US Data Roaming - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

ken0042 · 07-31-2017, 10:03 AM

I know there are tidbits in some of the other threads, and the last thread on this topic is over 2 years old. We are going to the States in August, and are looking at our roaming options. I do have a spare cell phone to use, so my plan was to use that phone as a mobile hotspot, as there will be 3 of us using the data.

All 3 of us are on Koodo, on various Manitoba/ Quebec plans so I don't really want to call in to start asking questions and have somebody look at our accounts. Here are the options as I see them:

Koodo- we can just pay as we go for data, $5 for 20 MB. We can also add on plans that have give 250 MB for $40. Includes voice minutes and texting; which we don't need.

Roam Mobility- they have a great plan for $5 per day that essentially includes 500 MB per day. We will be there for 4 days so this seems like a slam dunk; until I looked at their coverage map. Pretty much no coverage on the highways through Montana; and even no coverage in Great Falls.

T Mobile- they have a Tourist plan that for $30 US gives 21 days of talk, text, and 2 GB of data. The only problem is that you have to pick up a SIM at a store. They have a shipping option, but will not ship outside the US.

I'm leaning towards T Mobile, but just wanted to hear of any other options, or experiences with Roam Mobility's coverage through Montana.

DoubleK · 07-31-2017, 10:19 AM

T Mobile has decent coverage in Montana, I use them on my Freedom US plan. Where are you planning on crossing into the US? Maybe find a post office that will hold the sim card until you cross?

ken0042 · 07-31-2017, 10:22 AM

Yeah, I was just on Freedom Mobile's site and saw that as an option. I could get the $30 plan, add on the $15 US roaming plan and for $45 be set.

We will be heading south from Lethbridge, onto Great Falls and then stopping in Butte for the evening.

EldrickOnIce · 07-31-2017, 05:58 PM

Are you certain these plans allow mobile Hotspots? Having just moved to the states, I'm surprised at how particular they are with those type of plans

calgaryblood · 08-01-2017, 12:03 AM

$5 for 20mb? What a rip off.

Guess it's better than the $15 a mb Rogers charges for some places over seas but how do they get to a number like that?

Out of curiosity what do you pay a month and how many gb do you get?

EldrickOnIce · 08-01-2017, 09:05 AM

I wonder if you can just prepay for 1 month with normal t mobile service? I think they are waiving activation right now, so for $70 you could get unlimited data and 10GB Hotspot, I think.

ken0042 · 08-01-2017, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

$5 for 20mb? What a rip off.

Guess it's better than the $15 a mb Rogers charges for some places over seas but how do they get to a number like that?

Out of curiosity what do you pay a month and how many gb do you get?

Rip off- depends. I used that in May when I went down for a day trip. $5 to be able to use my messaging and my beer app (for shopping) was worth it. In the past when I was on Bell they charged $6 per MB, or you could buy ~200 for $20.

Currently with Koodo I'm paying $44 per month for 6 GB of data. Supposed to be $54, but they have applied a BYOD credit to my account.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I wonder if you can just prepay for 1 month with normal t mobile service? I think they are waiving activation right now, so for $70 you could get unlimited data and 10GB Hotspot, I think.

We will be in the States for 4 days. So $30 for 2 GB will be more than enough; unless people in the car want to watch Netflix.

jeffporfirio · 08-01-2017, 11:43 AM

We're heading to US next and was also planning on buying the T-Mobile sim at the airport.
Does anyone know if the sim card (after the 30 days) can be reactivated on future trips?

ken0042 · 08-01-2017, 11:48 AM

The tourist SIM (21 days) doesn't sound like it can be re-activated for your next trip.

You can't refill it, migrate to another plan, or request a rate plan change.

Jimmy Stang · 08-01-2017, 03:06 PM

Perhaps an obvious question: is your spare phone unlocked? If not, the $30-50 unlock fee will change the economics of it for you. I believe that unlocking fees are coming to an end soon, but not in time for your trip.

I have had good luck with Roam Mobility, but that has been in places with good coverage. Montana is a bit of a dead zone, unfortunately, as you've already researched.

ken0042 · 08-01-2017, 05:56 PM

Fair question- yes the phone is unlocked.

The more I think about it, I'm thinking of just getting the Koodo add on. That way at least one phone operates just like it would in Canada. All of these options are $25 to $45 CDN. Taking the Roam option out as the coverage just isn't there, now the remaining choices are all $38-45.

One other thing to note- in my research I came across this device:
https://www.tepwireless.com/

What's cool is you can use it in many different countries. It looks like buying it outright is more economical than renting as long as you plan on using it more than once.

flamesrule_kipper34 · 08-01-2017, 09:18 PM

I have a question re: roaming.

I just got forked with a $1,300 US roaming charge (happened on one day, and I honestly can't pinpoint why/how it happened).

I'm on a Rogers Business plan...http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/mobile/limit.htm is this valid or am I SOL?

calgaryblood · 08-02-2017, 01:08 AM

Doesn't Rogers have a $5 Rome like home feature for the U.S?

flamesrule_kipper34 · 08-02-2017, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Doesn't Rogers have a $5 Rome like home feature for the U.S?

Unfortunately that's not available for business plans, or if it is not for the plan that our company is a part of.

cam_wmh · 08-02-2017, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

I have a question re: roaming.

I just got forked with a $1,300 US roaming charge (happened on one day, and I honestly can't pinpoint why/how it happened).

I'm on a Rogers Business plan...http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/mobile/limit.htm is this valid or am I SOL?

How much data was consumed?

ken0042 · 08-02-2017, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

is this valid or am I SOL?

Yes, the CRTC Wireless Code was brought in for this very reason. They are not allowed to let you go over that amount without notifying you, and you agreeing to the overage.

calumniate · 08-02-2017, 10:38 AM

I just bought the $15 freedom roaming plan, which is text and calling and 1gb data for a month. Should tie me over on my 10 day stay in the states

cam_wmh · 08-02-2017, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Yes, the CRTC Wireless Code was brought in for this very reason. They are not allowed to let you go over that amount without notifying you, and you agreeing to the overage.

CRTC Wireless Code for Consumers
Not business/corporate.

For example, b/c exempt from the mandatory 2 year amortization cycle.

TheScorpion · 08-02-2017, 11:58 AM

I'm with Freedom, it's a good carrier with a solid network... I'd recommend them.

ken0042 · 08-02-2017, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

CRTC Wireless Code for Consumers
Not business/corporate.

For example, b/c exempt from the mandatory 2 year amortization cycle.

Are you sure? When this came in our business plans were all changed to 2 years, and I would think they would have to specifically exclude b/c in the language. Most of the terms use the word "customer" and not consumer.

Scorpion, seeing as you are recommending the most expensive carrier and the one that would involve the most work to setup and then cancel, can you give more details about why you recommend them?