Heading overseas Us & Canada

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Heading overseas Us & Canada

NewTeach

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#28880 15-Dec-2008 10:50

I have been chosen to go on a neat trip to the US & Canada thanks to my boss and was wondering what was the best way to use my Jasjam PDA overseas for calls, txts and data connections?

I see you can get a 'traveller' addon that lets you use your standard plan to make calls for normal price plus $3-5 per minute for calls depending on where you are, and I wouldn't even look at using data at $30 a meg. So my question is, would I be better to purchase a sim card of some kind over in the States and Canada? Plus am I better to find some way of turning of my data connection and just using Wifi?

So many questions....ohh yeah, do they have wifi on planes..or is that a silly question....and can you plug your laptop in on a plane? and don't laugh please, biggest trip previously was to the corner store to buy milk, god I love my job.

NT.

ajobbins

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#184204 15-Dec-2008 11:08

I belive AT&T do a Unlimited NetMedia data package for $20 or $30 for the month with a prepaid SIM.

I think Mauricio knows more?

I'm off there this week too.

NewTeach

73 posts

Master Geek

#184207 15-Dec-2008 11:15

Does that cover the states and Canada or just the US, plus does the sim card just fit in like ours....txts and calls compartively cheap? sorry for all the questions but as I said have hardly been on a plane before let alone the states and Canada and will definately need to phone the dog at home.

ajobbins

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#184208 15-Dec-2008 11:19

Some info here:
http://www.phonenews.com/att-gophone-prepaid-adds-data-only-option-3381/

There is nothing on the AT&T website tho so I don't know if they are still doing this.

It's just US I think. Plan details here: http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/go-phones/pyg-plans-phones.jsp

SIM Card will fit it, but you will need a phone that operates on US bands.

Tell me the model of your phone and I will check

NewTeach

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#184211 15-Dec-2008 11:32

Thanks, I-mate Jasjam, running wm6.0

ajobbins

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#184212 15-Dec-2008 11:36

NewTeach: Thanks, I-mate Jasjam, running wm6.0

All good. You should be able to get HSDPA coverage in the US with the Jasjam.

http://www.gsmarena.com/i_mate_jasjam-1589.php

http://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3?sCountry=UNITED+STATES

NewTeach

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#184217 15-Dec-2008 11:53

cheers..

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freitasm

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#184231 15-Dec-2008 12:44

adamj:
I belive AT&T do a Unlimited NetMedia data package for $20 or $30 for the month with a prepaid SIM.

This service doesn't exist anymore.

It was US$19.95 for 5GB/30 days. They have discontinued it a couple of months ago. I have a prepay AT&T SIM card here - useless now.

The idea of buying a locl SIM card now is only good for voice calls - which will be much cheaper than using your Vodafone while roaming. For data you will find lots of Wi-Fi services around - Starbcks and airports to start with, plus bookstores... And it will be cheaper than any mobile data roaming deal you can find.

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ajobbins

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#184232 15-Dec-2008 12:48

freitasm:
adamj:
I belive AT&T do a Unlimited NetMedia data package for $20 or $30 for the month with a prepaid SIM.

This service doesn't exist anymore.

It was US$19.95 for 5GB/30 days. They have discontinued it a couple of months ago. I have a prepay AT&T SIM card here - useless now.

The idea of buying a locl SIM card now is only good for voice calls - which will be much cheaper than using your Vodafone while roaming. For data you will find lots of Wi-Fi services around - Starbcks and airports to start with, plus bookstores... And it will be cheaper than any mobile data roaming deal you can find.

Darn. That is a shame!

NewTeach

73 posts

Master Geek

#184239 15-Dec-2008 13:09

Sounds like a plan, thanks for your help guys. Will have to download the new skype and give it a go and stick to a roaming plan with current sim.

And the questions for the experienced travellers, using laptop and pda on the plane?

NealR

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#184249 15-Dec-2008 13:25

Suggest you turn off your Wifi on your laptop and use "Airplane Mode" (turns off cellular and wifi) on PDA. Nothing to do with crashing planes, but turning off cellular really improves your battery life. If you're lucky enough to be in Business Premier of AirNZ or similar you will find a power outlet which enables you to save laptop battery power.

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wellygary

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#184251 15-Dec-2008 13:28

NewTeach: Sounds like a plan, thanks for your help guys. Will have to download the new skype and give it a go and stick to a roaming plan with current sim.

And the questions for the experienced travellers, using laptop and pda on the plane?

No Wifi on planes, some seats will have volts, but you may need an adapter, but it depends mainly on what class your gracious employer has you travelling in.

If you PDA has flight mode you can use it on the plane , otherwise it should remain off, Laptop is OK, but again wifi/bluetooth/wireless mouse all need to be off.

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NewTeach

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#184253 15-Dec-2008 13:32

Great, thanks for the info guys...funny that all I'm worried about is if I can use my pda and laptop when I'm off on a trip to the other side of the globe, wife says I can either take her or the laptop and pda. My pda wouldn't do as much shopping I guess and my laptop doesn't have cold feet in bed.