data roaming for Canadians

cleo43 wrote:
Wait until December...new Canadian regulations coming into effect.

Saw something on TV suggesting that the new CRTC rules may not really help that much, but could actually make things even worse. (How much worse can they be for us poor folks who pay the highest cell phone charges on the planet?)

The CRTC is apparently focusing on eliminating 3-year contracts and maximizing them at 2 years. This could mean that the "free phones" you get with a 3-year contract won't be "free" anymore. I don't think that the CRTC is considering the exorbitant roaming fees and other very important issues.

I used the Roam MIFI which does Data/Text this last 3 week trip to the US and was very impressed with the Roam Mobility service.
The coverage was excellent and the speed varied from reasonable in rural areas to very fast 4G in more major areas.
Cost while more expensive than Verizon it was dirt cheap and convenient compared to using more traditional Canadian sources.
Performance was so much better than trying to deal with free campground WIFI that is usually spotty at best.
We had a Ipad, Smart phone and laptop connected at times to the MIFI hotspot. Until I retire in a couple years and figure out a way to get a Verizon plan without a US address this is the next best option I have found.

I don't believe PagePlusCellular supports dedicated hotspot devices anyway. Can only access mobile data through a smartphone, but should be able to use a hotspot app.

pianotuna wrote:
Does that mean the data "cash grab" for roaming by the Canadian companies will cease?

No, it just means they have to tell you that you've reached the limit you've paid for and ask for your credit card number if you want more service.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi cleo,

Does that mean the data "cash grab" for roaming by the Canadian companies will cease?

Maybe they will find other ways, but life won't be easy for them any more. Europe already put a clamp on these greedy companies.

Hi 1492,

The last time I was in USA for an extended time frame in my RV I did an outright purchase of a Verizon data stick. Total cost for one months access was around $400.00. That was in Feb 2011. I'm glad to hear of Page Plus Cellular and the like. I'm reluctant to invest in another data device, too.

Mellenicom remains the best bang for the buck for long term travel--but I'm often over the border for 2 or 3 days. In those cases if I used my Canadian "stick" the cost would be $3.00 per meg of data. *ouch*

The cell phone folks in both our countries charge extortionist rates for ordinary service--but when roaming the rates go up several thousand percent.

Just out of curiosity, but have you tried using refill cards bought through a dealer or retailer? PagePlusCellular has a no-contract plan that uses the Verizon network for $69.99 month, which includes unlimited calls/text and 5G of mobile data. Refill cards can be purchased through dealers. You can use most any Verizon smartphone. Even buy a refurbished Motorola Droid 2 or a Droid X for $49.99, or a Droid X2 for $69.99 on Ebay.

On months you don't need it but want to maintain the phone no, then just switch to PAYGO for as little as $3. per month to maintain the account. Switch back to a data plan when you're traveling stateside.

Hi cleo,

Does that mean the data "cash grab" for roaming by the Canadian companies will cease?

cleo43 wrote:
Wait until December...new Canadian regulations coming into effect.

Wait until December...new Canadian regulations coming into effect.

My wife and I, each have Prepaid Verizon phones with unlimited plans. We can call anywhere in the US and text home to Canada. (No talking) This has worked well for us.