Using cell phone

[briarberry]

Can anyone tell me if my Bell Mobility cell phone will work in the states? I know it worked last year from Indiana but will it work everywhere? I am driving and will feel much safer if I have a working cell phone.
We leave in 18 days!

 

[langin]

I wish I could tell you but I am curious also, we are on Rogers. We are also
driving and leaving in 14 days!

 

[mom_rules]

Rogers wireless does work but I'd use it for emergencies only.

It is very expensive unless you prearrange a long distance plan before you go. We learned the hard way-a 4 min conversation to Ontario from Orlando cost us $21.00!

 

[Buzzfan]

We pre-arranged with Bell to use our cell phone at WDW last year. I think it cost $20 for the month but it gave you a certain amount of minutes (100 mins I think). It was worth it for us, as we were caught in a hurricane and had to call home many times. $21.00 for one 4 minute call Mom_rules? Ouch!! I didn't realize what a deal the prearrangement was (not to mention the peace of mind).

 

[mbb]

We pre-arranged with Bell to use our cell phone at WDW last year. I think it cost $20 for the month but it gave you a certain amount of minutes (100 mins I think). It was worth it for us, as we were caught in a hurricane and had to call home many times. $21.00 for one 4 minute call Mom_rules? Ouch!! I didn't realize what a deal the prearrangement was (not to mention the peace of mind).

Same thing we did

Worked great - those roaming charges are just awful!

 

[CharlesTD]

Yes Bell will work the entire trip but it is quite expensive if you do need to use it.

 

[cromwell43]

We are 3 families for a total of 8 going to WDW in December. We were hoping to use our cell phones as a way to communicate if we get seperated etc.
It sounds like this is not a good idea as the cost will be horrendous. Does any one have a better idea?

 

[CharlesTD]

Get a set of GMRS radios they are the updates version of the FRS they have better channel selections and a much greater range up to 30 Kilometers IIRC. We talked to my mom from WDW on the cell and it was 45 dollars for less than 15 minutes.

 

[kidangel]

My Bell Mobility worked great from WDW last year, it was choppy at times, but I think that had more to do with general cell traffic.

However, ROAMING CHARGES MAY CRIPPLE YOU. I'm going to follow the advice of other posters here and check into this before we go this fall, see if there's a temporary plan or something. As I discovered upon our return last fall, for what it cost me to call home and check on the kids (too many times) it would have been cheaper to bring them with us.

We found FRS radios are useless in the park - way too much traffic. I was constantly picking up other people's convos, and it un-nerved me to think they could pick up mine. (some guy was able to strike up a conversation with my teen over the FRS and it totally freaked me out.)

 

[briarberry]

Thanks for the replies. I don't plan on using my cell phone unless it's an emergency on the road so I guess I'll take it (hopefully won't need to use it). I plan on using my Bell calling card when I call home from the resort. I learned my lesson last year - what a ripoff the charges were!

 

[CharlesTD]

Kidangel that is why you use the new GMRS radios they have far more channel options than the older FRS ones did and they have a much greater range you should look into it the FRS had only 32 subchannels whereas the GMRS has 99 subchannels and more regular chanels than the FRS does.

 

[MECH8T7]

Kidangel that is why you use the new GMRS radios they have far more channel options than the older FRS ones did and they have a much greater range you should look into it the FRS had only 32 subchannels whereas the GMRS has 99 subchannels and more regular chanels than the FRS does.

You should be aware that, technically, you (everybody, not just Canadians) need an FCC license to operate a GMRS radio in the United States. (You don't need one to operate it in Canada.) It is about US$80 for five years and available by application on-line but you need a U.S. mailing address, though it doesn't have to be your home address...so the address of a resort in Orlando could be used.

 

[CharlesTD]

That is kinda funny because we bought ours at Target in the US and no one said a thing about it to us there. And we have never gotten one and no one has ever mentioned it to us so until they do I am not going to bother.

 

[MECH8T7]

That is kinda funny because we bought ours at Target in the US and no one said a thing about it to us there. And we have never gotten one and no one has ever mentioned it to us so until they do I am not going to bother.

I initially felt the same way and then took a look at the what the sanction could be for not having a license...they're pretty stiff...and not something I'd even want to take a chance with, particularly as a non-resident of the United States.

The following contains a post which purports to have an excerpt of the relevant FCC Regulations.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=869320

...not trying to preach...just thought people should have the benefit of knowing what is at stake...but I can certainly see the other point of view and its too bad they don't have cheaper short-term licenses for visitors to the U.S.

 

[CharlesTD]

Thanks for the info but I will take my chances with it until they have somone checking the radios as you enter the parks I am not going to concern myself with it LOL

 

[mom_rules]

Another word of caution-if you plan to use a bell calling card you may have to go outside WDW to use it-They have some sort of network there you have to connect through and it caused us grief. Also, if you use your room phone they will charge you .75 cents each time you try to get an outside line (whether or not you actually connect). We found it easier to arrange to call collect from a lobby phone or to buy a long distance calling card BEFORE you get to WDW (a convenience store or the airport). Seemed to be the lesser of all evils for us.

 

[briarberry]

Whoever thought calling home would be such a hassle! I was at our local Wal-Mart and they have those prepaid phone cards by the cash registers. I read the information and it "says" they work in the U.S. and Canada. Maybe I should grab one of those before I go? Has anyone actually used one of these cards in the states?

 

[GrannyEv]

I called Bell before I left for my trip last year. It was very expensive so I just purchased a phone card to use in an emergency. Even if you buy walkie talkies they sometimes don't work in the parks. Way too many people and electrical stuff going on.

hugs
GrannyEv

 

[mom_rules]

We've never been able to get a prepaid card bought in Canada to work properly in the US-we found it easier just to buy one there - worked fine if you used a phone outside of your room phone. If you use your room phone they still charge you .75 cents to get an outside line (even with a phone card)