Surf USA Mobile

Surf USA Mobile: What Are the Pros and Cons?

By

Joe Paonessa

How Surf USA Mobile Plans Work

Surf USA Mobile was launched in May 2024 by Surf Telecom, a Brazilian company that claims to operate the largest 4G network in Brazil. In the U.S., Surf USA Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). This means it doesn’t own its own cell towers; instead, it leases capacity on an existing wireless network (in this case, T-Mobile’s network) to deliver service​. The company’s niche is to try and appeal to international travelers and those who want a single phone plan that works in many countries, all while providing the basics that consumers expect (unlimited talk and text, 5G access, hotspot use, etc.).

Surf USA Mobile is a bring-your-own-device service – it does not sell phones directly to consumers, so customers must use their own compatible unlocked phones with them. If you have an unlocked phone that works on T-Mobile’s network (most phones made for the North American market do), you should be able to use it with Surf USA Mobile. The company provides SIM cards and eSIMs that you can install in your device for instant activation.

Network and Coverage

Coverage Footprint: Since Surf USA Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network, subscribers get coverage wherever T-Mobile’s native network has service. This includes nationwide coverage across urban and rural areas in the United States, with access to 4G LTE, 5G, and even 5G Ultra Capacity in many markets.​ In practical terms, if T-Mobile has a strong signal in your area, Surf USA Mobile will too, as it uses the same cell towers and network backbone. However, Surf USA Mobile will not have access to roam on other networks in some areas T-Mobile doesn’t have coverage like T-Mobile users might have.

International Roaming: One of Surf USA Mobile’s distinguishing features is its focus on broader North American and international usage. Some of its plans extend coverage beyond the U.S. borders. For example, the mid-tier plan ($35/month) includes roaming service in Canada and Mexico at no extra charge, allowing you to use your phone when traveling in those countries just as you would at home​. The top-tier plan ($55/month) goes even further by offering roaming in 175+ countries worldwide. This worldwide coverage means you can travel across the globe and still have voice, text, and data service on your Surf USA Mobile SIM without needing to swap to a local SIM in each country. (Of course, the ability to use your phone overseas depends on the plan you choose — more on the plans further below.)

It’s important to note that while the higher-tier plan is described as “unlimited” even when abroad, there are typically fair use limits on high-speed data when roaming internationally. The global plan includes a decent allotment of data (up to 4GB of high-speed data for international roaming and 50 minutes and 100 SMS texts) before slower speeds might apply.

Mobile Plans Explained

Surf USA Mobile keeps its online plan lineup simple, with three core prepaid plans designed for different needs. All plans include unlimited talk and text within the United States as a base feature. Here’s an overview of the plans:

Taxes and fees are extra with each plan. 

• Basic 5GB Plan: This is a budget-friendly plan for light data users. It provides 5GB of high-speed data per month for use in the U.S., along with unlimited calls and texts domestically​. After using the 5GB allotment, data will shut off until the next month unless you purchase a top-up. Keep in mind, without data, you may be unable to send MMS picture and group messages. This plan is ideal if you mainly need your phone for calling, texting, email, and a bit of web browsing or GPS navigation. It comes in at $13 per month for the service​ but the catch is you have to prepay $39 for 3 months of service in advance to get it.
• North America Unlimited Plan: This is their mid-tier offering aimed at heavy users and those who travel within North America. The North America Unlimited plan includes unlimited data, unlimited talk, and text in the United States, plus the ability to use your phone in Canada and Mexico without roaming fees​. This is great for cross-border travelers or anyone who frequents our neighboring countries. Data on this plan is unlimited; however, you get a high-speed data allowance of 20GB of full-speed 5G/LTE data in the U.S. per month before your data speeds slow to a crawl until the next billing cycle. Canada and Mexico data usage is limited to 4GB each month and 50 minutes and 100 SMS texts. The plan allows you to use 10GB of your data for mobile hotspot. The cost of the North America Unlimited plan is $35 per month for a single line with autopay billing enabled.​ Without autopay billing the price is $45/month.
• Worldwide Unlimited Plan: This is the premium plan for global travelers that costs $55/month with autopay billing. Without autopay billing the price is $65/month. The Worldwide Unlimited plan includes everything in the North America plan (unlimited talk, text, data in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with a 20GB high-speed data cap and 10GB hotspot) and adds 4GB of roaming in over 175 countries. That means in most places you travel – from Europe to Asia to South America – your Surf USA Mobile SIM will allow you to stay connected. The plan includes 50 minutes and 100 SMS texts to use in those countries as well, which is a huge perk if you need to call overseas numbers​. This plan is especially useful for frequent travelers, international business users, or immigrants who travel back and forth and want their phone to work everywhere.

The plans that Surf USA Mobile sells in dealer stores may include different features and data allotments from what are found online via the Surf USA Mobile website. Below are a couple of advertisements seen in March 2025 from the Surf USA Mobile distributor Enk Wireless.

Surf USA Mobile provides customer support 24/7 in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, and Portuguese), reflecting its international focus​. Your service can be managed through the Surf USA Mobile app, where you can monitor your usage, add data top-ups, or change plans​.

Surf USA Mobile’s lineup consists of a low-cost competitively priced limited data plan and two “unlimited” plans – one covering the U.S. (plus Canada/Mexico) and one covering the world. This covers a wide range of user needs, from basic domestic use to heavy international use. Consumers can pick based on how much data they need and where they plan to use their phone.

How to Sign Up for Surf USA Mobile

Signing up for Surf USA Mobile is straightforward and can be done online or through a multicarrier prepaid dealer store. .

If purchasing a SIM online you will go through a few steps to get started:

1. Make Sure You Have a Compatible Phone: Before signing up, ensure that your phone is unlocked (not tied to another carrier) and compatible with T-Mobile’s network. Most recent phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and other major manufacturers will work, as long as they were made for use in the USA and are not carrier-locked. Surf USA Mobile is a BYOD service – they do not sell phones – so you’ll be using your own device​.
2. Purchase a Surf USA Mobile SIM or eSIM: To use the service, you need a Surf USA Mobile SIM card (for physical devices) or an eSIM (an electronic SIM that can be downloaded to newer phones). Surf USA Mobile distributes its physical SIMs through Amazon. You can’t actually purchase them from the Surf USA Mobile website, but you can purchase eSIMs through their website. For activation with eSIM you’ll need either an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy or a Google Pixel. Surf USA Mobile does not advertise support for eSIM with any other brands.
3. Activate Your SIM/eSIM and Choose a Plan: Once you have the Surf USA Mobile SIM card (or eSIM QR code), you’ll need to activate your service. The activation process involves linking that SIM card or eSIM to your Surf USA Mobile account and phone number. Here’s how it generally works:
   • If you received a physical SIM card, insert it into your phone’s SIM slot. (Ensure your phone is powered off when inserting a new SIM, then power it back on.) You will have 45 days to activate your physical SIM after receiving it. If you don’t activate by then it will not work and you’ll need to order another SIM.
   • If you got an eSIM, you will have received a QR code or an activation code. Follow the instructions provided: on an iPhone, for example, you go to Settings -> Cellular -> Add Cellular Plan and scan the QR code; on Android, the process is similar in network settings. This will download the Surf USA Mobile eSIM profile to your phone.
   • Download the Surf USA Mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to finish activation. The app will guide you through creating an account, picking the plan you want (if you haven’t already pre-selected one), and activating the service on your SIM. Surf USA Mobile boasts a quick activation – they advertise that eSIM activation is instant and can be done in a few minutes via the app​
   • During activation, you will have the option to get a new phone number or transfer (port) your existing number to Surf USA Mobile. If you want to keep your current number from another carrier, you’ll need to provide your old account information (account number, PIN, etc.) and request a port-in. Your old service should remain active until the port is finished, ensuring you don’t lose connectivity in the transition.
   • Once you’ve completed the on-screen steps and activation is confirmed, your phone should connect to the Surf USA Mobile (T-Mobile) network. You might see “Surf USA” or “T-Mobile” as the carrier name on your device.
4. Start Using the Service: After activation, your Surf USA Mobile plan is live. You can now use your phone to make calls, send texts, and use data on the Surf USA Mobile/T-Mobile network. The app or online account can be used to monitor your usage (especially if you have the 5GB plan or are using a lot of international roaming data, you may want to keep an eye on it). If you ever need assistance, you can reach out to Surf USA Mobile’s customer support via phone (they have a toll-free number) or online channels. According to the company, they provide 100% human based customer support seven days a week to assist with any issues​.

Tip: Since Surf USA Mobile is prepaid, if you want to keep your service active month to month, you’ll need to pay each month (or each period if you bought a multi-month plan). You can set up auto-pay so that it automatically renews your plan each cycle. Auto-pay is required for certain discounted rates and ensures your service isn’t interrupted. If you decide the service isn’t for you, you can simply not renew the next month since there’s no contract.