Disposable phones?

[CanadienneDisneyfan]

I thought so. Yet, I still want to be able to use my IPad or IPhone while in CA. How do I know how many MB I am likely to need?

 

[sweethannah]

My carrier, Rogers, has an Intl. data pass for 31 days. 10MB costs $50.00, 25MB is $100.00 and 75MB is $225.00 (plus taxes). Is this expensive? I have no idea! I want to be able to use apps for freeways and traffic (directions), and apps for scheduling our fun at the parks, but I have no idea how many mb I will use. Any ideas?

You will probably use more than 10/mb is you want to access apps for driving and directions as well as checking apps for scheduling. I would guess at 1mb for every 15 minutes of drive time? Also the website you go to can vary the data used, if they are image heavy or aren't the 'mobile' website accessing a web page - 300 kb per standard webpage means about 3 webpages per mb

I would only use my ipad or cellphone with wifi ONLY turned on, if you attempt to use your data like you normally would in canada you will be charged an arm and a leg.

$7.00 for 50mb in a 24hr period is something Rogers was offering which they say gives you:
approximately 50 maps, 200 web pages, 1,000 emails or over 5,000 tweets.” Customers will be alerted prior to using up their allotted data.

 

[dansamy]

Ask Rogers for your unlock codes & buy a Tmobile or ATT sim with a prepaid plan.

 

[Freesia123]

If I recall correctly, opening the CNN website takes 5mb if that gives you an idea

 

[CanadienneDisneyfan]

I will ask Rogers if they will give me the unlock code. If not, then I might just take a lot of screen shots of things , like maps, before leaving.

 

[mama2goldens]

I work for a major cell provider here in the US.I don't know anything about Carriers in Canada, but when we have customers going to Canada we have plans that cover voice and text as if you were in the US for just an extra $15 per month. This is specific to roaming in Canada and Mexico. So I would definetly speak with your carrier.

Now for data my suggestion would be to use your phone in WiFi...in other words turn your cellular data off. This by far is the cheapest option especially if you plan on using it primarily where WiFi is available (hotel, starbucks, for example).

It also comes down to how often you are going to want to use your phone...if it is more of an emergency, or do you want to be a high user.

Also keep in mind that not all phones/carriers use SIM cards. It depends what cellular technology the network is. As a previous poster said you WILL NOT want to take your SIM card out of your phone and place in a US prepaid phone. Remember your SIM card is what ties the phone to your billing. So this would be the same if you just left it in your normal phone.

Hope that helps.

 

[mama2goldens]

I work for a major cell provider here in the US.I don't know anything about Carriers in Canada, but when we have customers going to Canada we have plans that cover voice and text as if you were in the US for just an extra $15 per month. This is specific to roaming in Canada and Mexico. So I would definetly speak with your carrier.

Now for data my suggestion would be to use your phone in WiFi...in other words turn your cellular data off. This by far is the cheapest option especially if you plan on using it primarily where WiFi is available (hotel, starbucks, for example).

It also comes down to how often you are going to want to use your phone...if it is more of an emergency, or do you want to be a high user.

Also keep in mind that not all phones/carriers use SIM cards. It depends what cellular technology the network is. As a previous poster said you WILL NOT want to take your SIM card out of your phone and place in a US prepaid phone. Remember your SIM card is what ties the phone to your billing. So this would be the same if you just left it in your normal phone.

Hope that helps.

 

[clarkshel]

I will ask Rogers if they will give me the unlock code. If not, then I might just take a lot of screen shots of things , like maps, before leaving.

I think Robbers charges $50 to unlock a phone. It might be less of a headache to just purchase one of their expensive US roaming packages. Make sure you disable your data on your phone and try to us wifi whenever possible. I can't remember what phone you have, but if it is an iPhone or android, just download a free VoIP app. Like MagicJack, Fongo, Skype. I recommend Fongo, it worked great when using on my iPhone from a recent trip to Hawaii. With Skype, you will have to purchase credits to be able to call non Skype numbers, but it I pretty cheap.

 

[dansamy]

They seriously charge you for an unlock? Is be buying one from eBay!

 

[clarkshel]

They seriously charge you for an unlock? Is be buying one from eBay!

The three main providers in Canada charge to unlock. Actually I am not even sure that Bell will unlock you phone, even if you wanted to pay. I found the $35 fee that Telus charged me to unlock my iPhone 4 totally worth it. I didn't have to jailbreak my iPhone.

 

[Freesia123]

Here's my final solution: check my msg once a day at a place with wifi (the hotels) use wallow talkies to keep in contact with the others in traveling with. The ones we have "ring" when you page it's pair so I don't have to listen to the crackle all the time.

 

[SkRiderMom]

When we went to Disneyland before Christmas I turned off the data on my iPhone and used the free wifi at the hotel to go online to post to Facebook, check email, etc. Our provider (Sasktel) gives us unlimited texts so my husband and I were able to text each other in the parks if we needed to separate. We were also able to text another family we knew that was visiting at the same time to set up meets.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

There is a lengthy, lengthy sticky on the Canadian boards on this very subject. Without repeating at length what's on there so as not to bore our Amerifriends, these are the key concepts: unlock, t-mobile $3/day, google voice. Take a look thru the last few pages on the sticky - everything you need to know is there.

 

[dansamy]

There is a lengthy, lengthy sticky on the Canadian boards on this very subject. Without repeating at length what's on there so as not to bore our Amerifriends, these are the key concepts: unlock, t-mobile $3/day, google voice. Take a look thru the last few pages on the sticky - everything you need to know is there.

Tmobile is shaping themselves to be very competitive in the prepaid arena. Google voice is a great solution for that pesky low minute allowance.