Forum Discussion

horton333's avatar
horton333
Explorer
Oct 30, 2018

Cellphone Based Data Providers Recommendation

Hi:

I'm a Canadian going to visit the south western U.S. early next year for like 6 weeks and want a cellphone based data plan.

An initial look turned up:

http://www.millenicom.com/
https://roammobility.com/

Roammobility looks ok, and I can go to a local store and get the SIM etc. setup as they are Canadian based so its easy. Millenicom seems to have significantly better plans and maybe coverage map, but my initial feel is they are geared for the U.S. (I sent a message to their support)

Comments from people who have used either, or other recommendations.
Note unless I really have to I don't want to get into trying to spoof a U.S. address and or credit card and I don't care about voice or texts.

John
Snowbirds

30 Replies

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  • horton333's avatar
    horton333
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2018
    Do you know, for sure, that a Canadian can buy Verizon service, with no zip code and no U.S. based credit card. I've been told that is not (was not last year anyway) possible from two people who got refused when they tried to buy.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Oct 31, 2018
    Verizon, pay as you go. Best coverage and equipment everywhere. You could go ahead and buy a hotspot and activate it on a prepaid plan at a Verizon store as soon as you get to the US.
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Oct 31, 2018
    noteven wrote:
    Take a look at Technomadia’s website


    Just be aware that they are paid to do reviews.

    Look at Verizon's FMCA plan. Unlimited for $50 a month. Throttled to 3 G speed above 25 gig.

    They also have a Sprint plan that may work if Sprint has coverage where you'll be.
  • horton333's avatar
    horton333
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2018
    Thanks for the notes so far, I think I am taking Roammobilty off the list as their coverage map seemed poor and that is confirmed by real world users here.
    another recommendation I just got was "Straight Talk" - sold at Walmart (sold in the U.S. to a Canadian but they didn't care about a U.S. Credit Card/ZIP code etc. like some other plans require). Allows access through any one of the major telecos in the U.S.. Comments from anyone who has used it.?
  • TimnJo's avatar
    TimnJo
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2018
    I used Roam, poor reception about half the time.
    Also, be aware that they front load the data, i.e. if your plan gives you 6Gb/month for two months you have 12Gb available and can go through that the first month.
  • Yeti_plus's avatar
    Yeti_plus
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2018
    I'll second the ATT pay as you go plan.
    ATT was the only one with coverage in Alaska when we went there in 2016, and I just pay by the month when we need the phone/US data.
    Only drawback is ATT recycles the pay as you go numbers after a few months of inactivity, so I end up with a new # every time we head to the USA. I just send a text to the kids so they can get in touch if necessary, and everyone else can't find me!
    Brian
  • ktjensen's avatar
    ktjensen
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2018
    be careful with any third party promises, as they are LOWEST PRIORITY at cell towers and when roaming. The only towers are ATT, VERIZON, SPRINT, TMOBILE. and thats it.
  • almcc's avatar
    almcc
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2018
    I tried Roam Mobility for a winter and dumped it (poor or no reception in quite a few areas). I've gone with AT&T pay as you go for the past few winters, both for a hot spot and a cell. I ditched the hot spot as the cell phone plan is $45/month for 6 gigs of data and phone service and unused data is carried forward for a month. You can get the SIM card at Wal Mart.There are other plans with higher data but I don't need more than 6 gigs.

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