3G in Canada

Enterprise_1701C

We are off to Canada in September, and I intend to use it as a very good excuse to get a tablet pc. Will either get a 3G one or get a wireless and buy a separate portable wireless hotspot.

Obviously would rather not pay roaming charges - will be used for web browsing to book hotels etc, checking email, possibly as a sat nav too. A netbook would not be suitable as we have more uses for a tablet at home.

Can I get hold of a PAYG data sim from Canada or do I have to take a deep breath and go unprepared?

Enterprise_1701C

Anyone? Please help!!

Im_just_careful

See http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/canada.html for details of networks in Canada.

Note EXTREMELY carefully the GSM/WCDMA comments.

Anything that works in the UK will be GSM.

You may find that an iPad will be what phones call "quad band" and thus capable of working in Canada. Other than an iPad, you could get the WiFi enabled device of your choice (even an iPod touch) and buy something like the Zoom We3G Mobile Hotspot (SIM FREE/UNLOCKED) (put that in Amazon).

This should have some residual value on your return to the UK. I've got one and I've been very impressed with it.

A local SIM should be better value but if you must have something before you go http://www.abroadband.com/faq/layout/home.seam?displaySearchResult=true&cid=30237 might be of use.

stilltheone

Im_just_careful wrote: »

See http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/canada.html for details of networks in Canada.

Note EXTREMELY carefully the GSM/WCDMA comments.

Anything that works in the UK will be GSM.

You may find that an iPad will be what phones call "quad band" and thus capable of working in Canada. Other than an iPad, you could get the WiFi enabled device of your choice (even an iPod touch) and buy something like the Zoom We3G Mobile Hotspot (SIM FREE/UNLOCKED) (put that in Amazon).

This should have some residual value on your return to the UK. I've got one and I've been very impressed with it.

A local SIM should be better value but if you must have something before you go http://www.abroadband.com/faq/layout/home.seam?displaySearchResult=true&cid=30237 might be of use.

W-CDMA is not a problem, it's the frequency band of 1700MHz that is more likely to cause a problem for the UK user.

The other frequencies are compatible with modems that can be purchased in the UK.

For instance, this Huawei E160 will be compatible with all but W-CDMA 1700.

Abroadband at 59 euros per GB and no guarantee of 3G acccess. Not for me.

Im_just_careful

The way I read the original post, the requirement was for a tablet so I was thinking either the iPad or the rather nice Samsung alternative.

Hence what is needed is either a SIM which will work in one of those devices (which I guess needs a European standard GSM/3G network) or some kind of "MiFi" type device.

If the "tablet PC" is rather more "PC ish" with Windows and USB ports then the dongle you suggest would be fine (if bought or subsequently unlocked) but given the relatively low typical cost of a dongle (in the UK at least) it might be worth buying one on arrival in Canada.

I also agree that the abroadband data rates are expensive but they are, at least, better than say Vodafone UK PAYG roamed to Canada.

Enterprise_1701C

I don't have the tablet yet, but it is most likely to be an Android Honeycomb, could be an IPad (if I win one in that time!!!!!). I have been told a dongle is not an option in Honeycomb.

Am I right in thinking now that I should not get a 3G tablet but would probably be better off getting a wireless hotspot to go with a wireless tab.

There is so many different options in the tablet market at the moment, with more to come, I will almost certainly leave it till the last minute (painful for me as I like to plan things ahead!!), and am thinking now that I will probably get a sim in Canada, taking into account coverage etc.

One other point with the hotspots - can you "just" put a sim in them or is it more complicated than that? I am quite tech minded, but had not actually considered one of these before a couple of weeks ago so have not really looked into them.

Im_just_careful

Personally I would buy a tablet with built in 3G just for the convenience in the UK even if you do buy the Zoom as well.

The Zoom is a bit more expensive than, say, an unlocked "3" MiFi but I think more likely to "just work" in Canada.

stilltheone

Jane_Blackford wrote: »

I don't have the tablet yet, but it is most likely to be an Android Honeycomb, could be an IPad (if I win one in that time!!!!!). I have been told a dongle is not an option in Honeycomb.

Am I right in thinking now that I should not get a 3G tablet but would probably be better off getting a wireless hotspot to go with a wireless tab.

There is so many different options in the tablet market at the moment, with more to come, I will almost certainly leave it till the last minute (painful for me as I like to plan things ahead!!), and am thinking now that I will probably get a sim in Canada, taking into account coverage etc.

One other point with the hotspots - can you "just" put a sim in them or is it more complicated than that? I am quite tech minded, but had not actually considered one of these before a couple of weeks ago so have not really looked into them.

You have to enter the profile of the corresponding network.

SIM cards are here and here. C$5