4 Messages
Unbelievable dysfunction for prepaid services
I live in Australia, and purchased in advance a US/Canada/Mexico prepaid service here. I was sent an AT&T prepaid card, but the Australian company was not able to give me the phone number assigned to this SIM. FYI: I've purchased prepaid services in Europe and South Africa where the phone number was provided in advance, which obviously is very convenient for letting friends, family and businesses know this in advance. In fact, it's sometimes required when you're booking hotels, rental cars, airlines, etc. When I called AT&T, and offered the ICCID number, they could NOT give me the phone number because the SIM would have to be activated, which obviously is NOT what I want since it's only a 30 day service. This is 2023...why can't AT&T SIMPLY provide, in advance, the phone number that will be associated with this SIM without activation? It's done around the world, but not by AT&T. Embarrassing to say the least.
Constructive
Former Employee
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32.9K Messages
3 months ago
AT&T prepaid doesn’t roam in Australia
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zackwest
4 Messages
3 months ago
I wanted it for my trip to the US and Canada...why would I buy one for use here???
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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113.3K Messages
3 months ago
I don't know how the other carriers in other countries do it but in the United States, you activate a SIM card you are assigned a phone number, you have a an account with a password and a pin code and you have to pay for service for any of that. And that's day one of your 30 day plan.
AT&T requires that an order to activate service, be assigned a phone number and a password and a PIN code You have to be connected to their network which is not possible outside of the United States.
And as always, I tell people they have to check and see if their phone is going to be compatible. Unless you have an iPhone there's a good chance it won't be.
Maybe it's time people try different service provider. Maybe they activate outside the USA
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zackwest
4 Messages
3 months ago
As I mentioned, I have a European service that I've kept for nearly a decade, and I knew the number prior to arrival. I also purchased, several times, a SIM service when I visited South Africa, and each time I was given the mobile number prior to landing, and then activated the service once in the country. This enabled me to notify businesses that I was using in those countries prior to arrival...obviously very convenient, and a definite value to everyone.
This is what is glaringly missing in AT&T's prepaid service, which is a disappointing surprise. The technology is available, but AT&T does not have it for customers. I didn't know this until after I purchased the SIM...when I come back to the US, if AT&T cannot supply the number prior to landing, I would definitely seek a different service provider.
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Constructive
Former Employee
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32.9K Messages
3 months ago
This has nothing to do with AT&T you’re asking for something that isn’t possible. Fe to T-Mobile or Verizon
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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113.3K Messages
3 months ago
Just an FYI there's no way to keep service in the United States without paying for service. You're buying time. And since AT&T no longer has pay per use plans, it is not affordable to purchase AT&T and keep AT&T if you're not using it
The United States has dozens of MVNOs which are inexpensive prepaid service providers. Of course every single one of them runs on the network provided by one of the major three providers...
You might want to shop around the MVNOs.
And if you are bringing an iPhone it will work on any service provider including Verizon. There's no such thing as CDMA versus GSM anymore. It's all LTE and 5g.
All major networks have a bring your own device check. Unless you're bringing an iPhone I recommend you use it
https://www.att.com/buy/byod/identify?devicetype=phone
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zackwest
4 Messages
3 months ago
Hi Constructive and formerlyknownas,
It is possible and affordable for other telcom providers in other countries...that's why I posted this observation. The fact that AT&T cannot do this is, to my mind, embarrassing for a provider of their calibre. If they are going to offer prepaid service for 30 days, they made the business decision that it is profitable; if not, don't offer it. But if they are going to offer it, then why can't they provide the number upfront, as other telco's do overseas.
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