I'm looking for an affordable mobile plan that will let me surf the web and use Google maps during a short trip to Canada.

October 6, 2009 12:31 PM

I'm going to Vancouver next month. My Sprint phone won't be of any use to me there. When I went to Toronto last year, I was able to make exorbitantly expensive phone calls and I wasn't able to access the internet or use google maps. I'd like to do all of those things economically. I still have my old Treo 75?wx. Perhaps that could be of some use? Thank you.
posted by stuart_s to technology (5 comments total)

Go to ebay and search for Rogers SIM cards. They go for about $10 with shipping. Assuming your Treo is GSM unlock the phone if necessary (also on ebay, for about $4) and all you have to do is register the card with Rogers and buy prepaid time at any convenience store or gas station.

There's all sorts of free wireless in Vancouver, including the airport, Starbuck's, Safeway stores, libraries and many other public buildings and a surprising number of unsecured networks.

Good luck.
posted by Neiltupper at 2:18 PM on October 6

I'm not sure we have prepaid data in Canada, so you might not be able to this. If you just want voice, you're probably better off just buying a prepaid phone from 7-11.
posted by reformedjerk at 2:19 PM on October 6

I'm pretty sure you could pick up a Virgin phone at Best Buy or London Drugs once you're here and set it up on the spot for data use, assuming you've got a credit card. The phones themselves range from 50 - 100$ (there's probably more expensive ones too).

Other than that, the mobile market in Canada is still locked up pretty tight and they mostly want you to agree to a plan. You might also check out Koodo, another company taking a similar approach as Virgin and moving towards a more open pre-paid European style mobile plan. I don't know anyone who has used them though so I can't offer an endorsement. Virgin has been good to me so far.

Have a nice trip.
posted by mannequito at 3:15 PM on October 6

GSM? How do I tell whether my Treo is such a thing?

Thanks so far, everyone.
posted by stuart_s at 9:13 PM on October 6

GSM phones use sim cards - does your Treo take a sim card?

In the states, T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM networks, so if it's a Sprint phone, it's probably not GSM. The phone manufacturer can make GSM and non-GSM versions of the same phone.
posted by Salamandrous at 6:27 AM on October 7