02-29-2016 12:49 AM - edited 01-04-2022 02:21 PM
02-29-2016 01:21 PM
My sister uses fongo.com with wifi while in the USA. They have a texting plan (around $2/mo) that she uses. Only aggro was getting all her usual contacts to call/text to the "while I'm in Florida" number. It has stabilized to the point she is considering staying with Fongo service even after returning.
02-29-2016 01:15 PM
Everybody has given great info, and I myself use Roam Mobility while in the US (this past weekend for example!). However, nobody has addressed the initial question about texting. Unfortunately, none of the solutions mentioned so far will address that. While you're using your Roam Mobility SIM, you will have a different phone number, based in the states, so any texts you receive on your PM number will just queue up until you return to Canada and swap back to your PM SIM, unfortunately. I suppose if you had another unlocked spare phone around you could put your PM SIM in it before leaving home for your trip and leave it at home, plugged in, and run some sort of app to auto-respond to texts. I'm guessing there probably are such apps for Android and/or iPhone, but the trick is your PM SIM would have to remain in Canada in a phone that's powered on in order to work.
This is one reason why SMS really sucks! Here is another possible workaround: get your contacts to message you on a data-based messenger such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Although WhatsApp uses your phone number as your user name and how your friends can find you, it will actually still work fine while using your Roam SIM in the US without changing the phone number setting in WhatsApp. I've done that a few times. Facebook messenger similarly has no dependence on your actual active phone number, nor do most data-base messengers, but those are two of the most popular I find. As long as your contacts are okay to message you that way instead of SMS, just top up your Roam SIM with a plan that includes data (either data only or talk+text+data) and you will be fine.
Hopefully that helps a little.
02-29-2016 10:37 AM
02-29-2016 10:30 AM
Also Amazon, CanadaComputers, NCIX stores all carry Roam Mobility sims, I had to go on a trip and urgrently needed one and paid the extra $$ at amazon for their one day shipping to get it to me before I left. Once you start using roam you'll never look back:)
02-29-2016 09:22 AM
Haven't tried it yet but wonder about http://freedompop.com for folks who travel regularly to USA. Offer is 500 meg/month free which would be plenty for VOIP such as fongo.com. There is some question of whether unlocked GSM phones will work, but then they often have sales on mifi's. Other issue is requirement for a US address for shipping if you can't find a store.
02-29-2016 09:15 AM
@Luddite woah. Staples sells RM sims? Wow. That's for the info.
02-29-2016 09:10 AM
To add to @Luddite post, 7/11 stores also sell the roam sim if that is closer.
02-29-2016 09:07 AM
@kutzki Staples carries the RM card if you don't want to wait.
02-29-2016 01:54 AM
02-29-2016 01:49 AM
02-29-2016 01:47 AM
02-29-2016 01:45 AM
02-29-2016 01:44 AM
02-29-2016 01:36 AM