Can I contact Euphoria and XO without buying a Canadian SIM?

[Montreal_Dude]

yeesh $40 plus a $10 SIM is not a bargain!

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/plans#plans-start

3g plans dude....not 4g...

Canada's First 5G Subscription Phone Service | Public Mobile

Experience the power of 5G speeds, reliable service, and subscription phone plans. Switch to Public Mobile today to experience mobility differently.

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[Jazzman1218]

Why don't you just call the agencies using the land-line phone in your hotel room?

 

[transatlantic]

Why don't you just call the agencies using the land-line phone in your hotel room?

Does not work for incalls.

 

[IamNY]

oh yeah, what I mean is you have to have a number. VOIP or virtual numbers don't work. And since my US service provider doesn't work in Canada, I can't use that.

What about contacting them from the states to let them know your using a texting app when your in Canada? That way they can at least know that it's you. Also, I've used the Line2 app and it's an actual number that will work in Canada. You can even get a 514 area code.

 

[jmioffe]

3g plans dude....not 4g...

Canada's First 5G Subscription Phone Service | Public Mobile

Experience the power of 5G speeds, reliable service, and subscription phone plans. Switch to Public Mobile today to experience mobility differently.

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oh that was so easy to miss! Thanks. I'm keeping notes on my research -- in case anyone else comes up against this issue.

It looks like Public is the same as Petro-Canada mobile and Koodo:

$10 SIM
$15 cheapest plan (monthly)
account expires if not topped up after 90 days

The best deal still seems to be 7-Eleven's SpeakOut, which is
$10 SIM
$10 cheapest plan (also monthly, but text only)
account expires if not topped up after 365 days
... the only problem is SpeakOut is not available in Quebec though you can buy in say, Toronto, and get the same service.

 

[jmioffe]

Why don't you just call the agencies using the land-line phone in your hotel room?

I mostly airbnb

 

[jmioffe]

Does not work for incalls.

yeah, I think the agencies want an identity to associate with the request. hotel might be too anonymous.

 

[jmioffe]

What about contacting them from the states to let them know your using a texting app when your in Canada? That way they can at least know that it's you. Also, I've used the Line2 app and it's an actual number that will work in Canada. You can even get a 514 area code.

Thanks for the suggestion! But it seems a little unreasonable to ask for a special accommodation to accept my texts. I know I'm not a big fish. I have trouble enough getting the lady I want sometimes!

I'm guessing the Line2 app works like Google Voice, or other VOIPs, and so they wouldn't like it either.

I've asked a friend in Toronto to send me a SpeakOut card, so that seems to be my best bet right now.

 

[IamNY]

Thanks for the suggestion! But it seems a little unreasonable to ask for a special accommodation to accept my texts. I know I'm not a big fish. I have trouble enough getting the lady I want sometimes!

I'm guessing the Line2 app works like Google Voice, or other VOIPs, and so they wouldn't like it either.

I've asked a friend in Toronto to send me a SpeakOut card, so that seems to be my best bet right now.

It's not that difficult to ask, but OK. As far as line2, it doesn't act like the others because it's an actual verifiable phone number. When your done with it you can transfer the number to an old phone if you want.

 

[transatlantic]

yeah, I think the agencies want an identity to associate with the request. hotel might be too anonymous.

It sounds like you can just buy a SIM and loaded money on it. I'm presuming no identification require to purchase so there is nothing "identifiable" even with a "real" phone number.

Thus my earlier question upthread, from the agency/provider perspective, what's really the difference between a virtual number and a real number tied to a SIM? A troublesome john asking for BBFS/time waster etc getting their number banned can just buy a SIM card with a new "real" number and book just like they can do with a virtual number.

 

[jmioffe]

It sounds like you can just buy a SIM and loaded money on it. I'm presuming no identification require to purchase so there is nothing "identifiable" even with a "real" phone number.

Thus my earlier question upthread, from the agency/provider perspective, what's really the difference between a virtual number and a real number tied to a SIM? A troublesome john asking for BBFS/time waster etc getting their number banned can just buy a SIM card with a new "real" number and book just like they can do with a virtual number.

A preloaded SIM with money on it would be ideal, but I haven't found one in Canada.

Yes, time wasters may get a real number tied to a SIM as easily as a virtual number, but it seems the agencies have decided a real number should be a screening criterion.

 

[transatlantic]

So if I want to keep the same Canadian number but only come up 2-3 times a year, is Public Mobile at $15/month the lowest cost and pausing/unpausing every 90 days?

Canada's First 5G Subscription Phone Service | Public Mobile

Experience the power of 5G speeds, reliable service, and subscription phone plans. Switch to Public Mobile today to experience mobility differently.

www.publicmobile.ca

Public Mobile

Experience the power of 5G speeds, reliable service, and affordable phone plans with Public Mobile. Switch to Public Mobile today to experience mobility differently.

www.publicmobile.ca

 

[Phillymale]

Just get a 7-day hushed account (App Store) and set for a U.S. or Canada number (you can even “be” in Montreal).. 2.99 for 7 days… I have used many times @ no issues call or text. I usually text to get some pics back if no pics on site.

 

[Dave in Phoenix]

oh yeah, what I mean is you have to have a number. VOIP or virtual numbers don't work. And since my US service provider doesn't work in Canada, I can't use that.

I am confused. In the US my phones are "real" for 40 years but I use a VOIP service with lots of features (multiple channels, forwards all voice mail to email, etc) it is not virtual just using my phone numbers which would be the same if regular landline.

I assume agencies take phone calls. I do use a cellphone via Cox which includes Canada and Mexico, but have never needed to text - I can not type on those tiny keys without a 50% error rate Was never an issue in Toronto where I have gone for over 20 years but also planning Montreal. When I travel with a laptop used in hotel, even pack a full-sized Logitech keyboard I am so used to it.