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Penderguy's avatar
Penderguy
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017

Mobile internet service for Canadians in Mexico

Does anyone out there have advice for Canadians traveling in Mexico with regards to internet service. Usually, if WiFi access is poor we can use our data roaming package to get service. However, are there any reasonably priced solutions when both WiFi and 3G/LTE are weak? US citizens seem to have satellite provider access, but I can't find a provider who will sell service to Canadians.
  • When we looked into Roam mobility we felt it was just a reseller of T-Mobile, and we were better off if deciding to go that route, particularly from a binge on perspective was our consideration to go with T-Mobile direct, which we've personally found doesn't have anywhere near as good coverage during travels as Verizon. Bell Mobility put us on T-Mobile for our travel add on roaming package in Florida last year for the first time instead of usually been Verizon, it was a nightmare with hardly ever getting any coverage even in major populated areas on the gulf coast side.

    For Mexico we would go with a pay as you go Mexican carrier down there FWIW. TravelswithKevinandRuth (Canadian full timers), go down there a lot and that's what I believe they do always.

    For the USA, with Bell now deciding to use T-Mobile for the travel add on, we bought a MIFI (on sale at $21) with a pay as you go with Verizon which works really well for the most part many other Canadian snowbirds have told us. Not the cheapest but it's reflective in a much better coverage area than most others.
  • The best way is to use a Mexican carrier such as Telcel which seem to be the best. You can get a 4G sim card with pay as you go plans. There are several options/prices depending on how much data you use. If your in an area that has 4G service it is excellent. The plans also can include unlimited cell calling to USA and Canada. Most expensive on is $500pesos for 4000mg (50days). Lower plan is $100P for 500mb (23days). Put the sim car into a smart phone and your away. Be sure to pay before number of days is up or it expires. Once you no longer need plan, just do not pay....It also works for data in USA and Canada but I have not checked out there yet. Stop in any telcel store and they can get this for you. Hope this helps.
  • You can check out Roam Mobility (a CDN vancouver based company) that provides USA and Mexico cell coverage. May not be cost effective but is usually cheaper than Bell/Rogers/Telus packages. You have to make sure service they provide is available in the area you are traveling.