• Tuesday, May 29, 2012
May 29, 2012, 06:43:34 AM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with your Chronicle username and password
News: Talk about how to cope with chronic illness, disability, and other health issues in the academic workplace.
 
Pages: [1]
  Print  
Author Topic: cell phones without border(s) -- Canada/USA  (Read 12235 times)
malcha
Creepy Lit Critter, Undead Language Lover,
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 7,474

posting live from her FCFU


« on: June 28, 2008, 03:12:02 PM »

I spend a fair amount of time in Canada, but my ongoing employment is in the States.  Anyone know of a cell phone plan that would work both sides of the border without high roaming fees, and that would let me make calls from one side of the border to the other at reasonable rates?

Thanks!
Logged

verbena
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 3,168


« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2008, 03:22:49 PM »

Hiya Malcha!

I despise Verizon and am loathe to recommend it, but the fact is if you are on one of their all-inclusive plans without roaming charges then you can include Canada for something like $10 more. I think it's called a North America plan.
Logged

"My kind of paper, into lots of fiber."
fiona
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 11,521


« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2008, 05:32:13 PM »

Aren't Malcha and Verbena the same person?

If so, I wonder why they are calling each other across borders.

The Fiona, puzzled
Logged

The Fiona or perhaps La Fiona
Professor of Thread Killing, Fiork University

The Right Reverend Fiona, PhD, Bishop of the Fora
verbena
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 3,168


« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2008, 05:39:47 PM »

Heh.

Don't you ever write notes to yourself?

Verbena, puzzling
Logged

"My kind of paper, into lots of fiber."
malcha
Creepy Lit Critter, Undead Language Lover,
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 7,474

posting live from her FCFU


« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2008, 05:55:24 PM »

My other self is a wise woman.  I am now on the Verizon plan that includes Canada (yes, as a Verizon subscriber I should maybe have been able to figure that without a fora consultation, but I hate Verizon's website).  And I think I might get myself a cool new phone while I am at it.

Everyone I know who has had Verizon landlines has hated them, but I've actually had good experiences with their cell service -- works in my parents' remote country place and in Kalamazoo.
Logged

fiona
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 11,521


« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2008, 07:24:43 PM »

What kind of phone is best for Siamese conjoined twins, one in Canada and one in the U. S.?

I figure you two/one might know.

The Fiona, who has had Cingular (now AT & T) forever, and it works in Canada and Mexico but it is not marvelous
Logged

The Fiona or perhaps La Fiona
Professor of Thread Killing, Fiork University

The Right Reverend Fiona, PhD, Bishop of the Fora
kissa_mau
Frequently Napping
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 1,212

Purrrvocative Posing


« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2008, 08:05:08 PM »

This is such a timely thread for me: I was just looking for something last week.

I have t-mobile, which I love, but it would be crap (super expensive) for much use in Canada.
Logged

Cat! I'm a kitty cat. And I dance, dance, dance and I dance, dance, dance.
mytiaraisaskew
Yippee! I'm a
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 1,480


« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2008, 11:05:00 AM »

I have T Mobile as well.  When I went to Canada, they gave me a series of codes to punch into my phone to make sure that when I was on the US side that it would only use US towers.  There's probably the same thing for the Canada side, but when I was there, I didn't use it all that much...the code thing was a hassle, but I was so close to the border when in the US that it was worth it to make sure the signal didn't bounce across and incur gargantuan roaming fees.
Logged

Fear my Righteous Scepter of Wrath!  (with thanks to prof. viola)
verbena
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 3,168


« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2008, 11:17:19 AM »

What kind of phone is best for Siamese conjoined twins, one in Canada and one in the U. S.?

I figure you two/one might know.

The Fiona, who has had Cingular (now AT & T) forever, and it works in Canada and Mexico but it is not marvelous

Um ... Doubular?
Logged

"My kind of paper, into lots of fiber."
dr_prephd
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 4,408


« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2008, 10:21:31 PM »

I have an Alltel plan where you can pick your regions (up to five, I think). Because I've got family in Canada, I chose it as one of my regions. That means when I call from the states to Canada, it's included in my regular minutes. Also, when I visit Canada & call my "home" region, it's like regular minutes. I signed up for this plan about 5 years ago, so I've got no idea if it's still an option, but if you've got Alltel near you, it's worth looking into.
Logged

Prephd, in all that black, you are like the anti-pink-me.

Freewill is a beeyaaatch
cleveland_bound
New member
*
Posts: 14


« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2008, 03:06:07 PM »

I'm so glad I found this thread! My apologies if I am hijacking.

I'm moving from Canada to the US very shortly. Seems like Alltel would be my best bet. However, I can't find an Alltel anywhere close to where I'll be living and I want to have the phone from Day 1. Does anyone have any advice on setting up the service and purchasing the phone online or in Canada to have service ready for my arrival in the US?

Many thanks!

CB
Logged
dr_prephd
Distinguished Senior Member
*****
Posts: 4,408


« Reply #11 on: July 14, 2008, 07:14:06 PM »

http://www.alltel.com/wps/portal/AlltelPublic/
Here's a link where you can enter your zip code to find out plans in your area.
« Last Edit: July 14, 2008, 07:16:01 PM by prephd » Logged

Prephd, in all that black, you are like the anti-pink-me.

Freewill is a beeyaaatch
reslifeguy
Member
***
Posts: 104


« Reply #12 on: July 14, 2008, 09:21:27 PM »

Sprint has the Samsung ACE. You can install a SIM card from a local carrier and use it on the local carrier's network. You'll have two numbers, however.
Logged
deleteplease
Senior member
****
Posts: 333


« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2008, 07:10:49 AM »

You can buy US minutes on a Rogers phone -- that might work for the moving period.
Logged
Pages: [1]
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.9 | SMF © 2006-2008, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!