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Canadians: Cellphone Data While in Vegas

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by swimjim10, Dec 11, 2015.

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  1. swimjim10

    swimjim10 Low-Roller

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    I"m heading to The D from 26-30 Dec. I obviously don't want to pay roaming charges but I hear the wireless in some DT Vegas rooms is shotty at best. I want to use it to find local establishments via yelp and text a friend for those times we go our separate ways. Just garnering ideas of what the best way to go is in order to receive data while in Vegas. I'm with Fido but I don't want to get talked into something when I could perhaps be saving some cash with an american pay-as-you-go...
     
  2. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    These days for convenience I just use travel packs. They are not perfect but way better than 4-5 years ago. Rogers had ok ones, and I'm now Koodo, whose pack is not ideal but not scandalous).

    In the past I have gotten a t-mobile pay-by-the-day sim card which was pretty cheap, but you do need an unlocked phone, have to set it up in the US etc.

    I believe in the past others on here have mentioned using Roam mobility and similar services. I think they send a sim card out to you and you book the plan. Still need an unlocked phone.
     
  3. newmans

    newmans VIP Whale

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    I bought a US sim card through Roam Mobility. The daily cost is about $4 cdn. There is more data then you'll ever need. You will have phone calls in the US and to Canada as well as texts.
     
  4. swimjim10

    swimjim10 Low-Roller

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    Thanks for the suggestion. I'm sure that my iphone is locked and to unlock it may not be worth it. Further investigation needed: thanks!

    - - - Updated - - -

    I will investigate this avenue as well: thanks for your input! :)
     
  5. touche22

    touche22 Low-Roller

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    Im with virgin mobile and it costs me about 30$ for my us package and its good for a month. otherwise I'm fine on aria WiFi and use whatsapp for texting
     
  6. swimjim10

    swimjim10 Low-Roller

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    Good idea on the Whatsapp! I'm such a newb sometimes its frustrating. I'm hoping the Wifi is better than reports indicate...
     
  7. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

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    Pretty sure you can still get unlock codes cheap through eBay, but could be a pain. If you got your phone through Koodo it is locked. It bought at apple store, unlocked.
     
  8. swimjim10

    swimjim10 Low-Roller

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    Think I'll go with the $40 US travel pack from Fido... includes:

    - 50 mins billed per minute (over usage: $0.75/min).
    - Unlimited outgoing texts to any mobile number.
    - Unlimited incoming texts.
    - 200 MB (over usage: $20/100 MB).
     
  9. BC_ girl

    BC_ girl Low-Roller

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    For sure get a travel pack. My friend and I went once, and she didn't get one, thought she couldn't avoid charges by turning off roaming, and she somehow ended up with a 600 dollar bill. I am with Rogers and always get the travel pack.
     
  10. Char1

    Char1 VIP Whale

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  11. GustavsBar

    GustavsBar Tourist

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    That will be plenty. Just don't download any video.
    I'm not sure if Fido does it, but most providers will send you text message if you're approaching the limit you bought with the package.
    Have a great trip!
     
  12. cjohnson202

    cjohnson202 VIP Whale

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    I use this as well, have now for my last two trips and will definitely be using it again in January. I also work for one of the Rogers brands (Sportsnet), so I get it for half price. $2.50 a day for me and I can use my phone as much as I want without fear. It's amazing. Even at $5 a day, it's a steal and far and away better than any of the old packages. I remember paying $40 for a week of unlimited texted, 50 US minutes and like 100mb of data (aka not enough to actually use without being terrified of going 1KB over and paying through the roof)
     
  13. Char1

    Char1 VIP Whale

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    cjohnson202, you absolutely correct I went through the same thing, It is by far the best package.


    Cheers
     
  14. IWannaBeInVegas

    IWannaBeInVegas VIP Whale

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    I had decent wifi signal downtown but several places charged to use it. You maybe able to get some free wifi that will allow you to do what you need but I suggest getting a plan or something so there are no worries.
     
  15. Canadianeh

    Canadianeh Tourist

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    As our corporate cellular rep told me a few years ago "wifi is your best friend". And I've noticed our last few trips, that wifi is getting easier and easier to find. I get a 'passport' on my Telus phone before going to Vegas, but still keep the data roaming off most of the time - paranoid to go over. So many of the hotels, casinos, restaurants and shopping malls give free wifi now.
     
  16. Darvin

    Darvin Low-Roller

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    Rogers roam like home is the best, Fido is a Rogers brand, check with them, it may work as a product with Fido as well, good free wifi in starbucks, earl of sandwich, mcdonalds etc
     
  17. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

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    I use Roam every time. $4 a day, no chance to get screwed by Rogers, more data than I can use. I use it for computer internet through a hotspot so now I never have to buy wifi anymore.
     
  18. Julie888

    Julie888 VIP Whale

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    Both husband and I use Roam. It's worth it. That's $8 Canadian. A heck of a lot cheaper than hotel resort fees.
     
  19. touche22

    touche22 Low-Roller

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    Do you need an unlocked phone for this? I think mine is still locked to Virgin with a year left on my plan
     
  20. Julie888

    Julie888 VIP Whale

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    Yes, you need an unlocked phone. You can also buy an inexpensive phone directly from Roam. Even if you only travel to the US a couple of times a year, it might pay for itself. And it's in Canadian dollars. Yahoo.

    There are a few dead zones. Vegas isn't one of them. Check the map on their site.
     
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