Cheapest option for US data roaming (Rogers Iphone)

[peacefrogdog]

Researching options to be able to cheaply use roaming while in the US.

I have an unlocked iphone 4 currently on a month-to-month contract with Rogers. I've read that Rogers has a "One rate data roaming" that essentially allows you to roam in the US for $10 more than a Canada only data plan. So if currently a $25/month fee allows 500 MB of data, the "one rate data roaming" plan would be $35/month and allow 500 MB of data for use in Canada or the US.

I see also that Rogers also has a $10 data roaming add-on. Initially I thought it was the same as above, but from reading the fine print it basically sounds like the charge will be $1/MB (so total of 10 MB data for the $10, and then standard roaming fees).

I haven't called Rogers yet, but I'm anticipating them getting the two mixed up. Has anyone who has a Rogers plan tried these options, in particular the first one? If so, is there anything I need to specify clearly to the rep to get the first option above? For that matter, does anyone know if the first option above is do-able on a month-to-month contract? The website only mentions it for 3-year plans.

 

[ccudmore]

I used to use the second option you listed, as it usually ended up being cheaper than than the first. However they changed it last year so that there's a 3 month minimum commitment to it so now it's now no longer cheaper.

So now I used the Travel Packs that you list as the first option. I usually get the $60, 75M plan since it has the cheapest rate for data over the cap, and I usually exceed it.

However....
Why are you going that route at all. You paid the extra for an unlocked iPhone, why not use the fact that its unlocked and pick up a US carrier micro SIM when you get across the border and not pay any roaming fees at all.

 

[peacefrogdog]

If the "one rate" package is honored by Rogers, I'm guessing the extra $10 would be cheaper than buying a US Sim card which I imagine would be at least $15-20. Not to mention I'd have to venture to find a store to buy it (unless they sell one at the airport or on Disney property).

I'm not anticipating using much data so not concerned about using up my usual allotment of data with the "one rate" plan.