Internet in Canada

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by docj

We did find the Fido folks to be helpful. Fido is a Rogers reseller.

Do you buy a phone & service through them or a sim card or what for Canada service? Thanks

[docj]

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

Do you buy a phone & service through them or a sim card or what for Canada service? Thanks

I have a Fido USB modem thanks to a friendly dealer.

[Rich and Cork]

You will find that in most campgrounds you can get internet in Canada, Yukon and Alaska. It may not be the fastest, but it is there. We did our trip two years ago, so I bet things have improved. You also get it in the normal places like McDonald's and other businesses. I had withdrawl a couple of times......but I survived. I love being able to be connected.

[Ray,IN]

I once found a Canadian cell phone plan/company that covers both the U.S. and Canada, can't find my link now.
There are adequate internet sites in Canada for keeping your banking, email, etc. current; many CG's provide internet service. I found that internet service was always at libraries I visited.

[Cypressloser]

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

Do you buy a phone & service through them or a sim card or what for Canada service? Thanks

It should work with your existing phone if it's unlocked and compatible with Rogers.

[Cypressloser]

It might be a good idea before making a commitment to have them show you a map of the coverage area. Small providers often cover only major centers and not rural or remote areas.

[1ciderdog]

Originally Posted by Cypressloser

It should work with your existing phone if it's unlocked and compatible with Rogers.

The verizon guys tell me with my existing service verizon calls are .89 a minute, text without attachments is not charged. I think I can pay $15 for a month of voice calls and more for text if you add attachments such as photos. But as mentioned above coverage gets limited as you travel away from populated area. It takes a good guess as to what is the biggest bang for the buck or what will make the "boss" happy.

[danleininger]

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

Do you buy a phone & service through them or a sim card or what for Canada service? Thanks

We were able to simply buy and replace the SIM card and our phones were NOT unlocked. You do have to use a compatible service provided (ie: AT&T). A Verizon compatible device won't work with a Telus SIM card. In our case we had an AT&T compatible iPad and simply exchanged the SIM card as we moved between Canada and Alaska. They are very easy to R&R.

But as I mentioned earlier, we could only purchase the SIM card through a Canadian friends Telus Account and reimbursed them for all expenses. This was much less expensive than any other option. We got 5gigs of data for something like $40/month. Less than we pay in the US.

[Pa Uon]

We were in that part of Canada and Alaska with our RV for 4 months last year. We never had much luck with cell service, our Verizon hotspot, wifi, campgrounds, or anything else in Canada for that matter. We won't be returning to Alaska until Canada becomes part of US : ) If you don't expect ANYTHING from our northern cousins, you will still be disappointed. Our only mementos from Canada were lots of repair bills. Alaska was great.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Pa Uon

We were in that part of Canada and Alaska with our RV for 4 months last year. We never had much luck with cell service, our Verizon hotspot, wifi, campgrounds, or anything else in Canada for that matter. We won't be returning to Alaska until Canada becomes part of US : ) If you don't expect ANYTHING from our northern cousins, you will still be disappointed. Our only mementos from Canada were lots of repair bills. Alaska was great.

IMHO there's no reason to inject Canada-bashing into this thread. My DW and I spent a wonderful month in AB last summer and are looking forward to a month in PEI and NS this year. Canada is a vast, beautiful country inhabited by friendly, welcoming people. No, things are not exactly the same there are they are in the US and that's part of the fun of going there.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by docj

IMHO there's no reason to inject Canada-bashing into this thread. My DW and I spent a wonderful month in AB last summer and are looking forward to a month in PEI and NS this year. Canada is a vast, beautiful country inhabited by friendly, welcoming people. No, things are not exactly the same there are they are in the US and that's part of the fun of going there.

X2

During our travels to Yuma we find many isolated areas where populations are thin as is cel phone coverage. Certainly makes sense from a business standpoint. Our phone charges would be astronomical if there was a tower every 50 or 60 miles so we could be connected continuously no matter where we traveled.

I do not find these gaps all that inconvenient - well maybe if I had a breakdown but touch wood so far. I was glad to put my cel phone down when I retired. I quit wearing a watch when the battery went dead. Love it.

BTW We travelled to PEI and NB years ago. One of my favorites was the Cabot Trail.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

X2

BTW We travelled to PEI and NB years ago. One of my favorites was the Cabot Trail.

We, too, did the Cabot Trail 10 years ago when we worked and so we were in "vacation mode". This time we'll be able to enjoy an extended visit. I'm hoping lobster prices remain as low as they were last year!

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by docj

We, too, did the Cabot Trail 10 years ago when we worked and so we were in "vacation mode". This time we'll be able to enjoy an extended visit. I'm hoping lobster prices remain as low as they were last year!

Have one for me, well maybe 2 or 3. Love Lobster!

[Pa Uon]

DocJ
Not Canada bashing; she asked, I answered--it was bad all the way around. I'll take a cruise next time I want to see Alaska. To each his own.