How to get prepaid cell and data plan in Vancouver while still in the US
 

I am traveling to Vancouver, BC next month for a few days and was wondering if there was any to get cell/data plan while I am still here so that I can activate it immediately after I arrive.

Thanks!

i have also been curious about this, will be interesting to see replies.

http://www.telestial.com/view_produc...T_ID=LSIM-CA04

You can likely get a Virgin Mobile card for cheaper at a VM dealer. Generally anything you get from Telestial is charged a premium over regular cost.

Also, you can get a data only SIM for as little as $49

http://www.telestial.com/data.php

You could also get a SIM from Rogers, Fido or Chatr at your Canadian destination.

There is a Fido store on West Georgia St. and there is a Rogers store on Davie St. in Vancouver.

Check out http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/canada.php though I do not think the information on prepaidgsm.net is totally up-to-date.

Mrsimcard.com

Got a Virgin Mobile SIM and top-up card off eBay.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22238842-post26.html

do any of the 'majors' in the US sell prepaid phones/sims with international (not dialing from US) prepaid plan option?

says theyre in DC area, but im assuming they do not have a physical store?

do any of telestial/ekit/JT 's partners have retail stores/etc?

interesting re reloading - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-services.html

http://www.similicious.com

You can buy a SIM card from them, they'll mail it to you. When you land, just put it in your phone and you're good to go. It's the simplest, most popular way to do it and I've done it a bunch.

Only one thing I say is it's a little expensive. I've recently just been getting to Vancouver and queuing up a map on the airport wifi that routes me to the closest Rogers. They are much cheaper there. Just make sure you bring a US Debit Card to pay for it.

AT&T has a $55 1 GB US, Mexico, and Canada plan. You'll then need to add a $25 data plan for data to work in CA. Not cheap by any means. http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/pla...ku7420264.html

Saw the link. Once you got the Sim, did you activate the plan from the US? How? Did you but the plan also from ebay?

Thanks!

I know you said before you arrive but just go to any 7-11 once you get here, pick up a Speakout SIM (and phone if needed) and some airtime. 5 minutes and you are good to go. Best prepaid in the world, IMHO. 365 day validity of airtime, $10/month for data and it uses the Rogers/Fido network. It is my only cell phone here.

How easy is it to activate and how much data do you get?

Also there is a 7-11 at the airport. I assume, one should be able to get the card there: http://www.yvr.ca/en/shopping-dining...c/7Eleven.aspx

Does it work with smartphones at a reasonable speed?

SpeakOut uses the Rogers network, so the speed should be mainstream. I used it in my 3G (unlocked) UK iPhone 4S while in Vancouver a few weeks ago and it worked fine. I activated the SIM over the web and it was pretty painless; make sure you have the IMEI handy.