Need help with cell phone coverage in Canada?

[FlexGunship]

Can you help Flex make phone calls?! <urgent>

Hey all,

I'm traveling to Canada (suddenly) tomorrow morning! I'll be gone for a week. I'm from the U.S. and my cell phone has no Canadian plan (Verizon has loopholes for changing you $TEXAS for anything and everything). I used to have Sprint, and they could add Canadian coverage for a fee. Verizon says they can't do this.

Has anyone done this? What's the cheapest way to be able to call home (U.S.) and accept calls from home (U.S. again) while in Canada?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Hey all,

I'm traveling to Canada (suddenly) tomorrow morning! I'll be gone for a week. I'm from the U.S. and my cell phone has no Canadian plan (Verizon has loopholes for changing you $TEXAS for anything and everything). I used to have Sprint, and they could add Canadian coverage for a fee. Verizon says they can't do this.

Has anyone done this? What's the cheapest way to be able to call home (U.S.) and accept calls from home (U.S. again) while in Canada?

Count Flexula, I can't help with your request but thought you might appreciate this. Back when I as traveling a lot, at one point I thought I had local coverage in North Carolina but didn't. Even though my phone showed I was in a local service area, I was racking up roaming charges. I was also on the phone for hours every day. A few weeks later I received a $1200 phone bill! Luckily ATT agreed to write it down to $400 by signing me up for a different plan retroactively.

Have fun in Canada. I'm glad it's you and not me going!

I didn't think they used those cheesy German PLCs in Canada but life is full of surprises.

 

[FlexGunship]

Have fun in Canada. I'm glad it's you and not me going!

Last time I was there the driving was awful. I never got used to driving on the opposite side of the road... you know, what with all the honking and cars coming right at you.

 

[turbo]

Check out the cheapest TracFones available in Canada with a minutes card appropriate to your expected usage. They are sold at WalMart stores, among others. It may end up being cheaper than paying Verizon all the extra fees.

 

[FlexGunship]

TracFone isn't available in Canada. They can roam on the Rogers network, but I understand they will shut you off as soon as they realize it's happening.

 

[FlexGunship]

I didn't think they used those cheesy German PLCs in Canada but life is full of surprises.

Maybe they don't, but they sure as heck use those svelte German motion control systems.

[PLAIN]http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/llisapi.dll/csfetch/50530777/Bild_2_SIMOTION_D_Familie_en.jpg

 

[jtbell]

Last time I was there the driving was awful. I never got used to driving on the opposite side of the road...

When were you last in Canada? According to Wikipedia, most of the country has had right-hand driving since the 1920s, except Newfoundland which switched in 1947 (and wasn't even part of Canada at that time anyway).

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Maybe they don't, but they sure as heck use those svelte German motion control systems.

It's still just a cheesy German PLC.

When you're finally ready for AB, let me know.

 

[Pythagorean]

Skype on smartphone?

 

[ArcanaNoir]

If it's only for a week, try to get by with internet and buy an international calling card once you get there to make a few calls back to US. Any calls you want to make from Canada TO Canada, borrow someone's phone or use a pay phone. Maybe people over there can make some suggestions about what's available that side. If you'll be close to the border, just drive over to make a call. I wouldn't buy anything in the US (trac phone type or minutes card) in case it won't work over there. Wait till you get there to buy something.

 

[Pythagorean]

When were you last in Canada? According to Wikipedia, most of the country has had right-hand driving since the 1920s, except Newfoundland which switched in 1947 (and wasn't even part of Canada at that time anyway).

Read his post again :p

 

[FlexGunship]

Skype on smartphone?

I thought of that. Here's the pricing conundrum:

Verizon has an absurd pricing plan for Canada networks:

• $2.05/MB
• $30 for 75MB
• $100 for 200MB (yes, really... you get reverse bulk discount)

I anticipate making a significant number of calls (personal and work related) and I have no idea what the common data throughput for a Skype call is.

Given that I can get 6000 min/month for $219 (prorated for seven days at $50 and 1350 minutes) the data gamble sounds bad. Furthermore, my girlfriend is going through a medical treatment, and I don't want to risk not being able to get a call or text from her.

I got Verizon to commit to something (fancy that) because I have a perfect billing history and have the maximum of every service they offer. EDIT: Verbatim: "I can check our preferred customer matrix and see what... oh... oh, yes... I'm sure we can work out something for you, sir. Wow." They confirmed an advanced pro-rate billing scheme:

• daily allowance of 192 minutes at $7.07 per day for a maximum of seven days,
• $2.05/MB for data (but I will disable my data roaming service anyway), and
• 161 text messages at $0.65 per day.

Unfortunately, because of their god-awful billing scheme, they'll have to change me that "maximum" amount ahead of time, and apply a refund retroactively. The catch is that I have to maintain my existing data plan to keep all of my perks; so for a week I'll be paying for something I can't use. Blech! Anyway, by my calculation, I can look forward to a $300 bill next month and a $160 service credit the following month.

Sigh... I guess we'll see how it goes!

EDIT: If you ever call Verizon Wireless customer service, and want to skip all of the robot menus and talk directly to a person do the following: press "0" at the first voice prompt, and wait for: "I can connect you to a person if you'll just answer a few questions..." Then thit the "#" key four times.

Instant human.​

 

[Astronuc]

Or you buy a phone card and use a normal pay phone, or hotel phone if one stays in a hotel.

 

[FlexGunship]

Or you buy a phone card and use a normal pay phone, or hotel phone if one stays in a hotel.

Not an option, sadly. I will be in the middle of an industrial facility for hours on end.

 

[Evo]

Hey all,

I'm traveling to Canada (suddenly) tomorrow morning! I'll be gone for a week. I'm from the U.S. and my cell phone has no Canadian plan (Verizon has loopholes for changing you $TEXAS for anything and everything). I used to have Sprint, and they could add Canadian coverage for a fee. Verizon says they can't do this.

Has anyone done this? What's the cheapest way to be able to call home (U.S.) and accept calls from home (U.S. again) while in Canada?

Is the plan you are complaining about"

http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Roaming/index.html

Rates

http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Roaming/North_America/Canada.html

If you're going to be a heavy data user, they are going to be expensive. Are you self employed?

 

[rhody]

Not an option, sadly. I will be in the middle of an industrial facility for hours on end.

Flex,

Are you sure an international phone card isn't available, my family was away in Aruba, and I had two phone cards about 10 bucks each with 29 minutes on each one, .29 cents a minute when the card got low it asked if I wanted to refurbish it at .06 cents a minute for an hour I believe. I googled and got http://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=24&...c.r_pw.&fp=af5f4f3fbb50940f&biw=1366&bih=585": You should be able to find something to connect with your provider. I just read Evo's post and if you are a data user that is a whole new ball game and can't be of much help there unfortunately. Good luck.

Rhody...

 

[turbo]

The Verizon rates that Evo linked to looked pretty rough at $0.69/minute. That's WAY cheaper than the Canada/US rates back when I had a bag-phone in my company vehicle. I was working in Madawaska (top of Maine) for a few days, and used my car phone to check messages, talk to the Tech Manager, Sales Manager, etc back in GA, call home, etc. Next month I found out that all the cell coverage I'd had from Madawaska down to Houlton were from towers on the Canadian side of the St. John Valley. Ouch! Got charged connection fees, out-of-service area rates, etc.

 

[Moonbear]

I have Verizon service and they have a Nationwide+Canada plan. It's $20 more per month than the regular Nationwide plan, if that's what you already have. It would be considerably cheaper to have them upgrade you to the Nationwide+Canada plan for the month and then switch back to the regular plan next month, than to pay by the day for a week. If you don't have their Nationwide plan, then that might be why you were having difficulty getting the Canadian calls. If you're going to make a lot of calls there, it'd be worth it over paying roaming too. I've done that with them without any trouble before, just upgrade a plan for a month while traveling, and then downgrade to my original contract plan after I return. As long as you're staying a customer with them, you can switch around plans to meet your needs like that.

 

[Evo]

I have Verizon service and they have a Nationwide+Canada plan. It's $20 more per month than the regular Nationwide plan, if that's what you already have. It would be considerably cheaper to have them upgrade you to the Nationwide+Canada plan for the month and then switch back to the regular plan next month, than to pay by the day for a week. If you don't have their Nationwide plan, then that might be why you were having difficulty getting the Canadian calls. If you're going to make a lot of calls there, it'd be worth it over paying roaming too. I've done that with them without any trouble before, just upgrade a plan for a month while traveling, and then downgrade to my original contract plan after I return. As long as you're staying a customer with them, you can switch around plans to meet your needs like that.

Amazing that the Verizon rep didn't offer that to him. You are correct, you can switch between plans without any contract commitment. Contracts are tied to equipment, or to obtain extra discounts and perks.

 

[FlexGunship]

Is the plan you are complaining about"

http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Roaming/index.html

Rates

http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Roaming/North_America/Canada.html

If you're going to be a heavy data user, they are going to be expensive.

I can forego the data, but I need the voice. I guessed about 3 hours of phone time per day between business and personal. At $0.69 that's... well, this is a physics forum, YOU do the math!

Anyway, when I got the math to work out at $75 for the week, I informed the company (via e-mail) that I would be adding a $75+ line item to the invoice (capped at $150). I ensured it was the cheapest I could get phone service on such short notice. No discussion; they approved it.

Are you self employed?

It's complicated. For the purposes of this discussion; yes.

 

[FlexGunship]

I have Verizon service and they have a Nationwide+Canada plan. It's $20 more per month than the regular Nationwide plan, if that's what you already have.

(Source: http://b2b.vzw.com/productsservices/businesscallingplans/nationwidecanada.html)

Notice there is no "unlimited" option. Remember, this is for a week. And the cost is actually prorated by fraction of minutes used, not the time the plan is active. Furthermore (see fine print... somewhere) there is a maximum allocation of peak minutes per day which is equal to the total minutes in the plan divided by thirty-one (regardless of the month).

By purchasing the 6000 minute plan (as mentioned previously) I get over 3 hours of talk time per day. At the prorated cost it will only cost me $50 for the week. Then I added texting for $20.

My girlfriend is having a difficult time with her health and she uses texts to get my attention when I'm at work, or to wake me up in the middle of the night and let's me call her. It's her preference. I just need to make sure I'm able to support her while I'm so far from her; this was my best option. I guess, if necessary, I would've just eaten the $0.69/min.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

I don't know about the company in the link I am posting specifically:
http://www.cellularabroad.com/canadaRcell.php
(I just googled "rent cell phone Canada" to find that link, so I am NOT saying that is a good/trustworthy company)

But 2 years ago when I went to Spain my employer rented cellular phones for the duration of our stay. The bill did come through me (but I forget the company now), and I just forwarded it to them. But I am positive it was cheaper than the plans being mentioned here.

 

[FlexGunship]

Amazing that the Verizon rep didn't offer that to him. You are correct, you can switch between plans without any contract commitment. Contracts are tied to equipment, or to obtain extra discounts and perks.

I'm quite sure I got the absolute best deal possible. This was not a casual conversation, and I'm not a casual customer... of anyone's.

When I got my first phone with Verizon there was a service contract discount for buying a Droid on a 2 year contract directly from a Verizon Wireless retailer. However, Best Buy was pushing the same phone, minus the service contract discount, at a lower price.

Rest assured, I got both discounts.

EDIT: I find that the key phrase is, "What would you do if you were in my situation?" And just wait. The first answer is ALWAYS "I don't know, that's up to you" or "I would probably take this deal." Then just wait a little while longer.

 

[Evo]

I'm quite sure I got the absolute best deal possible. This was not a casual conversation, and I'm not a casual customer... of anyone's.

When I got my first phone with Verizon there was a service contract discount for buying a Droid on a 2 year contract directly from a Verizon Wireless retailer. However, Best Buy was pushing the same phone, minus the service contract discount, at a lower price.

Rest assured, I got both discounts.

EDIT: I find that the key phrase is, "What would you do if you were in my situation?" And just wait. The first answer is ALWAYS "I don't know, that's up to you" or "I would probably take this deal." Then just wait a little while longer.

Yeah, the reps get commissions based on if you "buy" the phone from them, and they'll always match it or even give it to you free, even if they have to commit fraud, and a lot of them do because their job depends on how many they sell per month. At one of my office locations, the consumer cell phone department was downstairs and I'd hear all about what they went through. And a lot got fired for fraud, it was crazy.

 

[FlexGunship]

I'm hijacking my own thread. I'm in the illustrious O'Hare airport on my way deep into enemey (Canadian) territory. I'm on my phone, I really wanted to upload some photos of the maelstrom we landed in.

Anyway, I'm at the world's best bar. That is to say, I'm at the bar closest to me (which, in my book, makes it the current world's greatest). My travel companion (Carl Sagan's Demon-Haunted World) is in my bag. It was popular prior to my obsession with the man, so I never got around to reading it.

Oh well, just sharing my thoughts as increase my distance from home with sudden spurts of high-speed travel in some sort of airborne hallway. Whenever I'm in a plane accelerating down a runway, all I can think is "this'll never work." Sometimes accompanied by the notion of what fools we all are for banding together in defiance of the laws of nature. Humans can't fly, seats can't fly, metal can't fly... and yet... mix them together in precisely the right amounts, add a splash of highly combustable liquid, and a miracle seems to occur.

Meanwhile, the underage bimbo cheerleader one seat up continues to complain about the inadequacies of airborne restrooms.

 

[Evo]

I'm hijacking my own thread. I'm in the illustrious O'Hare airport on my way deep into enemey (Canadian) territory. I'm on my phone, I really wanted to upload some photos of the maelstrom we landed in.

Anyway, I'm at the world's best bar. That is to say, I'm at the bar closest to me (which, in my book, makes it the current world's greatest). My travel companion (Carl Sagan's Demon-Haunted World) is in my bag. It was popular prior to my obsession with the man, so I never got around to reading it.

Oh well, just sharing my thoughts as increase my distance from home with sudden spurts of high-speed travel in some sort of airborne hallway. Whenever I'm in a plane accelerating down a runway, all I can think is "this'll never work." Sometimes accompanied by the notion of what fools we all are for banding together in defiance of the laws of nature. Humans can't fly, seats can't fly, metal can't fly... and yet... mix them together in precisely the right amounts, add a splash of highly combustable liquid, and a miracle seems to occur.

Meanwhile, the underage bimbo cheerleader one seat up continues to complain about the inadequacies of airborne restrooms.

Just make sure that your pilots aren't in there drinking too. That's happened more than once.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Whenever I'm in a plane accelerating down a runway, all I can think is "this'll never work." Sometimes accompanied by the notion of what fools we all are for banding together in defiance of the laws of nature. Humans can't fly, seats can't fly, metal can't fly... and yet... mix them together in precisely the right amounts, add a splash of highly combustable liquid, and a miracle seems to occur.

I always think, weeeeeeeeeeee! Taking off and landing are the only parts of flying that I like. The rest is just boredom and discomfort.

My favorite landing of all time was on a commuter jet going into Dallas. We were dodging thunderheads and fighting heavy cross winds right down to the tarmac. At one point, just before landing, I honestly thought the plane might roll! We must have been getting close to a ninety-degree tilt for a moment - WEEEEEEEEEEE! The guy next to me actually turned a shade of green. I'd never seen someone actually turn green before. But I was loving every minute of it. You just have to assume an attitude of reckless abandon, and enjoy it. You know the odds. It's far safer than your car.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Just make sure that your pilots aren't in there drinking too. That's happened more than once.

Pilots flying to Canada are always drunk.

 

[FlexGunship]

Pilots flying to Canada are always drunk.

It's the only way they can convince themselves to stay on course.

Yes, I'm also partial to take-off and landing. No one likes steady-state, everyone loves transients. If each flight spent half of the time at 0-roll and half at 180-roll, you'd better believe that even the half at 180-roll would be boring... but that transiet from 0 to 180? Pure adrenaline!

I'm just hoping for a cute, single, female seat-neighbor for this flight. I tire of talking to wonderfully attractive, but attached women (no offense Evo), and dirty old men (no offense Ivan).

EDIT: ...and blithering fools (no offense remainder-of-the-forum).

 

[Evo]

I tire of talking to wonderfully attractive, but attached women (no offense Evo)

I'm not attached.