Simon,

On previous occasions, I don't know what network was being utilized in DRO. When I tried to call out yesterday I did get a prompt from Verizon to be ready to use my credit card for the $4-per-minute charge [to call a phone in the same room ]as CanuckFlyer mentioned. The second Rogers rep also mentioned Verizon and said that they don't currently have an agreement. Consequently, I am guessing that Verizon would pick up the incoming calls as well, but even that may not be the case.

I thought up until yesterday that the "AT & T" would mean that I would get service everywhere a U.S. AT & T subscriber would, but that apparently is not the case.

I think you're absolutely right though that Rogers doesn't currently have an agreement with whichever company is picking up the signal, even though they did as recently as four months ago.

It would be helpful if somehow the screen would read "No Service" rather than "Partner" but there's probably some technical limitation that doesn't allow that at present.

Another poster mentioned GSM and I would love to convert to that and look forward to an affordable world phone, but GSM plans are still expensive for guys like me, and, while they can claim to cover a high percentage of the population in Canada and the U.S., it's my understanding that it is mainly in the metropolitan areas, and thus is limited once one is outside those.

Thanks very much again to you and others for your suggestions, and I would welcome any and all further suggestions.

Cheers,
Fredd