Travel Technology - Mobile boradband/internet access in USA and Canada

Greetings!

We will be visiting the USA and Canada for a month in September/October (three weeks USA, one week Canada). Generally touring around seeing the sights.

I seek the advice of the Forum with regard to mobile broadband/internet access.

Here in the UK it’s quite simple to buy a Pay As You Go (PAYG) package comprising of a dongle that is pre loaded with software and some credit that can then be topped up as required. Costs here are about £30 ($48) for the dongle which includes £10 ($16) credit, then a flat rate of £2 ($3.20) per day, £7 ($11.20) per week or £15 ($24) for 30 days unlimited connection. [These rates are for UK T-Mobile, though other operators in the UK offer similar deals].

Are such PAYG deals available in the USA/Canada as this would work out much cheaper for us rather than having to pay hotel internet connection charges?

Any help and advice much appreciated.

Nigel.

Pay as you go broadband isn't that popular here in the US/Canada (at least, that I'm aware). It looks like Virgin Mobile has such a thing, but the set-up cost (150$) is rather high.

I would more likely try to get a wifi package from AT&T, Boingo, iPass, etc. It's not perfect as you need to find a wifi hotspot, but it's manageable and much cheaper than Virgin Mobile.

One thing that I've noticed is that US companies are much LESS likely to have programs that includes Canada, versus the opposite. Seems like Canadians travel a lot more to the US versus Americans to Canada.

HTSC

I believe the Tmobile USB sticks will work in either the US or UK so you should be OK in that regard. (The US models go for about $50, so you're ahead there.)

The Tmobile US web page doesn't make it clear so I just called customer service and was first told that they don't offer any sort of pay-as-you-go data plan. Then, as an afterthought, she said they just have the *two* plans - one with an annual contract and one without. The only difference is that an annual contract is required if you want to buy the modem at a discounted price. Since you already have the equipment, you don't need a contract and the monthly price is the same. $59.99/mo plus $35 activation fee.

I suspect some internet research might find a way to avoid the activation fee. Also, the my-tmobile.com site is set up to allow one to easily turn on/off various account features and the cost is prorated over the entire month.

So, IF you can figure out how to set up a US Tmobile account - perhaps purchase a SIM card on Ebay or something - you should be able to use your USB modem in the US at US (non-roaming) rates.

I'm planning to pick up a Tmobile USB modem on my next trip to the UK (at the lower UK price) to use while I'm there. So please let us know how yours works over here.

I also notice that Tmobile UK has a USB modem dock that provides a wireless access point. I'm wondering if that would give me a mobile hotspot which would provide wifi to my Blackberry (which would give me international calling with no roaming charges using the hotspot@home service).

Just out of curiosity, what are the US roaming charges for a UK account?

Best,

John

Thanks for your advice so far!

Just out of curiosity, what are the US roaming charges for a UK account?

John

It's an eye watering £7.50 ($12) per Megabyte!

I'm not very technical - not sure how I would stop my dongle from automatically connecting through roaming at £7.50/MB rather than connecting and using a US based account?

Nigel.

It's an eye watering £7.50 ($12) per Megabyte!

I'm not very technical - not sure how I would stop my dongle from automatically connecting through roaming at £7.50/MB rather than connecting and using a US based account?

That seems a little pricey, alright. Gotta be a better way.

Isn't there a SIM that you can swap for a US SIM? Should be just like a voice SIM. If you can get some kind of US Tmobile account set up you should be able to establish the non-contract dataplan. Have you checked ebay for a SIM?

If you haven't already, you'll have to have the modem unlocked, of course.

Let us know if we can help from this end.

Best,

John

Hi John:

I see lots of T Mobile cards for sale on ebay.com - but not sure which are the most appropriate.

As to getting the UK dongle unlocked - I haven't a clue.

I thought it would be so simple to walk into a T Mobile shop, pay my $50 or so for the dongle and top up as necessary just like here in the UK - I guess it's not going to happen!

Nigel.

As to getting the UK dongle unlocked - I haven't a clue.

I thought it would be so simple to walk into a T Mobile shop, pay my $50 or so for the dongle and top up as necessary just like here in the UK - I guess it's not going to happen!


Seems like nothing is ever simple, anymore. :) Mobile technology in the US seems to lag the UK and Europe by a year or so. Actually, you're lucky in that you already have a modem so the non-contract plans are an option for you.

I guess your first step should be getting the device unlocked. In the US, Tmobile will do this at no charge after 90 days. Really pretty simple - they email you the instructions and you jump through the hoops. I'll bet Tmobile UK will do something similar. If not, I'll bet you can find a shop to do the job for a tenner.

FWIW, I've used UK Tmobile voice plan SIMs in locked US Tmobile phones so locking may not be an issue if you stay with Tmobile.

Once you get it unlocked (if it is locked), the second step is a pay-as-you-go SIM (which should be simple), but you need a dataplan on it. We know that Tmobile US offers a non-contract plan so I think I'd try some of the ebay vendors before you leave or google for cell phone stores in a town you plan to visit and email them.

If you don't get a plan set up before you get to the US, be aware that, like the UK, there are company stores (Tmobile, AT&T, etc) and independents that sell all the carriers services just as Carphone Warehouse does in the UK. I think I'd try the independents as they are generally more "creative" about getting things done.

Best,

John

Thanks for your advice so far!



It's an eye watering £7.50 ($12) per Megabyte!

I'm not very technical - not sure how I would stop my dongle from automatically connecting through roaming at £7.50/MB rather than connecting and using a US based account?

Nigel.

CHEAP! US roamers pay $21/MB when they are abroad.

CHEAP! US roamers pay $21/MB when they are abroad.

That's true, except that it is much easier to pick up a UK SIM card and pay local rates. :)

I've checked ebay and the other obvious sources and so far haven't found a US payg SIM for a USB stick. I'm surprised that it is this difficult.

That's true, except that it is much easier to pick up a UK SIM card and pay local rates. :)

I've checked ebay and the other obvious sources and so far haven't found a US payg SIM for a USB stick. I'm surprised that it is this difficult.

Yes it is difficult, in general Pay as you go is just not that popular in the US. I think most US carriers discourage it by selling crappy phone with rip off rate. I am pretty sure the USB stick from T-mobile UK/rest of europe will not work with the one in T-mobile US (the exclusive 1700 Mhz 3G :p), unless you are talking about GPRS/Edge. It might work with AT&T though.

Btw, how does anyone get pay as you go 3G modem to work in UK (for US traveler anyway)? Last time I try to get the one from O2, but I can't activate the account because I don't have a credit card (UK/EU based) to enable with.


Also has anyone try the AT&T Premiere WiFi? Is it true you can roam anywhere in the world for a fixed $20/month rate? I have been traveling outside of US once a month and that seems reasonable compare to how much I have to paid in the hotel internet.


Nevermind, found this thread any-international-roaming-wireless-internet-provider-can-beat-boingo (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/954384-any-international-roaming-wireless-internet-provider-can-beat-boingo.html)

Btw, how does anyone get pay as you go 3G modem to work in UK (for US traveler anyway)? Last time I try to get the one from O2, but I can't activate the account because I don't have a credit card (UK/EU based) to enable with.


Can't speak for broadband, but I'd assume that it is just like a payg voice account in the UK. I've used both an Amex for online topups and also bought topup cards at the newsagent.

Seem like pretty good deals for short term use here -
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband/

I've also bought phones from Carphone Warehouse, but the Tmobile shops seem to activate the phone rather than just handing you a box and telling you to figure it out.

That's true, except that it is much easier to pick up a UK SIM card and pay local rates. :)

I've checked ebay and the other obvious sources and so far haven't found a US payg SIM for a USB stick. I'm surprised that it is this difficult.

In the US you won't find any PAYG GSM prepaid data. AT&T has some ways of adding their medianet package to PAYG, but the price is insane. T-Mobile lets you mess around and turn a Sidekick plan into a PAYG, but then you'll still need a T-Mobile 3G USB adapter.

Virgin Mobile just started doing prepaid data in the US, but the USB modem is $150 (it is not GSM) and I think you then pay $60 per 1GB of data or $10 per 100MB.

Check Cricket Wireless in the places you'll be, they have a no-contract mobile broadband service that may work for you.

and none of this works in Canada! I have not found a good Canadian prepaid data solution and I've looked pretty hard. The new network Globalalive will have some pp data plans, but they don't launch for another year if everything goes on schedule.

One other niche player I've discovered:

Mobi PCS on Oahu is $20/$34/month for unlimited data

http://www.mobipcs.com/hele/plans.php

In the US you won't find any PAYG GSM prepaid data. AT&T has some ways of adding their medianet package to PAYG, but the price is insane. T-Mobile lets you mess around and turn a Sidekick plan into a PAYG, but then you'll still need a T-Mobile 3G USB adapter.

Virgin Mobile just started doing prepaid data in the US, but the USB modem is $150 (it is not GSM) and I think you then pay $60 per 1GB of data or $10 per 100MB.

Check Cricket Wireless in the places you'll be, they have a no-contract mobile broadband service that may work for you.

Thanks for your advice so far!



It's an eye watering £7.50 ($12) per Megabyte!

I'm not very technical - not sure how I would stop my dongle from automatically connecting through roaming at £7.50/MB rather than connecting and using a US based account?

Nigel.

You do not need to worry about which carrier your dongle will connect to. It will connect ONLY to the carrier owning the SIM that you install.

You do not need to worry about which carrier your dongle will connect to. It will connect ONLY to the carrier owning the SIM that you install.

My previous post is not quite accurate. If you allow it, your device will connect to a partnered carrier under roaming terms (if any). Since roaming charges are outrageous (at least with US carriers), the reasonable thing is to turn data roaming off. Sorry for the mis-wording.

Many thanks to all that have offered such useful advice.

It looks as though my quest for dongle/mobile broadband is somewhat futile!

As an alternative, for when I find hotel wifi costs prohibitive I thought I would look at a basic prepaid dial-up service (I recall that most hotels give free local call access).

Doing a google search, I've come across these providers that suit my needs (all seem to offer dial-up at around 1c/min):

BAMnet (http://www.bamnet.com/)
Budget Dialup (http://www.budgetdialup.com/html/learn_usrtollfree.htm)
MaGlobe (http://www.maglobe.com/)

Does the group have any experience of any of these companies, or, can you recommend anyone else?

Thanks again for your help.

Nigel.

Doing a google search, I've come across these providers that suit my needs (all seem to offer dial-up at around 1c/min):

BAMnet (http://www.bamnet.com/)
Budget Dialup (http://www.budgetdialup.com/html/learn_usrtollfree.htm)
MaGlobe (http://www.maglobe.com/)

Does the group have any experience of any of these companies, or, can you recommend anyone else?

A few years ago, I had very good experiences with Budget Dialup.

First thing you should know is What ever plan you take in the US will be very expensive in Canada. So it is probably best to look at the two separately.

If having true mobile broadband is important to you, you have two good options for the US:
1. Get the unlock code for your GSM dongle. I don't know how it works in the UK, but in the US I can call at&t (my provider) and they will give it to me for free. Then simply walk into an at&t store and sign up for a plan. Since you have your own equipment there won't be a contract. It will cost about $65-70/mo. You will be able to cancel any time and when you do your bill will be prorated for the days you have it. This is for a 5GB a month plan, which is a standard package.

2. Your other option is to go into any store and sign up for a plan with a contract. Any major provider should have a 30 day trial period, but check before you sign anything. You just need to return the air card and they'll refund anything you paid for it and cancel your contract. However, getting the air card back may be a little tricky. All providers have two types of stores. Corporate owned and affiliate, if you buy from a corporate store you should be able to return the equipment to any other corporate store or by mail. If you buy from an affiliate you'll need to mail it in. When mailing it in they will send you a box you need to send it to them in. This can be a little tricky if you are on the road.


In short I really think option 1 is your best bet. Not only for your North America trip, but also any trips you may take to other places. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

I should also note, that I do not know what the policy is on opening an account w/o a Social Security Number. You may want to try and buy a blank SIM on eBay and set it up at home. That way you can hit the ground running, if you have trouble finding a blank SIM, let me know I probably have one around somewhere.

How about AT&T wifi Premier? http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=5949
It is a monthly service that allows you to access wifi hotspot worldwide for $20/month. It does require a 1 yr contract but early termination is only $20. So in a sense if you need 1 month of service for both US and Canada, it only cost about $40. Based on the sign up page, it looks like anyone 18yrs older with valid credit card can sign up for the service.

If I were you, WRT Canada I'd just look at WiFi.

I'm not sure where you're going in Canada, but there are Access Points all over the place, from Starbucks to public libraries to hotel lobbies to Internet Cafes...

Might be the easiest thing for a week.

Not that this helps the OP much, but I have used the Verizon day-by-day service occasionally. It's $15/day, and you need a Verizon wireless modem, but I do typically get a much stronger signal than my AT&T cellphone gets, and have more or less constant access to the internet on my laptop (which has an integrated Verizon modem in it).

Of course, for several weeks at $15/day, the OP is probably better off using WiFi hotspots. The Verizon plan works for me on 1-2 day business trips, because I have access at airports, hotels, and meeting rooms and don't have to bother with the ubiquitous $10/day hotel charge for internet access.

You do not need to worry about which carrier your dongle will connect to. It will connect ONLY to the carrier owning the SIM that you install.

I'm just about to unlock my dongle to change to another payg provider here (Sweden) and I then also need to change the settings in the modem software so it knows which provider it should identify with. Or it won't work at all.