Mobile Phone for cheap international comm'n

I need a phone for 9 months while I travel the states (all over, with
max 2 weeks in any one location, bar Fort Lauderdale (8 weeks)).

I'm looking for a cell phone which:
- minimises cost of calls from UK into it (for both parties)
- allows text messaging with UK
- allows internet access (GPRS) so I can check and send email
- has decent network coverage in the USA as I'll be all over, not
always in a metro area.
- doesn't look like a brick!

I've got a number of options
- buy phone and plan in UK
- buy phone in UK and plan in USA
- buy phone and plan in USA

As I won't have an address in the US, I'm guessing I'm into the
pre-pay lark.

Any/all advice appreciated

I need a phone for 9 months... As I won't have an
address in the US, I'm guessing I'm into the pre-pay lark.

Consumers Reports (a respected non-profit U.S. organization
that evaluates consumer products) recently had an article
in their magazine about the various prepaid cell phone plans that
are available. I don't have a copy of that magazine, but perhaps
someone else here does and could summarize their recommendations.
The only thing I recall from the article is that they listed the major
prepaid providers in the U.S. as AT&T GoPhone, Virgin Mobile, and
TracFone.

James

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