Cell service for Canadians in US

[KrowNB]

We're planning on spending 4 months over next winter south of the border. To have talk/text/data added to my Cdn phone (Koodo), I'm looking at $75 over my normal monthly fee. What do most Canadian Snowbirds do to maintain contact home while in the US. Add a roaming package? Buy a pay-as-you-go US phone?

[Freedom_polecat]

Did you even bother to read the links?

If you stay 31 days the form is required. Failure to comply may mean they can refuse you entry on your next trip.

It is true we don't require a visa for visits under 90 days. But if you stay 120 days an extension needs to be applied for.

The border folks on both sides have a great deal of power, and discretion. Some times you may run into a "tin pot God" on either side. I think there may be a lot more TPG on the USA side no




Maybe go back and visit the border services sites or even the Canadian snowbirds site before quoting or posting a random internet article. You are definitely incorrect. You will also note under the visa waiver program and enter the link in your link you provided, you will see Canada is not on the list

[pianotuna]

Did you even bother to read the links?

If you stay 31 days the form is required. Failure to comply may mean they can refuse you entry on your next trip.

It is true we don't require a visa for visits under 90 days. But if you stay 120 days an extension needs to be applied for.

The border folks on both sides have a great deal of power, and discretion. Some times you may run into a "tin pot God" on either side. I think there may be a lot more TPG on the USA side now.

Freedom polecat wrote:
Canadians don't need a visa to enter the US. You don't also have to fill out a closer connections form to enter and stay in the US. Most snowbirds do it as a precaution to avoid the hassle of the American IRS. But not necessary

[pianotuna]

Hi Lenny,

I don't see the ten gigs in USA option for $145. I do see it for $160.00

Lenny K wrote:
This year I think I'm going to try Telus. They offer 10gb data and unlimited calling and texting in Canada and in the USA for $145 a month.

[Freedom_polecat]

Canadians don't need a visa to enter the US. You don't also have to fill out a closer connections form to enter and stay in the US. Most snowbirds do it as a precaution to avoid the hassle of the American IRS. But not necessary

[pianotuna]

Hi,

The Telus plans are somewhat Province specific. In fact, it appears the link provided won't work for me as I'm in Saskatchewan but using T-Mobile for data.

I'm grandfathered in with Koodo, so I get 5 gigs of data for the same price that new subscribers in Saskatchewan who only get 2 gigs.

Here is a "generic" link to Telus:
http://www.telus.com/en/

Lenny K wrote:
I should mention that you are able to get smaller data plans from Telus and therefore less money.

http://www.telus.com/en/bc/mobility/plans/?&linktype=products_and_services&INTCMP=TcomHomeTile_MOB_Plans#byod

[Lenny_K]

I should mention that you are able to get smaller data plans from Telus and therefore less money.

http://www.telus.com/en/bc/mobility/plans/?&linktype=products_and_services&INTCMP=TcomHomeTile_MOB_Plans#byod

[Lenny_K]

This year I think I'm going to try Telus. They offer 10gb data and unlimited calling and texting in Canada and in the USA for $145 a month. The only drawback is that you have to lock into a 2 year plan. But it will be hassle free.

We've tried the Verizon hotspot data plan which works very good but has a 2 year contract which you can put on vacation for 6 months only when you're not down south. This turns your 2 year plan into a 4 year plan.

Last winter I tried Straighttalk. Was not impressed. Speeds very slow and during the month of January when all the RVers where in Quartzsite it just plain sucked. A waste of $50 for the hotspot.

[Cumminalong]

We use zoomerwireless.ca here in Canada and then get a plan for $40/mth for the US and then $5/mth for internet through Spectrum at the park.

[almcc]

We have an old Tracfone that we bought for under $5.00 and we keep it active over the year by buying a $99 card, it calls Canada but you have to go through an 800 number to do so.

We also have an AT&T go phone SIM card for our smart phone, the monthly pay as you go charges start at $20 and the $50 plan gets unlimited text and talk and 5GB of data. You can fill monthly using the cars bought at WM or by using your CC on their website. It's pay as you go, no contract.

Both the TracFone stuff and AT&T stuff can be bought at Wal-Mart once you cross the border.

You need an unlocked GSM phone for AT&T. Stay away from T-Mobile, their coverage sucks.

[horton333]

joebedford wrote:

We have two too - Russia is on the other border.

And France, and Denmark.....now back to the regularly scheduled informational session.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Tracfone - $100 each year add minutes and unused roll over. Not the best phone by any means but suits us for how little actual phone calls we generally make. In fact we are thinking that in the near future we might end up disposing of this altogether but have had it since 2009 and have racked up a lot of minutes with all the roll overs, so reluctant to lose them! LOL.

Bell Mobility - Travel add on for unlimited text $20/mth and small amount of talk, and sometimes will add a data add on for another $20/mth I think 200mb, but just enough for very odd time can't connect to wifi set up.

In preparation for going FT we purchased a Verizon MIFI pay as you go on sale Best Buy at less than half price US$21 last December. Haven't used it yet, but have read a lot of snowbirds when Millenicom saw it's demise, went this route, with Verizon whilst being one of the more expensive ones, has typically the most coverage.

Some Folks use T-Mobile with Binge on we've been reading, but their service coverage we've experienced when Bell has had us roam on them in Fla has been non-existent at times even in populated areas, so we are very skeptical. Roam Mobility is basically T-Mobile from Canada without the binge on, so I'd go direct T-Mobile if you were to consider that = just saying FWIW is our thoughts in that regards, but do your own assessment.

If you absolutely have to have coverage almost consistently, and there's never any guarantees with cellular style internet, many seem to carry a mixed arsenal of AT&T, Verizon and for unlimited when available T-Mobile is what we've been reading from many.

For the most up to date, I'd visit Technomadias Mobile Internet site as they seem to be on the latest pulse of best options for Data.

[pianotuna]

luckyd,

Try the Globe and Mail in a well researched article. And do try to be civil.

Here is a link to the closer connections form. If you read who must file you will note that if you stayed 31 days in 2016 you are required to file the form.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8840.pdf

For the visa information surf here:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/who-can-visit-the-us-under-the-visa-waiver-program-vwp.html

[luckyd]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I'm also with Koodo. I go for the unlimited voice and unlimited messages. The data is ridiculously expensive.

For data I signed up for a t-mobile account with a tablet. It works in Canada, too and gives me unlimited data.

Be aware that if you stay longer than 31 days you must fill in a "closer connections to Canada" form for the US revenue service.

Also be aware that the "automatic" visa is for only 90 days, so you must apply for an extension.

Where are you getting this ridiculous info from?????????

[owenssailor]

For us Tracfone for talk text and a bit of data. Smarttalk for a data hotspot.

[joebedford]

KrowNB wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
"We're planning on spending 4 months over next winter south of the border....down Mexico way?"

We only have one - forgot the Americans have two:D

I think he was being humourous - or perhaps humorless.

We have two too - Russia is on the other border.