Internet for Canada and the USA

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

I recently heard that Bell has an internet stick that is good in Canada and the USA under the same plan with no additional charges for the USA usage. I checked their web site and they show nothing and still have the $3/MG usa roaming charge which can get very expensive.
Has anyone heard of a plan that works in Canada and the USA???
Thanks
Dave

[Joyal]

North American data plans (internet) are ridiculously expensive from either Canadian or American cellular companies. If you are travelling in the USA one of the best plans is VirginUSA Prepaid Cell Phone Service and Pay as You Go | Virgin Mobile pay as you go. The internet stick will cost about $80 and you can get unlimited data for $50.00/month. You can also purchase a mifi (mobile wifi ) for $149.00. It may be cheaper at Walmart were I've see the mifi for $129.00 and the data pkg. for $40.00.
Rogers has a Canada/ Us one rate plan that charges $45/mo for 500MB up to $190/mo for 5 GB. The rocket stick or mifi cost is $0 for a 2 or 3yr plan. Rogers does not offer a prepaid plan covering USA.

[pdq_bc]

Hi Dave

I hear you!
we have been doing lots of research

1. we were recently at a bell outlet in the oakridge mall...
with their MiFi, they have a north american data plan
think it was $45.00 per month

2. with our iphone, through rogers, we just switched over to the north american data plan to our service ($10.00 per month more)

regards, pdq

[JCM]

I bought an Verizon air card for 129.00 + taxes and pay $59.99 per month for 5 gigs.
I turn it off when I return to Canada. I also got "rid" of Telus's North American phone plan for $75.00 per month + 2-3.00 per text message that was sent to me by telus (8 of them) recommending that I by an North America plan. I went to Net 10 at Walmart and bought a phone -$14-$59.00 and signed up for 300 minutes per month for $15.00. I will let the minutes accumulate while I am back home and by next fall I should have over 2,000 to use.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Telus has an international roaming data plan and apparently rogers has a similar one. The Telus plan is very expensive with 1gb@$60, 2gb@85, 3gb@130 and 5gb@180. We were able to upgrade to this plan and then downgrade to our normal plan after, so it makes sense to use this for short trips to the usa. For the long haul it still seems cheaper to use a data plan from the USA as long as you do not have to use your Canadian credit card to pay on line.

[camperme2]

Hello, I recently purchased a Magicjack which is supposed to provide free long distance calls anywhere in North America. I haven't had a chance to use it just yet however I saw someone use one quite successfully for a number of calls. It connects to his computer and a regular telephone not a wireless and the calls are sent via the internet. Apparently it also works with wifi so if you find a hotspot or have internet at a campground you call have free long distance. If anyone has experience with this I would be glad to hear your views.
Thanks
Mark

[southwoods46]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obi-Wan Kenobi Telus has an international roaming data plan and apparently rogers has a similar one. The Telus plan is very expensive with 1gb@$60, 2gb@85, 3gb@130 and 5gb@180. We were able to upgrade to this plan and then downgrade to our normal plan after, so it makes sense to use this for short trips to the usa. For the long haul it still seems cheaper to use a data plan from the USA as long as you do not have to use your Canadian credit card to pay on line.

I use Net 10 for my phone and a Verizon mifi for internet while visiting in the US and pay for both with a low limit Canadian credit card online. With the exchange, it is cheaper and there are no extra roaming fees.

[mythplaced]

Skype....

FREE Skype to skype calls...video and voice

$26 a year for unlimited calls to any phone in US or Canada

ANywhere you have internet, you have Skype.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Hi Mark
I use Magic Jack. You can get a Canadian phone number which is nice. If you have good internet, it works great and I think much better than skype. You must have internet to use Magic Jack the same as Skype. You can also set up free voice mail with personalized message. You get an e-mail that has your message attached to the e-mail which is a great feature. I put my home cell phone on call forwarding to my Magic Jack # when I travel to the usa and receive my calls that way. With good internet, 100% of my calls are 100% clear, just like a landline. hope this helps.

[camperme2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mythplaced Skype.... FREE Skype to skype calls...video and voice $26 a year for unlimited calls to any phone in US or Canada ANywhere you have internet, you have Skype.

Hello, Mike. I use Skype now however many people still do not have that ability and so a phone call is necessary. Even some who have it only turn it on when asked. So, I want a system that is low cost (if there is such a thing). Have you any experience with satellite phones. I plan to spend the winter south away from the snow and then travel to Yukon and Alaska in 2012 and I think satellite phone might be answer for the latter portion of the trip. Any comments or suggestions for anyone would be welcome. Thanks
Mark

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

If you need the use of phone that is 100%, then the satellite phone is the way to go, but very expensive from my last research. Skype and Magic Jack are about the same price and both have unlimited calls to landlines in Canada and the USA. Skype can call another skype for free anywhere in the world which is a great plus. You can also get a message center for skype for free as far as I remember. I prefer magic jack strictly for the local phone number and I love the messages getting sent to me in an e-mail.
You would have fairly good service with a internet stick in USA and Canada which would give you pretty good coverage and much cheaper than a satellite phone then use either magic jack or skype or both.
Good luck in your search...

[camperme2]

Dave, thanks. I met the chap who introduced me to MagicJack by accident today. He has a Canadian and US phone #s for when he travels. Said he spent some time in Florida this winter and used MagicJack solely for telephone and had no issues and no cost. He also mentioned a br-in-law who was caught in Germany a few days before Christmas. He had Iphone and thought he would phone home to let his family know where he was stuck. He turned on his phone and it downloaded messages, emails and what have you. When he got home his bill was $2,800. Someone has been after me to get one and I have just said NO. I relayed this bit of info tonight and she went into shock. I'll stick to Magicjack. Instead of investing in a satellite phone I bought a Cobra CB with a Firestik antenna for travel in Newfoundland and Labrador this summer and Yukon, Alaska next summer. I'd like to have another means of communication just in case I have a flat, breakdown or health issue. I have Good Sam ERS but you need to contact someone if you breakdown in a remote area.
Does anyone have any information on Passport America Emergency Roadside Service? Comments would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Mark

[bgsc]

We are Using Virgin broadband MIFI 2375 cost in Canada $150.00 plus approx $65.00 month for 5G works on the 3G network and in Ontario works great (this is a different mifi than the one we use in the US) again no contract so when we go back to the US we activate our US mifi at $50.00 a month for unlimited. If there is no 3G service in an area then it will not work