[don820]

I am about to get a Curve or a Pearl and am based in Ottawa Canada. I'm pretty appalled at the Rogers pricing model given how easy it is to get unlimited data in the States, but so be it.

The thing is that most of my data use will be while traveling in the US. Regardless of what plan I get, looks like Rogers charges $10/meg (1c/kb) in the states. Just seems like a total rip.

I looked at getting a Curve on the ATT website, but it seems impossible for a Canadian to order an ATT phone, and even if I could, all my local friends in Ottawa would have to deal with long distance calls to my cell even when I'm in town.

Any suggestions from fellow Canadians who travel a fair bit?

- Don

[worktrader]

I work in the US and live in TO. I have looked into every possible option. I had a BB on Verizon with North American roaming - it was good for big Canadian cities but sucked for everything else - they partner with Telus up here.

You'll never get the same data rates so you're right about that. You could get a Verizon BB with a North American plan and have a VOIP number forward to it - you're friends will pay local and you can call anywhere in NA. The plan is called North America's choice - it's 60US (450mins/EW) and all minutes work here in Canada. Only problem is that you'll need to borrow a friends mailing address to start and then you can set everything up online.

Not the prettiest option and you'll still paying some data roaming charges at home but it's pretty low unless you surf. This only makes sense if you're in the US a lot. I was there pretty much weekly. Hope that helps.

[ratatosk]

Verizon's preference for roaming on Telus is actually a good thing on the west coast. Not so good in say, Ontario. Certainly the Telus coverage in B.C./Alberta is as good as anything else - slightly better than Rogers in my experience.

I have an 8830 with North America's Choice and the Global Roaming option which should cover both voice and data roaming in Canada. Haven't seen a bill yet with this new arrangement.

The North America's Choice plan isn't actually available anymore, but Verizon is apparently releasing a new plan that covers roaming Canada (but not Mexico) on July 1.

[autsoldnow]

Originally Posted by ratatosk

Verizon's preference for roaming on Telus is actually a good thing on the west coast. Not so good in say, Ontario. Certainly the Telus coverage in B.C./Alberta is as good as anything else - slightly better than Rogers in my experience.

I have an 8830 with North America's Choice and the Global Roaming option which should cover both voice and data roaming in Canada. Haven't seen a bill yet with this new arrangement.

The North America's Choice plan isn't actually available anymore, but Verizon is apparently releasing a new plan that covers roaming Canada (but not Mexico) on July 1.

This might be changing soon as Telus is planning to merge with Bell Canada. Bell has great coverage, even better than Rogers who continues to claim to be the largest network in Canada. My friend went to bamf a year ago with his Bell phone an a Rogers on, stood at the base of a mountain and couldn't reach anyone with his Rogers phone, yet he could reach people with his Bell one!

I am on the Telus MIKE network and live in Toronto with my BB 7520, and I am very happy with the coverage.

Andrew