US + Canada mobile plan

[flyhere]

I live in California and travel to Vancouver for work. I have T-mobile which only covers the US. When I am in Canada, I roam through Rogers at 49 cents a minute, both calling in and out. That's about $200 extra a month or at least one trip to an amp.

Any one has a better idea for a mobile phone plan? I would sign up with Rogers or Tellus and get a local number, except I will be locked in for the next 2-3 years, which is too long for me as I have a short-term assignment.

I have been looking for a provider with a US+Canada plan.

 

[Mr.O]

I live in California and travel to Vancouver for work. I have T-mobile which only covers the US. When I am in Canada, I roam through Rogers at 49 cents a minute, both calling in and out. That's about $200 extra a month or at least one trip to an amp.

Any one has a better idea for a mobile phone plan? I would sign up with Rogers or Tellus and get a local number, except I will be locked in for the next 2-3 years, which is too long for me as I have a short-term assignment.

I have been looking for a provider with a US+Canada plan.

Rogers is probably the best choice as I think they connect with the ATT network in the states.

You can get a North America calling plan I think.

I had one with ATT years ago.

 

[luckydog71]

Verizon has a plan that let's you use your minutes in Canada without additional charges. You roam on the Telus network.

I think it is called international roaming. It also let's you roam in Mexico under the same plan.

 

[Cappy1]

Pay-As-You Go

Is your T-Mobile phone GSM and unlocked? If yes you may want to consider a second sim card / phone number for Canada. I'm not sure if the costs in Canada justify pay-as-you go number for you.
Going the other way it's m-u-c-h better getting$ a second card with either T-Mobile / Cingular (ATT now?) eg. $0.10-$0.15 per minute

Let us know what you find out.

I live in California and travel to Vancouver for work. I have T-mobile which only covers the US. When I am in Canada, I roam through Rogers at 49 cents a minute, both calling in and out. That's about $200 extra a month or at least one trip to an amp.

Any one has a better idea for a mobile phone plan? I would sign up with Rogers or Tellus and get a local number, except I will be locked in for the next 2-3 years, which is too long for me as I have a short-term assignment.

I have been looking for a provider with a US+Canada plan.

 

[flyhere]

Thanks all for your ideas. The Vonage idea may work in some cases, will investigate more. Verizon has a North America plan, but the cust support people (I called twice) were not knowledgeable about roaming (not surprising), they seem to think it's 69 cent a minute. Will have to keep researching.

fly