Prepaid US Cell Plans for Canadian travellers with Smartphones

[Ubershopper]

I am starting a resource thread to gather information on prepaid cellphone plans for travelling to the USA with your UNLOCKED Canadian SMARTPHONE. My current carrier wants a ridiculous amount for roaming while south of the border but I want my smartphone with me. So, the best option is to unlock your phone, and pick up a SIM card for a compatible US network along with a plan to cover you while you are away.

A couple notes:
1. Your device must be Network UNLOCKED to accept a SIM card from a different cellular provider. Most Canadian providers lock their phones to their networks, meaning it cannot be activated on another network. However, if you do a web search for cell phone unlocking, you will find several sites that will unlock for a fee.
2. Your device must be compatible with the network you are going to use while travelling. GENERALLY, HSPA & HSPA+ smartphones on Bell, Rogers, Telus or their subsidiaries (Fido, Virgin, Chatr, etc) will be compatible with the AT&T network, or their resellers (search for MVNO's). They will GENERALLY also work on T-Mobile for voice and text, but data may drop to very slow speeds. For Wind, Mobilicity and Videotron, I believe their phones will GENERALLY be able to use T-Mobile and use the high speed network, but will not be compatible with AT&T.
3. Check the first couple posts for up to date information. I will edit this post to update it with information provided by users or that I find myself to save readers the trouble of reading through pages and pages.
3. All I ask is PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC and BE POSITIVE. If you have off topic questions or have a bone to pick, start your own thread.

In your posts, please include specify what device (phone) you used, what US Prepaid service you used, and relevant details like costs, plan details, and any special steps you took or tips for other users such as where to buy the cards for a discounted price.

[Ubershopper]

AT&T and Resellers:

AT&T GoPhone:

For most short term trips to the US, the $2 per day plan with a data add-on is probably AT&T's best offering. It advertises unlimited nation wide talk and text. The $15 for 100MB or $25 for 500MB data pack will suffice for most users.
What if you are a heavy data user? They are offering a $50 unlimited text,talk and data plan. However, as I understand it, this plan is supposed to be limited to non-smartphones. As such, you may run into a number of issues such as 2G data speeds, and difficulty getting activated. YMMV. If you really want to go down this road, a couple tips: I have been told that iphones will not be compatible and other devices will be hit and miss. You are probably best to buy the SIM card online such as through eBay unless you can find a local retailer.

GoPhone Activation:
There are a couple methods, but I did this and it was pretty straight forward.
1. Activate through the online activation page. During the process, they will assign you a US phone number based on the ZIP code you provide. If you want a local callback number while there, then use your hotel ZIP or Google ZIP code and the city you are going to.
2. If you haven't done so already, put the SIM in your phone and power up. The most common reason for any SIM error at this point is that your phone is still network locked... iPhone 4 and 4S also seem to be having a particular issue; read this for a possible solution. Here is a step I found by trial and error: Go to your network settings, manually search for networks and select Rogers (AT&T won't roam to Bell or Telus). You will get a welcome text message with the temp PIN.
3. There will be a link on your computer at the end of the activation process. Select that. If you missed it, this one is different but should get you to the same page eventually. set your plan here. You will key in your temp PIN. You will then get a text message to your phone with a new PIN. You key that PIN in on the next window that comes up on your computer. Then, you will be prompted to create a PIN of your choice for future use.
4. You will now be taken to a screen where you can add money to the account and purchase add-ons such as the data plan or a long distance package.
*** I am stopping at this point as I am testing a couple different cards and don't want to add money until I finalize my choice. However, you have a few options. If you want to use a credit card, I would suggest that you update your AT&T profile settings to match the credit card billing address if you initially get declined. Alternatively, there are several retailers and eBay sellers that will sell a refill PIN that gets emailed to you immediately and that you pay for with paypal. You then return to the AT&T page and use the new refill card number and PIN to top up the account. Note that this PIN is for the refill number, and is not the same as your AT&T PIN. Clear as mud? LOL I will update this after I successfully add money to my account.

TIP from CheapoFillipo: it's $10 for 250 minutes of long distance AND the regular call rate is $0.39/minute

However, if you are a heavy data user, you might be better to go the route of one of the AT&T MVNO's. I'm going to call these Virtual Networks since they simply repackage AT&T services and resell it. You are using the AT&T cell towers, but you pay a different company.

Red Pocket Mobile
Notes: Must be ordered online and charging $20 for the SIM card. However, sellers on eBay with very high reliability sell the SIM's with shipping to Canada for less than $5
H2O Wireless (Formerly O2 Wireless)
Notes: SIM cards can be purchased online or in retailers in the US such as Bestbuy for $10. Can be purchased on eBay for less.
Jolt Mobile

All of the above are offering:
$50 prepaid plan which includes unlimited nation-wide talk, text, and 250 MB data, OR
$60 prepaid plan which includes unlimited nation-wide talk, text, and 2 GB data!

Pure Talk USA
$44 for Unlimited Nation-wide text and talk and 100 MMS OR 100MB Data. If you go over 100 MMS OR 100MB data, you get billed $10 for a refill. I didn't find any information on the network speed they are offering. A nice plus is that there are no other fees - The SIM is free and there is no activation fee. You order from the site and can activate here once you have received it.

[Ubershopper]

T-Mobile and Resellers:

T-Mobile prepaid plans with high speed data

Ubershopper's Pick: I use lots of data and text, with the rare phone call, so the plan that jumps out at me here is the $30 for 100 minutes talk, unlimited text and unlimited data. The first 5 GB is at speeds "up to 4G," so you should count on being throttled to 2G speeds thereafter. However, unless you are downloading torrents, or doing a fair amount of streaming, 5 GB should be plenty... Updated 12JAN12 - Thanks Sienna Owner!
More talk, less surfing: Lets say you use your phone for more talking and less data. You should look at the $30 for 1500 combined voice/text and 30MB data. You add your talk minutes and texts together and get 1500 total. If you are just checking emails and a few web searches, this may be the plan for you.

But I talk a lot, text a lot and still want lots of data! Ok, in that case, cough up a few extra bucks and go for a $50 plan. This gives you the unlimited text and talk and still keeps the unlimited data. For another $10 you get 2GB data before dropping to slow speed. And if you want unlimited everything with high speed all the time, it's yours for $70.

"But what if my use won't be every day?" - then you may be looking for: Prepaid Pay By The Day Plans

With the $2 or $3/day plans, if you don't talk, text or use data during the day, then you pay nothing. As soon as you use one of those features, you pay a flat $2 or $3 and then your service for the rest of that day is unlimited. For $2 you get 2G data speeds (slow) but probably okay if all you need is email with small attachments. For $3 you get 200 MB high speed data (3G or 4G), then unlimited 2G thereafter.

As with any "unlimited" plan, keep in mind that the fine print will give them the right to shut you down if they feel that your use is unreasonable.

If you order your T-Mobile card off eBay or other retailer, you will need an Activation Code, which should be included in the activation kit. Take this, the SIM card number and your phone's IMEI and go to the T-Mobile Activation Page to get started.

TIP:

if you do $100 in refills during the first year (i.e. reach gold rewards), then every year afterwards a $10 refill lasts for 1 yr instead of 90 days.

MVNO's

Simple Mobile offers a number of interesting plans and operates on the T-Mobile Network.
They have a $40 plan which give you unlimited nation-wide calling, unlimited GLOBAL text messaging and unlimited data at up to 3G speeds. If you have a compatible device, such as an unlocked HTC AMAZE 4G and want blazing speeds, for $60 you get the same offerings but with their 4G (HSPA+) network. Do your homework here though; unless your phone is capable of HSPA+ on BOTH the 700 and 2100 MHz bands, you won't be able to connect to their 4G and would be wasting the extra $20.
Notes: For $10, you can add unlimited calling to Canada (or 50 other countries).
NEWS: You can buy Simple Mobile SIM cards from a couple Canadian online retailers now: Expansys.ca and tigerdirect.ca As of 22/12/2011, TigerDirect DOES NOT stock the cards in store...

[Ubershopper]

Canadian Blackberries on US Pay As You Go?

All of the info in the previous posts still apply =====> Must be unlocked, must be frequency and protocol compatible.

This post will discuss Blackberry specific issues that go beyond the above.

1. Can I talk on my blackberry? Yes, on any pay as you go with a compatible network.
2. Can I text message (SMS) on my blackberry? Yes, on any pay as you go with a compatible network
3. Can I surf the internet and pick up email? Yes, on any pay as you go with a compatible network with a bit of work (see below), OR by paying for a Blackberry BIS plan.
4. Can I surf using my Blackberry Browser, receive BB push email and/or use Blackberry Messenger (BBM)? Only if you get a blackberry BIS plan which will cost a little extra.

So, do you want BBM and BB Mail? Then you need a BIS plan and the most cost effective appears to be Simple Mobile's Blackberry Plans. If your phone is Rogers/Bell/Telus or subsidiary, then your phone will not have the hardware to access the AWS frequency bands so don't waste your money on the 4G plan. If your device is from WIND/Mobilicity/Quebecor, then check if you have the 1700 and 2100 AWS bands. If so, you SHOULD be able to access 4G speeds if you want to go for it. T-Mobile has it's own offering, but presently requires you to be on a $50 prepaid plan plus the $10 BIS add on, so it would appear to be a higher cost.

Okay, here's where the true RFD'ers will get hooked. If you DON'T NEED BBM or BB Mail, and would be content with pull-mail and web browsing, then I have come across a method that seems sound and will allow you to use the same plans as regular smartphone users. I can't test it, so please let me know if someone can confirm. Basically, you install 2 or three apps before you go, then change your network settings when you get there and put the new SIM in and away you go... Sounds simple right? Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. The first app you will probably want is Opera Mini. This app will allow you to have full web browsing (no flash) without a BIS. You can go to mini.opera.com on your Blackberry or to this page on your computer to download and then sync Opera Mini to your device.
2. As of November 22, 2011 Google removed the GMAIL app from availability for Blackberries, so if you don't have the app, you will have to scour the net for a copy or look for an alternative. One such alternative I came across is LogicMail for Blackberry. On your device, go to this link to install directly. This is reportedly a basic email client with support for pop and imap. I suggest you it down in front of your computer with your phone, and go through your computer's email account settings, and copy them into your phone. If you prefer to download to the computer and sync, you can look for a download link to the most recent version on the LoginMail Home Page.

Once you arrive stateside, and have inserted the new SIM card, you will need to tell your device how to connect to the network for data communications. I suggest that you make a note of the original setting for any that you are about to change, to make it easy to change back later. If you forget, then you will need to look them up online, or just call your home network when you are back in Canada and ask.

Setting the APN
You will need to know the proper APN for the network you are going to use. You will insert that in place of the xxx.xxxx in step 5 below. If it is not listed, check with the provider and post back here so I can add it to the page.

AT&T Go Phone APN: [Info pending
AT&T MVNOs such as H20, Red Pocket, Jolt, etc: att.mvno
T-Mobile Pay-as-you-go: Info pending
T-Mobile MVNO's: Info pending


1. Select Options or Settings and then select Options.
2. Select Advanced Options.
3. Select TCP (Option will say TCP/IP on OS 4.6 and higher).
4. If applicable, check mark the APN Settings Enabled box.
5. Enter xxx.xxxx as the APN. Ensure no entries in the username or password fields.
6. Click the back arrow and then select Save.

Delete any existing Carrier Service Books

1. Select Options then select Advanced Options.
2. Scroll down and select Service Books.
3. Delete any listings for [browser configuration].
4. Back out and save the changes.

Good luck and keep me posted!

[Ubershopper]

saved for future info

[StartHere]

Can CDMA phone from US like Virgin Mobile USA be used in Canada?

[psyko514]

Can CDMA phone from US like Virgin Mobile USA be used in Canada?

No. Even if you can unlock it, CDMA carriers will not activate phones that did not originate from their inventory. In other words, if you unlock a Virgin USA phone, TELUS or Bell will not activate it.

[psyko514]

My personal pick is T-Mobile's "Pay by the Day" plan. It is great for short trips to the US and can be used nearly anywhere. Your balance is good for 90 days (or a year if you put in $100) and you can top up online at any time to keep your account active.

I go down to the US twice a year for 5-9 days and do short day trips to Plattsburgh every month or two. I use the $3 day pass now and have yet to hit the 200 MB limit in a day despite using GPS frequently and tethering the phone to my TouchPad for hours of browsing in the car.

[Ubershopper]

I use the $3 day pass now and have yet to hit the 200 MB limit in a day despite using GPS frequently and tethering the phone to my TouchPad for hours of browsing in the car.

Ya, that sounds like a good deal. What phone do you use?

[Ubershopper]

@ Moderator - Not that I've written this up, I'm wondering if I should have put this in the cell phone forum.

[HeyKatie]

T-Mobile and Resellers:



"But what if my use won't be every day?" - then you may be looking for: Prepaid Pay By The Day Plans

With the $2 or $3/day plans, if you don't talk, text or use data during the day, then you pay nothing. As soon as you use one of those features, you pay a flat $2 or $3 and then your service for the rest of that day is unlimited. For $2 you get 2G data speeds (slow) but probably okay if all you need is email with small attachments. For $3 you get 200 MB high speed data (3G or 4G), then unlimited 2G thereafter.

I have an unlocked Rogers Blackberry Bold 9780 do you know if this plan would work on that type of phone? Thanks for making this thread it's just what I've been looking for since I'm new to the whole unlocked phone thing!

[psyko514]

Ya, that sounds like a good deal. What phone do you use?

Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S. Next time I go will be with an unlocked Galaxy S II X.

[shannn]

I have an unlocked Rogers Blackberry Bold 9780 do you know if this plan would work on that type of phone? Thanks for making this thread it's just what I've been looking for since I'm new to the whole unlocked phone thing!

I talked to a t-mobile rep, they said that the unlimited day plans will work on BB, but for BBM and e-mail, you'll need to pay extra.

[Ubershopper]

I have an unlocked Rogers Blackberry Bold 9780 do you know if this plan would work on that type of phone? Thanks for making this thread it's just what I've been looking for since I'm new to the whole unlocked phone thing!

Hi Katie,

Your welcome! If the thread is a benefit, please consider using the "Thanks" underneath one of my posts and rating the thread so others will know about it!

The short answer is, yes. It will work... HOWEVER...

Okay, after working on this for 2.5 hours, I think it is worthy of it's own entry at the beginning! I will give you the BB Bold 9780 specific info here, but for generic Blackberry stuff, look for a new post up top...

ISSUE #1: Network Connectivity
I did some digging and it turns out that there are two versions of the BB Bold 9780. Both are compatible with GSM bands (850/900/1800/1900 mHz) which means you will get voice, text and 2G data on either AT&T or T-Mo, wherever they have GSM coverage. For 3G networks, the two versions of the Bold 9780 differ.

Version 1: One uses PCS frequency ranges (850/1900/2100 mHz) which matches Bell, Telus, Rogers and ... AT&T. If you bought your phone from Rogers, or if you were using it on Rogers and got 3G connection, then this will be your version.
Version 2: The other version uses the AWS frequencies (900/1700/2100 mHz) which is a match for Wind, Mobilicity, Quebecor and .... T-Mobile.

ISSUE #2: Data Connection
See the new info up top for this...

SUMMARY:
If you phone is unlocked, then YES, you will be able to use it on any of the pay as you go plans, including the one you mention. If you are okay with gmail, Opera browsing and No BBM, AND you can work through the install in an earlier post to get it working then you are good to go on any plan. AT&T offers the potential of faster browsing, but realistically, I don't know that you will notice much difference using the Opera Mini browser.
If you can't wrap your head around the APN changes and software installs, can't be bothered, or having BBM is a must, then Simple Mobile $50 Blackberry plan looks to be the best offering.

Good luck and let us know how it works out!

[Ubershopper]

I talked to a t-mobile rep, they said that the unlimited day plans will work on BB, but for BBM and e-mail, you'll need to pay extra.

Shannn is correct. See my new post up top for Blackberry specific info.