seems i have more and more questions as we near our cross over into canada.
today's question:
does verizon have any sort of international calling plan?
if not, did you just purchase an international calling card and use pay phones? what is availability of pay phones in BC and Yukon?
i am hoping to use computer via wi-fi (email and skypes), but my elderly mom doesn't have computer and i want to be able to stay in touch with her,
also, i assume verizon aircard won't work either, right?
thanks,again
Dominic & Sue Ambrosino
Fulltimers Travelin' the U.S.A. "All who wander are Not Lost"
2005 Beaver Patriot Thunder 42',Cat 525
Hi, have a look at "magicjack" a device you plug into a usb port on any computer, including high speed wifi, and a regular phone line plugs in on the other end. There is a lot of information on their site, magicjack.com and free LD in Canada and the USA. My BIL in Oregon uses it and says its a lot better than the other computer phone systems, and you can dial to a normal phone not connected to a computer, as per your mom. We just ordered ours so I can't give a first hand report on it yet.
You do get a ph# with it, and IIRC $40 the first year and $20 thereafter
Hope this helps
Dominic, we had the same problem in Canada the last two years. We also have cell service thru Verizon. Sadly for us, great for you, we were advised last year, after we got back home, that we could have worked out the problem with Verizon for just a small additional fee. Why don't you check into it and post your results for others?
notlost wrote: what is availability of pay phones in BC and Yukon?
i am hoping to use computer via wi-fi (email and skypes)
Do you think we are a THIRD WORLD country?????
If you think that then DO NOT come up here. Try doing a little back ground checking before you wonder out of your little bubble of a country that thinks they are the only advanced country in the world. And if you dont think Canada is advanced enough for you, then check out the Canada-Arm that flew on the Shuttle Missions. Check out the Mapping and Envirronmental Satellite company that your government is trying to buy from us, but we wont let it.
Just get over your fears of wandering across your border into another country and thinking your are going to the last frontier!!!
DW, 2 girls, and me
07 Freestar
76 Parklane Tent Trailer
08 Minn Kota 30 lb Troller
56 Featherlite 10' Cartopper
Nights camped in 2007: 14
Nights camped in 2008: 3 so far
17 years Professional Driving accident free all over North America
You will find that phone service in that part of Canada is not that different from what you will find in the mountain western US states. You will find cell service in the more urban areas and poor or non-existent service elsewhere. However in Canada you will find the cost of roaming and LD on a US cell phone to be very expensive and visa versa for a Canadian using a Canadian cell phone in the US. We normally buy a prepaid card at Sams, Costco, BJ's, etc and use pay phones along the way. Not a problem finding one.
Another option is to get a prepaid account in Canada such as FIDO if you were on AT&T. Some of the carriers have an extra charge monthly fee such as "call Canada" ,etc. and you will have to call your provider and ask. Seems many of these are not listed on their sites or brochures.
WIFI is just as available, maybe more so, in Canada than in the mountain west of the US. Canada spent a bunch of money a number of years back to make the Internet available to "all" communities, regardless of size or remoteness. Most were placed in the local libraries of each town/village/city, etc.
If cost is not a problem then travelers from either country or elsewhere always have access to satellite phone service. It is expensive and works if you have to have phone coverage, no matter where.
If I am going to be in Canada for more than a week or two, then one of the prepaid plans/Sim chips is IMHO the way to go. Otherwise just use pay phones and a prepaid phone card. Or just pay the roaming/LD costs and keep the calls short and pay the extra charges.
Wow, touchy Canadian!!! Now, to answer your post. I have verizon, also. I went to one of their stores and asked about Canadian calls- make and receive. It seems there are 2 choices. 1. keep your plan, and pay $.69 per minute roaming charge or 2. change to plan that includes Canada. One drawback to that-you lose your unlimited nights and weekends, under this plan 1000 minutes. I will probably switch to the plan that includes Canada and switch back as soon as I am in the states. Like others have said, cell coverage is a whole 'nother issue. I plan on taking a prepaid calling card for pay phones, also. Have a great trip, Kathy
'02 KOUNTRY STAR DP
'04 PT CRUISER INFERNO RED
LUCKY THE TRAVELIN'BLACK CAT
Payphones are not as common as they use to be. However, you should find them at all your malls, gas stations, campgrounds(hopefully), etc.
Cell coverage will vary due to the terrain (of course), but there are Roaming agreements and I don't think you'll be out of luck. Even if you can't roam, 911 will still work if necessary.
Highspeed internet will be isolated a bit, but tend to be free more than not in most areas (as I've found anyway). However the quality hasn't been able to support voip the one attempt I had made at the time.
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