Using a Canadian iPad in the USA - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Russic · 02-01-2011, 01:18 PM

I have a coworker traveling to the states next week and she'd like to take her iPad. If she wants to use 3G is it as easy as obtaining a SIM card from AT&T when she's down there? Rogers claims the device "might" be locked to them and them only.

She's not tech-savvy in any way, so I'm hoping the process can be as easy as that.

Envitro · 02-01-2011, 02:00 PM

As far as I know they can't lock the iPads, since Rogers nor Bell or Telus are offering them at their stores for any kind of discount.

Any GSM SIM will do

silentsim · 02-01-2011, 04:20 PM

Device is unlocked. Just grab an AT&T sim and it'll work.

Yeah_Baby · 02-01-2011, 07:38 PM

The Canadian iPad will stick out though. It's generally more polite than the American iPads.

DownInFlames · 02-01-2011, 07:40 PM

She'll be fine as long as she doesn't have any outstanding traffic tickets.

Jimmy Stang · 02-01-2011, 07:42 PM

That's how all cell-enabled mobile devices should be. I should be able to pop a foreign sim in my iPhone when I travel. Roaming voice and data rates are criminal, which is why I only use wifi when I'm away.

silentsim · 02-01-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

That's how all cell-enabled mobile devices should be. I should be able to pop a foreign sim in my iPhone when I travel. Roaming voice and data rates are criminal, which is why I only use wifi when I'm away.

You can if you get it unlocked or buy factory unlocked

Carrier's dont subsidize iPads, so they can't lock it.

Jimmy Stang · 02-02-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentsim

You can if you get it unlocked or buy factory unlocked

Carrier's dont subsidize iPads, so they can't lock it.

True. I am actually mulling it over for my upcoming trip to Europe. Unfortunately I'm still on the ancient 3G, so I'm not sure how well it would handle being jailbroken (necessary in order to unlock, I believe). Apparently Rogers will do it for you for $50 or something if you have paid the subsidized portion of the phone off. I resent giving Rogers $50 for the privilege of using my device overseas, but $50 isn't really that bad when you consider that even answering a call in Europe could run you $3-4 a minute.

Byrns · 02-02-2011, 11:57 AM

It's doable (getting the sim) but a PIA.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...3#post10029583

Russic · 02-02-2011, 02:51 PM

I think it might just be easier to get her to find wifi instead of getting a sim card. The fact it needs to be done with an american credit card could prove to be a headache. If it were me I wouldn't worry, but you have to imagine your mom in this scenario. Plus her main goal will be to skype with her daughter in amsterdam, so you wouldn't want to do that over 3g anyway.

Thanks for the replies!

Byrns · 02-02-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

I think it might just be easier to get her to find wifi instead of getting a sim card. The fact it needs to be done with an american credit card could prove to be a headache. If it were me I wouldn't worry, but you have to imagine your mom in this scenario. Plus her main goal will be to skype with her daughter in amsterdam, so you wouldn't want to do that over 3g anyway.

Thanks for the replies!

I used the free wifi at McDonalds when I was in Vegas in Dec.

Titan · 02-07-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrns

I used the free wifi at McDonalds when I was in Vegas in Dec.

I find this a little sad. You are in Vegas and you spend your time on your iPad in a McDonalds?

Roast Beef · 02-07-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan

I find this a little sad. You are in Vegas and you spend your time on your iPad in a McDonalds?

Vegas is all about gambling. What better way to gamble with your health and intestines than by going to McDonalds.

Russic · 02-07-2011, 03:38 PM

Perhaps he was just checking his email while trying to tame a hangover with grease.

HotHotHeat · 02-10-2011, 06:58 PM

I'm gonna be doing this next week when I go down. Should be interesting. It sucks you have to buy a fricken simcard... Is Verizon the same way?

silentsim · 02-10-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

I'm gonna be doing this next week when I go down. Should be interesting. It sucks you have to buy a fricken simcard... Is Verizon the same way?

Verizon doesn't support the iPad other then to use a mifi

Russic · 02-11-2011, 09:58 AM

Quick update: She tried to do it at an AT&T store, but she needed a credit card with an american billing address. She's now hunting WIFI.

bizrns · 02-12-2011, 01:44 PM

We were in an AT&T store in Palm Desert last weekend.. They gave my wife a free sim card (I'm just about sure it's b/c she's better looking than me). I don't have an american CC, I read online that you could pick-up a prepaid visa credit card from a store like target and it should work without hassle. I didn't follow through as I'm not going back down to the states for another week, but will try then...

gargamel · 02-12-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

Perhaps he was just checking his email while trying to tame a hangover with grease.

A valid excuse if there weren't an In-N-Out in Vegas.

Doctordestiny · 02-12-2011, 05:49 PM

I'll follow this thread as I intend to get an iPad as soon as the new version is out. Anyone know what that will be? Around spring time? I don't mind buying another SIM card if that works, or hunting for wi-fi.