Got an AT&T iPhone with a unlimited data plan, minutes, etc. I occasionally use the phone for calls, but far more likely to use it for texting, short calls to other U.S. numbers, and the occasional Yelp! or Google Maps inquiry when I’m in Vancouver for a few days later in the week for a conference.
I’ve heard the horror stories about people being charged a metric asston for using their phones internationally for the most mundane stuff. Those of you who have traveled to Canada for a week or so, how did you handle it? I suppose I could turn my phone off and use e-mail to communicate, but that’s a huge pain in the ass. Quite frankly, I don’t trust AT&T customer service. I know some people suggest buying a SIM card in the new country, but I don’t anticipate calling Canadian numbers at all - all the folks at the conference I know are from the U.S. and I would be calling them, primarily. Of course I’d like to be able to call the family whenever I want without paying through the nose, if possible.
I suppose I could turn off push on the e-mail and not use the internet on the phone, but again, that’s a huge annoyance. What have y’all done to minimize crazy charges when you travel internationally for a few days?
Personally, I’ve just turned off cellular data and used the WiFi connection for e-mail & such. But in both cases when I’ve travelled back to Canada since getting my iPhone, it was to visit family; I wasn’t expected to contact folks back in the States via phone or text, and when I went out it was usually in an area that I know (hence no need for Yelp or Maps.) Still, if your conference center or hotel has free wireless access, you can’t beat the price for this plan.
I travel all over the world with a smartphone. All you do is turn off data roaming like it’s a sacred penance, because that shit will sting your bank account, then find yourself becoming a wifi sniffer dog. You’d be amazed at how much wifi there is around in built up areas. I could walk from one end of the village I used to live in in Thailand to the other, and pick up all my emails automatically by the time I got to my bungalow. At a conference you’re bound to have free wifi for delegates and in your hotel, and at any coffeeshops you visit, so buying a bundle probably isn’t necessary.
I believe AT&T just announced that they will unlock iPhones that have fulfilled the 2-year contract. If your phone has met its contract obligation (or you have one that does), you can call AT&T and have it unlocked.
With this unlocked phone you can buy a SIM card in Canada and use that.