Will I have trouble using my phone in Canada?

[Ballatician]

I have a normal non-smart phone from Verizon. I'll mostly be in Vancouver and the surrounding cities. Anyone have experience?

I have heard, though I need to verify, that I should get OK reception in Vancouver.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You'll probably be able to use it but, roaming charges will kill you.

 

[RedRooster]

Telus is huge out there, you'll get fine reception.

 

[nickbits]

Make sure you have international roaming enabled on your account

 

[Ballatician]

Thanks, talked to customer service just now.

It is $0.69/min and for Canada there is nothing to add to the account. If you have a family plan or something and multiple people are going to Canada with you, then you could add Canadian service to the plan so that when you call each other, it is in the network. Just fyi


Another question I have now is: My father has a GSM phone that he uses on trips to Asia where he just buy's a new SIM card everytime. Is that a feasible option for me in Canadiansville?

 

[Slick5150]

Considering Verizon doesn't use SIM cards, no.

You could always just pick up a cheap prepaid phone when you get there though.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Telus is CDMA based for 2G or whatever 1x is (you know whatever Verizon had in the early days pre-EVDO). It then built up an HSPA network for its 3G capabilities, so technically you should be fine roaming on to Telus. I do not know about Rogers, Fido, Bell.

Interesting note: The Motorola Milestone is a GSM + HSPA device, so essentially Telus is not allowing it to use 2G on its own network since its not a GSM provider but a CDMA one. It is counting on its 3G UMTS/HSPA coverage to allow the Milestone on everywhere. Now imagine if AT&T didn't allow you to downgrade to EDGE and you were stuck on its 3G service? Good luck with reception!

 

[Ballatician]

Considering Verizon doesn't use SIM cards, no.

You could always just pick up a cheap prepaid phone when you get there though.

I know Verizon doesn't use SIM cards, I should have clarified that I meant another phone. I don't anything about that phone or why it works overseas but prepaid is a good idea.

Telus is CDMA based for 2G or whatever 1x is (you know whatever Verizon had in the early days pre-EVDO). It then built up an HSPA network for its 3G capabilities, so technically you should be fine roaming on to Telus. I do not know about Rogers, Fido, Bell.

Interesting note: The Motorola Milestone is a GSM + HSPA device, so essentially Telus is not allowing it to use 2G on its own network since its not a GSM provider but a CDMA one. It is counting on its 3G UMTS/HSPA coverage to allow the Milestone on everywhere. Now imagine if AT&T didn't allow you to downgrade to EDGE and you were stuck on its 3G service? Good luck with reception!

Thanks

 

[Spicedaddy]

I know Verizon doesn't use SIM cards, I should have clarified that I meant another phone. I don't anything about that phone or why it works overseas but prepaid is a good idea.



Thanks

Your Verizon phone will roam on Bell or Telus CDMA.

For an unlocked 2G GSM phone, you can get prepaid sims from Fido/Rogers. Make sure the phone supports 850 and 1900 networks if you want good reception.

 

[Ballatician]

Your Verizon phone will roam on Bell or Telus CDMA.

For an unlocked 2G GSM phone, you can get prepaid sims from Fido/Rogers. Make sure the phone supports 850 and 1900 networks if you want good reception.

Thank you!