Cel service heading north

[garyhaupt]

Folks...once you get north of Prince George or east of Vanderhoof you will not have much in the way cel service. Most cities you pass thru will have. Boosters would help if you wanted to get to a Source and pick one up, but really? don't fret it...if you need help, people will stop and assist.

And there's the thing, eh...if YOU see someone in need...stop and offer. You may not have cel right where you are..but you will be going where there is.


Gary Haupt

[pianotuna]

Hi Smitty,

I just checked my sasktel vs my brother's bell canada account. Sasktel was 11.07 down and 4.07 up. Bell did 10.03 down and 3.67 up.

[Smitty77]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Smitty,

Bell and Telus have a reciprocal agreement. I.E. all Telus devices will work on the Bell network and visa versa.

How much was the Telus no contract sim?

The way it was explained to me, after I had picked up the SIM for the Droid, that Bell shares Telus tower, but Bell uses a different 'backhaul' to the Internet, that is supposed to yield a bit more speed. (All second hand info, so who knows:)!)

For the SIM, setup, activation, US Un-limited Calls, and 10GB of Data - the bill for May was about $185. (Less data, and or no US Unlimited calls, drops the price down, but I don't recall how much.)

MIL had a very rough medical year, and ongoing wedding plans for our daughter upon our return - and Smitty was just about painted into getting coverage:)! (Small price to add onto the overall costs of the trip.)

But I admit, after striking out with Verizon to add Canada without losing my grandfathered Unlimited Data - I did not really shop around too much. I got this thru a Silver Auto Store, just over the border in Cardston. Telus is all that they offered. In a larger city, with more options, may have chosen something else. I will say that the Silver Auto Store and Telus support - had to become creative to establish this account for us - as we have no resident address in Canada. So sure not knocking Silver Auto, they were very nice - and I was impressed with how tech savvy the gent was that set this all up.

Best,
Smitty

[pianotuna]

Hi Smitty,

Bell and Telus have a reciprocal agreement. I.E. all Telus devices will work on the Bell network and visa versa.

How much was the Telus no contract sim?

[Smitty77]

We just spent 7 days without cell coverage. We hunkered down over the Victoria Long Weekend at Strawberry Flats along Muncho Lake, moving to Liard Hot Springs on Monday after the Fort Nelson and Watson crowds had left to go home. We drove into Toad River or Great North Lodge along Muncho to get WiFi.

Zero coverage after you leave the range of the towers in Fort Nelson, until we rolled into Watson Lake. Most people who are passing thru, do this in one to three days, depending upon their need for speed.

We did pick a no contract sim card for my Droid phone. Added US phone calls, and 10GB of data use too. Worked well thru Alberta, and as expected so far spotty along upper BC and now Yukon. Though Telus towers are what are used in this region, and cell coverage is about the same between Telus and Bell. I was told that Bell uses a different backhaul to the internet from the towers, getting a bit more speed. (Can't prove that either way, but was what I heard from the chatter between people along the way.) So I'd probably have gone with Bell if I had hit them before the Telus... (Spotty research on my part, and voice cell was the objective to check in on our MIL as we travel thru this region.)

Will soon be back in USA Verizon Alasaka area, and will put my sim back into the droid. Until we head back South for the last half of July and into August to pick up Banf, Jasper and Glacier on the way South - we'll see how Telus does along that part of the trip.

And plus two on stopping if you feel safe to do so to see if you can help others in need. Many stretches with no phone and or CB range coverage.

Best to all,
Smitty

[Kidoo]

I took my Ham radio two years ago, I opened the radio and scanned many times, it was silent, never heard anyone either in Yukon or Alaska, but I did saw a few Ham antenas on roofs and in backyards.

I do not have a Cell Phone and don't need it. There are enough people on the road and in these areas, you will have no problem stopping someone for help. I find that the less people, the more they socialize and help each other. When we go up to the cottage up in the woods in my area, if you are stop on the side of the road, the first pickup that goes by stops and ask you if you are OK, this is the way it works up North.

I use internet with a Hotspot for phone purpose when it is available.

Have a wonderfull trip and don't worry.

[gmctoyman]

I found the linked ham repeater coverage pretty good across the Yukon
Clicky

One thing I did not find was very many travelers monitoring .52.

[garyhaupt]

Hi Don. One answer is a satellite phone but huge bux for the rental and usage fees will kill most folks if it's just about having a phone. Fact is...up north, cel service is still poor. It is improving but the small numbers of users don't really justify the expense of putting in the relays.

Yes, a ham radio might do it, but I doubt very much of the repeater coverage is worth the cost of getting the set-up. I use a VHF and if off in the weeds, probably I could get a call out for help, but I couldn't stake my life on it. I have to be prepared to look after myself if I am off the grid.


Gary Haupt

[pianotuna]

Hi Gary,

I hate the thought of not having cell service. I'd certainly consider a radio if I were going to be out of the range of the telephone.