eSIM Guide for the USA: Everything You Need to Know

Mobile networks in the US

The United States is served by three major carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Coverage varies significantly by region:

1. T-Mobile: Best urban and suburban coverage, strong 5G rollout, some rural gaps
2. AT&T: Excellent coverage in the South and rural areas
3. Verizon: Most reliable rural coverage, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast

Vsimer's US eSIM plans use the T-Mobile network, which covers approximately 99% of Americans and is ideal for most travel itineraries.

5G in the US

The US has one of the most advanced 5G rollouts globally. If you have a 5G-compatible phone, you will enjoy blazing speeds in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. Rural areas are primarily 4G LTE.

Recommended plans by trip type

1. New York City weekend: 3 GB
2. Cross-country road trip (2 weeks): 10–15 GB
3. National park adventures (limited connectivity): 5 GB — download offline maps
4. Business trip with video calls: 15–20 GB or unlimited

Important notes for US travel

1. Coverage in national parks like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite is limited. Download offline maps beforehand
2. Some rural areas in Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas have very limited or no coverage
3. Hawaii and Alaska are typically covered by separate plans
4. Puerto Rico requires a separate plan in most cases