Slashdot Mirror


Best Smartphone Plan Covering US and Canada?

j00bhaka writes "I am a US citizen attending university in Nova Scotia, Canada. I currently have the Verizon America and Canada plan (also known as the North American plan). My bill is currently around $80-$100 per month. I chose this for a couple reasons. One, I have had my number for about 7 years. Two, I do not permanently live in Canada. I live in Canada for 8 months out of the year at school, then travel home for the summer months. Either way, I would be dealing with international roaming without having both countries in my plan. Currently, I obviously don't have a smartphone. Through Verizon, I could purchase one, and add their international unlimited data plan on top of my (already) hefty phone bill. I have looked into Telus and Rogers here in Canada and cannot find anything better. As a student, my budget is obviously limited. Is there any way to reasonably have (and utilize) a smartphone while I am living in both countries? If so, what do you suggest I do?"

4 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. How badly do you need a smartphone? by natehoy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I guess the biggest question would be - why a smartphone specifically?

    Assuming you have some sort of decent Internet access at school, at something available at home, why not just get a VoIP line (a' la Vonage, MagicJack, etc)? You'd have a single number that would cross borders with you easily, and it would be one heck of a lot cheaper.

    --
    "This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
    1. Re:How badly do you need a smartphone? by zen_la · · Score: 5, Funny

      You forgot to tell him to get off your lawn

  2. Re:Why a smartphone? Google voice + prepaid is bes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow, you managed to give a solution that does not address a single requirement of the problem... Bravo.

  3. Re:Why a smartphone? Google voice + prepaid is bes by ComSon0 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I travel to Canada from the US often for work and have tried this as I also have a Rogers plan. Google voice will not forward the calls to international numbers, even if it's our neighbor, Canada.