US to Canada calling . . . Cell Phone Providers?

[KnJ 0]

Skype

You can pay for the year and it's cheaper. subscription details

In the US you can get a local number which lets you call from your cell phone, and you program speed dial numbers. J calls my cell phone from his cell phone this way, it costs us nothing.

Texting from skype is cheaper too. You buy credit as needed.

Then I use the skype subscription from my computer to call J, which ties me to the computer, but then he can just call me back and we talk on cells.

I highly recommend it.

[MrsCat 6]

I know this is going to sound complicated, but this is what we did to save on long distance between our cell phones. We have a vonage phone ($30/month) and have two telephone numbers. One for Seattle and one for Edmonton.

Here's how it worked:

I would call from my cell phone in Edmonton and dial the local Edmonton vonage telephone number. The Vonage number was forwarded to Chris' cell in Hawaii. It wasn't long distance for me, because I was technically calling Edmonton. No long distance or roaming for Chris because it was an incoming call.

Then, if I was out and about, we would forward the vonage phone to my cell phone, Chris would dial the seattle vonage number and it would ring my cell phone in Edmonton. Because Chris has nation-wide free long distance, there were no long distance fees because he was technically calling Seattle.

Sounds confusing but really worked great for us to talk all we wanted without long distance.

Edited October 3, 2009 by MrsCat

[thetreble 19]

Mrs. Cat that is very smart!

[Krikit 1,164]

AT&T: I switched AT&T a few months ago after getting sick of T-Mobile, as well as wanting an iPhone. The only thing I don't like about AT&T is the lack of international text messaging. I cannot see spending an extra $10 a month for only 100 texts when I spend $20 and get unlimited within the US. This is the only company I know of that doesn't include Canada in the domestic long distance, as far as text messages go. Calling Canada is $0.25 a month, or you can get a package for $4.99 (I think) and then it's like $0.09 a minute. AT&T does have AMAZING customer service, and I love everything except what I listed previously.

I'm a bit confused over this post. They do international text messaging and you can opt for the per-text billing..... I think it's 35 cents per message or something. I don't recall there being a restriction on non-domestic texts. Maybe that's a new thing.

Their world calling option is a waste of money. You still have to pay for the roam charges, so by the time you pay that and their monthly fee, plus the minutes, you're worse off than when you'd started. Don't know who thought that one up. lol

I love my vonage virtual number in Ontario. I got it so my kids can call me from their cellphones so they don't incur LD charges, but everyone uses it. Plus I had a good laugh the day some telemarketing company called it and told me congratulations, I had won something from the ballot I had filled out the other day (in Oakville ) and could they have my details so they could mail me my prize. I played with that person for a while. lol

[redBlue 1]

Has anyone found a good cell phone provider for calling and texting Canada? I use phone cards because my cell company charges $.29/min for calling Canada. Texts cost me $.29 per text so I got a "bundle" that lets me send only 100 texts a month for $9.99 (this is just for texts sent to Canada, I also pay for a separate US text plan). I know I am not getting a good deal on either. When Sean moves here I would like to just change companies to make it easier for him to call home.

I tried searching online but didn't come up with anything.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

we both use VoIP(voice over IP technology) for our landlines....US&CDN callings are also free..its around 15 $ per month with 15 features included.....

[frenzyheart 2]

I'm a bit confused over this post. They do international text messaging and you can opt for the per-text billing..... I think it's 35 cents per message or something. I don't recall there being a restriction on non-domestic texts. Maybe that's a new thing.

Okay, there's an international texting package that you pay $9.99 for, and it gives you 100 text messages. With this package, you're paying roughly $0.09 a text message to Canada. Without the package, you pay $0.25 a text message, but there isn't a restriction. Should you get the package, every text past 100 will charge the standard $0.25 rate. There's no restriction on the number of texts, in general, just on how many you can get for the cheaper rate if you get the package. Does that make any sense?

That's why I just use the program I recommended with my iPhone. However, I know that not everyone has one, so the package is an option if you're willing to spend the extra cash.

You'd think they'd allow some type of unlimited international texting package... I keep hoping they will someday, since my fiance texts all of his friends, and he'll likely just be added to my package when he moves down here. Silly AT&T...

Edited October 4, 2009 by frenzyheart

[eklondon 0]

2 words... Google voice, completely free if calling or texting from US to anywhere to north america

[Krikit 1,164]

Okay, there's an international texting package that you pay $9.99 for, and it gives you 100 text messages. With this package, you're paying roughly $0.09 a text message to Canada. Without the package, you pay $0.25 a text message, but there isn't a restriction. Should you get the package, every text past 100 will charge the standard $0.25 rate. There's no restriction on the number of texts, in general, just on how many you can get for the cheaper rate if you get the package. Does that make any sense?

Oh, okay. That makes sense. I had them remove that feature (they added it on the sly ) because I very rarely do/receive texting. AT&T isn't the greatest company, but I needed one with GSM capabilities for international travel.

[warlord 73]

T-Mobile has an international calling plan....you add the feature for $4.99/month and rate to Canada is $0.09/minute.

This is what I have...

[thetreble 19]

Verizon's Canada Plan is awesome.

[JillA 2]

Verizon's Canada Plan is awesome.

That's what I have too, it rocks. I never have to worry about roaming charges when I'm back in Canada, I use my phone alot there too

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Verizon's Canada Plan is awesome.

That's what I have too, it rocks. I never have to worry about roaming charges when I'm back in Canada, I use my phone alot there too

I'll third that! I love the Verizon plan, absolutely no complains. No roaming charges, no long distance charges, a good amount of available minutes, and you get to call other Verizon users for free!

Edited October 5, 2009 by Hugglebuggles

[thetreble 19]

Yes maam. It cut down my bills A LOT.

[LiLMermaid 2]

Has anyone found a good cell phone provider for calling and texting Canada? I use phone cards because my cell company charges $.29/min for calling Canada. Texts cost me $.29 per text so I got a "bundle" that lets me send only 100 texts a month for $9.99 (this is just for texts sent to Canada, I also pay for a separate US text plan). I know I am not getting a good deal on either. When Sean moves here I would like to just change companies to make it easier for him to call home.

I tried searching online but didn't come up with anything.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

We have verizon with unlimited txting, Canada is included. I purchased a 'skype to go' Us to Canada calling plan for $2.95 a month. It gives you a local US number to call and then you call the Canada number. I added that local number as a favorite so it doesn't use any of my minutes included in plan. Works great.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I really wish I could use Verizon. My father worked for Verizon for 35+ years and I would get a huge discount using it. However, here in L.A., ther are several deadspots where you can't get any incoming/outgoing service and my apartment, work and parents house happen to be in them. I know my brother in law uses an international plan to call s. america frequently and he raves about it being the best value.