How do I get a SIM, internet and call home?

Get a US number in your first days: you need one for rental applications, banks and security codes. Home internet takes a little longer, and your choice depends on your exact address.

Your first SIM

Prepaid plans suit newcomers: you pay a month in advance and there is no annual contract and, at the big prepaid brands, no credit check. Postpaid plans bill you monthly and can involve a credit check, which is harder with no US credit history. Many plans include unlimited calls and texts within the US; some include calls to or roaming in other countries, so check if you’ll travel home often.

• eSIM is common in the US. If your phone supports it, you can often set up a US line online before you fly and keep your UK SIM in the same phone
• Your UK phone must be unlocked to use a US network. Ofcom set rules to stop UK networks selling locked phones from December 2021, but older handsets may still be locked, so check before you leave
• Check coverage maps for your home and commute, especially outside the cities
• Keep your UK number on a cheap plan if UK banks send you security codes by text

The networks

Smaller companies also rent space on these networks and resell it, often more cheaply. As a guide to prices, Visible advertised unlimited 5G from $25 a month in October 2026 (about £19). Compare the data allowance, whether hotspot use is included and what happens to speeds at busy times.

Home internet

Choice depends on the address. Common types:

Search an address on the FCC’s (Federal Communications Commission’s) National Broadband Map to see which providers report serving it, the type of service and their maximum advertised speeds. The map shows what providers report, so confirm with the provider and ask the landlord which one the building uses. By FCC rules, providers must show a “broadband facts” label wherever they sell: it lists the monthly price, any introductory rate and what it rises to, monthly fees such as modem rental, one-time fees, typical speeds and any early cancellation fee.

The time difference

The US and UK change their clocks on different dates. In 2026, UK clocks go back on 25 October and US clocks on 1 November. In 2027, US clocks go forward on 14 March and UK clocks on 28 March. Hawaii and most of Arizona don’t use daylight saving time.

In practice, a 9am call in New York is 2pm in the UK. From California, early morning is the best time on a weekday to catch family in the UK before their evening ends.

Calling home and unwanted calls

• Internet calling and messaging apps over wifi are usually the cheapest way to call the UK
• Register your number on the free National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. It stops most sales calls from legitimate firms after 31 days, but not scammers, who often fake the number they call from
• Never give codes, passwords or your Social Security number to someone who calls you
• You can keep (port) your US number when you change provider. Start with the new provider and don’t cancel the old service first. Your old provider can’t refuse to port your number, even if you owe it money

If something goes wrong

Complain to your provider first. If it isn’t sorted, you can file a free complaint with the FCC’s consumer complaint center, including when a number transfer fails. For your first weeks, see Your first 30 days, and for meeting people once you are connected, see Making friends.