Plea for Canada Data / Text Plan

gabejoseph · ‎07-20-2007

I switched to Nation with Canada as soon as this plan became available as I travel to Canada twice a month and call to Canada daily. This has been totally awesome as I was racking up quite a bit of long distance and I had to all but shut off my phone when in Canada. It is a major reason to stick with AT&T

However, the only data plans available treat Canada the same as Kazakhstan, and I don't imagine Rogers charges back AT&T as much for data roaming as does Kazakhstan Bell. Since a lot of customers like me with these Nation with Canada plans use data all of the time, can't AT&T come up with a data plan for Canada that makes it a little more palatable?

I would gladly pay $20 for 50 or 100mb. I end up using less than $10 of data because I only use it if I am lost and need directions, so I would probably end up spending more money if a plan were available. Rogers offers a plan like this for Canadians traveling to the US, and generally Canadian phone plans suck.

Also, I would love if this could include text roaming so that I can text to/from canada as if it were part of the US, just like the Nation with Canada phone plan does to voice service.

stufried · ‎09-18-2005

I don't know what kind of phone you have, but if your phone supports Google Voice, I highly recommend it. They give you free calling to Canada. You use your US minutes for the call and they connect it to Canada. More importantly, the phone number they give you can be text messaged. Text to Canada are free on this in the US (sending/receiving) and only use data in Canada which is cheaper.

Fishtext is also a cheap way to text Canada.

DWC1 · ‎12-23-2002

There is an unlimited domestic and international plan for iPhone, Blackberry, and Smartphones. It is $64.99 per month. It replaces your current domestic data plan. It does however require a minimum 12 month commitment but it's truly unlimited world wide.

http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/popup/dataconnect-comp-table.jsp

gabejoseph · ‎07-20-2007

Are you sure that replaces my current iPhone domestic data plan? It does not appear to include any domestic data. Also, my account is associated with a business discount through my company as a benefit but I am not a business user per se.

DWC1 · ‎12-23-2002

gabejoseph wrote:
Are you sure that replaces my current iPhone domestic data plan? It does not appear to include any domestic data. Also, my account is associated with a business discount through my company as a benefit but I am not a business user per se.

I have this plan on my iphone and can confirm it includes all domestic and international data. I too get a business discount and pay my own bill. I know people with no business affiliation that have obtained this plan on an individual account. You may have to press the agent to dig for this plan or transferer you to the dedicated international care department to have it added. Make sure to quote both the price and the name of the plan exactly as it appears in the chart to make it easier for them to find it.

ratatosk · ‎02-18-2003

I've had the unlimited international data plan for my iPhone for several months. Combined with Nation w/ Canada it's great for travellers to Canada.

Also use Toktumi/Line2 to give me a virtual number in Vancouver.

gabejoseph · ‎07-20-2007

Thank you for your great tips. I was not aware of this plan at all before. Tonight I called international customer care and I was not exactly successful. The rep said this was an international only plan. He had no trouble finding it -- he was able to quote back the name and price right away.

He said I would have to continue my $30 domestic unlimited data plan if I wanted to have US data. He said it could replace my domestic plan if I was traveling out of the US and wanted to switch to this international data plan for the duration of my trip. However he said this plan does not include domestic data so it could not just replace my domestic iPhone data plan.

Can either of you confirm that you do not have to pay at all for any domestic data plan at all and that you use data in the US and don't get charged for it? If it did include domestic data it would be awesome and I would want to get it. Since try #1 with customer care was not successful, do you have any suggestions how I could proceed?

stufried · ‎09-18-2005

I've been on Blackberry International for a number of years and have never been charged for US data. I have the $64.99 plan without any domesticc plan.

DWC1 · ‎12-23-2002

gabejoseph wrote:

Can either of you confirm that you do not have to pay at all for any domestic data plan at all and that you use data in the US and don't get charged for it? If it did include domestic data it would be awesome and I would want to get it. Since try #1 with customer care was not successful, do you have any suggestions how I could proceed?

In my experience you don't need to keep a domestic plan and it will likely cause a conflict on your account when the agent adds the new plan prompting them to remove the domestic one. Unfortunately many agents are not familiar with this plan so you may need to call more than once in order to get it successfully added. Also from my experience stores are not able to add this plan at all. It can only be done over the phone.

krock98 · ‎05-05-2010

I was told you have to have a FAN (Foundation Account Number) or a Small Business Account to switch to this plan. Unfortunately I do not have neither. Any suggestions?

DWC1 · ‎12-23-2002

krock98 wrote:
I was told you have to have a FAN (Foundation Account Number) or a Small Business Account to switch to this plan. Unfortunately I do not have neither. Any suggestions?

Keeep asking. Many other have been told this initially but eventually someone seems able to add it. Just don't try it at a store as they do not have access to it. Let us know how you make out.

ratatosk · ‎02-18-2003

It definitely includes both domestic and international data. I've had it for several months.

Shows up in OLAM as:

IPH_DOM_INTL_DATA_RZ $64.99

wilcre · ‎06-01-2004

ratatosk wrote:
It definitely includes both domestic and international data. I've had it for several months.
Shows up in OLAM as:
IPH_DOM_INTL_DATA_RZ $64.99

Call customer care and then ask to be sent to the international department, they can add the data package for you, but be warned it comes with a contract requirement the last time i dealt with that feature with the international department.

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WSTGROUP · ‎09-30-2010

tried you r link, without success

btw I wan to find out if anyone is giving up a grandfathered canda plan, I'd appreciate taking it over

ANy suggestions?

I am between the US and CANDA often and would like just one phone number instead of having two separate phones

stufried · ‎09-18-2005

I have international iPhone and live on the Canadian border. I just cancelled my Rogers contract account. I was thinking of adding the Canadian voice add-on, but have been using VOIP over 3g there and it has generally worked great.