USA Travel Information/Guide

Popular topics

Telephone 

The U.S. communication system contains regional service suppliers, competitory long-distance carriers and several other mobile-phone and phone firms.

Cell Phones

In the USA, cell phones use GSM 1900 or CDMA 800, in operation on completely different frequencies from alternative systems round the world. the sole foreign phones that may add the USA ar GSM tri- or quad-band models. If you have got one amongst these phones, refer to your service supplier concerning victimization it within the USA. raise if roaming charges apply, as these can flip even native U.S. calls into expensive international calls.

It might be cheaper to shop for a compatible postpaid SIM card for the USA, like those sold  by AT&T or Cingular, that you'll be able to insert into your international transportable to urge a neighborhood signal and voicemail. Planet Omni and Telestial provide these services, similarly as telephone rentals.

If you don’t have a compatible phone, you'll be able to get cheap, no-contract (prepaid) phones with a neighborhood range and a group range of minutes, which might be flat-top up at can. Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile, AT&T and alternative suppliers provide phones beginning at $15, with a package of minutes beginning around $40 for four hundred minutes.

Huge swathes of rural America, together with several national parks and recreation areas, don’t acquire an indication. Check your provider’s coverage map.
Dialing Codes

All phone numbers inside the USA carries with it a three-digit code, followed by a seven-digit native variety. Typically, if you're job variety inside constant code, you simply ought to dial the seven-digit number; but, some places currently need you to dial the complete 10-digit variety even for a neighborhood decision. If dialling the seven-digit variety doesn't work, try all 10.

If you're job long distance, dial one and the realm code and the sign. If you’re undecided whether or not the amount is native or long distance (new space codes area unit additional all the time, confusing even residents), attempt a method, and if it’s wrong, sometimes a recorded voice can correct you.

Toll-free numbers begin with 800, 888, 877 and 866 and once dialling, area unit preceded by one. Most will solely be used inside the USA, some solely inside the state, and a few solely from outside the state. You won’t apprehend till you are attempting dialling. The 900- series of space codes and a number of different prefixes area unit for calls charged at a premium per-minute rate – phone sex, horoscopes, jokes etc.

1 is that the international country code for the USA if job from abroad (the same as Canada, however international rates apply between the 2 countries).

011 to create a world decision from the USA (followed by country code, code and phone number)

00 for help creating international calls

411 directory help nationwide

800-555-1212 directory help for fee numbers

Pay Phones

Prepaid phone cards area unit a decent answer for travellers on a budget. scan the fine print, as several cards contain hidden charges like ‘activation fees’ or per-call ‘connection fees’ additionally to the rates.

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