Cellphone Based Data Providers Recommendation

[horton333]

Hi:

I'm a Canadian going to visit the south western U.S. early next year for like 6 weeks and want a cellphone based data plan.

An initial look turned up:

http://www.millenicom.com/
https://roammobility.com/

Roammobility looks ok, and I can go to a local store and get the SIM etc. setup as they are Canadian based so its easy. Millenicom seems to have significantly better plans and maybe coverage map, but my initial feel is they are geared for the U.S. (I sent a message to their support)

Comments from people who have used either, or other recommendations.
Note unless I really have to I don't want to get into trying to spoof a U.S. address and or credit card and I don't care about voice or texts.

John

[sole_seeker]

We've been using Roam Mobility for the past few years, probably since they started their service. I like it since their rates are in Canadian dollars making it more affordable. I used to just get their Talk/Text plans and use StraightTalk for data via a MiFi. But like Lenny K, I found we went through data way too fast and it was expensive at $10 US/GB. So last year I went with RM's Talk/Text/Data plan which gave me 4GB/month plus cell phone use for $50 Can. Having had T-mobile years ago, I was worried about data coverage but I found that TM has drastically improved! We had data almost everywhere we went. This year I went with RM again and got in on their 6GB/month plan. Even though we only down for 4.5 months, I paid for 6 months to get the extra data. Hopefully I can avoid having to go to StraightTalk again. There are negatives though with RM. Their customer service sucks. You cannot talk in person with anyone, only by online/email messages. And no matter what you say, your first response is only links to their FAQs. Further response takes a while if you ever do hear back from them. Another issue is you cannot buy more data if you run out. You have to buy a whole new plan.

[Lenny_K]

I'm going to try the Telus Canada/US plan this year for data, talk and text. Hopefully I won't be disappointed

[Lenny_K]

I used a Straight Talk hot spot a couple of years ago. Was not impressed. Slow, hard to get refill cards and it seemed like the data disappeared real fast.

[noteven]

horton333 wrote:
Do you know, for sure, that a Canadian can buy Verizon service, with no zip code and no U.S. based credit card. I've been told that is not (was not last year anyway) possible from two people who got refused when they tried to buy.

Yes we can at a Verizon company store. “My” store in Great Falls uses their address.

Go on the Verizon website to verify your devices are compatible.

[TANDDANDBIGE]

Straight Talk, Verizon towers and 10 gigs $40 month phone and data hotspot from your phone. Or they sell a hot spot only.

[almcc]

Yeti plus wrote:
I'll second the ATT pay as you go plan.
ATT was the only one with coverage in Alaska when we went there in 2016, and I just pay by the month when we need the phone/US data.
Only drawback is ATT recycles the pay as you go numbers after a few months of inactivity, so I end up with a new # every time we head to the USA. I just send a text to the kids so they can get in touch if necessary, and everyone else can't find me!
Brian

I talked to AT&T about losing the phone number, the tech said if you put $2.00 into the pay as you go (1 day of service, the phone number stays alive for a couple of months.

Regarding the US address, just put in the address of the RV park you are staying at and use your credit card to pay, worked for me.

A final comment or two, AT&T pairs with Rogers in Canada, I used the data and phone when on the road up north in Canada, worked well. The phone worked well all summer on Rogers.

Also, I would check with Verizon before going with them, you will need a SIM card that is compatible with your Canadian phone, Verizon still uses the old CDMA standard in some places, not compatible with our Canadian (and most of the worlds) phones

[horton333]

Do you know, for sure, that a Canadian can buy Verizon service, with no zip code and no U.S. based credit card. I've been told that is not (was not last year anyway) possible from two people who got refused when they tried to buy.

[pawatt]

Verizon has the best Coverage in most areas.

[coolmom42]

Verizon, pay as you go. Best coverage and equipment everywhere. You could go ahead and buy a hotspot and activate it on a prepaid plan at a Verizon store as soon as you get to the US.

[jplante4]

noteven wrote:
Take a look at Technomadia’s website

Just be aware that they are paid to do reviews.

Look at Verizon's FMCA plan. Unlimited for $50 a month. Throttled to 3 G speed above 25 gig.

They also have a Sprint plan that may work if Sprint has coverage where you'll be.

[horton333]

Thanks for the notes so far, I think I am taking Roammobilty off the list as their coverage map seemed poor and that is confirmed by real world users here.
another recommendation I just got was "Straight Talk" - sold at Walmart (sold in the U.S. to a Canadian but they didn't care about a U.S. Credit Card/ZIP code etc. like some other plans require). Allows access through any one of the major telecos in the U.S.. Comments from anyone who has used it.?

[TimnJo]

I used Roam, poor reception about half the time.
Also, be aware that they front load the data, i.e. if your plan gives you 6Gb/month for two months you have 12Gb available and can go through that the first month.

[Yeti_plus]

I'll second the ATT pay as you go plan.
ATT was the only one with coverage in Alaska when we went there in 2016, and I just pay by the month when we need the phone/US data.
Only drawback is ATT recycles the pay as you go numbers after a few months of inactivity, so I end up with a new # every time we head to the USA. I just send a text to the kids so they can get in touch if necessary, and everyone else can't find me!
Brian

[ktjensen]

be careful with any third party promises, as they are LOWEST PRIORITY at cell towers and when roaming. The only towers are ATT, VERIZON, SPRINT, TMOBILE. and thats it.

[almcc]

I tried Roam Mobility for a winter and dumped it (poor or no reception in quite a few areas). I've gone with AT&T pay as you go for the past few winters, both for a hot spot and a cell. I ditched the hot spot as the cell phone plan is $45/month for 6 gigs of data and phone service and unused data is carried forward for a month. You can get the SIM card at Wal Mart.There are other plans with higher data but I don't need more than 6 gigs.