Travelling to Hawaii

[foreverkayla]

Hey everyone, I am travelling to Hawaii at the end of the month and intended on getting the US add-on, however I am now reading that 3g networks in the US have mostly been disabled.  This is an issue for me as I need to use my phone to receive calls or texts from tour companies or arrange Lyft pickup/drop off.  Is the add-on dependant on the plan one has?  Meaning, since I have a 3g plan, is that why the add-on is 3g?  And if I upgrade to a 4g plan, will the add-on then be 4g, or remain as 3g?  I just signed up to PM a few months ago because I liked the price of the US ad-ons, and now this is making me want to switch again.  Thanks in advance!

[Kristowhy]

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@foreverkayla wrote:

That won't work as I am ending the vacation in Canada and will need my SIM then.  I am very familiar with travel SIM cards but trying to avoid that route by sticking with my provider.  The general consensus seems to be to avoid buying the add-on here.  I guess I will look at switching companies.  That's too bad because I enjoyed the price of the plan and the rewards (which I was planning on redeeming for the add-on).

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@foreverkayla 

The reality is that Canadian carriers continue to charge draconian rates for international roaming.  You will see this as you go off and search for another company.  PM and Koodo were the best and most affordable options for US roaming with their prepaid platforms.  Unfortunately the US carriers have decommissioned the networks PM/Koodo use for voice calls and until PM/Koodo make the necessary technology changes, US roaming is broken - do not use it!  Mobile data *should* work but it's still a YMMV situation and not worth the risk IMHO.

As others have already mentioned, get a local US SIM after arriving or a travel SIM before.  It's not worth switching to a tier 1 carrier plan only to be dinged $12-$15/day for roaming

[softech]

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@foreverkayla wrote:

That won't work as I am ending the vacation in Canada and will need my SIM then. 

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@foreverkayla 

Bring your PM sim with you then.  Just remove it before you enter US.  When you are back in Canada, insert it back

[BKNS27]

@foreverkayla 

It might be better for you to purchase a Mint Mobile or Tello Mobile if you are stay long term.

PM US Roaming Add-on sounds like it is iffy.

You can use TextNow app or use WhatsApp when talking to family or friends.

[foreverkayla]

That won't work as I am ending the vacation in Canada and will need my SIM then.  I am very familiar with travel SIM cards but trying to avoid that route by sticking with my provider.  The general consensus seems to be to avoid buying the add-on here.  I guess I will look at switching companies.  That's too bad because I enjoyed the price of the plan and the rewards (which I was planning on redeeming for the add-on).

[softech]

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@foreverkayla wrote:

Thanks for the info, but I need it to be 100% certain, because once I'm there, I won't have any other options!  We will also be on 4 different islands.  And I do travel quite frequently (well I did pre-pandemic), so this will be an ongoing issue.

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@foreverkayla   local data sim + VoIP app definitely a better choice then

you can forward your PM calls to the VoIP number before you leave Canada.  Then leave your PM sim at home (once PM sim "sees" US network, the call forward will cancel, so , it is better to take the PM sim out of the phone)

With call forwarded that way, your friend will call you like normal.  Just that you will use the VoIP app to call back

Please note text cannot be forward unless with tricker workarounds

[foreverkayla]

I have done that in the past but I liked the idea of keeping my number.  I loved Roam Mobility and am very sad that they went out of business.  

[foreverkayla]

Thanks for the info, but I need it to be 100% certain, because once I'm there, I won't have any other options!  We will also be on 4 different islands.  And I do travel quite frequently (well I did pre-pandemic), so this will be an ongoing issue.

[Outdoorsman]

@foreverkayla hi I would suggest you buy a travel sim I wouldn't depend on the US add on at this time 

[softech]

@foreverkayla   For PM, here in Canada or roaming, voice only work with 3G network (or 2G in US).  So, it is the same with 3G speed plan or 4G speed.   

From the T-Mobile 2G coverage  map ( https://www.gsma.com/coverage/#466 ) , it looks like T-Mobile has 2G network there, but it is still not 100% certain.    It is likely better to get local data sim, and then use VoIP app to make and receive phone calls.  It is usually cheaper that way and more data.   If you have been using text to receive 2FA come for bank, email, etc,  make sure to change to  either use email or Authenticator app

[dust2dust · Accepted solution]

US roaming talk is the problem. It's not about the service being 4G or 3G. Public uses 3G for talk. Period. But if you can find T-Mobile 2G service then you should be good. Text and data should theoretically work.