Getting Your Cell Phone in the USA
(Information supplied on this topic is from experience only,
and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Canada, USA, Manitoba,
or Minnesota).
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Getting Your Cell Phone in the USA
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General:
So, you have all your utilities signed up - some possibly requiring deposits - but for the
most part, everyone will be billing you. Now, you want to get your existing Canadian cell
phone (or a brand new one) activated for service in Minneapolis (or other parts of the
USA). Bzzzz - wrong answer. We found getting our home mortgage (even though THAT was
complex) easier than getting cellular phone service. Two reasons for this. First, cellular
phones are a credit nightmare for the cellular companies. More people ring up huge bills
using cellular services than any other utility. For this reason, cellular companies are
extremely careful when granting access. Second, because you are coming from Canada, you
have no credit history in the USA.
Using your Existing Phone or Not:
If you have an existing phone, you may or may not be able to use it. If it is a PCS phone
that you bought and used in Winnipeg, you were either on the MTS or Cantel services.
Neither of these PCS services are compatible with any of the PCS services in Minnesota.
Unfortunately, you will have to retire your phone and buy a new one. If you had a
NON-digital (analog) cell-phone in Winnipeg, you can use this phone in Minnesota on their
analog network. As anolog phones are almost being given away upon new activation, your
existing analog cell phone is virtually worthless.
The main cellular/PCS providers in Minnesota are as follows:
Choosing your Company:
We selected AT&T Wireless based on needs
which were specific to us - and they were the only company that would hook us up! The
other three companies wanted between a $500 and $700 deposit. All other refused to do a
Canadian Equifax credit check on us. So, when they ran their standard credit check on our
3 day old Social Security numbers, surprise - no information was found! AT&T
introduced a new program which allows you to provide them your credit card number, and
they will automatically bill it on a monthly basis. You will still receive your detailed
bill, but it will instruct you not to pay it. In many respects, this was the best way for
us to pay regardless. AT&T offers many
plans, which you can choose for yourself by either calling them, or looking at their website. We selected a phone that is called
tri-mode. Tri-mode phones allow you to use their PCS digital network while within the
Twin Cities area. When you are outside of this area (like on the road back to Winnipeg for
a visit), it automatically roams over to an analog services. If you plan on traveling,
spend the extra few dollars and get a tri-mode phone.
We are currently (August, 2000) paying $29.99 for 250 minutes per month, with voice mail, paging, 3-way, call waiting, etc.
(Update: 02/16/99): Nicole provides us with this update. Thanks Nicole!
"I just read your info on cell phones and found some things you may want to add. A lot of companies offer a discounted rate if you inquire through personnel. For example, I got my analog phone from Wpg hooked up with Air Touch no problem at a discounted rate of only $8.40/month through the Children's hospital company plan. It pays to look into it. The other thing to note is if you cross the border with a cell phone on, it will start charging you roaming fees for every minute the power is on, not only when it is in use. Friends of ours had this happen."
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