How to get Mobile Internet in New York: Which option to choose?

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If you are traveling to New York and want to know which is the best alternative to connect to the internet during your trip, you are in the right place! You will read everything you need to know about companies that offer internet in New York, their coverage, and all the alternatives you have available to you!

We will discuss some of the best options, such as the SIM card and the eSIM card with unlimited data, its compatibility, and prices. Also, you will read about international roaming services and more!

Contents

Mobile data in New York

There are many ways to connect to the internet in this destination and more without having to be a resident. Some of them are Pocket WiFi, SIM cards, eSIM cards, international Roaming, and public WiFi. If it is your first time traveling to New York, you may not know how to connect there so that we will help you.

Many operators offer all the alternatives we have mentioned. Some of them are Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone, with its roaming service.

Here we recommend you get a Holafly SIM card or eSIM card with unlimited data. Acquiring a data plan from this company is very easy. You can do it before you travel. If you prefer to get an eSIM card, purchasing is even easier because you can do it from anywhere, just go on to the Holafly virtual store and making the purchase!  

Internet alternatives for New York: prices

The price of each of these options may vary. So, to help you pick the alternative that best suit your needs, we have prepared a comparison chart with the prices. You can read it below:

ServicePrice
SIM card (Holafly)Unlimited data for $29 during 5 days, 4G
eSIM card (Holafly)Unlimited data for $19 for 5 days
Renting a Pocket WiFi (Travelers WiFi)500MB $17/day
Public WiFiFree, usually it is available for 45 minutes.
O2 UK Roaming$6 a day
Vodafone Roaming$6.05 for each MB
Telstra Roaming$3 per MB
Table 1. Comparison of internet tariffs in New York with international mobile operators.

SIM card to have the internet in New York

SIM cards are such a great alternative to traveling anywhere. It is even better if you acquire your SIM card before you travel. This way, you can connect to the internet right when you land. We recommend you buy the Holafly SIM card. With it, you will have 24-hour customer service, and it will arrive at your house for free!

SIM card for New York: prices

  • 5 days with Unlimited data / $29
  • 10 days with Unlimited data / $39
  • 15 days with Unlimited data / $49
  • 20 days with Unlimited data / $59
  • 30 days with Unlimited data / $87
  • 60 days with Unlimited data / $169
  • 90 days with Unlimited data / $239

Holafly SIM cards are very easy to use, and they work with the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, two of the best networks in the country.

Unlimited data eSIM card for New York

The NYC eSIM is another good internet connection option, especially if you have an iPhone. This type of card works virtually through a nano-chip already installed in devices (most iPhones have it). You will keep your cellphone number because your device will become a dual-SIM phone.

The Holafly eSIM card has many accessible plans with coverage in New York. Like SIM cards, it has 24/7 customer service, which is a great advantage.

eSIM card for New York with unlimited data

  • Unlimited data / 5 days for $19.00
  • Unlimited data / 15 days for $47.00
  • Unlimited data / 20 days for $57.00
  • Unlimited data / 30 days for $69.00
  • Unlimited data / 60 days for $87.00

How to get a Pocket Wifi for New York?

Getting a Pocket WiFi can be a great alternative, but it is one of the most expensive options. Why? Because you are not only paying for the cellular data but for the device that you rent or buy as well. You will have to be careful not to lose it or break it because you will have to pay $100 or more if you do so.

Nowadays, many companies offer this alternative. We will show you two of them. If you want to use this alternative, you will have to make sure you pick the data plan, shipping address, and the number of days correctly because if you make a mistake while you buy it, you may have to pay an extra fine, or delivery may take more time.

Travelers WiFi: The price for renting a Pocket WiFi is $17 per day with 500 MB/day. The battery of this device lasts 13 hours, and you can order it on their website.

My Webspot: Renting a Pocket WiFi with this company, you will have 1 GB daily. If you exceed the GB, the connection’s speed will be reduced to 512Kbps. The battery of this device lasts 8 hours, so you will have to ensure it is charged before you leave. It costs $10.24 per day.

How to have the internet in New York with mobile operators

You already saw many alternatives to connecting to the internet in New York. One of them is international roaming. It is not among the best alternatives since it can be very expensive since most operators charge you for each used MB. You can read more about it below.

Internet in New York with O2 UK

This company offers a Roaming service for New York at $6 per day. This service is called Travel Bolt On Plan, and with it, you can stay connected when traveling outside the European Union. By paying for the daily package, you can use data, make calls and send messages as if you were at home.

Internet in New York with Vodafone

Vodafone is one of the best European companies but is also one of the most expensive. If you are already a Vodafone customer, you will have to pay $6.05 per MB (IVA included).

Internet in New York with Telstra Australia

If you are a Telstra user, you can use the International Roaming Day Pass, which is priced at $10 per day, and you will be able to enjoy your phone services, such as unlimited calls and text messages, as well as 500MB per day. On the other hand, you can also use the pay-per-use option, with which you will have to pay $3 per MB, a cheaper price than the above-mentioned operators.

Public Wifi in New York

Public WiFi is an excellent alternative for those travelers who are not going to stay much in the city and don’t want to spend too much money. You can find a public network in a café, museum, park, restaurant, mall, or other places. It is free, and the connection to one of these networks lasts 45 minutes in the USA. Anyway, it is not very safe, and it does not work that well.

If you want to use this alternative, we recommend you not to provide important information about yourself or your bank account.

Internet coverage map in New York    

Fixed internet coverage in New York

Map of household internet coverage in New York. Source: broadbandnow.com/New-York

3G, 4G, and 5G coverage in New York

T-Mobile’s coverage map in New York. Source: nperf.com

Our recommendation

We think the best alternatives are the SIM or the eSIM cards from Holafly. These two cards are very easy to acquire and have plenty of advantages, such as 24-hour customer service.

Frequent questions about how to have the internet in New York

In case you have any doubt, you can read below the answers to some of the most common questions about how to have the internet in New York.

Which frequencies work in this destination?

Frequencies usually vary depending on the network (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G). Most have frequencies of 600, 850, 900, 1700, 1900, and 2100. 

What companies are in New York?

There are many operators in the USA, but the main companies there are AT&T and T-Mobile.

What networks are available in New York?

You will find 3G, 4G, and 5G so that you won’t have any problems.

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