Cheapest cell coverage between U.S. and Canada

Wirelessly posted (Quint's Pearl: BlackBerry8130/4.3.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I recall that Verizon offered a plan included Canadian roaming and and long distance. The plans are $20 more than the domestic plans and off peak and mobile to mobile are capped at 1000 minutes each. I don't know if this will work for you or not.

 

Here is a link to the plan Quint was referencing, it is the first selection in the list:

Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans, Cell Phone Accessories - Verizon Wireless

Of course, getting a Verizon phone would mean you would need to get a US number. This may or may not be a problem for you.

 

I'd say that it would be wise for you to have two phones one for use in Canada and one for use in the US. When calling from the US to Canada find a good calling card or use service such as Cheap Prepaid International Calling Cards and Discount Long Distance Phone Service - OneSuite or International Calling from Mobile or Home Phone - Gorilla Mobile - who have decent rates to call Canada. With onesuite I think you even get a better rate if you call a local access number rather than an 800 number (if you use your cellphone to make the call.)

 

I think Alltel has a North American Plan that includes roaming or so many minutes in Canada and Mexico. I don't know if it's the cheapest but....worth checking out I suppose

 

Why don't you pick up a T-Mobile prepaid kit. I believe they sell for $10 in T-Mobile stores. If you work towards the "gold rewards" plan after you've deposited $100 it will only cost you $10 every 365 days. Normal expiration is every 90 days. Pick up a few extra vouchers so you can keep it alive. The per minute rate for the $10 isn't all that good at 30¢/minute, but if you buy a $100 voucher you get a 10¢/minute rate.

You could also get an AT&T GoPhone account at an AT&T store. $25 refill will last 90 days and you get a 10¢/minute rate.

 

Do you have high-speed internet service at your home? You could get MagicJack or Nettalk devices for free calling to the US and Canada ($30 per year). In the US, RedPocket Wireless (prepaid-uses the AT&T network) has plans that include calling Canada at no extra charge. Also, if you have WiFi, there are T-Mobile phones or smartphone apps that will let you call over WiFi, just paying regular US prepaid plan rates when on WiFi anywhere outside the US.