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pheonixash · Apr 7, 2007, 09:54 AM

Hi guys,

I was wondering whether a Tri-Band (GSM 900/1800/1900 Mhz) Cell Phone would work fine with networks in Canada? More specifically, in Montreal?

imitchellg5 · Apr 7, 2007, 12:32 PM

Sadly, no, although it depends on the carrier (Verizon doesn't at all, Cingular charges you like x5 roaming).

Mastrap · Apr 7, 2007, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Sadly, no, although it depends on the carrier (Verizon doesn't at all, Cingular charges you like x5 roaming).

Not true.

Rogers operates a GSM network, so a triband will work just fine.

Eug · Apr 7, 2007, 04:17 PM

Tri-band GSM in Canada usually works great, unless you're in the boonies somewhere.

Most of Montreal will be excellent with a tri-band phone. Some of the more distant suburbs may be less reliable with a tri-band phone though. Where in Montreal are you going? I think most of Montreal is mainly 1900, but like I said, some of the far 'burbs might have more 850 than 1900.

imitchellg5 · Apr 7, 2007, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Not true.

Rogers operates a GSM network, so a triband will work just fine.

Not in Edmonton apparently though (where my dad goes all the time).

Mastrap · Apr 7, 2007, 05:28 PM

You are misinformed, sorry.

analogue SPRINKLES · Apr 7, 2007, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Not in Edmonton apparently though (where my dad goes all the time).

Every carrier has freak dead spots.

imitchellg5 · Apr 7, 2007, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

You are misinformed, sorry.

Yeah, my dad definetly lies about cell phone coverage and complains about not being able to use his quad band phone for fun.

indigoimac · Apr 7, 2007, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Rogers operates a GSM network, so a triband will work just fine.

That is indeed the case, but coverage will only be as good as the carrier you are roaming on's network

pheonixash · Apr 8, 2007, 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

Tri-band GSM in Canada usually works great, unless you're in the boonies somewhere.

Most of Montreal will be excellent with a tri-band phone. Some of the more distant suburbs may be less reliable with a tri-band phone though. Where in Montreal are you going? I think most of Montreal is mainly 1900, but like I said, some of the far 'burbs might have more 850 than 1900.

Well I will be in Montreal City itself, so it sounds like a Tri-Band phone will work fine? Since I live in Asia, my only option would be a tri-band or a quad-band phone. The problem with a quad-band handset is that there aren't too many on the market, so it limits my options.

Mastrap · Apr 8, 2007, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Yeah, my dad definetly lies about cell phone coverage and complains about not being able to use his quad band phone for fun.

I don't know what problems exactly your dad is experiencing but fact is that the entire city of Edmonton and the outlying areas are well covered by Roger's GSM network. That's a fact, as in lets just not argue about that, shall we?

Eug · Apr 8, 2007, 09:25 AM

imitchell, which phone do you have, and where does he go? Cuz a triband phone in the city of Edmonton should be perfectly fine, unless he's in some dead spot in the middle of a building or something. Or perhaps he's in a area where Rogers is emphasizing 850 instead of 1900.

Originally Posted by pheonixash

Well I will be in Montreal City itself, so it sounds like a Tri-Band phone will work fine? Since I live in Asia, my only option would be a tri-band or a quad-band phone. The problem with a quad-band handset is that there aren't too many on the market, so it limits my options.

I've only had an 850-capable phone since last year. Every time I've gone to Montreal with a tri-band phone, it's been perfectly fine (on 1900). In fact, Montreal is the head office of Fido. Before Fido was bought out by Rogers a couple of years ago, they were exclusively 1900.

pheonixash · Apr 9, 2007, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

imitchell, which phone do you have, and where does he go? Cuz a triband phone in the city of Edmonton should be perfectly fine, unless he's in some dead spot in the middle of a building or something. Or perhaps he's in a area where Rogers is emphasizing 850 instead of 1900.

I've only had an 850-capable phone since last year. Every time I've gone to Montreal with a tri-band phone, it's been perfectly fine (on 1900). In fact, Montreal is the head office of Fido. Before Fido was bought out by Rogers a couple of years ago, they were exclusively 1900.

Great, sounds like I should be fine then. Thanks Eug!

slugslugslug · May 9, 2007, 11:23 AM

I just was using Google to try to answer the very same question, figuring I should STFI before just bringing it in to the Lounge. And what do you know, Google brings me to this thread..

So while we're talking about it, anyone know what T-Mobile's roaming prices are like in Canada? I suppose I could try and get this info from T-Mobile, but I imagine it's on some hard-to-reach part of their site or in very small print on their pamphlets..

Thanks,
Y.

P.S. pheonixash, did you do anything particularly awesome in Montreal? Me and the GF are heading there for vacation in ~ 2 weeks..

ghporter · May 9, 2007, 11:47 AM

I have to admit that when I first saw this thread I thought "why wouldn't a tri-band phone work in an urban area in Canada?" However now I see that this is an "interesting" issue.

Given that American cell carriers are thought of as "backward" by a lot of people, I think it would be interesting to see a map of what sort of cell coverage exists where. Are there such worldwide maps? If so, what are people's impressions of them?

This past January, I found that my RAZR was able to work everywhere I went in the Caribbean; Ocho Rios, Jamaica, George Town, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico all gave me great signal levels-I just didn't use up my vacation money making a bunch of REALLY roaming calls!

Eug · May 9, 2007, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by slugslugslug

I just was using Google to try to answer the very same question, figuring I should STFI before just bringing it in to the Lounge. And what do you know, Google brings me to this thread..

So while we're talking about it, anyone know what T-Mobile's roaming prices are like in Canada? I suppose I could try and get this info from T-Mobile, but I imagine it's on some hard-to-reach part of their site or in very small print on their pamphlets..

Only T-Mobile can tell you the T-Mobile roaming charges for roaming in Canada.

slugslugslug · May 9, 2007, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Only T-Mobile can tell you the T-Mobile roaming charges for roaming in Canada.

Oh, come on, you know HoFo would cough up the answer in minutes (though it could well be a T-Mo employee who replies first).

In fact, I'm-a head on over there now...

RAILhead · May 9, 2007, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Tri-band GSM in Canada usually works great, unless you're in the boonies somewhere.

I thought Canada was The Boonies...

Eug · May 9, 2007, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

I thought Canada was The Boonies...

Nah. That'd be Texas.

Atheist · May 9, 2007, 03:41 PM

If I can bring us back toward the original topic for a sec.... I may be relocating to Vancouver in the next few months. I've got a Motorola SVLR and would like to just buy a SIM card from one of the local carriers and go with prepaid airtime. I haven't been able to determine if the Canadian carriers use SIM cards or do they expect you to buy a phone from them?

Eug · May 9, 2007, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

If I can bring us back toward the original topic for a sec.... I may be relocating to Vancouver in the next few months. I've got a Motorola SVLR and would like to just buy a SIM card from one of the local carriers and go with prepaid airtime. I haven't been able to determine if the Canadian carriers use SIM cards or do they expect you to buy a phone from them?

You do not have to use their phone.

Canada SIM Card by Rogers

P.S. How much airtime do you use? Prepaid adds up quite quickly.

P.P.S. Where are you moving from? Just wondering.

Atheist · May 9, 2007, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

You do not have to use their phone.

Canada SIM Card by Rogers

P.S. How much airtime do you use? Prepaid adds up quite quickly.

P.P.S. Where are you moving from? Just wondering.

Glad to see I don't have to buy a phone... perfectly happy with my SLVR.

I'm moving from Trinidad & Tobago. Here the norm is prepaid... very few do postpaid plans. Prepaid is just as cheap as postpaid.

pheonixash · May 10, 2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by slugslugslug

P.S. pheonixash, did you do anything particularly awesome in Montreal? Me and the GF are heading there for vacation in ~ 2 weeks..

I'll be reaching there in August actually, I was just asking, like before I actually needed to know.

Maybe you can tell me some interesting places now!

Eug · May 10, 2007, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

Glad to see I don't have to buy a phone... perfectly happy with my SLVR.

I'm moving from Trinidad & Tobago. Here the norm is prepaid... very few do postpaid plans. Prepaid is just as cheap as postpaid.

Here, the monthly plans are usually much cheaper than prepaid, if you use a lot of minutes.

For example, if you went with Fido, since you don't need a new phone, you'd have no contract to sign, and it would cost you about $25 (plus the $7 system access fee, plus tax) for:

50 weekday minutes
1000 evening and weekend minutes
unlimited incoming calls

gradient · May 10, 2007, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by pheonixash

I'll be reaching there in August actually, I was just asking, like before I actually needed to know.

Maybe you can tell me some interesting places now!

Foufounes...... Foufounes Electriques..... if you're into the punk rock sorta thing.

Check out http://web.blueskiesturnblack.com/news.php for a good listing of indie type concecerts and such.... once again, if you're into that sort of thing.