ESTA INFORMATION
Mobile Phones, SIM Cards & eSIMs in the USA
Before you compare plans, check your handset: the 3G networks in the USA have been switched off since 2022. 3G phones and older 4G phones without VoLTE cannot make calls or send texts there — not even to the 911 emergency number. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) states explicitly that international visitors are affected too.
3G shutdown: phones that no longer work
All three major network operators switched off their 3G networks in 2022:
- AT&T: from February 2022
- T-Mobile: 3G UMTS network as of 1 July 2022
- Verizon: by 31 December 2022
According to the FCC, this affects 3G phones and certain older 4G phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice). With such devices, calls, texts, mobile data and emergency calls to 911 are no longer possible.
Roaming: check with your own provider first
The FCC advises checking with your mobile provider before any international trip to find out whether your phone will work at your destination:
- Mobile networks differ from country to country — your device may not be compatible with US networks
- Even if voice calls work, mobile data or texts may still not work
- Ask your provider at home about its roaming charges and plans for the USA before you travel
Local SIM card or eSIM
An alternative to roaming is a US SIM card or an eSIM. Keep the following in mind:
- Your phone must be unlocked (no SIM lock) — according to the FCC, unlocked phones can be used on compatible networks at home and abroad
- However, unlocking a phone does not automatically make it compatible with another provider’s network
- Check before buying whether your phone supports eSIM and works on the US network you want to use
Emergency number 911: call rather than text
- According to the FCC, Text-to-911 is only available in certain locations
- Washington State says explicitly that Text-to-911 is not available while roaming, and that texts are handled in English only
Sources and currency of information
- FCC — Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks (fcc.gov, archived)
- FCC — Cell Phone Unlocking (fcc.gov)
- FCC — What You Need to Know About Text-to-911 (fcc.gov)
- Washington Military Department — Text-to-911 (mil.wa.gov)
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026. This website is an independent information service and is not an official website of the US Government or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).