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FW_Michele's avatar
FW_Michele
Explorer
May 30, 2013

Connectivity in USA for Canadians

We have our first trip planned - we're going to take 2 weeks to get to Memphis and Nashville and back, in early July. I have two questions:

1) Data / Phone rates. Any Canuck knows that the second you cross the border, the roaming charges are horrendous. I have a Samsung Android phone, and an iPad that does NOT have 3G service, only wireless. I have used the phone as a hotspot, but I'm reluctant to do that while travelling. I anticipate being able to connect to wireless service at most rest stops and some campgrounds, but I also know that I'll want to be looking stuff up while travelling. I also would like to be able to keep my phone on all the time, in case of any emergencies at home - I have a 91 year old dad, and I would not like to find out when making camp that we should have turned around 4 hours earlier. Any suggestions?

2) Television. We are customers of Bell Satellite at home. Does anyone know of a way to extend this service to travel with us? I don't want to have to call Bell unless someone can tell me definitively that it's possible. Otherwise - what are the options for satellite TV if any? NOTE: We do not have a satellite dish on our rig, I'm just exploring options right now. Unless it can be done relatively cheap, DH will have to live with the antenna and cable where it's available.

The bigger question is definitely how to stay connected while on the road.
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    May 31, 2013
    If you do the prepaid phone route, you can probably forward the calls on your regular cell phone to the prepaid phone so you don't have to give everybody a new number.
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    May 31, 2013
    If it makes you feel any better it's the same for us if we go into Canada. We did an Alaska Cruise out of the Seattle a couple of years ago and the cruise line made sure everybody knew to turn their cell phones off when we got into Canadian waters. Apparently even having them on starts to ring up daily roaming fees.

    I'm with Verizon down here and although I've never done it, I know there is way for me to contact Verizon and sign up for foreign service for limited periods of time. For example if you're going to Europe for two weeks you can get European coverage, but I have no idea how much it costs.
  • rvjames's avatar
    rvjames
    Explorer
    May 31, 2013
    I think the way to go is prepaid, since your only going to be here for a short period. Wal-mart probably has everything you need.

    They have pre-paid phones and pre-paid internet hotspots.

    Bell Canada runs on HSDPA 850/1900 and HSPA+ 850/1900 which is the same technology that AT&T, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and almost every other phone provider use except Verizon and Sprint. So getting your hands on a PRE-paid SIM card from any that work on the same frequency should work find for you. Just swap out the cards when you cross the border. Walmart carries probably a dozen different pre-paid options for cell phones.

    As for data, Walmart has the internet to go which is the best deal according to the article below. The device is $80 and then you buy the amount of data you expect to use, which in your case should be relatively cheap. The data never expires so you can use it on your next trip if you want.

    Article that says Walmart is the way to go for internet:
    www.doityourselfrv.com/guide-mobile-wifi-rv-internet/
  • Beverley_Ken's avatar
    Beverley_Ken
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    Re: The phone. We are with Rogers and when we go south we get a $40 package which gets you about 40 minutes of US talk time, includes all charges long distance/airtime/roaming. This is used for emergencies, Mom is 85. However for most calls, we have a Tracfone from Walmart. various packages available. US data packages from Rogers are ridiculously expensive, I think it was $50 for 100 MB. Yes MB not GB.
    Free WiFi can be somewhat questionable for speed, especially some campgrounds, McDonalds and others are generally good for the basics. This suits are purposes for about a month. If you need more, check into the Walmart pay as you go packages.

    Satellite, some one will chime in for sure, but from what I have read here, Bell's footprint, reception does not extend south of the border. For 2 weeks, just go with over the air, or campground cable, which is more readily available in the US campgrounds.

    Beverley and Ken
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    I agree with getting a Tracfone. Very inexpensive and there is a toll free number to call Canada. You can get a phone at Walmart or Walgreens or anyplace like that and then just buy aircard minutes. Really good. We use ours in Florida for the six weeks we are there.

    Bell Expressvu changed their signal pattern and now not available below border states.
  • dieharder's avatar
    dieharder
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    We use a Tracfone in the US. Very inexpensive.

    As far as I know, you can't get Bell satellite too far south of the Canadian border anymore. Used to be able to all the way down to Florida and Mexico (I believe), but that changed not all that long ago.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2013
    If your phone has a sim card, first stop should be walmart south of the border. Buy a prepaid everything plan and install the sim card. Your good to go. As for satellite coverage? You need to check your sat providers coverage map. If you plan a lot of trips south one of the dish network pay as you go plans might work for you. Buy the equipment and only activate it the months your south of the border.

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