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UK mobile phones in US?

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I need to replace my mobile phone as I broke it whilst I was on holiday last week and I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with something. I want to buy a UK mobile phone handset off of Ebay or something and using my existing UK SIM card with it until I leave for the US permanently next month, but I also want to use the new handset in the US with a SIM card over there. I know I will probably have to set up a new contract and buy a cheap phone when I get over to the US, but I'm wondering whether I can use just the new US SIM card in my UK handset once I have the new SIM card? Has anyone on here tried this?

Anthony & Caitlin's Visa Journey

======================

Oct 2001 - Met on an internet dating website

10/21/2001 - Met in person for the first time in London!

Nov 2002 - Anthony & Caitlin get engaged in London!

03/20/2003 - Anthony & Caitlin get married in the UK :)

04/30/2005 - I-130 completed and sent off

05/03/2005 - Forgot to send it Marriage certificate, sent by post!

05/09/2005 - London Embassy notifies us of receipt of I-130

06/02/2005 - Pkt 3 received

08/02/2005 - Pkt 3 completed and sent back

09/30/2005 - Pkt 4 received - Interview date set for 4th November

09/09/2005 - First child is born! Baby girl named Brianna :)

Sept 2005 - Went to get up-to-date TD and MMR shots at local doctors

10/17/2005 - Medical exam in London

11/04/2005 - Interview at London Embassy - GOT THE VISA!!

04/30/2006 - First trip back to the States since getting visa - MRIV in passport stamped!

05/09/2006 - Flew back to the UK to complete sale of apartment

05/17/2006 - Received 'Welcome to the United States' letter

05/30/2006 - Green Card arrives in mail!! - Waiting for SSN now

07/10/2006 - The big move to Ohio!!

07/11/2006 - SSN doesn't arrive in mail, Anthony applies in person

07/18/2006 - Received SSN!!

08/22/2006 - Anthony gets his Ohio drivers license - journey is finally complete!!

Read my POE Experience in Newark

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We were assured by our Phone Rep (Nokia) in the UK that when we came to the US we just needed to purchase a new sim card and Bob's your uncle! We had deliberately purchased quad-band phones in the UK so we wouldn't have to buy new phones on arriving in the US.

However, that was not the case when we arrived. After enquiring of just about all the cell phone companies here, none of them was able (or maybe willing) to obtain a sim card to put in our UK phones.

So check your information very carefully before you decide what to do.

OUR TIMELINE

K1 VISA & MARRIAGE - 8 MONTHS

17 February 2004 Sent I-129F petition CSC - It was APPROVED in 147 days

3 September 2004 INTERVIEW IN LONDON SUCCESSFUL VISA APPROVED! MARRIED OCTOBER 16, 2004

ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS - 5 MONTHS

4 January 2005 - Submitted applications for AOS and EAD - 12 May 2005 Conditional Permanent Residency Approved - interview in Santa Ana

4 June 2005 CPR 2-year Green Card arrives in mail

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS - 3½ MONTHS

8 May 2007 - I-751 sent to CSC - 23 August 2007 - Approved - Card production ordered

30 August 2007 - 10 year Green Card received

K2 TIMELINE (Stayed behind in UK to finish school)

28 March 2005 - embassy interview & medical London - visa granted

01/18/06 Applications for AOS/EAD sent - 03/28/06 EAD approved

4/3/06 - RFE for AOS - requested new medical and vacc supplement

4/26/06 - approved without interview and welcome letter sent

05/02/2006 - Greencard arrives in mail

03/14/08 - Petition to Remove Conditions mailed to CSC delivered - 7/2/08 APPROVED

NATURALIZATION TIMELINE (for myself and son) 5 MONTHS

April 18, 2011 - N-400 Applications Mailed to AZ lockbox

April 21 (received April 25) NOAs

May 12 - FP Letters mailed

May 16 - Received FP appointment letters for June 8 at 11am

August 1 - Interview - approved for Oath Ceremony - OATH CEREMONY 28 SEPTEMBER

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We were assured by our Phone Rep (Nokia) in the UK that when we came to the US we just needed to purchase a new sim card and Bob's your uncle! We had deliberately purchased quad-band phones in the UK so we wouldn't have to buy new phones on arriving in the US.

However, that was not the case when we arrived. After enquiring of just about all the cell phone companies here, none of them was able (or maybe willing) to obtain a sim card to put in our UK phones.

So check your information very carefully before you decide what to do.

Perhaps the original provider could remove the "SIM LOCK" feature of the phone.

I have a tri-band Nokia 6600 that I got in the Philippines that has the sim lock disabled. I can use my T-Mobile sim card in it with no problem.

Have a look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_lock

Edited by john_and_marlene

05/16/2005 I-129F Sent

05/28/2005 I-129F NOA1

06/21/2005 I-129F NOA2

07/18/2005 Consulate Received package from NVC

11/09/2005 Medical

11/16/2005 Interview APPROVED

12/05/2005 Visa received

12/07/2005 POE Minneapolis

12/17/2005 Wedding

12/20/2005 Applied for SSN

01/14/2005 SSN received in the mail

02/03/2006 AOS sent (Did not apply for EAD or AP)

02/09/2006 NOA

02/16/2006 Case status Online

05/01/2006 Biometrics Appt.

07/12/2006 AOS Interview APPROVED

07/24/2006 GC arrived

05/02/2007 Driver's License - Passed Road Test!

05/27/2008 Lifting of Conditions sent (TSC > VSC)

06/03/2008 Check Cleared

07/08/2008 INFOPASS (I-551 stamp)

07/08/2008 Driver's License renewed

04/20/2009 Lifting of Conditions approved

04/28/2009 Card received in the mail

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline

You need to pick a cell phone company that has a GSM network such as Cingular or T-Mobile. Sign up for their service and then put the SIM they give you card in your phone. They will probably also give you a cheap phone when sign up but it sounds like you would rather use your Nokia quad band phone. The SIM card will work in either phone.

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Also from the previous link

In the United Kingdom, government regulator OFCOM dictates that networks must release the unlocking information to customers for non-contract handsets (e.g. Pay as you go) on request. Consumers who purchase handsets under “Pay as you go” or a similar scheme are purchasing the handset outright at the point of sale, this has in effect made phone unlocking in the UK a consumer right.

UK Network providers are permitted to charge a fee for releasing the unlock code, this has prompted smaller businesses to offer cut price unlocking on the UK’s High Streets.c

05/16/2005 I-129F Sent

05/28/2005 I-129F NOA1

06/21/2005 I-129F NOA2

07/18/2005 Consulate Received package from NVC

11/09/2005 Medical

11/16/2005 Interview APPROVED

12/05/2005 Visa received

12/07/2005 POE Minneapolis

12/17/2005 Wedding

12/20/2005 Applied for SSN

01/14/2005 SSN received in the mail

02/03/2006 AOS sent (Did not apply for EAD or AP)

02/09/2006 NOA

02/16/2006 Case status Online

05/01/2006 Biometrics Appt.

07/12/2006 AOS Interview APPROVED

07/24/2006 GC arrived

05/02/2007 Driver's License - Passed Road Test!

05/27/2008 Lifting of Conditions sent (TSC > VSC)

06/03/2008 Check Cleared

07/08/2008 INFOPASS (I-551 stamp)

07/08/2008 Driver's License renewed

04/20/2009 Lifting of Conditions approved

04/28/2009 Card received in the mail

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Thanks everyone for all your guidance! I know about SIM unlocking, so if I can do that with a UK phone, then it looks like it'll work. :)

Anthony & Caitlin's Visa Journey

======================

Oct 2001 - Met on an internet dating website

10/21/2001 - Met in person for the first time in London!

Nov 2002 - Anthony & Caitlin get engaged in London!

03/20/2003 - Anthony & Caitlin get married in the UK :)

04/30/2005 - I-130 completed and sent off

05/03/2005 - Forgot to send it Marriage certificate, sent by post!

05/09/2005 - London Embassy notifies us of receipt of I-130

06/02/2005 - Pkt 3 received

08/02/2005 - Pkt 3 completed and sent back

09/30/2005 - Pkt 4 received - Interview date set for 4th November

09/09/2005 - First child is born! Baby girl named Brianna :)

Sept 2005 - Went to get up-to-date TD and MMR shots at local doctors

10/17/2005 - Medical exam in London

11/04/2005 - Interview at London Embassy - GOT THE VISA!!

04/30/2006 - First trip back to the States since getting visa - MRIV in passport stamped!

05/09/2006 - Flew back to the UK to complete sale of apartment

05/17/2006 - Received 'Welcome to the United States' letter

05/30/2006 - Green Card arrives in mail!! - Waiting for SSN now

07/10/2006 - The big move to Ohio!!

07/11/2006 - SSN doesn't arrive in mail, Anthony applies in person

07/18/2006 - Received SSN!!

08/22/2006 - Anthony gets his Ohio drivers license - journey is finally complete!!

Read my POE Experience in Newark

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Hi there,

In the UK I had an O2 contract and I used a Sony Ericsson Z600 tri-band phone, with roaming enabled, of course.

Every time I've visited the States I've brought that phone and used Kyle's US Cingular sim card in it without any problems. I didn't get anything done to the phone prior to using it, I just swopped sims and it just worked. Kyle also tried my UK sim card in an old Nokia he had lying around and it worked.

So, it looks as though - as long as the phone has tri or quad band capability of course - you should be OK. In theory at least!

Edited by Tex'n'Brit

All the best,

Sheila

(AKA Brit)

=======================================

Jun 01-2005: I-129F is at TSC

Sep 21-2005: K-1 Visa!

Oct 16-2005: Moved To DFW!

Oct 23-2005:
Wedding!

Mar 09-2006:
Green Card!

Mar 07-2008: I-751 (Lifting conditions) sent

Apr 17-2008: Biometrics Appt

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Im on Virgin mobile 'no contract' and I go over to Cingular when Im there (US) - and sometimes one called sun-something...forgot it, lol

Works fine and I was told I could switch sim cards as well if needed.

Applied for K1

Met online 2001 - just aquaintances

Sept 2002 - 1st US visit - everything goes perfectly.

Dec 20th - Forms recev'd at CSC

Dec 27th - NOA1 received by snail mail!

Dec 29th - 'Touched'

March 10 2006 - NOA2!

March 23 - recv'd at NVC

March 24 - petition sent to London

April 9th - Pkt 3 rec'd!

May 17th - Pkt 3 signed for at London Embassy

May 24th - Medical

May24th - Pkt 4

June 14th - Interview 10am - APPROVED 1pm!!

June 16th - Visas received in my hot little hands 1pm :)

July 19th - flying to US!

July 27th - Married!! :-)

Aug 7th - Applied for SSN in married name

Aug 9th - SSN received

uk.gif1273.gifusa.gif

3dflagsdotcom_uk_2fawm.gif3dflagsdotcom_usa_2fawm.gif

I'm not a lawyer I just have opinions on everything :)

animated flags from http://3dflags.com

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I got my phone unlocked in the UK and it works fine here with a new sim.

Met the ole man in January 1998

Jan. 2004: K1 visa issued ~ April 2004: Got on a plane ~ Nov. 2004: GC in my mucky hands ~ Dec. 2006: Received 10 YR GC

September 2008 - US passport delivered!

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: England
Timeline

I used Uniquephones.com to unlck my Nokia 6100 from an Orange handset in the UK. It now works with my Cingular SIM but is unlocked on all networks so would work with any SIM from any provider.

I was VERY pleased with the instructions on their website and had no problems at all unlocking it using the codes provided.

Mark :)

Our Full Timeline From K-1 Application through to Receiving my Green Card

Timeline Summary

11/30/2007 - I-751 Mailed to Nebraska

12/28/2007 - NOA Received (application has been forwarded to California)

01/09/2008 - Biometrics taken in St. Louis

03/27/2008 - I-751 Approved, 10 Yr Greencard in the mail !!

12/20/2016 - N-400 mailed to Phoenix lockbox

01/17/2017 - NOA Received

01/25/2017 - Attended biometrics in St. Louis

09/29/2017 - Received I-797C notice dated 09/27/17.  Interview Scheduled for November 6th @ 8am

11/06/2017 - N400 interview in St. Louis.  Approved !!:jest:

02/05/2018 - Notice of Oath Ceremony date received.  March 1st, 2018 @ 8.30am

 

"Though miles once lay between us, we were never far apart, for true love doesn't count the miles, it's measured by the heart"

Check out our website - "Our Journey Together"

View Our Online Photo Albums - "Mark and Debs' Webshots Albums"

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Well so far I have not some across anyone here who even has ever seen their sim card, it comes in the phone when they get it and is not like a UK one at all. The cell phone market is ludicrous IMHO!

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SO far as Ive seen (not actually used so this is hearsay), the prices on US cells as far as USE goes (cost per call etc) are prohibitive - very unlike the prices we pay in the UK and not as good service either.

Maybe we are more consumer led?

No idea but I think I probably will have to give up the cell once I move

:(

Applied for K1

Met online 2001 - just aquaintances

Sept 2002 - 1st US visit - everything goes perfectly.

Dec 20th - Forms recev'd at CSC

Dec 27th - NOA1 received by snail mail!

Dec 29th - 'Touched'

March 10 2006 - NOA2!

March 23 - recv'd at NVC

March 24 - petition sent to London

April 9th - Pkt 3 rec'd!

May 17th - Pkt 3 signed for at London Embassy

May 24th - Medical

May24th - Pkt 4

June 14th - Interview 10am - APPROVED 1pm!!

June 16th - Visas received in my hot little hands 1pm :)

July 19th - flying to US!

July 27th - Married!! :-)

Aug 7th - Applied for SSN in married name

Aug 9th - SSN received

uk.gif1273.gifusa.gif

3dflagsdotcom_uk_2fawm.gif3dflagsdotcom_usa_2fawm.gif

I'm not a lawyer I just have opinions on everything :)

animated flags from http://3dflags.com

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

I despise cell phones... I really do. I know they are a really big deal in Europe... I was in Germany and just about every european had them. I might be a dinosaur or something... but I don't see the need to have a phone with me when I go out some where. Yeah, they are convient on occassions... a break down, your at the store and can't remember what the wife needed to make that special meal... but for the most part.. I don't see the purpose in them. I leave the house to get away. If I want to talk to someone, I'll call them before I go. Otherwise, they can leave me a message. I hate talking on the phone when I'm driving (which unfortunately is still legal here... ) because it is distracting. I can't have it with me at work.. so the two times that I'm away from the house the most, I wouldn't be using it. I'd turn it off in the movie theater.... so why bother? lol

Yes, I have owned one a couple of times.. once in germany, and twice here in the states. The one time was because I was away from my kids.. my parents had them until I found a place for us to live after the army brought me back from Germany and sent me to Ft Bragg. I was living in the barracks, with no way to have a "home" phone. The other time, my ex (then she was estranged) wife got a plane and gave me one of the phones... one of the many times she was trying to lure me back... didn't work obviously. I remember I sat in a movie theater with the kids (and her, who the kids wanted to go with us) and got and sent (I think) a couple text messages with my soon to be wife :-D

One thing people have a tendency to forget.. here in the US local calls don't cost us anything. In Europe, I know they do... and people usually use text msg's alot because of it. So I find it strange to pay for yet another phone service, and some how get charged to make more local calls. Just my opinion though.

How it Started

2001 to Feb 2002 - Met online, were acquintances

Mar to Apr 2005 - Talked about finally giving in to our feelings and getting married

Aug 1 to Aug 7, 2005 - Fifth US Visit - Engaged

Time for the Visa

Dec 8, 2005 - Finally mailed Packet

Dec 20, 2005 - NOA1 Notice Date

Dec 27, 2005 - NOA1 Rcv'd in Mail

Mar 10, 2006 - NOA2 Approved

Mar 23, 2006 - NVC Received Packet

Mar 24, 2006 - Case Forwarded to London Embassy

Apr 7, 2006 - Recieved Packet 3

May 11, 2006 - Packet 3 Sent Back

May 24, 2006 - Medical Appointment

May 24, 2006 - Packet 4 Received

Jun 14, 2006 - Interview - APPROVED!!!!!!!

Jun 16, 2006 - Visa Recieved

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Chas and I read the online manual to my new phone as to where the sim card would be - there isn't one in it.

I'm on Verizon. I'm starting to think they don't even use sim cards.

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