Stay Connected in Billings
Network coverage, costs, and options
Connectivity Overview
Billings sits in Montana's high plains, and staying connected here is pretty straightforward if you're coming from within the US. The city has solid 4G LTE coverage from all major carriers, with 5G gradually rolling out in more populated areas. If you're visiting from abroad, you'll want to sort out your connectivity before you arrive—Billings Logan International Airport is relatively small, so your options for picking up a local SIM on the spot are limited. Most travelers find that setting up an eSIM before departure or arranging international roaming tends to be the path of least resistance. WiFi is widely available at hotels, cafes, and restaurants around town, though speeds and reliability vary as you'd expect.
Get Connected Before You Land
We recommend Airalo for peace of mind. Buy your eSIM now and activate it when you arrive—no hunting for SIM card shops, no language barriers, no connection problems. Just turn it on and you're immediately connected in Billings.
Network Coverage & Speed
Billings has coverage from the three major US carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Verizon tends to have the strongest network presence across Montana generally, which matters if you're planning day trips outside the city—coverage can get patchy once you head into more remote areas. AT&T and T-Mobile work well enough within Billings proper, though you might notice weaker signals in the surrounding countryside. 5G is available in parts of downtown and newer developments, but 4G LTE is what you'll rely on most of the time, and it's perfectly adequate for navigation, messaging, and streaming.
Data speeds in the city are respectable—you'll generally get 20-50 Mbps on LTE, which handles video calls and map loading without much fuss. The network can slow down during peak hours or at crowded events, as you'd expect. Worth noting that Montana's geography means connectivity drops off fairly quickly once you leave urban areas, so if you're planning to explore Yellowstone or other natural attractions nearby, don't count on having reliable service everywhere.
How to Stay Connected
eSIM
eSIM is actually a pretty sensible option for Billings, especially if you're visiting from abroad. You can set everything up before you leave home, and you'll have connectivity the moment you land—no hunting for a SIM shop or dealing with activation hassles. Providers like Airalo offer US data plans that work across all major networks, typically running $10-20 for a week's worth of data, depending on how much you need.
The main advantage is convenience and speed. You're sorted before you even board your flight. The downside? It's usually a bit more expensive than a local SIM if you're staying longer or need lots of data. Also, eSIM plans are typically data-only, so you won't get a US phone number—though most travelers just use WhatsApp or similar apps anyway. Your phone needs to support eSIM technology, obviously, which most newer iPhones and Android devices do.
Local SIM Card
Getting a local US SIM in Billings is doable, but it requires a bit more effort. Your best bet is heading to carrier stores in the city—there are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile locations at the West Park Promenade shopping area and downtown. You'll need your passport for identification. Prepaid plans start around $30-40 for a month with a few gigs of data, which is cheaper than most eSIM options if you're staying a while.
The catch is that US carriers can be surprisingly bureaucratic about prepaid plans, and activation sometimes takes longer than you'd expect. Some stores are more helpful with tourists than others, frankly. You might also find prepaid SIM cards at Target or Walmart, though selection is hit-or-miss and you'll still need to go through the activation process. If you're only in town for a few days, the time investment probably isn't worth the savings.
Comparison
Here's the honest breakdown: eSIM wins for convenience and immediate connectivity—you're online the second you land. Local SIM is cheaper for longer stays, potentially saving you $20-30 over a month, but requires time and effort to set up. International roaming through your home carrier is the easiest option if you're just visiting briefly, though it's usually the most expensive unless you have a plan with decent international rates. For most travelers spending a week or two in Billings, eSIM hits the sweet spot between cost and convenience.
Staying Safe on Public WiFi
Billings has WiFi pretty much everywhere—hotels, coffee shops, the airport—but public networks come with the usual security concerns. When you're connecting to hotel or cafe WiFi, you're sharing that network with whoever else is around, and unencrypted connections leave your data vulnerable to interception. That's particularly sketchy when you're accessing banking apps, booking sites with your credit card details, or checking emails that might contain sensitive information.
Travelers are attractive targets because we're constantly logging into accounts and making transactions on unfamiliar networks. A VPN encrypts your connection, creating a secure tunnel for your data even on sketchy public WiFi. NordVPN is a solid choice for this—it's straightforward to use and works reliably for protecting your browsing when you're bouncing between hotel networks and coffee shop hotspots. Not trying to be alarmist, but it's worth the small investment for peace of mind.
Protect Your Data with a VPN
When using hotel WiFi, airport networks, or cafe hotspots in Billings, your personal data and banking information can be vulnerable. A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your passwords, credit cards, and private communications safe from hackers on the same network.
Our Recommendations
First-time visitors: Go with an eSIM through Airalo. You'll have connectivity immediately when you land, can navigate to your hotel without stress, and won't waste vacation time hunting for a SIM card shop. The convenience factor is huge when you're in an unfamiliar place.
Budget travelers: If you're on an extremely tight budget and staying more than a week, a local prepaid SIM will save you maybe $20-30. That said, factor in the time and hassle of finding a store, dealing with activation, and potentially troubleshooting. For most people, the eSIM premium is worth it.
Long-term stays (1+ months): Local SIM makes sense here. The cost savings add up over time, and you'll have a US number which can be useful for local contacts and two-factor authentication. Hit up a carrier store within your first day or two.
Business travelers: eSIM is really your only practical option. Your time is valuable, you need reliable connectivity immediately, and the cost difference is negligible in a business context. Set it up before your flight and you're operational the moment you land.
Our Top Pick: Airalo
For convenience, price, and safety, we recommend Airalo. Purchase your eSIM before your trip and activate it upon arrival—you'll have instant connectivity without the hassle of finding a local shop, dealing with language barriers, or risking being offline when you first arrive. It's the smart, safe choice for staying connected in Billings.
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