Carriers’ stores near Macalester (double-check on Google Map)
1315 University Ave W /
2132 Ford Pkwy
MON-FRI: 10AM - 8PM, SAT: 10AM - 7PM, SUN:11AM-6PM /
MON-FRI: 10AM - 8PM, SAT: 10AM - 6PM, SUN:11AM-6PM
1460 University Ave /
2110 Ford Pkwy
MON-FRI: 10AM - 9PM, SAT: 10AM -8PM, SUN: 11AM- 6PM /
MON-FRI: 10AM - 9PM, SAT: 10AM -8PM, SUN: 11AM- 6PM
474 Hamline Ave /
2034 Ford Pkwy
MON-SAT: 10AM - 7PM, SUN: 12PM - 6PM /
MON-FRI: 9AM - 8PM, SAT: 9AM - 6PM SUN: 11AM - 5PM
*You can also visit Target, Walmart, or Best Buy stores to buy phones, SIM cards, or phone plans.
*You can also purchase a SIM card online, or get an e-SIM card (check the eligibility of your phone first!)
Installing a Landline Phone
Before you get a mobile phone plan, you may get a landline for your room from Macalester ITS. (Mac requires a phone
number in your student record, otherwise there is a registration hold.) so that your mentors can reach you
(http://its-notices-alerts.blogspot.com/2013/05/11-things-students-should-know-about.html). You can call anywhere in
the Twin Cities with this phone, free of charge.
Notes:
1. Don’t ask your host family to join their family plan (that’s rude). If they make the offer, that’s great.
2. Most phones sold in the U.S. are locked to the carrier that sells them, so you couldn’t take a GSM
iPhone from AT&T and use it on T-Mobile’s network unless the phone is unlocked. However, many
Verizon smartphones come unlocked.
3. On that note, there is also an option to unlock your phone after a certain period of time (for
example, 9 months with AT&T). Consult your phone company for the detailed policies.
4. Each carrier has options for voice, text, or data that gives you a certain amount of usage and fees for
when you go over your limits. If you are not on unlimited voice or text plan, US carriers may charge
you for outgoing and incoming call minutes or texts.
5. To check a coverage map, enter in Mac’s zip code – 55105.
6. Plans change often so check the carrier’s website for updated costs and information.
7. Most plans offer the ability to set up autopay to automatically pay for the bill. This typically comes
with a discount and means you don’t have to worry about remembering to pay every month.