We are getting ready for an extended trip to Canada and I am looking at cell phone options. When I asked at Verizon in April, they said no problem to add Canada for a couple of months. When I went to actually add it, I found out hubby's phone would have to be upgraded even though it was staying home, the plan had to be upgraded for more shared minutes and change from unlimited data to limited data, etc. It would cost about $60 more per month, not bad for the couple of months we would actually be needing it, but we could not go back to our other plan. We would be paying the $60 plus until our contract run out, which is over 12 months away. No way, I am going to do that.
So I started searching online for prepaid, no contract cell phones that I could use in Canada. The search brought up AT&T, Verizon (yeah right), T Mobile, Boost and Virgin Mobile. It said nothing of Bell and Telus which looks like, to me, to be the Canadian cell phone carriers. So my question is, are there such phones available, and do I have to wait until we get to Canada to purchase it.
Ideally, we could find a phone that we could use in Canada and when the Canada use ran out, we could load it for use in the US.
Try looking at "petrocanada mobility" if you need a cell just for use in Canada. They have cheap phones with or without data packages.
Unlimited basic data for $8 per month and talk packages 200 min. Per month Canada wide for $20 per month.
No contract needed.
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I have Motorola GSM flip phone that WAS an AT&T phone. I bought a prepaid SIM card from FIDO about 8 years ago and have kept the same number as we come to Canada every Summer. I buy time as needed.
If yoo have any unlocked GSM phone, you should be able to buy a prepaid SIM from almost any carrier. When back in the US, just replace with your contract SIM.
What might be even better is to quit contract and go prepaid and never pay for months when you don't use your phone.
Try looking at "petrocanada mobility" if you need a cell just for use in Canada. They have cheap phones with or without data packages.
Unlimited basic data for $8 per month and talk packages 200 min. Per month Canada wide for $20 per month.
No contract needed.
Another option is President's Choice Mobile Click here available at Loblaws and associated grocery stores.
Petro Canada uses Rogers GSM service (you can take your own GSM phone and just buy a SIM card) while Pres Choice uses Bell CDMA. Bell has better coverage but you do have to buy one of their CDMA phones.
Just a quick note - If you go with the Nationwide+ Canada Verizon plan it only includes voice. Data in Canada is $2.05 per MB on top of your voice plan.
Vermilye, that is another reason that we are not going with Verizon in Canada. It is the gift that keeps giving. I like the idea of getting an unlocked GSM phone and having a SIM card put in for Canada and then putting our SIM card back in it when we get back to the states. I don't care what my phone number is while in Canada, I just want access. I am looking at options on unlocked phones now.
If I didn't have over a year left on my phone contract, I would get an unlocked phone to replace it. However since hubby's contract is expired, I will look at replacing it. It is a pretty basic phone, which is the way he likes it, but as long as we have talk and text, we will be OK.
Here's a link to a site that shows the cost comparison of the different providers in Canada. There are only 3 main networks in Canada and they are Bell, Telus and Rogers. All the other providers use space on the main networks.
Telus has good service BUT their phones are dedicated to their service. You can't replace the SIM card and then use another carrier with their cell phones.
You don't mention where you plan to travel in Canada; if in the north you'll be wanting a CDMA compatible phone. No 3G or 4G in many northern communities, just CDMA.
sue t.
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sue.t wrote: Telus has good service BUT their phones are dedicated to their service. You can't replace the SIM card and then use another carrier with their cell phones.
You don't mention where you plan to travel in Canada; if in the north you'll be wanting a CDMA compatible phone. No 3G or 4G in many northern communities, just CDMA.
As of June 1st you can pay Telus 50 dollars and they will unlock your phone so you can use other Sim cards.
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