Cross-border (northern one) communication

[Cam]

It can be really, really expensive to communicate when you head up to Canada. Cell phone minutes are usually like 50 cents. Check this out, my wireless internet unlimited costs $68 per month with taxes included. I go to Canada and use my laptop less than two hours and it adds $70 to my bill!!!

How do you Canadians do it? How do you afford to communicate across the borders? Fellow Americans, how do you do it? The costs of not taking loads and communicating is way to much to just not use your phone? Even so, the costs are expensive. Any tricks to this?

[Jumbo]

The Canadians use a fast moving communication system called sled dogs. It takes two weeks to get a message back from dispatch, but it is cheaper.

[Cam]

The Canadians use a fast moving communication system called sled dogs. It takes two weeks to get a message back from dispatch, but it is cheaper.

:x Sly devils!!! :x :sad:

[mapleleaf_1]

Now Jumbo don't be giving away all the secrets. LOL I sometimes things sled dogs would be more efficient than some of the phone carriers anyways. Don't you?

Drive safe everyone.

[Cam]

Ah, you guys, c'mon, pleassssseeeee......



Do you have a cell phone down here and one up there? Do you swap out sim cards? It there one carrier that offers cheaper US/Canada rates? Do you just have a $300 phone bill every month and are you minutes-hoarding clock watchers? You've must have found some answers.

[brian]

I figure if i`m going through canada another hundred max on my phone bill is worth it because if i`m up there i`m going to be making more then usual but I dont use my phone much anyways, if I get a load to fort mac AB or the yukon or alaska I already know what i`m coming out with it or i`m getting a good enough rate to deadhead out.

[rank]

Our phones are with Bell Canada. I communicate with the drivers using the phone's 10-4 feature ($20/month unlimited IIRC).

As far as talking to US brokers & shippers, I'll have to check to see how many minutes I'm averaging in the US and what the cost is. 400 a month sticks in my mind but I'm not sure that was dollars or minutes. Probably dollars. More later.

[Cam]

Ok, let me see if I've got this straight. You've got to pay to play, and just talk less..........EUREKA!..............That's it!

Really, is that it! No way to do this cheaply? The Canada guys have got to know something and they just aren't talking. Probably just bitter because our North is their South. :P :shock:



edit** oops, Rank! You are Canadian I didn't really mean that about the North and South. I really like ice cubes and cold beer and huskies and everything.

edit** oops, Rank! You are Canadian I didn't really mean that about the North and South. I really like ice cubes and cold beer and huskies and everything.

Rank isn't Canadian you bone head. Look at his posts, they are all in English!!! Also, his trucks have the steering wheel on the left like we do, yet another clue!!

[Cam]

Rank isn't Canadian you bone head. Look at his posts, they are all in English!!! Also, his trucks have the steering wheel on the left like we do, yet another clue!!

Oh yeah, I didn't think of that. :sad:

[rank]

Rank isn't Canadian you bone head. Look at his posts, they are all in English!!!

Bien oui, je suis Canadien! La terre de biere et hockey.
Oui, oui, oui, les Americans est tres bon, aussi. Vive les Etas-Unis. Vive Monsieur Bush.

Cam,

Excuse my poor French. Your cell phone provider must have a "North America Plan" or something. That's what we have with Bell. Still have to check my cell phone bill and get back to you.

Bien oui, je suis Canadien! La terre de biere et hockey.
Been out, Jesus is Canadian, Later do beer at hockey.

Oui, oui, oui, les Americans est tres bon, aussi.
Ouch, Ouch, less Americans, Eric Estrada is Australian.


Rank, I remember my Canada language class from high school like it was yesterday and to tell you the truth, this makes no sense at all.

[rank]

Bien oui, je suis Canadien! La terre de biere et hockey.
Been out, Jesus is Canadian, Later do beer at hockey.

Oui, oui, oui, les Americans est tres bon, aussi.
Ouch, Ouch, less Americans, Eric Estrada is Australian.


Rank, I remember my Canada language class from high school like it was yesterday and to tell you the truth, this makes no sense at all.

R O T F

[Shebear]

North American Free Trade means nothing when it comes to phone service. It means nothing anyway, and it's the WORST thing that the goons in the World Government have done to us so far (no, it's not the governments of the USA and Canada anymore, it's the Bilderberger Group - do a search).

Anyway, I use one "800" number wherever I am, and I get the same low rate on either side of the border, and it's cheaper than cell.

The company is out of Montreal, Canada - called DCI TELECOM. Their number is 1-866-850-5679. When you call, be cagey; you might need to give them a Canadian address. Say you're just calling for information right now.

Then email me at tentmakertrucker@gmail.com. I'd like to know what they say to you. If I can help providing an address for you, I will. Plus, I think if I sign up some people, I get some kind of monthly bill reduction for myself this time.

I've been with them for around ten years. They're not fly-by-night.

Shebear

[TripleEight]

Spending close to $500/month with Telus. Also have the 10-4. Checked DCI but they do not offer roaming plans. 75% of the calls are going from US to Canada. Canada is home. Right now we're looking into getting a US phone with maybe Nextel. Problem with Telus is that they do not offer a plan with enuf minutes, 700 maximum and then you pay thru the nose. Looking at options if any fellow Canadian has any ideas.

[RockyMtnProDriver]

The Canadians use a fast moving communication system called sled dogs. It takes two weeks to get a message back from dispatch, but it is cheaper.

Wow, that company must have fast dogs.

[mapleleaf_1]

When I head back to Canada I still have a cell phone from when I lived there. I usually purchase one of those prepaid phone cards to use on it when I'm up there. I do have a plan with U.S. Cellular that's supposed to cover calls while visiting in Canada but it still costs a pretty penny. Not a whole lot you can do about it I'm afraid except not call anywhere. Which isn't much good.

Drive safe everyone.

[Cam]

Been banned for two days. First time to get access to the website again. Trying to see if the banning was the aberration or if this post will prove to be the aberration. If you don't hear from me too soon you'll know what happened.

[Hat Rak]

I heard from a coworker that one of the freelance drivers went up to Canada awhile back, and before crossing the border he called his phone company customer and had them temporarily switch over to a Canadian "plan," and as soon as he came back to the States, he reversed it and went on about his business.

Again, hearsay, but perhaps worth further research for someone who wants to not pay $900 bucks like I did once in Ontario.

[Cam]

Bien oui, je suis Canadien! La terre de biere et hockey.
Been out, Jesus is Canadian, Later do beer at hockey.

Oui, oui, oui, les Americans est tres bon, aussi.
Ouch, Ouch, less Americans, Eric Estrada is Australian.


Rank, I remember my Canada language class from high school like it was yesterday and to tell you the truth, this makes no sense at all.

So what, Rank is 'bi'? Funny, you wouldn't really know that just reading his posts.