Canadian Snowbirds is this PAYG Plan 4U?

by Kelly
(Calgary, Alberta, CA)

I have what I believe is the perfect plan for me as a Canadian winter visitor to the U.S. & one who doesn't use a cell phone a great deal. T-Mobile has a prepaid international plan that includes roaming in Canada & Mexico.

I pay $100 for 1000 min. 365 days, top up any time as little as $10 & the 365 starts again on that date. I travel by car & use my cell as needed all winter & when I cross the border there's no interruption in service, it switches to the Rogers network in Canada. The per minute rate is higher when roaming of course, but I use my phone sparingly so it doesn't matter b/c the 1000 min lasts me for a year.

With this plan I can also get a code which will allow me to use my phone say in London UK. Haven't done it but I'm told that I can call T-Mobile, and for $10 they provide a code & my phone will work as long as it's a country in which they have an arrangement. No doubt the per min. rate is outrageous but... If you ask about this plan at many T-mobile stores they'll talk about SIM cards & generally won't know about this roaming plan, but read about it on their website.

I bought a Samsung SGH t429 phone @ Costco in Mesa AZ for $50. Costco wasn't aware of this plan either, so I did a minimum activation with them then called T-Mobile to complete. There are no free calls to other T-mobile users however those with a plan call me for free.

Having a U.S. area code is fine with me; I have a land line in Arizona & use T-Mobile for convenience & security only. I use it while in Canada too for $100 a year this is a cost-effective cell for me.