If you’ve travelled to the States with your mobile phone in the past, you’ve surely either experienced sticker shock at your bill the next month, or have paid your Canadian provider a handsome fee to provide coverage south of the 49th parallel.
A few years ago, I discovered Roam Mobility, a Vancouver-based company specializing in talk, text, and data plans for USA-bound travellers.
Whether you’re on business or taking a well-deserved holiday, Roam is there with several plans, starting at $1.95 per day for text and data, through to unlimited talk, text, and data, including 400 MB 4G LTE Data for $3.95 per day.
Simply purchase a SIM card in Canada (either online or at outlets including London Drugs), activate the SIM, pick a plan, and you’re off! You can always access your account online (or via texting ‘topup’ to 7850 by SMS) for topping up a current plan. They also have a toll-free number you can call if you get stuck or need help.
When you activate a Roam SIM you get your own US phone number that’s yours to keep as long as you as you top up once every 365 days. Your Roam SIM card and US phone number can be topped up and reused anytime you travel. I’ve used their service on several occasions to date. Schedule the start date and time of your plan, arrive at the airport, and you’re good to go (provided your phone is unlocked).
If you don’t own an unlocked phone, check out the Breeze ($49.95), an unlocked, dual-SIM USA travel phone great for unlimited talk and text plans. The quad-band Breeze includes a hands-free headset, US roaming number, and Dual-SIM cards.
On business with your laptop or tablet? The Liberty Mobile Hotspot ($99.95) will hook up to five devices within a 150-foot radius.
Now I know many of you are longing for a holiday break or a great gift idea for a travel lover in your life. I’ve partnered with Roam to offer two readers a fab bundle for your next American vacation or business trip:
GRAND PRIZE: Family Travel Bundle
2 x Roam LTE SIM Cards
2 x 7 Day Talk+Text+Data Plans
2 x Roam SIM Holders
Approx. Value: $100
Runner-Up Prize: Roam Prize Bundle
1 x Roam LTE SIM Card
1 x 7 Day Talk+Text+Data Plan
1 x Roam SIM Holder
Approx. Value: $50
For a chance to win, you’ve got three options:
1) Like Roam Mobility and Vancouverscape on Facebook.
2) Follow Roam Mobility and Vancouverscape on Twitter and RT the following:
I’ve entered for a chance to win a Roam prize pack via Roam Mobility and Vancouverscape http://ow.ly/DWNBO
3) Name your favourite USA winter destination in the comments section below.
Do all three for an extra two entries! I’ll draw two winners on December 9 at 4 pm. Congrats to our winners, Chris Craigman and Daryl Lang!
Contest open to Canadian residents only. Good luck to all entrants and happy roam-free holidays!
