Can you use Iphone TMobile in Canada or Mexico?

[pauly1]

Assuming you have tmobille monthly plan.. can u use it in canada or mexico and pay roaming fees? If so how much is it? I think i read there was some article that you could actually use it in canada for free recently b/c at least 1/2 of your calling minutes must be in the usa? I read that somewhere.


What if you have a prepaid plan?

 

[Tork]

Assuming you have tmobille monthly plan.. can u use it in canada or mexico and pay roaming fees? If so how much is it? I think i read there was some article that you could actually use it in canada for free recently b/c at least 1/2 of your calling minutes must be in the usa? I read that somewhere.


What if you have a prepaid plan?

If you have a Simple Choice plan (i.e., the only non-prepaid plan they offer anymore), texting/iMessaging and unlimited data at EDGE speed are included for free. I was just in Canada last week, and while EDGE is slow, it was just awesome to have maps, email, data for apps like Yelp, etc. Plus texting/iMessaging of course. Calls were 20 cents per minute. Same goes for all 100+ countries included by T-Mo including Mexico -- unlimited (EDGE) data, unlimited texting/iMessaging, 20 cents/minute calling. You have the option to buy higher speed data too. It's all pretty great. Just make sure to turn on Data Roaming in Settings -> Cellular first. None of that's included in prepaid plans though.

More info here: http://www.t-mobile.com/optional-services/international-service.html

 

[pauly1]

If you have a Simple Choice plan (i.e., the only non-prepaid plan they offer anymore), texting/iMessaging and unlimited data at EDGE speed are included for free. I was just in Canada last week, and while EDGE is slow, it was just awesome to have maps, email, data for apps like Yelp, etc. Plus texting/iMessaging of course. Calls were 20 cents per minute. Same goes for all 100+ countries included by T-Mo including Mexico -- unlimited (EDGE) data, unlimited texting/iMessaging, 20 cents/minute calling. You have the option to buy higher speed data too. It's all pretty great. Just make sure to turn on Data Roaming in Settings -> Cellular first. None of that's included in prepaid plans though.

More info here: http://www.t-mobile.com/optional-services/international-service.html

Okay i have question about this. So if i get an iphone that is with tmobile or get it unlocked and do it with tmobile then get the 50 dollar per month unlimited everytime plan.... but im in canada or mexico like 95 percent of the time... i could use the unlimited internet and text and that is free and just need to turn roaming on but dont have to pay anything extra?


The only thing would be 20 cent per minute to receive or call someone while im in canada or mexico to someone in the usa?

 

[pauly1]

Can someone tell me if i can do this?


Get an iphone thats with tmobile in the usa. Then activate it and get the simple choice plan for 50 plus tax per month. Then i go to canada or mexico for 3-6 months and use it there like i do in the usa and only use the phone calls when i have to b/c its 20 cents a minute?


Someone told me they travel to mexico quite a bit that they go there for few weeks then come back to the usa for few weeks vice versa and does that throughout the year. They told me they love tmobile b/c its great that they could get to use the data in mexico... they even told me the data usage is better in mexico than in the usa. But isn't this false though because i read the data is slower its 2g and its called edge? They say its great in mexico...


However isn't it true that you cannot be using the phone in another country for more than 6 weeks because t mobile doesnt allow you to use your phone in another country primarily? I read something like you can only use it for max 6 weeks in another country then have to be back in the usa and use the data .... at least 1/2 the data in the usa as well? Does anyone know if this is true and if so... can someone correct what i say b/c im sure the details of it is incorrect?


Because if this is true... i would buy an iphone back in the usa and go with tmobile phone.. then activate it and use it in mexico or canada while im there but i wouldnt be able to use it for 3-6 month straight?

 

[Bacong]

dude, jeez. Just get a prepaid sim for each country and switch when you go back and forth.

 

[869639]

Can someone tell me if i can do this?


Get an iphone thats with tmobile in the usa. Then activate it and get the simple choice plan for 50 plus tax per month. Then i go to canada or mexico for 3-6 months and use it there like i do in the usa and only use the phone calls when i have to b/c its 20 cents a minute?


Someone told me they travel to mexico quite a bit that they go there for few weeks then come back to the usa for few weeks vice versa and does that throughout the year. They told me they love tmobile b/c its great that they could get to use the data in mexico... they even told me the data usage is better in mexico than in the usa. But isn't this false though because i read the data is slower its 2g and its called edge? They say its great in mexico...


However isn't it true that you cannot be using the phone in another country for more than 6 weeks because t mobile doesnt allow you to use your phone in another country primarily? I read something like you can only use it for max 6 weeks in another country then have to be back in the usa and use the data .... at least 1/2 the data in the usa as well? Does anyone know if this is true and if so... can someone correct what i say b/c im sure the details of it is incorrect?


Because if this is true... i would buy an iphone back in the usa and go with tmobile phone.. then activate it and use it in mexico or canada while im there but i wouldnt be able to use it for 3-6 month straight?

Well some of the facts directly from T-Mobile --- International roaming is only included in POST PAID PLANS - NOT PREPAID PLANS:

1) You cannot be outside of the country for more than 3 months straight.
2) Out of 12 month period 6 months of usage must occur within united states.
3) No one can assure you if your speeds are going to be better or worse, that depends on the countries network capability, At the end of the day you are going to get 2G/EDGE Data speeds of up to 128kbps Period!
4) It will work in Canada and Mexico Unlimited 2G/EDGE Data + Texting + $0.20/min voice calls

5) I don't think this situation is going to work out for you if you are planning to be out of USA for 95% of the time, T-Mobile cannot provide service for cheap to someone that doesn't even live in USA more than 50% of the year.....

6) You should be asking T-Mobile all these questions because they can give you the best answers.

 

[pauly1]

Unlocked Iphone Using in Another Country Question

1. If you purchase an unlocked iphone and then go to either canada or mexico... could you then buy a canadian sim card or mexican sim card and get that iphone to work in that country and then use a canadian or mexican monthly cell phone plan?


2. If yes, how much generally does it cost to get that sim card in canada or mexico? Also, once you leave that country and come back to the usa, if you want to use t mobile, you would have no issues switching a canadian or mexican sim card and getting a tmobile sim card and then get a tmobile sim card right?


3. Because if so, this seems like the best idea for someone who wants to have an iphone around the world but for someone that say is in canada 6 months then usa a few months then back and forth?


4. Im curious about the cost as well. How much does it cost to make an iphone to be able to be used with a certain carrier such as a canadian cell service... then change it back to tmobile in the usa? How much does it cost each time?


5. Also i assume if you have an iphone unlocked and got it to work with tmobile... then go to canada or mexico... you could make your cell work in other country simply by switching that sim card? Or would it require unlocking each time you go from country to country?


6. Does anyone know what canadian carriers that an iphone unlocked bought in the usa would be compatible? What about mexico? I assume most won't know in mexico but curious about canadian. Also i assume an unlocked iphone bought in the usa to be used in canada... the plans would be same plans as if you bought an iphone in canada?

 

[zorinlynx]

1. If you purchase an unlocked iphone and then go to either canada or mexico... could you then buy a canadian sim card or mexican sim card and get that iphone to work in that country and then use a canadian or mexican monthly cell phone plan?

Yes. The carrier must use the frequencies supported by the iPhone, but in general the answer is yes for Canada and Mexico.


2. If yes, how much generally does it cost to get that sim card in canada or mexico? Also, once you leave that country and come back to the usa, if you want to use t mobile, you would have no issues switching a canadian or mexican sim card and getting a tmobile sim card and then get a tmobile sim card right?

It depends wildly on the carrier and the kind of service you want. Pre-paid SIM cards are typically around $10, plus the service charge on top of that. $30-$40 for a month of service is common in the US. It varies by country and even location in the country.

The phone will work fine on T-Mobile when you come home. Just put your sim card back in and you'll be back in business with your own phone number.

3. Because if so, this seems like the best idea for someone who wants to have an iphone around the world but for someone that say is in canada 6 months then usa a few months then back and forth?

If you're spending a lot of time in both countries it would make sense to have prepaid service in both countries. Then you can switch as appropriate when you move between them. You may end up with a lot of overlapping months, though, depending on when you move and when plans start and stop. This won't be as cheap as staying put.

4. Im curious about the cost as well. How much does it cost to make an iphone to be able to be used with a certain carrier such as a canadian cell service... then change it back to tmobile in the usa? How much does it cost each time?

This sounds a lot like question #2.

5. Also i assume if you have an iphone unlocked and got it to work with tmobile... then go to canada or mexico... you could make your cell work in other country simply by switching that sim card? Or would it require unlocking each time you go from country to country?

Nope, unlocked is unlocked. You'll be able to swap SIM cards at will.

6. Does anyone know what canadian carriers that an iphone unlocked bought in the usa would be compatible? What about mexico? I assume most won't know in mexico but curious about canadian. Also i assume an unlocked iphone bought in the usa to be used in canada... the plans would be same plans as if you bought an iphone in canada?

Canadian carriers: ROGERS, Bell
Mexian: Telcel? I think.

These are just carriers I often see people using iPhones on from these countries. Keep in mind there are prepaid carriers with still other names that operate on those networks as well.

 

[pauly1]

Canadian carriers: ROGERS, Bell
Mexian: Telcel? I think.

These are just carriers I often see people using iPhones on from these countries. Keep in mind there are prepaid carriers with still other names that operate on those networks as well.

Thank you for that response.

Hmm so it wont work with those canadian carriers like fido and koodo and smaller names? Because i recall those cost less than rogers and bell?

Also can you explain what you mean by using prepaid? Because in the usa i mean i would use a monthly plan one the simple choice play for 50+tax a month say i stay in usa for 2 months then go to canada for 6 month and get canadian carrier... cant i just get a monthly plan with rogers/bell?

Okay so each time i switch my phone carrier from tmobile usa to rogers/bell and vice versa... i would need the person at the phone place to do it everytime? Or would i be able to do this after i get both the tmobile sim card and rogers/bell sim card or mexico sim card assuming i do this every 6 months everytime.

 

[zorinlynx]

Thank you for that response.

Hmm so it wont work with those canadian carriers like fido and koodo and smaller names? Because i recall those cost less than rogers and bell?

Also can you explain what you mean by using prepaid? Because in the usa i mean i would use a monthly plan one the simple choice play for 50+tax a month say i stay in usa for 2 months then go to canada for 6 month and get canadian carrier... cant i just get a monthly plan with rogers/bell?

Okay so each time i switch my phone carrier from tmobile usa to rogers/bell and vice versa... i would need the person at the phone place to do it everytime? Or would i be able to do this after i get both the tmobile sim card and rogers/bell sim card or mexico sim card assuming i do this every 6 months everytime.

You can get a monthly plan with a carrier in each country, sure. You don't have to call anyone to swap sim cards when you move between countries. The thing is you'll be paying about twice as much because you're still paying for the plan in country A when you're in country B.

This is why I said a prepaid plan might be a good idea; you can turn those on and off at will. Depending on your budget this may be an option if you want to save a little money.

 

[pauly1]

You can get a monthly plan with a carrier in each country, sure. You don't have to call anyone to swap sim cards when you move between countries. The thing is you'll be paying about twice as much because you're still paying for the plan in country A when you're in country B.

This is why I said a prepaid plan might be a good idea; you can turn those on and off at will. Depending on your budget this may be an option if you want to save a little money.

1. Hey im bit confused at this. Why would i be paying twice as much? Because if i get the iphone unlocked in the usa... and do not activate it with tmobile in the usa... then go to canada and then activate it with a plan... let say i plan to stay in canada for 3 month and around the 2nd month or so i notify the canadian carrier i no longer want the plan b/c im leaving the country... then i would be only charged for 3 months b/c im there for 3 months. Then i come back to the usa for 3 months... then go and get sim card with tmobile and unlock my phone with them... pay month to month plan... cancel when im almost leaving... then go to canada or mexico for 6 months then set up plan there again... how am i getting charged twice?


2. Do those prepaid plans have data though? The thing is i rarely text and call much. So when im in the other country like canada/mexico... data is much more important to me.


3. Can you explain to me the prepaid data plan? Its not the pay as you go plan right b/c these dont seem to have data? The only carrier that i would use in the usa would be tmobile but im bit confused at the prepaid plans there.


4. Also another question. But does the unlocked iphone have to be minimum iphone 4 or 4s to be used in other country such as canada/mexico? Im not familiar but i know back then there was iphone 3 or 3g but i think those are only with at and t and thus there are no unlocked iphones before the iphone 4?

5. Im going to get the 4 or 4s but last thing i want is if i get an unlocked iphone 4... that it doesn't work in canada b/c certain carriers require it to be 4s? Is there something like they dont allow an iphone 4 to be used as a prepaid plan and has to be minimum 4s to be prepaid or monthly or something like that?


Thank you.

 

[pauly1]

Also i look at this unlocked one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IPHONE-4S-3...1166627645?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item4176d6433d


But it mentions it doesnt work with tmobile or simple mobile? Does anyone know why? I thought all unlocked phones worked with all carriers?

 

[Jambalaya]

You can switch sim cards on an unlocked phone. You don't need a long term contract, either pay as you go or monthly will work fine so you should "pay twoie". Data on pay as you go is expensive usually but perhaps you can use free wifi ? The phone companies don't care about iPhone versions.

 

[pauly1]

Okay i get it now get a new sim card for each country im in whether its canada or mexico.

But does one need to unlock the phone each time though? For example im getting an unlocked phone and at the moment going to buy a tmobile sim card for it but not activate tmobile because im going back to canada. Then say few months later i want to get a plan with one of the canadian carriers such as fido. So i go to fido buy a sim card which should not cost more than 10 dollars or so... and i just switch sim card and thats it? Theres no unlocking or any stuff like that that needs to be done?


Then once i leave canada and cancel my monthly or prepaid plan with fido... then say i go back to the usa. Then i just switch the sim card to the tmobile one if i choose to get a monthly or prepaid plan with tmobile?


Then few month later i go to mexico. Go and get a prepaid sim card from telecom and then get a plan and thats it? I heard ppl mention that unlocking phone cost 50-200 dollars each time etc but this wont affect me at all b/c my phone is unlocked correct?

 

[C DM]

Okay i get it now get a new sim card for each country im in whether its canada or mexico.

But does one need to unlock the phone each time though? For example im getting an unlocked phone and at the moment going to buy a tmobile sim card for it but not activate tmobile because im going back to canada. Then say few months later i want to get a plan with one of the canadian carriers such as fido. So i go to fido buy a sim card which should not cost more than 10 dollars or so... and i just switch sim card and thats it? Theres no unlocking or any stuff like that that needs to be done?


Then once i leave canada and cancel my monthly or prepaid plan with fido... then say i go back to the usa. Then i just switch the sim card to the tmobile one if i choose to get a monthly or prepaid plan with tmobile?


Then few month later i go to mexico. Go and get a prepaid sim card from telecom and then get a plan and thats it? I heard ppl mention that unlocking phone cost 50-200 dollars each time etc but this wont affect me at all b/c my phone is unlocked correct?

You unlock once and it's unlocked after that.