Canadian Travel to USA
Canadian travel to USA for most of us is a monthly or yearly thing to do. We travel to visit friends and family, to shop, and for a bit of sightseeing and a break. Our biggest problem has always been the horrific cost of cellular services when travelling outside Canada.
The Importance of Mobile Services
Travel to a foreign country is more accepted today and you cannot leave home without a cell phone. Gone are the days of walking around with a map in hand or having backseat drivers telling you where to go. Moreover walking around aimlessly in the hopes of finding a restaurant that someone told you about is now a thing of the past.
Staying connected with family, and friends, and accessing the internet on the go are super important when you travel. Missing a day without Facebook or TicTok or whatever social network is not easy. While running around to find a restaurant with free wifi is fine, however, someone can steal your data or your passwords on a public wifi.
The Telecom Landscape
The first factor influencing the cost of cellular services in a foreign country is what services are easily available and how do you sign up. If there is a lot of competition in a country, you are in luck. In Europe, you can buy a cellular plan with tons of data and minutes for as little as $15. In Canada, our rates are sky-high and the big 3 telecom companies own it all. Rogers has many brands and so do Bell and Telus. These big companies make tons of profit on the backs of hardworking Canadians. By creating new brands like Fido, Chatr, Koodo, Public Mobile etc. they think that they are fooling the public into believing that there is plenty of competition. It is all a bit of a joke when you think about it. Why bother with so many brands? Just keep one brand, offer different tiers of services, and save the public money on one single brand rather than 3 or more for each mega company.
Is there an Answer?
For Canadians, there is really no answer at this time not really for now. The big companies complain about the cost to maintain their networks in such a large country, and while the networks are spread widely, they are still making huge profits. These profits are going to the companies, not to the consumers. Maybe one day, the CRTC will wake up and protect the general population instead of protecting the big telecoms. We can only hope.
Prepaid vs. Postpaid Plans
Travellers must choose between prepaid and postpaid plans. Prepaid plans are typically popular. They provide more control over spending. Users can purchase a SIM card with a specific plan or credit and once it runs out, they can top up as needed. Postpaid plans involve monthly bills, but they might offer better deals for frequent and long-term travellers. Some countries do not even allow postpaid plans unless you can show residency.
Roaming Charges
One of the most significant cost considerations for Canadian travellers to the USA is roaming charges. When your home country’s mobile service provider partners with foreign networks, you can use your phone while abroad, but the charges are always high. To avoid these high costs, consider buying a local SIM card or using special international travel SIMs that offer better rates.
Data Packages and Usage
Data usage is a major concern for most travellers. You need data for maps, directions, translations, phone calls and much more. It is important to research data packages offered by local providers and compare them to your estimated usage. Some countries might offer unlimited data plans, while others may have more restrictive offerings. Before you travel, check how much data you use in Canada, add extra data for travelling and make an informed decision to avoid excessive charges.
Wi-Fi Availability
While planning your trip, consider the availability of Wi-Fi in a foreign country. Many public places, hotels, cafes, and airports offer free Wi-Fi, which can significantly reduce your dependence on cellular data. However, be very careful about using unsecured Wi-Fi networks, as they are a security risk.
The Fun Stuff
My daughter travelled from Montreal to New York this week and I was very concerned about her safety. She was mostly concerned about her access to TicTok and all the other social media apps. In Canada, she is currently using Lucky Mobile. The drawback to Lucky Mobile is simple, the phone will not work outside of Canada.
The good news is that her new upgraded iPhone is capable of using an eSIM.
What is an eSIM?
Yesterday’s GSM phones need a plastic sim card to work. The SIM card is like gas or electricity for a car. Unlocked phones can use a SIM card from any cellular provider. It takes only a few minutes and you now have a new number from a local cellular network.
Today, a virtual SIM card exists. Your new phone can simply lock in an eSIM through a quick online scan. This new eSIM will work with the mobile provider and you do not even have to fiddle with a latch or a pin.
A Great Solution
After doing some research we found a cellular company based in USA called Tello Mobile (available here). They offer inexpensive, no contract, no activation, and no cancellation fee plans that are perfect for a short trip. They also offer all this with a free eSIM. My daughter bought a plan for $7 US for 1 GB of data, unlimited text, and 100 minutes of talk in North America for a 4-day trip. Now she can use TicTok and I can reach her. It is a win-win.
The idea is to find a way to save money in your pockets without donating to the big 3 when you want to travel
Conclusion
Canadian travel to USA is not cheap and safety is extremely important. Staying safe and connected through cellular services is required when you travel.
Do your research and think about everything carefully. If you are using WhatsApp or similar services, your current service will automatically convert to the new cell company.
Note there are ways of getting your SMS messages forwarded to an email account on Android and on Apple if you get many texts every day.
Be safe and have a great summer.
