Aingaran's Tech and Biz Blog

It is almost Spring  and we are all making plans to travel with our families come Summer. If your family is anything like mine, you will inevitabily make that annual trip to the United States.  As our mobile phone has become an incredibly vital part of our lives whether we like it or not, it will accompany us on our trip across the border.

Even though cell phone prices have dropped dramatically in the US, their northern neighbours are still paying an arm and a leg (in relative terms) for the same cellphone service as Americans.

If you are travelling to the United States, depending on the cellphone provider, you can pay as much $2.00/minute for every call you make or receive.  That rate applies, even if you’re just retrieving your voicemail messages.

Some carriers, including Rogers Wireless charge you an extra fee to send and receive SMS (text messages) when you are in the US. Telus and Bell Mobility do not charge a surcharge for SMS in the United States if you have a text messaging bundle. If you do not have a text messaging bundle, the fee is $0.15 for every message sent and received in Canada or US.

A few years ago, after seeing a $300 cell phone bill for a 12 day trip the United States, I decided to look for alternatives — cheaper aternatives!

In my search, I have found several cheaper cell phone solutions that will work for Canadians (or any International traveller looking for an affordable wireless solutions while in the US.)

ATT’s prepaid phone service allows you to purchase a AT&T 3G SIM Card + $10 Prepaid Starter Kit for under $15.  The”Go Phone” pre-paid SIM card includes a $10 of credit if you top up with a $25 airtime card within 7 days of activation).

You will need to own an unlocked GSM mobile phone to use this SIM card-only-option.

If you do not own an unlocked cell phone, you can also purchase this kit for $10 more:  AT&T Pay-As-You-Go Cell Phone + Free Airtime Included + SIM CARD included

• The cost to use the phone is $0.25 a minute anywhere in the United States (no long distance charges to call from New York to Los Angeles).

• They also have a great second plan. $1/day gives you “unlimited” talk to any AT&T wireless subscriber. This is ideal for those who purchase multiple AT&T pre-paid kits for the trip. This plan will allow unlimited talk to one another for only $1/day per phone anywhere in the US.

Thanks,