SIM cards for US and Canada

[Aussie Willy]

Looking for recommendations of a SIM card with talk/text/data that I can get when I come to Canada and US next month. Hoping to find something that I can use in both countries. Also hope that I can buy one when I get to LAX between flights.

 

[Really]

I don't know of any SIM cards that work in both countries. Well, they do, but they're based in one and have outrageous roaming fees in the other. When we go to the US for any length of time (we live in Canada), we buy a package from Roam Mobility. Hopefully, others will know of other options.

 

[Artemis@BC]

Sorry, I can't help either. When I go to the US I just bring my regular Canadian cell phone, pay the roaming charges, and use it sparingly.

As Really said, I know of any cards/plans that offer good rates for both countries unless you're signing up for that carrier's long-term plan.

Buying 2 separate SIMs might work though.

 

[CdnSk8Fan]

I don't know of any SIM cards that work in both countries. Well, they do, but they're based in one and have outrageous roaming fees in the other. When we go to the US for any length of time (we live in Canada), we buy a package from Roam Mobility. Hopefully, others will know of other options.

Roam Mobility actually offers SIMS for Canada too now! Roam Mobility Canada

 

[Aussie Willy]

Thanks for the responses. I did check Roam Mobility so looks like the best option.

 

[vesperholly]

Some cell plans will allow you to buy a short-term international plan for your phone. I live close to Canada and travel there frequently, and have accidentally used data while there. Instead of paying roaming charges, I called AT&T and had them backdate an international plan for a day. I think it was only a few dollars the last time I did it.

 

[Really]

Roam Mobility actually offers SIMS for Canada too now! Roam Mobility Canada

That's great! When we're just in the US for a couple days, we'll use the roaming package from Telus which costs us $7/day. After a certain point though, Roam definitely becomes more economical.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

When I travel overseas, I just buy a package from my carrier (Verizon in the US) to use over there so I don't have to bother with SIM cards. I've been pretty happy with it. Maybe check and see what your carrier offers?

 

[madm]

I've been looking into this issue because my daughter is moving from Oregon to Saskatchewan for a job for one year, and we live in Colorado. We have an AT&T family plan. I just switched our plan to a new one they offer called the Unlimited Plan, which requires that you also have Direct TV. There is a free feature you can add to the plan called Roaming North America that allows unlimited talk, text and data between USA, Canada and Mexico. The restriction is that you can't have more than 50% of your usage outside the US for more than two consecutive months. So while this plan is not a perfect solution for my Saskatchewan resident, it will be perfect for my other daughter who is traveling for work in Canada and the US. And it will let me call Saskatchewan at no additional charge.

My Saskatchewan daughter is planning to use Viber (similar to WhatsApp) and Skype to communicate for free with people in the US. If it turns out that she really needs a local phone, she's going to buy a Go phone or else get a local SIM card.

 

[Aussie Willy]

When I travel overseas, I just buy a package from my carrier (Verizon in the US) to use over there so I don't have to bother with SIM cards. I've been pretty happy with it. Maybe check and see what your carrier offers?

I did contact them but they don't have any.

There are a couple of others I might look into.

I have the Whats Up App and got my mum onto it so I can at least communicate with her while I am there. Even though I am going to be 50 next month, I still don't want to be friends with my mum on Facebook.

 

[CdnSk8Fan]

711Speakout (PrePaid) is another option for Canada, but I do believe you need a Cdn address to ship (the SIM) to though and load the account first. (I don't know if all store locations have the SIM readily available, I had used it for my parents at one time in the past and dealt with it all online).

It sits on the Rogers network so you have an idea of the coverage area.
example of pricing: Unlimited Texting Plan is $10 + tax for 1 month, Value Plan $20 100 min, unlimited texting, etc. you can also add data $10 for 100MB, $15 500 MB, $25 for 1GB

 

[star_gazer11]

If LAX airport has a T-Mobile, check their site. I think I heard they offer a plan you can use in both countries (USA service with roaming in Canada).

If you're going to buy 2 separate SIMs, maybe check out Koodo in Canada.