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2:23 pm
I know a few people who could use their Canada Speakout phones in the States but mine doesn't work. Is there a way of using my SO phone (nokia 1661) in the states?
Thanks
4:04 pm
March 15, 2008
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There are two issues...
1. The phone. If it's locked, as I believe the 1661 is, then it will only work on the Rogers (including SO and PCM) network. Earlier SO phones like the 1600 and 1208 aren't unlocked so...
2. The SIM. If you have an unlocked phone and a SIM for a carrier that operates or roams in the US then you will have service is the US. Note that SO Canada doesn't operate or roam in the US. However, you can buy a SIM from SO US, AT&T, T-Mobile, et al that do work in the US.
(3. If you're very close, say a few miles, on the US side of the border it's possible that you can reach a Canadian tower from there. To the cell phone network you're still in Canada even if you're not here physically.)
8:12 am
I asked the same question to customer service today and they said that I cna't use my SO phone in teh states for the same reason you mention above. I can however use it if I call them up and ask them to send me a US SO SIM card. They said there is no cost and it will take 7-10 days to get the card mailed to you.
They said, then I cross the border, slip the Canadian card out adn put the new US SIM in and it will work. Sound right?
I really didn't get a stright answer as to how much it will cost me to call from the US to Canada once I switched to the US SIM. Anyone know or can validate what I was told?.
Thanks
8:23 am
September 10, 2009
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Tim said:
I asked the same question to customer service today and they said that I cna't use my SO phone in teh states for the same reason you mention above. I can however use it if I call them up and ask them to send me a US SO SIM card. They said there is no cost and it will take 7-10 days to get the card mailed to you.
They said, then I cross the border, slip the Canadian card out adn put the new US SIM in and it will work. Sound right?
I really didn't get a stright answer as to how much it will cost me to call from the US to Canada once I switched to the US SIM. Anyone know or can validate what I was told?.
Thanks
now thats interesting....
i currently have a Tmobile sim which i use in the states. unfortunately because SO phones are locked i have to carry around my Razr to the States.
sucks that i JUST put money on my Tmobile card, if i had known i would have called for a SIM
once someone figures out how to unlock the 5130 then i could finally get rid of the Razr
UPDATE: after looking at there rates i'll stick with Tmobile. 10cents/min 365 expiry on a 20 refill
2:12 pm
October 15, 2008
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chiewable said:
UPDATE: after looking at there rates i'll stick with Tmobile. 10cents/min 365 expiry on a 20 refill
Where did you see that on the T-Mobile website? I don't even see a $20 refill option. And as far as I know, you only get the 365 day expiry once you spend $100. And the only way to get the 10cent/min rate is to buy a $100 refill.
8:01 pm
September 10, 2009
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sapien said:
chiewable said:
UPDATE: after looking at there rates i'll stick with Tmobile. 10cents/min 365 expiry on a 20 refill
Where did you see that on the T-Mobile website? I don't even see a $20 refill option. And as far as I know, you only get the 365 day expiry once you spend $100. And the only way to get the 10cent/min rate is to buy a $100 refill.
i use to live in the states so i spent over $100 on airtime years ago
once you've spent over $100 in one year all future refills do not expire for 365 days
6:54 am
March 15, 2008
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I can however use it if I call them up and ask them to send me a US SO SIM card. They said there is no cost and it will take 7-10 days to get the card mailed to you. They said, then I cross the border, slip the Canadian card out adn put the new US SIM in and it will work. Sound right?
No, it sounds like a crock. I assume the US SIM is intended to work on the SO US (AT&T) network. It won't work unless you purchase airtime at a US 7-11 store. That will cost a minimum of US$50 for 365 days expiry. See http://www.7-eleven.com/docs/0.....r04_LR.pdf
Also you'll have a US phone number so people who want to call you will need to know where (in CA or US) you are located and use the correct number.
BTW SO Canada used to send out free US SIMs several years ago but then discontinued the practice. If the agent you spoke with is correct then they've since reversed their original reversal.
6:41 pm
January 4, 2009
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Sounds easy enough to test. If someone does, please report back!
8:26 am
January 18, 2009
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I might test but it would be months before I can. I contacted SO Canada and they volunteered to contact SO US. I've since received an email saying I can get a SIM from them but they must mail it to a US address. I can do that but it will be months. I think as mentioned I will need to spend $50 and I'm not too thrilled with that as I have T-MO as a good option right now and I am also going to try Ekit ($13 SIM shipped with $10 credit, .59 first minute and .09 after that, $30/year in US and .79 first and .29 after that in Canada.)
8:29 am
April 16, 2010
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I would like to know whether SO Cda customers are able to receive and use SIM cards for SO USA. Unfortunately, I live in Ottawa and 7-11 has closed up shop and I'm unable to subscribe. I have a US address. If an existing SO Cda customer is interested in calling Cust Serv and asking to have a SIM card to my US address, he/she can PM me and we can work out the details.
1:31 am
January 18, 2009
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I considered the US SO sim a while back and did get confirmation from the US that they were ready to send a card. I just needed to provide a US address. Then I looked at the rates!!!! I use T-Mobile in the US now. It's $10/90 days and they unlock the phone after a very short period if you ask. So I now use a better phone in Canada on SO Canada and slip a T-Mob card in when in the US.
I've actually considered using T-Mob in Canada and US, considering the small amount of use I have. With the T-Mob phone and software (9.99 phone) and T-mob card I can check some web sites for free and can check email headers for free and complete email for .05, so a pretty good deal. I have a voip toll-free number which I could forward to my cell so it wouldn't even be long distance for friends and relatives.
10:15 am
May 1, 2009
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Didn't work in US. NY/Boston. One phone is from Petro and other from SP
6:25 pm
November 15, 2008
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I'm going to be in US in Dec for only six and a half day. I have Speakout unlocked phones (Nokia 1112 and 1208). I would like to have a phone to receive calls in case of emergency. I don't mind using a calling card on a pay phone to make out going calls. So I don't need many minutes.
I hope to spend the minimum to get an activated SIM for my unlocked phone that will last me for the short trip. I do not go to US often. So the leftover balance will probably expire before my next trip.
Is T-Mobile the way to go?
Do I need to buy a SIM card (hopefully comes with some minutes) and an activation kit?
Do you suggest to buy from eBay before I go, or get from a store after my arrival? I'm not sure the SIMs on eBay are activated or not.
6:57 pm
October 14, 2008
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I would recommend getting a prepaid kit from a store once you get in the USA. Check the different providers coverage maps to see which one has the better coverage, then go from there. Generally in the USA, Verizon is king of coverage.
Some prepaid kits come with a phone (which you can sell later if you wish), a sim card, and a few minutes to get you going.
As for Ebay, some sims are activated, but you are taking your chances. I bought my T-Mobile sim from Ebay, and it works great, but your mileage may vary.
9:42 am
April 16, 2010
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Tim said:
I asked the same question to customer service today and they said that I cna't use my SO phone in teh states for the same reason you mention above. I can however use it if I call them up and ask them to send me a US SO SIM card. They said there is no cost and it will take 7-10 days to get the card mailed to you.
They said, then I cross the border, slip the Canadian card out adn put the new US SIM in and it will work. Sound right?
I really didn't get a stright answer as to how much it will cost me to call from the US to Canada once I switched to the US SIM. Anyone know or can validate what I was told?.
Thanks
Tim, SO USA will mail a SIM card to you, however, they will only mail to a US address. If you have a US address or if a friend/relative is willing to accept it for you, no problem. Assuming your phone isn't locked to a particular carrier, you will follow their instructions to activate it and buy air time at a 7-11 in the US. I believe there are some time constraints so I would order the SIM about 2 weeks before your arrival at your US destination. To call Canada from US using SO is fairly expensive. You may want to consider a LD card or another GSM provider like Red Pocket (assuming you don't need data).
10:16 am
October 14, 2008
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I would be very surprised if SpeakOut USA mailed anyone a sim card. I was told they are are not signing on any new customers. I know all the phone/sim card packages were pulled from all the 7-Eleven stores nationwide months ago, if not a year ago. The only thing you can get in a 7-Eleven store is the SpeakOut top-up card, for existing customers.
7:47 am
April 16, 2010
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I spoke to a SO USA rep and I am repeating what he told me. We will be going down to Florida at the end of Nov and I plan on ordering a SIM card and picking up some air time. I will share my experiences
BIO
9:36 pm
June 9, 2010
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Hi BIO
As per our last PM, we are in Florida now. I requested a US SO sim Card from the
7-Eleven customer service number you gave me back on Nov 7, 2010. It was not
received and so I made a second request on Nov 19, 2010. As of today nothing has
been delivered. Every time I spoke to Customer Service they were very polite and
seemed pleased to fill my request. But with no results. And so today I am attempting
to get service with T-Mobile as it sound like the next most reasonable offering.
Will keep you posted of any changes. Have a safe trip and bring lots of sun screen.
BIB (now under the alias of BIF)
11:02 pm
October 14, 2008
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That's what I said earlier. They are not signing up anymore customers, and it seems like they are closing down the US side of SpeakOut. From what I heard, the only way to top-up now is to call the customer service number with a credit card.
9:49 pm
April 16, 2010
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Just to let you know. I am in Florida right now and 7-11 has provided me with a SIM card and my voice service is up and running. I had a hard time getting a phone number for this area but SO USA came through for me. I'm still working at getting the data working for my iPhone but at least I have voice.
iamdrumming said:
I would be very surprised if SpeakOut USA mailed anyone a sim card. I was told they are are not signing on any new customers. I know all the phone/sim card packages were pulled from all the 7-Eleven stores nationwide months ago, if not a year ago. The only thing you can get in a 7-Eleven store is the SpeakOut top-up card, for existing customers.
