Mobile data recommendation

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 7, 2016 | 5:59 am

SQTraveller

Original Poster

Join Date: Dec 2012

Posts: 1,820

Mobile data recommendation

Hi there,
What suggestions do posters have about getting mobile phone plan for a brief 2 week stay in BC? And where can I pick up that suggested plan?
For example, is there a wireless router option available say at the airport?

Thanks!

Jul 7, 2016 | 8:30 am

mistermap

Join Date: Jul 2015

Location: BDL, YVR, CMH

Programs: AC, WN, Nexus

Posts: 74

YVR and many hotels and restaurants have wifi.

What is your usual mobile company at home? I have Verizon; their current plans for adding Canadian service are reasonable. Your provider might be similar.

Jul 7, 2016 | 9:27 am

gobluetwo

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)

Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC

Posts: 6,095

VZW TravelPass to Canada lets you use your existing plan limits and costs $2/day (or 24 hour period, actually) in CA and MX. You have to explicitly turn it on in your account, but my wife used it for a week long trip (not every day) and it cost us $8. Mine is covered by work. For a 14 day trip, it should cost <$30, which is fairly reasonably.

If you have TMO, then there is no extra charge to use your phone internationally.

The AT&T Mobile Passport and Sprint International Data Pack plans are terrible (low data limits and expensive) and I'd just get a local SIM.

Older thread, but might give you some ideas.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...im-canada.html

Jul 7, 2016 | 9:40 am

gglave

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry

Posts: 8,810

One option is the SIMs and phones available from Petro Canada Mobility (Petro Canada is a large gas station chain here) -

http://mobility.petro-canada.ca/

Conveniently, there is a Petro Canada Station right at the airport and according to the link above they do sell the service. Alternately, you can buy a SIM online and ship it to you, or to your hotel.

The other option is "Speakout" which is sold by the 7-11 convenience store chain:

http://www.speakout7eleven.ca/

Same deal - Either buy from the store or order online.

Both services are Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) operating on the network operated in Canada by Rogers Mobility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SQTraveller

is there a wireless router option available say at the airport?

Are you asking if there is WiFi at YVR? The answer is yes - It's ubiquitous and fast.

Jul 7, 2016 | 10:59 am

eigenvector

Join Date: Apr 2015

Location: YVR

Programs: UA Premier Platinum

Posts: 3,796

Quote:

Originally Posted by gglave

Are you asking if there is WiFi at YVR? The answer is yes - It's ubiquitous and fast.

I think OP is asking about the mobile data "pocket" wifi routers that are common in Japan and Europe. I've never seen anything like this in Canada.

For a short trip, you may come out ahead buying a roaming plan from your home operator rather than buying a SIM card in Canada as the prepaid options are fairly expensive come with fairly small data allotments.