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Canadians - phone plans.
#115738
01/02/2017 01:10 PM
01/02/2017 01:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851 Harriston
megamania
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851
Harriston
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Hello all,,,this is directed to any Canadians that travel to SXM and the plans for using your cells while there. Previously when going to either Myrtle beach or SXM, I would call "Bell Canada" and add the 30 dollar charge for unlimited text and a few minutes of calling. I never paid data, as I would only use it when there was wifi. However.....when I called today to Bell Canada they advise it is now 60.00 travel plan they call it. What?? it doubled in a year.....just curious what other Canadians do for cell usage...I do need to communicate with dog sitter at home, etc. so not sure what to do. Maybe, just maybe,,,get rid of Bell Canada!!!! And, also, when on the topic,,,how is wifi on island, i.e. Royal Palm for instance, I have heard it's sketchy?? As per usual,,,thanks in advance for any info...the countdown is really on now,,,arriving on Jan 7
Randy and Meg Young
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: megamania]
#115739
01/02/2017 01:28 PM
01/02/2017 01:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Your best plan is to rent a cell phone from Sharon Harris Queen of SXM. Her store is right at the Royal Palm and her service is excellent. ONLY about $10 a week to rent and calls to Canada very inexpensive. GO to sponsor section here and contact Sharon. You could also get an unlocked phone and purchase a sim card from Sharon. I highly recommend Sharon for all your cell phone needs.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#115741
01/02/2017 01:47 PM
01/02/2017 01:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Since we always rented for several weeks, I guess I was thinking of $10 for additional weeks. In any case, it is very reasonable.When the Op checks it out, she will see the correct information for herself.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: megamania]
#115742
01/02/2017 01:50 PM
01/02/2017 01:50 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,677 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,677
Brookfield, CT.
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Hi, Meg,
I agree with Island Gem - Sharon is definitely the best way for a once a year visitor to go - and $20 or $10 - it's still a great deal. You will have your island phone number before you leave from Canada so you can let your dog sitter have it, but do caution her that it's quite expensive for the occasional caller to call SXM unless there's a real need to. Much more reasonable for you to call her....
And besides all that, Sharon is a peach to do business with. She's located at the Royal Palm so her service couldn't be anymore convenient for you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: megamania]
#115743
01/02/2017 01:55 PM
01/02/2017 01:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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As others said, just go with Sharon for the phone. As far as internet at Royal Palm, it's good for checking email, but usually slow. But if you are in fact on the second floor immediately above the lobby, you should actually have pretty good service there, as the lobby has really good internet connection there. Many people sit in the lobby to access the internet.
Have fun! Wish I was going in a week!
Carol Hill
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: pat]
#115744
01/02/2017 01:55 PM
01/02/2017 01:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851 Harriston
megamania
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851
Harriston
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responses are good, but what about texting? is that possible or do all calls have to be actual phone calls? And,,no comments on wifi on island,,,if I remember correctly, it was kinda sketchy These younger people now a days hardly ever respond to a call,,,,only text. I don't like it, but it is a fact.
Randy and Meg Young
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: megamania]
#115746
01/02/2017 02:00 PM
01/02/2017 02:00 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,763
Ohio
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It is not so much about wifi ON the island but where you are located on the island or within a resort. 2nd floor at Royal Palm (as Carol said) should be decent. If not, go down one floor to the lobby and access wifi there. As far as texting, I don't do it so I can't comment.
J.D.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: megamania]
#115747
01/02/2017 02:00 PM
01/02/2017 02:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601
Central Florida!
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You can use Sharon's phones for texting and I responded to your question about internet.
Carol Hill
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#115750
01/02/2017 05:24 PM
01/02/2017 05:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261 Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
jaxon60
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261
Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
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We are on Rogers, and there is a plan available from them, like the Bell plan, but we find it easier to buy a Chippie SIM card as we have unlocked phones.
What type phone (iphone or android) do you have and where on the island do you stay? And do you need people to be able to call you or do you just call out?
We mostly use data and make calls using Hangouts from our android phone (over data) as there is no charge when in wifi range. We also use NextPlus for texting - it gives a local Canadian number so people back home can text you without charges.
We stay on the French side (orient bay). For next year, I will be looking into the Orange hotspot plan. It seems to offer data all around Orient Bay and may be cheaper than a chippie plan. I only found out about Orange Hot Spots when the Internet was out all over the island and Orange was the only way to get online for a while.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: jaxon60]
#115752
01/02/2017 08:14 PM
01/02/2017 08:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851 Harriston
megamania
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851
Harriston
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I am not familiar with "hangouts" or Nextplus? I have a blackberry priv, so it is an android. I am sure the phone has features I dont use, lol....but damn, does it take good pictures. I will see what I can figure out. We are staying at the Royal Palm on the Dutch side, we always stay on Dutch side.
Randy and Meg Young
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#115753
01/02/2017 08:16 PM
01/02/2017 08:16 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851 Harriston
megamania
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851
Harriston
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sorry Carol, i see your comments re wifi,,,thank you...I overlooked them before.
Randy and Meg Young
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: LINNY]
#115755
01/02/2017 10:12 PM
01/02/2017 10:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 592
surf
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 592
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LINNY said: Also Canadian.....When we used Sharon we had our family text us and then we called them back.....found this less expensive We now use Virgin Mobile $40.00 per month---husband needs to keep his number for business. We too had many problems with Bell!!!! Virgin Mobile works in SXM??
Welcome to Jamrock
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: milo911md]
#115756
01/03/2017 08:40 AM
01/03/2017 08:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,105 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,105
Massachusetts
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That question came up on another thread. Verizon lists SXM as two different countries so it is possible to be charged $10 twice for the same day...but...a couple of posters stated that they were only charged once per day but used the product on both sides.
Personally i wouldn't risk it on SXM....anywhere else it works great (and only 2 bucks in Canada/Mexico)
Safer just to go for the monthly international plan
Last edited by boucharda; 01/03/2017 08:42 AM.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: boucharda]
#115757
01/03/2017 12:00 PM
01/03/2017 12:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851 Harriston
megamania
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851
Harriston
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I agree,,,we have decided to pay the 60 dollars for one phone only,,,giving us all the data we want, quite a few minutes for regular calling and of course we will turn on wifi where available. I need to receive emails on a regular basis and text home whenever,,,it also gives unlimited text. as recent as last April,,,60 dollars with Bell gave the same privileges on 2 phones! AFter yet another experience with Bell Canada, we will be looking to find another provider in the future. They should realize they are no longer the "only" provider!
Randy and Meg Young
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: boucharda]
#115761
01/03/2017 05:15 PM
01/03/2017 05:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 21 Virginia
NaClH2ODog
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 21
Virginia
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For us it was one daily charge. Not per country. But all wireless companies change their plans/rates based on the change of weather.
Last edited by NaClH2ODog; 01/03/2017 05:19 PM.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: NaClH2ODog]
#115762
01/03/2017 05:18 PM
01/03/2017 05:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,105 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,105
Massachusetts
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Hmmm...that would confirm the poster from an earlier post that said he used his phone on both sides (of SXM) with one charge... Needs some research...(or someone with guts to try it out <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />) Edited to add: Bingo! How will I be charged if I travel to multiple countries covered by TravelPass?
You're only charged 1 daily fee per 24 hours for TravelPass, even if you travel within multiple covered countries.
Last edited by boucharda; 01/03/2017 05:21 PM.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: JMSH]
#115766
01/04/2017 03:09 PM
01/04/2017 03:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851 Harriston
megamania
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 851
Harriston
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Bell has the same thing,,,but for 7 days, it's 70 bucks,,,so you get the same thing on Travel 1 pass,,,it's for a month but for 60.00....how stupid is that! Guess it's ok for people who take extended vacays,,,but a lot of people can only get away for a week. I am seriously going to look for another provider besides Bell when I return. For now, I have to suck it up.....buttercup.....lol <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
Randy and Meg Young
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: megamania]
#115767
01/04/2017 03:21 PM
01/04/2017 03:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,105 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,105
Massachusetts
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It's intended for those who do not need daily calls/texts while on vacay...yes it would not be smart to use it for 7 days...
Vacay for a week? two days of unlimited calls and texts works..$20
Last edited by boucharda; 01/04/2017 03:21 PM.
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Re: Canadians - phone plans.
[Re: jaxon60]
#115769
01/14/2017 01:35 PM
01/14/2017 01:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261 Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
jaxon60
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261
Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
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Just following up, We tried the Orange hot spot for a day. Our experience was not good. It was okay the day the internet from everyone else didn't work, but I would not use it in any other case. It was very, very slow.
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