WirelessAdvisor.com

05-18-2002, 9:39 PM

I'm a college student- in school in USA for 8 months, at home in Canada for 4. I can buy a Samsung SCH-T300 phone (any tips/comments/warnings?) in Canada for an incredibly low price, and get a plan in Canada for 4 months.

Verizon uses this phone as well.

=> Is it possible to switch the phone from Telus (Canada) to Verizon?

I'm thinking of getting two accounts: one in Canada, and one in the USA. When I'm using one, I'll put the other on vacation, and vice versa. While on 'vacation,' can I use the other account? Would I be able to program this into the cell phone myself or anything? (i.e. the various ID's).

When I spoke to a Verizon customer care representative, I was told that using the handset under a different company while on vacation was 'not possible' because of some serial number registration or something? Can anyone clarify? I'm willing to program my phone - if that's possible. Haha, maybe I can just go back to a Telus/Verizon dealer after being on vacation and saying that my phone 'doesn't work' and get them to reprogram it...

KevinJames · 05-18-2002, 10:52 PM

Backing up even one more step from the Verizon rep, I am completely unaware of any "vacation" condition for wireless plans. Verizon in the USA has only two ways to do business: PrePay and Plan.

If you chose a plan, they expect you to remain a subscriber continuously, through 12 to 24 contiguous months. Just because you are out of the country is inconsequential to them.

If you choose prepay, then allowing the service to laps for an extended period of time means that you loose whatever unused minutes you had before going back to Canada.

I can't speak to Canadian service.

Rich · 05-19-2002, 12:41 AM

Well, I would give Nextel a call. Nextel has roaming agreements with Telus, and vise versa. Nextel also has some really great promotions going on right now and some really great plans, if you want some more info on this please feel to e-mail me.

PS. just click on the "glasses" icon...to e-mail me.

bobolito · 05-19-2002, 3:42 PM

How about plans that will let you roam in both countries? You may wanna ask if they have something like that. That may be cheaper than having two accounts.
If not, I would think the best option is to have two phones or a phone that is capable of two numbers so when you move back and forth all you have to do is tell the phone to use the appropriate number since both numbers will be programmed into the phone. This way, there's no technical excuse.

If your phone is capable of more than one telephone number and they tell you they can't do it is because either they don't want to do it or because they don't know how to do it. A lot of reps simply don't know what they are talking about many times.

Jack · 05-19-2002, 6:41 PM

true some reps just dont know how to do it so they say that it can not be done.

Nextel is= 1-800-nextel9

or give verizon wireless a call they have a plan that you can travel in canada (same for at&t wireless)

Jack

05-20-2002, 3:34 PM

Thanks for everyone's help! I'm reluctant to go for a North America plan because of the rate. It would be, at minimum, $55/month, and it's not like I jetset back and forth between Canada/USA. I'm in either place for a pretty extended period of time. I'll go with Telus's plan for the summer (no contract), and then Verizon's America's Choice plan. According to several phone reps I called, there is no fee for calling Canada with America's Choice.

Re: the contract -- the Verizon rep(s) told me that I can put it on 'vacation' for $10 for up to 6 months.

And, I'll go for the SCH-T300 - it seems like a really cool phone. Plus, it's only US$120.

Two questions now:

Can I reprogram the phone in USA after this summer? Correct me if I'm wrong -- but I guess I need Telus's security code (183729?) to access MSC/PRL, which I can give to Verizon to reprogram along with the phone number. And when I come back to Canada, I can just input all the previous settings for Canada.

Next question: Is this phone compatible with prepaid plans?? It's not an 'offered phone' on Verizon prepaid.

Any other comments...?

thanks again for the help.

Jack · 05-20-2002, 7:45 PM

you can use any verizon phone on prepaid plans

Jack

bobolito · 05-21-2002, 6:36 AM

If the phone is capable of two numbers then there's no need to reprogram everytime you move since both programs will be on the phone. All you would do is to switch profiles.

Jack · 05-21-2002, 7:21 PM

I would check into tellus mobility at

http://www. tellus.com

They have some options for us and canada roaming. either mike/cellular/pcs

with mike you roam on nextel

Jack

Dukedog · 05-22-2002, 6:55 PM

If you can unlock the phone, it will be up to Verizon to activate it for you.

Jack · 05-22-2002, 7:02 PM

ITs up to you but I personally feel that one phone with one service plan that can go back and forth between the us and canada to be a better choice then 2 plans etc.

1. It is much easier
2. one phone # for people to contact you

Jack

05-18-2002, 9:39 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	US / CANADA PLAN and PHONE SWITCHING I'm a college student- in school in USA for 8 months, at home in Canada for 4. I can buy a Samsung SCH-T300 phone (any tips/comments/warnings?) in Canada for an incredibly low price, and get a plan in Canada for 4 months. Verizon uses this phone as well. => Is it possible to switch the phone from Telus (Canada) to Verizon? I'm thinking of getting two accounts: one in Canada, and one in the USA. When I'm using one, I'll put the other on vacation, and vice versa. While on 'vacation,' can I use the other account? Would I be able to program this into the cell phone myself or anything? (i.e. the various ID's). When I spoke to a Verizon customer care representative, I was told that using the handset under a different company while on vacation was 'not possible' because of some serial number registration or something? Can anyone clarify? I'm willing to program my phone - if that's possible. Haha, maybe I can just go back to a Telus/Verizon dealer after being on vacation and saying that my phone 'doesn't work' and get them to reprogram it...

05-19-2002, 12:41 AM	#3
Rich Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Pennsauken,NJ Posts: 762 Phone(s): Instinct Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Auctions	Well, I would give Nextel a call. Nextel has roaming agreements with Telus, and vise versa. Nextel also has some really great promotions going on right now and some really great plans, if you want some more info on this please feel to e-mail me. PS. just click on the "glasses" icon...to e-mail me. __________________ "Make something fool-proof and someone will make a better fool."

05-19-2002, 3:42 PM	#4
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 12,575 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Sierra 875 3G Aircard Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	How about plans that will let you roam in both countries? You may wanna ask if they have something like that. That may be cheaper than having two accounts. If not, I would think the best option is to have two phones or a phone that is capable of two numbers so when you move back and forth all you have to do is tell the phone to use the appropriate number since both numbers will be programmed into the phone. This way, there's no technical excuse. If your phone is capable of more than one telephone number and they tell you they can't do it is because either they don't want to do it or because they don't know how to do it. A lot of reps simply don't know what they are talking about many times. __________________

05-19-2002, 6:41 PM	#5
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	true some reps just dont know how to do it so they say that it can not be done. Nextel is= 1-800-nextel9 or give verizon wireless a call they have a plan that you can travel in canada (same for at&t wireless) Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

05-20-2002, 7:45 PM	#7
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	you can use any verizon phone on prepaid plans Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

WirelessAdvisor.com

Northeastern US Wireless Forum

US / CANADA PLAN and PHONE SWITCHING in U.S. Wireless Forums [Archive]; "I'm a college student- in school in USA for 8 ..."

WirelessAdvisor.com

05-18-2002, 10:52 PM	#2
KevinJames WA's 1st retired mod Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Central Valley NorCA Posts: 2,624 Phone(s): Samsung A877, Impression Provider(s): the new AT&T Devices: Plantronics Discovery925, Garmin Nuvi 660 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Backing up even one more step from the Verizon rep, I am completely unaware of any "vacation" condition for wireless plans. Verizon in the USA has only two ways to do business: PrePay and Plan. If you chose a plan, they expect you to remain a subscriber continuously, through 12 to 24 contiguous months. Just because you are out of the country is inconsequential to them. If you choose prepay, then allowing the service to laps for an extended period of time means that you loose whatever unused minutes you had before going back to Canada. I can't speak to Canadian service.

05-20-2002, 3:34 PM	#6
Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for everyone's help! I'm reluctant to go for a North America plan because of the rate. It would be, at minimum, $55/month, and it's not like I jetset back and forth between Canada/USA. I'm in either place for a pretty extended period of time. I'll go with Telus's plan for the summer (no contract), and then Verizon's America's Choice plan. According to several phone reps I called, there is no fee for calling Canada with America's Choice. Re: the contract -- the Verizon rep(s) told me that I can put it on 'vacation' for $10 for up to 6 months. And, I'll go for the SCH-T300 - it seems like a really cool phone. Plus, it's only US$120. Two questions now: Can I reprogram the phone in USA after this summer? Correct me if I'm wrong -- but I guess I need Telus's security code (183729?) to access MSC/PRL, which I can give to Verizon to reprogram along with the phone number. And when I come back to Canada, I can just input all the previous settings for Canada. Next question: Is this phone compatible with prepaid plans?? It's not an 'offered phone' on Verizon prepaid. Any other comments...? thanks again for the help.

05-21-2002, 6:36 AM	#8
bobolito iPhone 3G 16GB (White) Join Date: May 2002 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 12,575 Phone(s): iPhone 3G, Sierra 875 3G Aircard Provider(s): AT&T Mobility Devices: WiFi cards/Access points Thanks: 3 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Images: 50 My Auctions	If the phone is capable of two numbers then there's no need to reprogram everytime you move since both programs will be on the phone. All you would do is to switch profiles. __________________

05-21-2002, 7:21 PM	#9
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would check into tellus mobility at http://www. tellus.com They have some options for us and canada roaming. either mike/cellular/pcs with mike you roam on nextel Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

05-22-2002, 6:55 PM	#10
Dukedog Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 571 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you can unlock the phone, it will be up to Verizon to activate it for you.

05-22-2002, 7:02 PM	#11
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ITs up to you but I personally feel that one phone with one service plan that can go back and forth between the us and canada to be a better choice then 2 plans etc. 1. It is much easier 2. one phone # for people to contact you Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads for: US / CANADA PLAN and PHONE SWITCHING
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
switching phones in Canada	expo_3000	International Wireless Forum (Including Canada and Mexico)	3	10-07-2004 2:25 AM
La Canada, CA -- T-mobile or Sprint? Saw some good deals, thinking of switching.	ghostoast	Western US Wireless Forum	6	12-09-2002 10:43 PM
wireless plan for Canada	PistolPete	International Wireless Forum (Including Canada and Mexico)	5	11-09-2002 2:01 AM
Calling Canada from Chicago; what plan should I get?	huzefa	Central US Wireless Forum	26	09-24-2002 7:44 PM
Best plan for travelling across Canada		International Wireless Forum (Including Canada and Mexico)	1	06-17-2002 6:50 AM