Mama Bear Me2
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2014
Hi Everyone!
Sorry in advance. Posting my question here and also on Canadian Planning Forum to increase chance of getting help AND sorry for the long post coming up!
EXTREMLY SORRY … super newbie when it comes to cell phones so please excuse the many questions … don’t even have my own cell in Canada so will be 1st time owner when I visit the USA!
Scenario:
Who: Canadian travelling to L.A. & Anaheim, CA area.
Time frame: about 3 weeks (since we’re also visiting family).
What: Will be bringing “unlocked” cell phones. Don’t know too much about cell phones (again one of those rare people who don’t own a cell phone) so have very limited knowledge of what’s best way to “avoid” roaming charges while in the USA.
Used For: Texting spouse when separated, checking wait times at Disneyland, odd phone call
USA Cell Phone Use: Based on my research, it appears that the following 2 options might be our “best” options for cell phone use while visiting the L.A. & Anaheim area:
1) T-Mobile Tourist Plan (once IN USA visit T-Mobile Store & pick up the SIM Card Kit)
2) Roam Mobility (get this BEFORE we leave Canada)
Questions:
1) Anyone have experience with either T-Mobile Tourist Plan OR Roam Mobility? Is one better than the other?
2) What was “coverage” like for either T-Mobile OR Roam Mobility? Did you require a lot of “roaming” while in the L.A. & Anaheim area? Does T-Mobile OR Roam Mobility charge "extra" for "roaming" while in the L.A. or Anaheim area OR does this come off your "data allowance"?
3) What was the signal like? Strong signal? What about signal strength when in Disneyland?
4) “Think” that Roam Mobility “uses” T-Mobile network so coverage should be the similar to T-Mobile?
5) Is it even possible to get 4G LTE speed while in Disneyland? Heard that data service was “spotty” in Disneyland which made it “slow”.
6) Is 1 GB or 2 GB enough data room if our plan is mostly to text & to check wait times on Disneyland app? Again … about 3 weeks in USA but NOT all that time spent at Disneyland.
7) If I use up my allotted 4G LTE data speed AND am “throttled” back to “2G” speed is this speed still sufficient to send texts and to check wait times on the Disneyland app? Meaning: is 2G speed much too slow to be of any good while in Disneyland to check wait times or sent texts? How long should I expect the wait time app “page” to load? Minutes?
8) Hints to “reduce” data usage … what do I need to “turn off” OR “do” as I understand that cell phones will do “updates” and use data without my knowledge.
9) Any other suggestions for “other” cell phone options while in the USA?
Many thanks for your patience and for helping this cell phone newbie! Please answer what you can! Appreciate your time!!
Sorry in advance. Posting my question here and also on Canadian Planning Forum to increase chance of getting help AND sorry for the long post coming up!
EXTREMLY SORRY … super newbie when it comes to cell phones so please excuse the many questions … don’t even have my own cell in Canada so will be 1st time owner when I visit the USA!
Scenario:
Who: Canadian travelling to L.A. & Anaheim, CA area.
Time frame: about 3 weeks (since we’re also visiting family).
What: Will be bringing “unlocked” cell phones. Don’t know too much about cell phones (again one of those rare people who don’t own a cell phone) so have very limited knowledge of what’s best way to “avoid” roaming charges while in the USA.
Used For: Texting spouse when separated, checking wait times at Disneyland, odd phone call
USA Cell Phone Use: Based on my research, it appears that the following 2 options might be our “best” options for cell phone use while visiting the L.A. & Anaheim area:
1) T-Mobile Tourist Plan (once IN USA visit T-Mobile Store & pick up the SIM Card Kit)
2) Roam Mobility (get this BEFORE we leave Canada)
Questions:
1) Anyone have experience with either T-Mobile Tourist Plan OR Roam Mobility? Is one better than the other?
2) What was “coverage” like for either T-Mobile OR Roam Mobility? Did you require a lot of “roaming” while in the L.A. & Anaheim area? Does T-Mobile OR Roam Mobility charge "extra" for "roaming" while in the L.A. or Anaheim area OR does this come off your "data allowance"?
3) What was the signal like? Strong signal? What about signal strength when in Disneyland?
4) “Think” that Roam Mobility “uses” T-Mobile network so coverage should be the similar to T-Mobile?
5) Is it even possible to get 4G LTE speed while in Disneyland? Heard that data service was “spotty” in Disneyland which made it “slow”.
6) Is 1 GB or 2 GB enough data room if our plan is mostly to text & to check wait times on Disneyland app? Again … about 3 weeks in USA but NOT all that time spent at Disneyland.
7) If I use up my allotted 4G LTE data speed AND am “throttled” back to “2G” speed is this speed still sufficient to send texts and to check wait times on the Disneyland app? Meaning: is 2G speed much too slow to be of any good while in Disneyland to check wait times or sent texts? How long should I expect the wait time app “page” to load? Minutes?
8) Hints to “reduce” data usage … what do I need to “turn off” OR “do” as I understand that cell phones will do “updates” and use data without my knowledge.
9) Any other suggestions for “other” cell phone options while in the USA?
Many thanks for your patience and for helping this cell phone newbie! Please answer what you can! Appreciate your time!!