Prepaid phone that works in Us and Canada? (for Sp purposes of course)

[coolaspie3]

Is there a prepaid phone that works in US and Canada (Montreal). I Need a separate phone to "hobby" with. IDk how many websites ive been to all say different things. I just need a prepaid phone that will work to call Canada from the US, and will also work to call Montreal locally, when I cross the border.


any info appreciated....

thanks!

 

[bond_james_bond]

Well, without getting into SIM cards and home-made solutions, the answer is No.

Generally, the wireless companies cover their own country, and although there may be corporate relations that cross the border, the service does not, especially with prepaid.

For pre-paid in Canada, you can choose amongst Telus, Bell, Fido, etc. In the US, it's Tracfone, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc. which you can get at any Wal-Mart. If there are companies that offer phones in both countries, I would doubt if the service works in both countries, unless you are very close to the border.

For contract phones, there are services like Verizon's Nationwide Plus Canada, that would be useful for use in both countries.

 

[infanticide]

I use a T-mobile prepay when I hobby and it works great in Montreal. The only caveat is that it burns money off of your card at a much higher rate. A $100 refill card has a one year expiration date as opposed to the 30 day expiration dates of the cheaper cards. It works on the Rogers network in Montreal.

 

[bond_james_bond]

Thanks, infanticide, that's good info.

I was wondering about a solution that would avoid outrageous roaming fees, but I don't think there is one, unless you go contract.

If you plan on making a lot of calls, you could just buy a phone in Canada, get local rates, and then chuck it.

 

[infanticide]

I looked into buying a prepay sim in Montreal, and the cost is prohibitive. It costs $55 just to buy the initial sim card, and if you don't charge it every 3 months it dies. Rates aren't great on it either. Stick with T-Mob, and just refill 100 at a time, shouldn't have to do it more than once or twice a year -- and if you do that means your hobbying is out of control!

 

[Dee]

I don't know about use in the USA (I imagine just usual long distance charges... which can be enough) but I bought a Fido phone for $100 in Montreal... I buy as as you go at $20 a shot (won't take $10) while there... I leave it idle when not there and just start again when I return to Montreal... even if it runs to $0 you retain the number for 6 months or 1 year... heard both... with nonuse.... maybe get the same deal like that for your US address and use a LD card, cheap like borscht, to call Canada as required...

 

[coolaspie3]

thanks for the info

infanticide, do you have to activate something called worldclass roaming w/ the t mobiles phones? Does the phone have to be a certain brand and have a certain frequency for Canada, (idk, read something about quadband wtf lol). Geez, i might just have to call from the hotel room to save a headache, although pre-booking b4 the trip would be difficult.

 

[infanticide]

thanks for the info

infanticide, do you have to activate something called worldclass roaming w/ the t mobiles phones? Does the phone have to be a certain brand and have a certain frequency for Canada, (idk, read something about quadband wtf lol). Geez, i might just have to call from the hotel room to save a headache, although pre-booking b4 the trip would be difficult.

I'm quite sure that all GSM phones are at least triband which is fine for Canada. Don't overthink anything, just go to Target and buy the cheapest T-Mobile prepay, then buy a $100 "T-Mobile To Go" card and you're good to go. Nothing superfluous to activate.

 

[nacho]

a little different

I'm a little different than you high tech guys. When I need to call Montreal from the lower 48 I just use my regular cell or even house phone and call through my MCI card. I think it's about 2 cents a minute. I've had the same MCI card # for about 5 years. If I call after 7 or on weekends my cell minutes are free. Also no escort numbers come up on the sprint bill, just a note that says 800 service. When in Montreal I simply use the hotel phone, free local calls. Then I set my cell to roam and if the daughters or anyone important calls, well, I just eat the roaming and long distance fees. The most it's cost me is $20.00 for a 3 day visit, and that's worth it to me for them to not know where I am. After all I'm going through a large pile on the ladies anyway. Oh yeah, if I need to make a call while heading to a place I can't find, (like last trip) well, I'll either eat the roaming fees or find a pay phone, depending on my sense of urgency or degree of lateness.

2d point: I just read another thread where some members are giving their #'s to an SP so she can call and give them a "deal" when she's not working at the agency. Well, it should go without saying that if you do that, you NEED a hobby phone, and leave the fucking thing turned off until you want to use it. Check your messages away from the PITA wife or GF.