Using Orange Pay As You Go Mobile In Canada and USA

Liz_the_Whizz

Hi,

We are off to Toronto, Canada at the end of May, and also intend to go into Michigan. I was dismayed when I checked on the Orange website to see that my Pay As you Go mobile apparently won't work in Canada, though it may be OK in certain parts of the US (hard to tell from their listing whether Michigan is OK or not).

I read that it may be best to buy a SIM card when we arrive, but I might feel more comfortable doing something now so I know it will work. I can't imagine life without my mobile, especially as we wanted the flexibility to ring ahead to book hotels rather than fix things before we go.

All suggestions gratefully received.

JAYMARSH2005

You can buy a Tri Band phone which will work in the USA and Canada but be aware that if you use your current sim card you will get charged Roaming Charges which means your call charges are a lot more than they are now.

Liz_the_Whizz

JAYMARSH2005

My Motorola is triband, but when I checked the Orange website for using it in Canada, it simply has a big cross rather than a tick against Pay as You go. So my assumption is that it is the package that is the problem rather than the phone.

Perhaps I should contact Orange for more details. Just wondered if anyone out there had direct experience of using a PAYG Orange mobile in Canada.

JAYMARSH2005

Yes I would give Orange a quick call, maybe its just pay as you go sim cards that dont work over there,if thats the case you can get a simcard that you can use off ebay so you have it ready for when you travel.

redux

No service in Canada on Orange payg. In USA, it will cost £1.30 a minute to make calls, 70p receive.

To find info on local SIM cards' networks and tariffs, and links to network sites -

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/usa.html
http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/canada.html

They charge the extra cost of mobile calls a bit differently there - you also pay for incoming calls, but people calling you from here would pay the same as to a landline there.

Liz_the_Whizz

redux,

Thanks. Orange PAYG pants.

So, is it best to try and buy a pre-paid SIM for Canada before I go or wait till I get there?

I think I would prefer to have a solution I know will work from when we arrive rather than having to go shopping on day 1.

And what about unlocking? I'm worried I'll get there and find that my phone doesn't work even with a local SIM.

reehsetin

just try popping a non orange sim in if it works then a canadian sim will work too

JAYMARSH2005

I would get the Pre Paid sim before you go,and what phone do you have ? Maybe we can unlock it for you. At least when its unlocked you can check the sim card in it.

redux

I don't know if you'd find a Canadian SIM as easily, but there are reputed to be US ones on eBay.

here's a thread about Canada

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1502

tedpiper

I called Orange as I had a similar question.
I am looking to go to a PAYG sim for travelling - they said I can use any sim so long as my phone is a tri-band. Mine is a nokia 6100 and they have activated it for abroad.
Best of calling them with a specific question.

Liz_the_Whizz

Thanks guys for the responses.

JAYMARSH2005

My phone is a Motorola v620. Can you unlock it?