Hello there

"tsar" (tsar)
11/07/2014 at 22:51 • Filed to: Hello, help

I've been reading Jalopnik on and off since 2008? But it didn't occur to me to create an account until a few weeks ago so a short introduction is probably in order.

I'm (nearly) 17, and Indian but living in Singapore which many of you may know as the country with ridiculously expensive cars and exorbitant fines for littering and stuff. Well it's not all that bad (at least it's safe, heh) but of course it means that although I'd consider myself an enthusiast I've never really had the chance to drive anything beyond a go-kart. Anyhow I'll probably be getting my license the moment I turn 18 next December, after which I should be able to drive my dad's 2006 Corolla.

I have a question for you oppos- I'll be visiting the US for a month between mid November and December. As an IB student I have a shit ton of work to do despite being on "vacation" so I'm considering picking up a prepaid SIM card I can insert into my iPotato for connectivity when I'm going to be on the road and stuff. Can't be Verizon/Sprint because it's the GSM version. I'll need lots of data and hotspot functionality to tether to my laptop and I've heard that carriers block it or something so I figured this would be the best place to check haha. Thanks!

-tsar

DISCUSSION (27)

wabbalosthiskey > tsar
11/07/2014 at 22:55

I think A&T is GSM?

scoob > wabbalosthiskey
11/07/2014 at 22:56

AT&T and T-Mobile are both GSM.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > tsar
11/07/2014 at 22:56

You might not get too many answers to your questions since its Friday night, just a heads up.

Anyways, where are you going to be studying? I know a few foreign exchange students at the university I attend and they all love here, so I'm sure you'll have a great time too.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > tsar
11/07/2014 at 22:57

Tethering data for your laptop? That could get expensive really fast.

https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/…

Here's $10 per gigabyte. That's ridiculous.

tsar > wabbalosthiskey
11/07/2014 at 22:57

do they allow tethering? I'm a little cautious because I hear a lot of carriers block it and I'll need Internet on my laptop more than my phone.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > scoob
11/07/2014 at 22:58

But his phone has to be unlocked for it to work

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > tsar
11/07/2014 at 22:59

If you buy a tethering plan they let you.

scoob > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
11/07/2014 at 23:01

I thought if you had a GSM phone and SIM card you could just swap the SIM cards? Idk much about this network stuff!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > scoob
11/07/2014 at 23:03

Yes, but the phone would have to be unlocked for it to recognize it. The hardware is the same between carriers, the firmware isnt

scoob > tsar
11/07/2014 at 23:03

Welcome to Oppo! As Dwhite said, it's Friday night here in 'Murica so chances are you'll have to repost this at another time.

Mind if I ask where you're visiting?

tsar > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
11/07/2014 at 23:05

thanks for the tip haha I'll note that. I have a long time to decide because once I finish 12th grade in January 2016 I'll have two years of military service and only then will be going to university. I am in fact considering studying in/settling down in the US so visiting schools is half the purpose of this trip. I'm sure I'll have a great time haha I've heard great stuff about the place and this is my second visit. Where are you studying if I may ask?

tsar > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
11/07/2014 at 23:07

whoa and I thought it was expensive here. Is T-Mo good? I hear nice things but I'm completely unfamiliar with the system there.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > tsar
11/07/2014 at 23:07

I can't really comment on service since I'm in Canada, sorry.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > tsar
11/07/2014 at 23:08

I am a double major in Finance and Management Information Systems.

Do you have any ideas where you want to study? West Coast, east coast, etc.?

tsar > scoob
11/07/2014 at 23:09

haha I actually assumed that more people would be online on Friday night but oh well. I haven't really confirmed my agenda yet but I'll be landing in Seattle and staying there for a day, after which I'll be flying to LA (Redlands) and driving around CA to look at schools. May take a trip down to Texas (Frisco & Austin) and the East Coast if time permits.

tsar > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
11/07/2014 at 23:10

Whoa! I'm actually strongly considering finance as a major myself. I'm not too sure about that myself yet, hence this trip.

tsar > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
11/07/2014 at 23:11

oh okay thanks though! Appreciate it.

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > tsar
11/07/2014 at 23:39

Well each part of the country has some amazing features. Its pretty much guaranteed that you find somewhere you will love.

Expect Ohio, Ohio sucks...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
11/07/2014 at 23:49

While Ohio does suck, it is less boring to drive across than the pine tree and swamp littered highways of North Florida.

Sally O'Broder > tsar
11/08/2014 at 00:26

T-Mobile. The only option that won't sticker shock you and make you flip at America is going to be T-Mobile.

Sally O'Broder > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/08/2014 at 00:27

Yeah don't ever go to Florida unless you have a prepaid vacation package at Disney or Universal. Just don't.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Sally O'Broder
11/08/2014 at 00:32

It sucks... because I live here. People from here don't understand what is wrong with it, as a non-native I am happy to point it out.

Sally O'Broder > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/08/2014 at 00:36

I echo this statement, only for South Carolina.

Honestly I blame the radiation coming from Florida for South Carolina.

dontbethatguy > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis
11/08/2014 at 00:57

Expect Ohio, Ohio sucks...

In my neck of the woods Ohio is considered a 4 letter word and not acceptable for use in normal conversation. Ill let you off the hook this once but be warned... :)

btw I 100% agree with that statement.

tsar > dontbethatguy
11/08/2014 at 09:52

Haha! I've heard- had a friend who moved to Cincinnati from here and it's only been complaints since.

tsar > Sally O'Broder
11/08/2014 at 09:52

I'll consider this thank you so much!

Sally O'Broder > tsar
11/08/2014 at 11:33

No problem!