Getting WIFI and a local US number
I left Singapore for the US thinking that I’d be moving to a more developed country; home of the best minds and tech inventions and thus everything will be better, faster, stronger.
Well, WIFI isn’t. And in fact, neither are mobile phone networks. The options aren’t aplenty, so just read this article.
⚠️ Newly relocated to Boston? Get your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer's Identification Number (ITIN) first before you visit these stores.
1. Getting WIFI at home
There are 2 dominant providers of internet service in the Boston area - Xfinity and Verizon Fios. You’ll likely end up with one or the other. Yes, you could read that there are this and that provider that offers high speed internet at low cost... but in reality you could throw out that research.
Research about network coverage does not matter, when coverage strength is not homogenous within a town.
A provider could claim that they cover X town but within that town there could be areas that are super spotty. At the end of the day it boils down to specifically where you live.
My advice for the brave is to go knock on a couple of neighbors’ doors and ask what internet service they use and if they like the speed. Go with the popular vote.
Another approach that requires less bravado - ask the real estate agent or building manager :)
Getting Xfinity
A major benefit of being an Xfinity customer is that they have public WIFI hotspots all over the US. So if you often work remotely and don’t like using the hotspot from your phone, you may find Xfinity helpful.
Requirements
Address. Specific address, not just the town.
Visit a store near you. You'll need to grab the WIFI equipment at the end of it.
No Credit Check option*: If you need WIFI before you even get your Social Security Number (SSN) issued, Xfinity offers a No Credit Check option where you could set up an account as long as make a $25 prepayment towards your first bill on that very day itself.
*Honestly, not helpful. To qualify, you'd need your Xfinity account to be set up with auto-payment through a US bank account. The Xfinity account and US bank account both need to held by the same person... you need an SSN/ITIN to open a US bank account. Catch-22 just got you. 👻
Getting Verzion Fios
Requirements
Address. Specific address, not just the town.
Visit a store near you. You'll need to grab the WIFI equipment at the end of it.
Social security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). MUST. Verizon requires it to run a soft credit check.
$99 one time set up fee
2. Getting a local US number
Big 3 players: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon. New kid on the block: Mint Mobile.
I'll preface this by saying that I'm no mobile-plan research guru, so this is just rudimentary practical advice for you. There are a ton of articles out there that analyze 5G speeds and deals, so you're into that, go knock yourself out with the help of Google.
Whatever you decide, know this: if you plan to get a mobile plan, plan to disclose your SSN. You should realize by now the SSN is kinda needed for everything.
Just 3 things I considered:
1. Location
Same as WIFI coverage- check which service holds up where you live. If you'll be in the city (Boston, Cambridge, Somerville etc), you will be fine with any of these providers. If you're in the suburbs, you could be dealing with dead spots if you don't pick right. Best way to figure out? Ask someone who lives there. Another hack? Google Maps the provider- obviously if you see a physical store within 3 miles of where you live you're gonna get coverage.
2. International roaming
I go abroad at least twice a year, for a least a week each time, so I like plans that include international roaming for free. I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile for that reason.
3. Phone deals (not applicable for foreigners newly relocated here, sorry)
Yes, because everyone wants a free phone when they switch providers, me included. This is the time where you go click on their website and see what promos are going on.
If you're a freshly relocated from abroad and thinking, "I'll get a new phone that comes when I sign up for a plan", you can drop that thought. Unless you have established credit - if you don't know what I'm talking about, you don't - no provider will include in a phone with your plan.
You can buy a phone from them alright. You’ll just have to pay in full.
3. Help, I don't have an SSN but I need a US number!
Buy a prepaid SIM card. Prepaid plans don’t require a credit check or SSN, so this is a friendly option for foreigners. You could go to any local carrier's store, or purchase a prepaid SIM card from big box retailers like Target and Best Buy and slip it into your phone... except if you're a Xiaomi user- Xiaomis are incompatible. 😬
Ok, worst case scenario, you could get a US number through a free VoIP app. You’ll just... be available when WIFI is (which was me btw, for a while).
Free VoIP options:
Now before you accuse me of setting you up with a Catch-22 here what with you not being able to get WIFI without having an SSN, hi, you’re in the land of Starbucks and Starbucks has free WIFI.
You could also pop in to a local library to get connected there. Either way, you’re welcome.
