Cell Phone Service in the US

[Griffyn1]

Hello,

I have the old basic $15/month plan which does not include coverage in the states.  If I have to cross the border on any random day, and I would like cell service for that day, how do I go about getting it?  Am I able to use Google Maps as well as make phone call?  How about texting?

Thanksfor your help.

Griffyn

[dust2dust]

The TextNow voip app requires an internet connection.
There are some very inexpensive cell services available in the states unlike the rip-offs here. I have been using one from Red Pocket sim service for $2.50US average per month. I'm going to try out the TextNow sim service that is unlimited talk and text. This is only available in the states. It would then work like the app in Canada. But both of those are US numbers.

[Griffyn1]

Thank you all very much for your quick responses!

hTideGnow, I chose yours to respond to because it seems a better solution to my problem.  I did look at the add-ons and I might have to go that way but my problem is I will be doing one day visits across the border, but not all within the 15 day time frame.  I really don’t want to do multiple 15 day add-ons when I only need one or maybe two of those 15 days.  I will need phone service above the texting and data services so I can be reached at a moment’s notice.  I will be driving around in my van so I won’t have WiFi.  Will TextNow still work?

Thanks again.

Griffyn

[dust2dust]

The only thing that works (and if you connect to either T-Mobile or AT&T and get the welcome to US text) is inbound real sms texts. But you can't send out, or make and receive calls or use your Public cell data.
Adding - I guess I should have refreshed before adding this - There is a talk/text add-on and a talk/text/data add-on and several data bucket size add-ons.

[DennyCrane]

 

[mojorising]

You would have to purchase a US addon, but they come in 15-day use periods, there are no single days available.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Griffyn1 

There is no choice of one day only US roaming.  All US roaming add-ons are 15 days long

But if you just need to make one phone call or couples on any day, you can use the free solution with VoIP app TextNow.  Download the app, they will assign you another 10 digits number.  Use it to make calls and receive calls.  It will work with Wifi 

[hairbag1]

@Griffyn1 

on the day you wanna go...log in to your account on a laptop. Click Subscriptions and Add-ons...then Purchase Add-on.  Look through the menue to select the 15 Day US Roaming option you want.

Make sure to enabled Roaming Data on your cell. Do you know if you have volte enabled on the phone. Without volte enabled, the talk portion is terrible...you're call will need to be able to connect to 2G and be fairly close to a cell tower. Otherwise text and data should be fine.