Phone and Internet in the USA: Plans, SIMs and Home Service
Getting connected is one of the first jobs after you land in the United States, and US phone and internet service works differently from most other countries. Three big carriers own the mobile networks, while dozens of smaller brands resell them for much less. Home internet choice depends on your exact address. This page explains how to get a US number with no Social Security number or credit history, whether your phone will work, what a visitor should buy, and how to choose home internet.
This page provides general information only. Plans, prices and coverage change often and vary by region, so the figures below are rough guides; check current offers with each provider before you sign up.
Mobile: The Big Three and the Resellers
| Network | Known for | Example lower-cost brands |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Wide coverage, including rural areas; higher prices | Visible, Total Wireless |
| AT&T | Wide coverage; strong in many cities | Cricket |
| T-Mobile | Strong urban 5G; often the cheapest of the three | Mint Mobile, Metro |
An unlimited plan from a big carrier typically costs around $60 to $90 a month for one line, with lower per-line prices for families, and often before taxes and fees. Resellers, called MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators), run on the same networks for far less, often around $15 to $45 a month. Brands such as US Mobile, Tello and Google Fi also compete here. The trade-off is that your data can be slowed when the network is busy, and customer service tends to be more limited. For most people the difference is hard to notice.
Check the coverage map for where you will live and work. A cheap plan is no bargain if your network is weak at home, which can be an issue in rural areas and national parks.
Prepaid or Postpaid
- Prepaid: you pay in advance, usually monthly, with no contract and no credit check. This is the best starting point for newcomers.
- Postpaid: you are billed at the end of the month. This usually means a credit check, which is hard without a US credit history. Carriers may ask for a deposit instead. Monthly phone financing also often depends on your credit.
Getting a line without an SSN is simple with prepaid. You can sign up in a store or online with a passport or, often, just a payment card. Once you have a Social Security number and have started to build a credit history, you can switch to postpaid if it suits you.
Will Your Phone Work?
Usually yes, on three conditions:
- Unlocked: ask your home carrier to unlock the phone before you leave.
- Compatible: recent iPhones and high-end Android models generally support US bands. Enter your IMEI on the carrier's site to check. Budget phones made for other markets may not work well.
- Voice over LTE: US networks have shut down 3G, so calls run over 4G or 5G. Some foreign models get data but cannot make calls on certain networks, so test before you commit.
Most recent phones support eSIM, which lets you activate a line by app or QR code, sometimes before your flight. iPhones sold in the US have had no physical SIM tray in recent models, so buying a phone locally can affect later use abroad.
A phone bought from a carrier can stay locked to it for months. The FCC released Verizon from its 60-day automatic unlock rule in January 2026, so check the unlocking terms before you buy, especially if you plan to go home with the device.
Short Visits
Visitors on an ESTA or tourist visa have three choices:
- A travel eSIM: a data plan bought online. Many have no US number, so voice calls run through apps.
- A prepaid US plan: gives you a local number, which helps for restaurant bookings, rideshare and some apps that verify by text.
- Your home carrier's roaming: simple, but check the cost, which can be high.
How Americans Use Their Phones
Some local habits may surprise you. Calling and texting within the US is nearly always unlimited, and you do not pay more to receive them. SMS and iMessage are the default among Americans, and WhatsApp is less universal than in Europe or Latin America. Numbers have a 3-digit area code, and people often keep theirs after moving. Spam calls are common, so let unknown callers go to voicemail. Dial 911 for emergencies.
Home Internet
The first question is not "which provider?" but "what is available at this address?" Many addresses have only one or two wired options, and two homes on the same street can differ. Enter the exact address on provider sites or the FCC's National Broadband Map before you sign a lease, especially if you work from home.
| Type | Strengths | Weak points | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | Fast both ways, low latency | Not available everywhere | AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber |
| Cable | Widely available, fast downloads | Slower uploads | Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox |
| 5G home internet | Easy setup, usually no contract | Speed depends on the local signal | T-Mobile, Verizon |
| Satellite | Works in remote areas | Equipment and monthly costs are higher | Starlink |
What It Costs
Expect roughly $40 to $90 a month, depending on speed and region. Look past the headline price for these extras:
- Promotional rates that rise after 12 months or more.
- Equipment rental of around $10 to $15 a month, which you may avoid by using your own compatible modem and router.
- Activation or installation fees. Self-install kits are often free or cheap.
- Data caps: fiber plans usually have none. Comcast has dropped its 1.2 TB cap on newer Xfinity plans, but older plans may keep it, so check yours.
- Autopay and paperless discounts built into advertised prices.
Providers may run a credit check or ask for a deposit if you have no US history. Low-income households may qualify for the federal Lifeline discount, while the larger Affordable Connectivity Program ended in 2024.
TV and Streaming
Most newcomers skip traditional cable TV. A good connection gives access to Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV and live TV services such as YouTube TV and Sling. Subscriptions add up quickly, so keep only those you use, and add them to your monthly budget. Some services block or limit their catalog by country, which may affect subscriptions from home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a US phone number without an SSN?
Yes. Prepaid plans from the big carriers and resellers need no SSN and no credit check. A payment method, and sometimes a passport, is enough.
What is the best SIM for a tourist in the USA?
A travel eSIM is often simplest if you only need data. If you need a US number, choose a prepaid plan from a reseller or a big carrier and activate it before or on arrival.
Will my foreign phone work in the US?
Generally yes, if it is unlocked and supports US bands and voice over LTE. Check the IMEI on the carrier's website first.
Should I use a big carrier or a reseller?
A reseller suits most people, since it uses the same network for less. A big carrier may be worth it for priority data, family bundles or better support.
Fiber or cable?
Choose fiber if it reaches your address, since it is faster for uploads and usually has no data cap. Otherwise cable or 5G home internet are the usual options.
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