Alcan Hwy Alaska Cell service?

ORbiker wrote:
I don't know if it's still an extra charge in Canada, but years ago the charge was outrageous.

It depends on your plan. I have a Verizon plan that includes Canada and Mexico at no additional charge but plans vary widely.

so hate to ask but what is CONUS.. ??

OK so I guess continental US.. how about just saying lower 48..then everyone will know just sayin.. got out of military and decided not to do acronyms.

If you have Verizon, go to a Verizon store before you leave CONUS and tell them you want coverage for Canada. When you get to Alaska, you can do the same and tell them to cancel coverage. You will only be charged a few dollars for the time you were in Canada and for any phone calls you made. Much cheaper than just making a call from Canada and paying their sky high rates. Also remember that if you make a call from the US while very near the Canadian border, you may end up on a Canadian tower and get charged for a Canadian call even though you never out of the US.

I don't know if it's still an extra charge in Canada, but years ago the charge was outrageous.

Anyone expecting normal cell service along highways in Alaska is going to be sorely disappointed. Along some of the highly traveled tourist routes, it is improving, but there are many times where there will be close to 100 miles without ANY service. In Canada in the northern reaches of Yukon and BC service will be available in and around the major towns and cities, but once outside these, there will be nothing. We've been north 7 times since 2006 and have seen service improving steadily, but it is nothing like southern Canada or the CONUS. Up until 3 years ago Verizon did not have ANY Verizon stores in Alaska, anywhere.

We did not have our cell phones on in Canada and checked email using free wifi at campgrounds. The farther north one travels in the Yukon, the fewer services you will find. Electricity in campgrounds will be provided by generator and there is no cell service including 911. You will see signs along the roadside explaining this. We had great Verizon service in Alaska.

johnwalkerpa1 wrote:

wcjeep wrote:
What works best along the Alcan Highway? Verizon? AT&T? T-Mobile?

A friend is going up there for a Willy's Jeep event.

On our 2015 trip... But, I can tell you that you shouldn't depend on having service in many places.

That is true. Cell phone service is limited in a lot of areas no different than in the southwest USA. In Alaska, main highways, big cities, and popular tourist attractions have good cell phone service with both Verizon and AT&T.

LeRoy

wcjeep wrote:
What works best along the Alcan Highway? Verizon? AT&T? T-Mobile?

A friend is going up there for a Willy's Jeep event.

On our 2015 trip, we had both Verizon and ATT phones. They both worked around some of the towns but there are long stretches where nothing has service.

We didn't really use them much so I can't tell you exactly where each one worked best. But, I can tell you that you shouldn't depend on having service in many places.

We use an Iridium Sat Phone.

Ken