Cell service for Canadians in US

KrowNB wrote:

almcc wrote:
...we also use the AT&T go phone plans (for a smart phone (bought an AT&T go phone SIM) and also for an AT&T hot spot), both are pay as you go.

When you initially sign up for the service you can use any zip code to get a number in the area where you mostly stay, but it's not important to do so.

I reactivate the plans from Canada via CC each fall before we cross the border into the US the equipment is usable once we cross

Forgive me if I sound stupid about all this - I am!

Do you use the same phone you use in Canada and just switch the SIM? If not did you purchase a separate phone for the US service?

Does it have to be an AT&T phone or can you use any smart phone - purchased in Canada or the US?

Did you purchase the service/phone at an AT&T dealer/storefront in the US or do it all online?

When you cancel/suspend the goPhone service and then pick it up again the next season, do you retain the same no?

Do you suspend your Cdn cell service when you head stateside? If so do you get your same number back when you return?

Again, sorry about all the dumb questions. I have a cell but have no idea how these networks function.

Keith

Keith, let me try to answer these questions, I'm not an expert so others may want to correct any of my mistakes!

I use my Canadian smart phone which I bought unlocked, I use a plan from Sears Connect (which is actually Rogers in disguise), slightly cheaper than Rogers plans. I take out the SIM card once I go into the US and put in the AT&T SIM. I'm toying with the idea of getting a new phone that has 2 SIM slots, that way I could switch back and forward from my Canadian and US number (at a steep cost using the Canadian!) if I had to. I bought the SIM at Wal-Mart, where you can buy fill cards with various $ amounts, you can also buy phones there. Unlocked smart phones are available at Amazon.ca or Staples here as well. I would't try on-line but you could try an AT&T store, make sure you ask for a go phone or they will talk you into a contract!

AT&T uses GSM , a world standard, as do Rogers, Bell and most of the other Canadians, others in the US also use it but my understanding is that Verizon uses the older standard so our phones are generally not compatible with Verizon. I noticed that some of the other pay as you go services offer SIMs for both services as they use multiple carriers to piggy back on. Check your Canadian phone by talking to your service, I'm betting it's GSM but some of the smaller companies use the other standard.

Regarding suspending the service, with AT&T you just stop paying monthly and start again next season. I've had my hot spot for 2 winter seasons and it can remain inactive for a year before you lose the number. I got my phone SIM this past winter so I can't say if will reactivate next fall (Can't find that info in the fine print!) but I suspect it will as looks like the same set up. Worst case is that I buy a new SIM ($9.95) and start again.

I haven't tried to suspend my Canadian cell service, something you may want to ask about.

Did I miss anything?