Mobile calls and internet in US

Planning a trip to US I was surfing the site "SIM Cards USA" and found out some interesting proposals for using local mobile connection. The options which are of most interest to me are calls to Russia from US and using mobile Internet. The "H2O" and "Red Pocket" monthly plans seems to be really good for using. The question is where I can buy one upon arrival to the US? Are there any specific shopping networks for this stuff?

There are two more interesting proposals: "Spot Mobile" - looks good but I can't find any info about rates for mobile Internet. "Net 10" has good unlimited access plan but no information about rates for international calls (calls to Russia)?

Never ever heard of any of the above :)
And cell phone service is way overpriced in the US which seems really strange to me

I've heard the ads for Net 10 but never paid any attention to them. Never heard about anything else that you mentioned.

1. You might want to look into getting a Verizon prepaid phone as Verizon has a deal with Skype and then use Skype to keep in touch with folks from Russia. I believe they are the only carrier in the US to have a deal with Skype. Answers to FAQs about skype mobile

2. Or, you can look at T-Mobile and be able to use their WiFi calling service, I believe they are the only one to offer WiFi calling. You can make and receive calls in the US for free; however, you can only receive free international calls on WiFi, you will be charged for placing international WiFi calls. You will also be able to make calls or surf the Web when you are in an area where there is a poor or no signal yet an open Wifi. Support: Wi-Fi Calling. T-Mobile also offers unlimited data and minutes. The only problem I see is that you would have to pay a larger upfront fee for their phones on the pay as you go or monthly plans compared to Verizon. Their monthly rate of $50 is competitive though.

Actually I have a skype application installed on my phone, so once I found a place with free wi-fi access I can make a call to Russia without problems. Or as another option I can make skype calls via 3G network if I get an Internet access plan for a local cellular network.

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Originally Posted by rockzmom

You will also be able to make calls or surf the Web when you are in an area where there is a poor or no signal yet an open Wifi.

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Did you mean that there are places in US where there is no cellular network signal but there is wi-fi? I have never met such type of coverage in Russia, we have almost total coverage by cellular networks while we have wi-fi points mostly in cafes, shopping centers, airports and other places like that but not an area fully covered with wi-fi.

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Originally Posted by CoffeeCup

Actually I have a skype application installed on my phone, so once I found a place with free wi-fi access I can make a call to Russia without problems. Or as another option I can make skype calls via 3G network if I get an Internet access plan for a local cellular network.

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T-Mobile will let you do that... Unlocked iPhone SIM Card Plans | Bring Your Own Phone | T-Mobile

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Originally Posted by CoffeeCup

Did you mean that there are places in US where there is no cellular network signal but there is wi-fi? I have never met such type of coverage in Russia, we have almost total coverage by cellular networks while we have wi-fi points mostly in cafes, shopping centers, airports and other places like that but not an area fully covered with wi-fi.

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Yes, there are lots of "dead-zones" here. As an example: When we had Sprint, we had no service in our house. We switched to T-Mobile and oddly enough, there is no coverage at the University of Maryland. When we had Verizon, we had coverage, pretty much everywhere, but they are too expensive. They are also the only company that has service on the Metro underground. All the other carriers, you loose your coverage in the tunnels. Each carrier has dead-zones. That is why here we have the saying, "can you hear me now?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPwPo-IAQ-E