USA cell phone service for Canadian traveling to USA

[MB]

As Canadian traveling to the state we will have a unlock cell phone with us.
We usely buy a AT&T prepaid card, never really shop around and never needed before to access the web.
Now with our smart phone we want good access to the web
Have some you shop around and have some suggestions of cell service.
Thank you

[bvansnell]

We have a Verizon cell phone for travel in the US and opted for a "pay-as-you-go" plan which costs $100 per year since we really only need the phone for emergencies. We have never had a problem with coverage. For calls from the US to Canada it is more economical than paying roaming charges on our Canadian cell phone.

[Vermilye]

Just a note - Verizon & AT&T use different transmitter/receivers in their phones; a phone built for AT&T will not work on Verizon towers & vise versa. If you are planning to use your Canadian smart phone in the US make sure you choose a compatible service. Also, check that the US service does not require a US credit card or address - many do.

[MB]

Thank you Jon, I guess I have some homework to do.

[bvansnell]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Just a note - Verizon & AT&T use different transmitter/receivers in their phones; a phone built for AT&T will not work on Verizon towers & vise versa. If you are planning to use your Canadian smart phone in the US make sure you choose a compatible service. Also, check that the US service does not require a US credit card or address - many do.

Jon is right. Even though I have a US$ credit card I was not able to use it for Verizon's online service because the address was a Canadian address. I had to go to a US Verizon store where they accepted it without problem. Not a very friendly attitude, considering that I have never had problems with my US$ credit card anywhere else in the US, online or retail!

[Janet H]

Here's a place to start: Choosing Between a Prepaid and Contract Cell Phone Plan - Techlicious

Consider going to walmart for a robust selection of prepaid deals

[DickanOllie]

Hi: On our six month trip to the USA last winter; Washington; Oregon, Calif, Arizona, etc , etc to Key West. We picked up a prepaid cell phone in Oregon for 39.95 including 100's of minutes of within US calling. But we also have SKYPE and used that, whenever we had wi-fi ,to call the kids in Canada. At 2cents a minute Skype is hard to beat. When we did have a emergency our cells batteries were flat. Live and learn. At 80 I am still learning the hard way. Regards Dick K.

[Greggo]

Walmart is a great resource for pre-paid cell and smart phones in the US. Ann has a Straight Talk smartphone using the Verizon network and I use a Virgin Mobile with the Sprint network. All is good (usually) but we went 10 days in central Utah with no service at all. Surprisingly, many locals told us they used Verizon phones and had good service in small towns and in rural areas while Ann's phone had none using the same network. Moral of the story: Verizon is best and we're switching before our next trip.

[DonM]

Roam Mobility. $19 SIM card to be used in an unlocked phone. London Drugs.
This service is targeted to Canadians travelling in the US. Unlimited US and calls and texts to Canada for $3 per day. Data is another $1. Pros- cheap and only for the days you buy. Cons - less than great coverage outside major areas.

I have been experimenting with both Roam and a $3/ day plan from T-mobile since April. Neither are as good as they should be. Both are way cheaper than the others, particularly using a Canadian major carrier.