruz, Seattle, Stockton, Tampa, Tuscon, Virginia Beach and Washington DC have been upgraded to work at 3G speed on 1900MHz 3G devices (including most Australian smartphones). If you're visiting these areas you should consider getting a T-Mobile SIM plan that gives you a larger 3G data allowance.

T-Mobile are also in the process of upgrading their network in many other parts of the USA and we have had many reports of faster data in Albuquerque, Buffalo, Cincinatti, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbus, El Paso, Honolulu (including Waikiki), Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and St Louis; although T-Mobile have not yet announced that network upgrades have been completed in these cities. As this network upgrade is a work in progress, T-Mobile have not yet released coverage maps showing where you are likely to get 3G data speeds on 1900MHz 3G device (such as an iPhone) but there is a map at www.airportal.de where T-Mobile customers with iPhones have reported faster data access.

If you have a phone that is also compatible with the 1700MHz AWS band (such as the LG Google Nexus 4, Nokia C7, Nokia N8, Nokia N9, Nokia E6, Nokia E7 or Samsung Google Nexus S) you will be able to access 3G data speed in many more places.

If you have an Apple iPhone (or another phone that works on the 1900MHz 3G band but not the 1700MHz 3G band) it may be a bit of a lottery whether you can get faster speeds if you are travelling in parts of the USA that are not mentioned above.

International calls

Important note about international calls.

You have $10 USD included to spend on international calls and SMS. Calling a landline in Australia is 1c per minute, or to a mobile in Australia 8c/minute. International SMS messages are 12c each. The calls you make will reduce your credit balance, but you can easily add more credit online if you need to.

You can also add an option called the Unlimited International option, for $10, which will make calls to landlines in Australia free to the first 10 unique numbers you call each month. Any other numbers will be charged from your remaining credit balance.

Other ways to save on international calls

There are several other options for making cheap calls home, although these are not always as practical as using your Lycamobile. Some options are using Skype or Viber to call home (although these don't work well over an EDGE data connection and if you don't have access to 3G data you're advised to call from a Wi-Fi hotspot such as from your hotel or a coffee shop).

Can I use my phone as a mobile hotspot?

No, Lycamobile do not allow tethering at this stage.

Will this SIM work in a BlackBerry?

BlackBerry phones access data differently to other mobile phones and data (for email and internet access) will not work on the Lycamobile plans with a BlackBerry device.

Data works fine on all other smartphones including Apple iPhones, Android phones and Windows Phones.

How do I top up my credit?

There are several ways to buy refill vouchers and top up your LycaMobile SIM.

  • You can top up over the internet at www.lycamobile.com.
  • You can also buy refill cards from many independent mobile phone shops and convenience stores across the United States.

Please note: that sales tax is added to the cost of a refill voucher in many parts of the USA and some websites charge a small service fee (usually $2–5 per refill).

How long is my Lycamobile monthly prepaid service valid for?

Your Lycamobile remains active for 90 days from the date that credit was last added to your account, but the monthly service is only good for 30 days from when credit has been added. You can pay for another month plan or just use pay as you go, as long as there is credit in your prepaid account . Your service will be disconnected after 90 days of no activity, so ensure you either make a call or SMS or add credit.

Switching plans

Changing plans is very easy using the Lycamobile customer service number, on 612 from your mobile. You can SMS a code for the plan you wish to change to.

You can switch plans as often as you like, as long as there is enough credit on your phone to change to the plan you wish to although the new plan usually won't take effect until after your current rate plan has run its course.

Coverage

The Lycamobile GSM mobile network offers good coverage in most areas of the United States including Hawaii and even Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. You can check coverage on the T-Mobile website, as Lycamobile use the T-Mobile network.

T-Mobile has the largest 1900 Mhz GSM network in the United States and is the best option if you have a tri-band phone, but you will get better coverage if you have a quadband phone that also supports the 850 MHz GSM band.

Important note about mobile coverage in the US
Mobile networks in the USA will not give you complete nationwide coverage and you cannot expect the same coverage in rural areas that you may be used to with Optus or Telstra in Australia. To overcome this, mobile networks partner with each other to provide coverage in areas where they do not operate their own networks and in most cases there are no additional charges for using your phone on a partner network; however some services such as data access and T-Mobile's international feature will not be available when roaming on a partner network. You are most likely to encounter a partner network when travelling in one of the five states where T-Mobile has the most limited coverage (these are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming) as well as rural areas. If you are in an area where coverage is provided by T-Mobile (most built-up areas in the United States) then there will be no problem and you should be able to access all services including data, but if you are travelling in an area where coverage is provided by a partner network (which may be a large network such as AT&T or a smaller operator such as Alaska Communications or GCI Wireless) then you will be able to make and receive calls and text messages as usual but will not be able to access data or take advantage of the free calls to Australian landlines offered by LycaMobile's international unlimited feature.

You can check T-Mobile’s coverage map to see which areas LycaMobile provides its own coverage in (indicated in pink on the coverage map) and which areas service is provided by a partner network (indicated in purple/grey on the coverage map).

This is not an issue for the average traveller to the United States, however it may be a problem for you if the majority of your time in the USA will be spent is either Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wyoming. If you will be spending considerable time in these states you may want to consider purchasing a different sim card after arriving in the USA.

Will the SIM card work in my mobile phone?

The Lycamobile USA SIM card will work in any unlocked GSM mobile phone that operates at the 1900MHz GSM band. This includes all tri-band and quad-band mobile phones from Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK.

If your phone also has the 850MHz GSM band you will get enchanced coverage, particularly in rural areas and the 1700MHz and 1900MHz 3G bands will enable you to access data at faster speeds; however the 1900MHz GSM band is the important one that is required to use your phone in most parts of Lycamobile's network.

We strongly recommend that you check your phone's specifications before you travel to ensure that your mobile phone is compatible with the 1900MHz GSM band. It is also essential that you double check that your phone is unlocked before travelling.

What's the deal with unlocking my phone?

When you buy a mobile phone it is usually locked into the network you bought it from; this means that it will only accept a SIM card from that network. If you call your mobile phone company, they should be able to unlock your phone for you so it will accept any SIM card (including the LycaMobile USA SIM).

How do I know if my phone is locked?

Before you travel put any other SIM that's not from your regular mobile network into your phone and turn it on. If your phone shows a network name it is unlocked, if it says something like "Network locked", "SIM locked" or "SOS calls only" then your phone is locked into your home network.

Occasionally we have customers who have been told by their carrier that their phone is unlocked, whereas the phone was either not unlocked or the unlocking process was not completed successfully. The best way to check that your phone has been unlocked is to pop in a SIM from a different network (for instance an Optus SIM in a Telstra phone) and see whether you get a signal. You can put your Lycamobile SIM in your phone in Australia to check before you go if it is active, however as you are roaming outside the USA, take the SIM out again to avoid roaming fees.

Can I unlock my phone?

Most mobile phones sold in Australia are locked to the network that they were originally sold through (all phones sold by Telstra are locked), although a small number of phones are sold already unlocked. If your mobile phone is on a contract there is usually no problem getting your phone unlocked by simply calling your network and asking them to unlock it. Mobile phones on prepaid plans are usually locked to a network but if you have been with the same network for a while it can usually be unlocked by calling your mobile phone company. Pre-paid phones on Boost, Optus and Virgin Mobile can be unlocked after $80 of credit has been added to the phone.

Here is more information from travelgear.com.au's support site about unlocking your mobile phone.

What about unlocking my Apple iPhone?

The unlocking process for Apple iPhones is a two-step process and it can take several days to unlock an Apple iPhone.

To unlock an iPhone you will need to contact the phone network that you purchased your iPhone through. They will ask for your phone's IMEI number, which you can find out by going into your phone's settings (Settings > General > About) and within a few days you will receive a text message saying that your phone has been unlocked. Please note that this text message doesn't mean that the unlocking process is complete. You will still need to connect your phone by cable to your computer (running the latest version of iTunes) to restore your phone. If you do not restore in iTunes, your unlocking process will not be complete and your phone will still be locked. When you have successfully unlocked your iPhone iyou should see a screen in iTunes that looks like this:

Most iPhones purchased from Apple Stores are sold unlocked and are ready to use with any SIM card, however it is still best to check by inserting a SIM from a different network as some Apple Stores overseas still sell locked iPhones.

Here is some information from the Telstra website about unlocking your iPhone. This link has details about unlocking your iPhone along with the contact details at Telstra for their iPhone unlocking team.

Can I roam with this SIM?

You can also use this SIM to roam outside the USA; however roaming charges apply so it is not recommended to use this SIM outside the United States. .

Remember, the reason you're buying a US SIM card is to avoid roaming costs so the best way to save money is to only use a US SIM card when you are in the USA and buy a separate Canadian SIM card for travel in Canada, Mexico and other countries (or limit your use outside the USA).

Data is not available when roaming outside the USA.

Will I get a brand new number?

The Lycamobile SIMs that we have in stock are activated with numbers allocated direct from Lycamobile.

In the United States (as with most other countries) when telephone numbers expire they are put back into circulation. This is basically an issue with all phone numbers, anywhere, but it is more noticable in the USA where there is a shortage of phone numbers per area code (because they still use seven-digit phone numbers). To avoid running out of numbers, they are recycled shortly after being disconnected. All phone companies do this, and it is certainly not an issue that is unique to Lycamobile.

Unfortunately, this means that some people have recieved calls and text messages intended for people who previously had their phone number.

Rest assured that the numbers are direct allocations from Lycamobile, but we recommend to avoid activating your phone with certain area codes to reduce the chance that you get a recycled number. Activating your SIM card with the ZIP code of a fast growing city or a place with a seasonal population (such as Honolulu, Las Vegas, Miami, New York City and most resort towns) is more likely to result in a recycled phone number; but places with a stable population (such as cities in the Midwest or outer suburban areas of large cities) are less likely to result in this issue.

FAQ

You'll find more information about using the Lycamobile USA prepaid SIM card on our customer support site. Following are links to some of our frequently asked questions:

Unlocking your phone

How can I unlock my phone?

How do I know if my phone is locked?

How do I unlock my Apple iPhone?

OK, so what are the differences between the T-Mobile SIM you sell and the LycaMobile SIM?

The more astute amongst you will have deduced that the Lycamobile SIM uses the T-Mobile network in the USA. This is called being a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), and essentially they rent space on the network, paying a fee to T-Mobile to use their equipment. There are many MVNOs out there, and it is best to go with a reliable company who has the capacity for good customer service with good plans and ease of use.

T-Mobile SIM will appeal to:

  • data users who want fast speed data
  • business customers
  • customers making international calls to more than 10 numbers
  • customers who want their service activated and set up for them by us
  • customers needing additional support from us
  • customers requiring essential, reliable service and the best connections (obviously the T-Mobile network will prioritise own customers)

LycaMobile will appeal to:

  • customers who do not need a lot of data
  • people calling international mobile phones
  • customers travelling just a few more than 30 days but needing to make international calls for all of those days
  • customers who are confident activating a SIM and dealing with Lycamobile support if necessary

snip-table-t-mobile-vs-lycamobile.jpg

Payment & Security

Payment methods

  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Union Pay
  • Visa

Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.

Travel Gear

Lycamobile USA prepaid SIM card

$59.00

Click here if you're looking for a T-Mobile SIM on a Pay By The Day plan.

The Lycamobile prepaid SIM card at a glance:

includedcredit.png
The Lycamobile SIM on a monthly prepaid plan includes the monthly cost of your chosen rate plan plus an extra $10 to use on international calls and international SMS not included in your plan.
You will have all the features of your plan for 30 days from when you activate the SIM. You can activate the SIM and use in your phone as soon as you land in the USA. If you need to, you can buy additional credit online.

Includes $10 International calling credit in addition to your 30 days of inclusive value within USA (including calls and data).

rateplan.png
The Lycamobile USA monthly prepaid plan offers you:
icon-tick.png Unlimited calls to mobile phones and landlines in the USA
icon-tick.png Unlimited text messages to mobile phones in the USA
icon-tick.png Unlimited data (first 500MB at 3G speed); read here for more information about data speed.
icon-tick.png Unlimited incoming calls

The 30 days of your plan will begin when you activate the SIM in the USA. If you are travelling for fewer than 30 days and wish to know your USA number, we can activate the plan for you, but your plan will begin immediately.


intlcalls.png


Lycamobile has cheap international calls.
icon-tick.png USD $10 of international calling credit is included with your SIM card.
icon-tick.png Calls to Australian landlines are /minute (US)
icon-tick.png Calls to Australian mobile phones are 8¢/minute (US)
icon-tick.png SMS text messages to mobile phones in Australia are 12¢ (US)

Lycamobile has cheap international calls as standard rates, but if you choose you can add the Unlimited International feature to your service. For an additional US $10, this add-on feature gives you u
nlimited calls (to the first 10 unique phone numbers you call – landlines only) in 50 countries (including Australia). Most people will find the standard rates to be better value.



The standard rate for calls to Australia without this feature is 1¢/minute to landlines and 8¢/minute to mobiles as above.


data.png
Unlimited data is included in your rate plan. You will only have the first 500MB at 3G speed (which will last anywhere from two to three days for a heavy data user, or 30 days for occasional data use. Most customers checking email, Facebook, uploading photos and using maps will use 500MB in roughly 7–10 days). Read here for more information about data speeds.


importantinformation.png
icon-attention.png Requires an unlocked phone that is compatible with the USA T-Mobile network (read here for more information).
icon-attention.png You will receive your US mobile phone number by email on the date that your phone is activated. You choose this date when ordering your SIM card. Your first 30 days service will start from this date.
icon-attention.png Included value only applies while you use this sim card within Lycamobile's network in the USA. Additional charges apply (and some services may not be available) if you use your phone outside the USA (including Canada and Mexico) or if you roam onto a partner network within the USA.
icon-attention.png Tethering (using your phone as a mobile hotspot) is not allowed on any Lycamobile plan.
icon-attention.png Blackberry phones will not be able to access data, but they can still use the phone plan.
icon-attention.pngYour USA mobile phone number will be provided when your 30 day plan is activated in the USA. If you need a USA number before this, we can activate the SIM for you, but the plan will begin immediately.

The Lycamobile USA SIM card (monthly prepaid plan) features:

Lycamobile's monthly prepaid plan offers great value. When you buy your SIM card, it will include enough credit to pay for your first month of service (each additional month of service will cost US $39). You can change plans after your first month to a different rate plan, or even just recharge with any amount for a Pay as you Go plan. This is ideal for travellers staying just a few days longer than 30 days in the USA.

Lycamobile's Unlimited Talk, Text & Web monthly prepaid plans include:

Please note that all Lycamobile monthly rate plans outlined on this page are prepaid plans. There are no contracts to sign and no minimum term to commit to. All of these plans are suitable if you're visiting the USA for only a couple of weeks.

This SIM card is activated when you arrive in the USA by dialling 622, and entering a zip code (postcode - any US zipcode will do) when prompted. So all you need to do is put it in an unlocked tri-band or quad-band phone.

Activating your Lycamobile service
You can activate your Lycamobile USA SIM yourself (this takes less than two minutes). Dial 622 to activate your SIM card in the USA, or you can activate it online.

When you activate your SIM card, the 30 days of your first month of service will begin. You can view your US mobile phone number by dialling *613# with the Lycamobile SIM card in your phone, after your SIM has been activated.

Please note: Lycamobile use the T-Mobile network, so you can check the coverage here: T-Mobile coverage map

The Lycamobile Unlimited Talk, Text & Web plan outlined on this page includes unlimited internet access at EDGE speed on T-Mobile's 2G network; but you also get a 500Mb 3G data allowance that gives you faster internet access before your speed is throttled down to the 2G/EDGE speed.

Important note about 3G/4G data: Some of T-Mobile's 3G/4G data network operates on the non-standard AWS 1700MHz band and very few phones sold in Australia are compatible with this band, however recent changes to T-Mobile's network now mean that 3G data is available on the 1900MHz 3G band in many parts of the country including most major cities, which will work with many smartphones sold in Australia (including the Apple iPhone). Because of these recent changes to T-Mobile's network; if you have a rate plan that allows for faster data, in many parts of the country your data may run faster in refarmed areas of LycaMobile's network and in other areas your data will be at the slower EDGE speed on LycaMobile's 2G network.

T-Mobile have confirmed that their networks in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit (including Ann Arbor), Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami (including Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood), Minneapolis (including St Paul), Modesto, Monterey, New York City (including Jersey City & Newark), Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix (including Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe), Richmond (VA), San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco (including Oakland, San Jose and Silicon Valley), Santa Cruz, Seattle, Stockton, Tampa, Tuscon, Virginia Beach and Washington DC have been upgraded to work at 3G speed on 1900MHz 3G devices (including most Australian smartphones). If you're visiting these areas you should consider getting a T-Mobile SIM plan that gives you a larger 3G data allowance.

T-Mobile are also in the process of upgrading their network in many other parts of the USA and we have had many reports of faster data in Albuquerque, Buffalo, Cincinatti, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbus, El Paso, Honolulu (including Waikiki), Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and St Louis; although T-Mobile have not yet announced that network upgrades have been completed in these cities. As this network upgrade is a work in progress, T-Mobile have not yet released coverage maps showing where you are likely to get 3G data speeds on 1900MHz 3G device (such as an iPhone) but there is a map at www.airportal.de where T-Mobile customers with iPhones have reported faster data access.

If you have a phone that is also compatible with the 1700MHz AWS band (such as the LG Google Nexus 4, Nokia C7, Nokia N8, Nokia N9, Nokia E6, Nokia E7 or Samsung Google Nexus S) you will be able to access 3G data speed in many more places.

If you have an Apple iPhone (or another phone that works on the 1900MHz 3G band but not the 1700MHz 3G band) it may be a bit of a lottery whether you can get faster speeds if you are travelling in parts of the USA that are not mentioned above.

International calls

Important note about international calls.

You have $10 USD included to spend on international calls and SMS. Calling a landline in Australia is 1c per minute, or to a mobile in Australia 8c/minute. International SMS messages are 12c each. The calls you make will reduce your credit balance, but you can easily add more credit online if you need to.

You can also add an option called the Unlimited International option, for $10, which will make calls to landlines in Australia free to the first 10 unique numbers you call each month. Any other numbers will be charged from your remaining credit balance.

Other ways to save on international calls

There are several other options for making cheap calls home, although these are not always as practical as using your Lycamobile. Some options are using Skype or Viber to call home (although these don't work well over an EDGE data connection and if you don't have access to 3G data you're advised to call from a Wi-Fi hotspot such as from your hotel or a coffee shop).

Can I use my phone as a mobile hotspot?

No, Lycamobile do not allow tethering at this stage.

Will this SIM work in a BlackBerry?

BlackBerry phones access data differently to other mobile phones and data (for email and internet access) will not work on the Lycamobile plans with a BlackBerry device.

Data works fine on all other smartphones including Apple iPhones, Android phones and Windows Phones.

How do I top up my credit?

There are several ways to buy refill vouchers and top up your LycaMobile SIM.

Please note: that sales tax is added to the cost of a refill voucher in many parts of the USA and some websites charge a small service fee (usually $2–5 per refill).

How long is my Lycamobile monthly prepaid service valid for?

Your Lycamobile remains active for 90 days from the date that credit was last added to your account, but the monthly service is only good for 30 days from when credit has been added. You can pay for another month plan or just use pay as you go, as long as there is credit in your prepaid account . Your service will be disconnected after 90 days of no activity, so ensure you either make a call or SMS or add credit.

Switching plans

Changing plans is very easy using the Lycamobile customer service number, on 612 from your mobile. You can SMS a code for the plan you wish to change to.

You can switch plans as often as you like, as long as there is enough credit on your phone to change to the plan you wish to although the new plan usually won't take effect until after your current rate plan has run its course.

Coverage

The Lycamobile GSM mobile network offers good coverage in most areas of the United States including Hawaii and even Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. You can check coverage on the T-Mobile website, as Lycamobile use the T-Mobile network.

T-Mobile has the largest 1900 Mhz GSM network in the United States and is the best option if you have a tri-band phone, but you will get better coverage if you have a quadband phone that also supports the 850 MHz GSM band.

Important note about mobile coverage in the US
Mobile networks in the USA will not give you complete nationwide coverage and you cannot expect the same coverage in rural areas that you may be used to with Optus or Telstra in Australia. To overcome this, mobile networks partner with each other to provide coverage in areas where they do not operate their own networks and in most cases there are no additional charges for using your phone on a partner network; however some services such as data access and T-Mobile's international feature will not be available when roaming on a partner network. You are most likely to encounter a partner network when travelling in one of the five states where T-Mobile has the most limited coverage (these are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming) as well as rural areas. If you are in an area where coverage is provided by T-Mobile (most built-up areas in the United States) then there will be no problem and you should be able to access all services including data, but if you are travelling in an area where coverage is provided by a partner network (which may be a large network such as AT&T or a smaller operator such as Alaska Communications or GCI Wireless) then you will be able to make and receive calls and text messages as usual but will not be able to access data or take advantage of the free calls to Australian landlines offered by LycaMobile's international unlimited feature.

You can check T-Mobile’s coverage map to see which areas LycaMobile provides its own coverage in (indicated in pink on the coverage map) and which areas service is provided by a partner network (indicated in purple/grey on the coverage map).

This is not an issue for the average traveller to the United States, however it may be a problem for you if the majority of your time in the USA will be spent is either Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wyoming. If you will be spending considerable time in these states you may want to consider purchasing a different sim card after arriving in the USA.

Will the SIM card work in my mobile phone?

The Lycamobile USA SIM card will work in any unlocked GSM mobile phone that operates at the 1900MHz GSM band. This includes all tri-band and quad-band mobile phones from Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK.

If your phone also has the 850MHz GSM band you will get enchanced coverage, particularly in rural areas and the 1700MHz and 1900MHz 3G bands will enable you to access data at faster speeds; however the 1900MHz GSM band is the important one that is required to use your phone in most parts of Lycamobile's network.

We strongly recommend that you check your phone's specifications before you travel to ensure that your mobile phone is compatible with the 1900MHz GSM band. It is also essential that you double check that your phone is unlocked before travelling.

What's the deal with unlocking my phone?

When you buy a mobile phone it is usually locked into the network you bought it from; this means that it will only accept a SIM card from that network. If you call your mobile phone company, they should be able to unlock your phone for you so it will accept any SIM card (including the LycaMobile USA SIM).

How do I know if my phone is locked?

Before you travel put any other SIM that's not from your regular mobile network into your phone and turn it on. If your phone shows a network name it is unlocked, if it says something like "Network locked", "SIM locked" or "SOS calls only" then your phone is locked into your home network.

Occasionally we have customers who have been told by their carrier that their phone is unlocked, whereas the phone was either not unlocked or the unlocking process was not completed successfully. The best way to check that your phone has been unlocked is to pop in a SIM from a different network (for instance an Optus SIM in a Telstra phone) and see whether you get a signal. You can put your Lycamobile SIM in your phone in Australia to check before you go if it is active, however as you are roaming outside the USA, take the SIM out again to avoid roaming fees.

Can I unlock my phone?

Most mobile phones sold in Australia are locked to the network that they were originally sold through (all phones sold by Telstra are locked), although a small number of phones are sold already unlocked. If your mobile phone is on a contract there is usually no problem getting your phone unlocked by simply calling your network and asking them to unlock it. Mobile phones on prepaid plans are usually locked to a network but if you have been with the same network for a while it can usually be unlocked by calling your mobile phone company. Pre-paid phones on Boost, Optus and Virgin Mobile can be unlocked after $80 of credit has been added to the phone.

Here is more information from travelgear.com.au's support site about unlocking your mobile phone.

What about unlocking my Apple iPhone?

The unlocking process for Apple iPhones is a two-step process and it can take several days to unlock an Apple iPhone.

To unlock an iPhone you will need to contact the phone network that you purchased your iPhone through. They will ask for your phone's IMEI number, which you can find out by going into your phone's settings (Settings > General > About) and within a few days you will receive a text message saying that your phone has been unlocked. Please note that this text message doesn't mean that the unlocking process is complete. You will still need to connect your phone by cable to your computer (running the latest version of iTunes) to restore your phone. If you do not restore in iTunes, your unlocking process will not be complete and your phone will still be locked. When you have successfully unlocked your iPhone iyou should see a screen in iTunes that looks like this:

Most iPhones purchased from Apple Stores are sold unlocked and are ready to use with any SIM card, however it is still best to check by inserting a SIM from a different network as some Apple Stores overseas still sell locked iPhones.

Here is some information from the Telstra website about unlocking your iPhone. This link has details about unlocking your iPhone along with the contact details at Telstra for their iPhone unlocking team.

Can I roam with this SIM?

You can also use this SIM to roam outside the USA; however roaming charges apply so it is not recommended to use this SIM outside the United States. .

Remember, the reason you're buying a US SIM card is to avoid roaming costs so the best way to save money is to only use a US SIM card when you are in the USA and buy a separate Canadian SIM card for travel in Canada, Mexico and other countries (or limit your use outside the USA).

Data is not available when roaming outside the USA.

Will I get a brand new number?

The Lycamobile SIMs that we have in stock are activated with numbers allocated direct from Lycamobile.

In the United States (as with most other countries) when telephone numbers expire they are put back into circulation. This is basically an issue with all phone numbers, anywhere, but it is more noticable in the USA where there is a shortage of phone numbers per area code (because they still use seven-digit phone numbers). To avoid running out of numbers, they are recycled shortly after being disconnected. All phone companies do this, and it is certainly not an issue that is unique to Lycamobile.

Unfortunately, this means that some people have recieved calls and text messages intended for people who previously had their phone number.

Rest assured that the numbers are direct allocations from Lycamobile, but we recommend to avoid activating your phone with certain area codes to reduce the chance that you get a recycled number. Activating your SIM card with the ZIP code of a fast growing city or a place with a seasonal population (such as Honolulu, Las Vegas, Miami, New York City and most resort towns) is more likely to result in a recycled phone number; but places with a stable population (such as cities in the Midwest or outer suburban areas of large cities) are less likely to result in this issue.

FAQ

You'll find more information about using the Lycamobile USA prepaid SIM card on our customer support site. Following are links to some of our frequently asked questions:

Unlocking your phone

How can I unlock my phone?

How do I know if my phone is locked?

How do I unlock my Apple iPhone?

OK, so what are the differences between the T-Mobile SIM you sell and the LycaMobile SIM?

The more astute amongst you will have deduced that the Lycamobile SIM uses the T-Mobile network in the USA. This is called being a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), and essentially they rent space on the network, paying a fee to T-Mobile to use their equipment. There are many MVNOs out there, and it is best to go with a reliable company who has the capacity for good customer service with good plans and ease of use.

T-Mobile SIM will appeal to:

LycaMobile will appeal to:

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