cell phone service in Canada

Discovery · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:34 pm Post subject: cell phone service in Canada

Does anyone have any information about Verizon phone service in the Gulf Islands and Discovery Passage/Straights of Georgia in BC? Wondering about communication back home during our cruise in that area this summer.

Thanks,

Dreamer · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:52 pm Post subject:

Brent, in 2004, we got a Verizon phone for that very purpose. At that time on one of their plans (not the most popular one) you could add Canadian coverage whenever you wanted for $10/ month. It was great.. They contracted with one of the Canadian cell companies to use their network. Don't know if it is still an option. Give them a call and talk to a supervisor. Most of the customer care staff know nothing about the special programs. Verizon coverage is the best out here on the Olympic Peninsula.

Discovery · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject:

Roger,
Thanks for the info. I'll contact Verizon. I'm afraid the $10 add on isn't available any longer but maybe by going to North America Choice. I'm just glad to hear Verizon has coverage. Can you hear me now?

AstoriaDave · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject:

Not Verizon, but my Cingular/ATT coverage in the Victoria/Gulf Islands corridor is good enough for the necessaries. I would not load up on chat time, inasmuch as there were some Roam calls in there. But, I was able to get non-Roam service across the Straits most of the time while in Victoria. Must be a honkin' tall installation behind Port Angeles or something!

lloyds · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:16 pm Post subject:

I have used Verizon up there for the last two summers, without knowing of the possibility of special plans. When you dial out up there with Verizon you get the out of area/roaming message. And the roaming is expensive, like $1.00/minute or more. Since I am going up to the island next month I am going to have a visit at my Verizon service center this week and see what they say.

drjohn71a · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:23 pm Post subject:

Brent, I was up at Glacier National Park, using my Verizon tri-mode phone alot. Ppl kept coming up to me with astonished expressions that ANY type of phone would work there. I think it is the tri-mode, which uses analog satellite if the digital is not available (I think...) that makes that possible. Since I live on a farm, there is no digital service at the farm. So just having a Verizon or whatever brand name phone is not as critical as the phone's being "Tri- Mode" ..... John