Canadian needs cell service in Arizona

[bogen2]

I am going to Arizona from Alberta this winter and need to find a way to get cell/data service while there for 2 months. My current provider (Bell) wants $8 per day for “roaming” service, which is ridiculous. I have an unlocked phone so am thinking I could find a pay as you go provider in the states. I don’t need a lot of cell minutes but do want unlimited data, or at least a large data cap, so I can stream music and video.

Anyone have any suggestions on a provider that won’t break the bank?

Bob

[Kadiddle]

Think WalMart does that.

[TucsonJim]

@Cate&Rob

I have tagged Rob to your thread. He lives in Ontario and spends part of his time in the U.S. He may have some suggestions on how to get the best plan.

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Bob - There is no one clear answer to this . . . the packages and the cell coverage are changing all the time. We have Rogers/Fido phones and they have a similar $7 a day roaming fee. But, this caps at a charge for 15 days per month so for a full month works out to $3.50 Cdn per day which by comparison to other pay-as-you-go plans in US$, isn't too bad.

The other part of the equation is who the Canadian provider is buying US cell coverage from . . . and they are not keen on telling you this. If Bell is linked with a US provider that does not have good coverage in Arizona, staying with Bell is not going to do you much good. We have had this problem with whoever Rogers connects through in Florida.

Most of the reasonably priced unlimitedly or high capacity data plans through US providers require a 12 month contract . . . so, this doesn't work. In the Ontario to Florida corridor we have found that Verizon has the best coverage. We have a pay-by-the-month Verizon "hot spot" that we have used in the past if we are wandering about to several different parks . . . works well but is expensive.

You should check the internet availability at the park where you will be staying. These services are getting better all the time and some parks have a "preferred service" higher speed higher capacity connection through their WiFi that you can pay for. This is our plan for this winter since we can do this for unlimited internet through the park where we will be staying for most of the time.

Rob

[PeterandDianne]

All the years that we have gone to Arizona, we used AT&T. They have monthly cell plans, that included unlimited texting to Canada, US, and Mexico, unlimited calling within the US, and somewhat limited (but not very much), calling to Canada, and calls within Canada are included in that plan. Also you can hotspot from phone and it did include 6GB of data. Just checked last week, and they still have that plan, only difference now is that they have 8GB of data. Cost was $50 for first month then $40 thereafter.

[Country Campers]

Would there be an advantage for our northern friends to find somebody near where they are staying that would have a cell plan in the states that could add a line to there plan for a few months?
Maybe something like this could work out.


Brian

[Bungy]

We’ve used AT&T as well, gonna try Consumers Cellular this year, they have plans starting at 20 USD.

[Cate&Rob]

Another good alternative is Roam Mobility. https://roammobility.com 6 GB plus unlimited Can & US calling and text for $50 Cdn.

Rob

[klenger]

Verizon seems to have the best coverage in the western US in remote areas. In the cities, I assume they all work. Can't help with what plan to get.

[WhittleBurner]

Why not get a no contract what ever cable service they have in the park and get internet only, it could end up costing about the same. Of course you'll be stuck returning the modem but for reliabilty and speed and no data caps, it could be worth while.