[goodgenie4u]

Am a senior, do not have regular need for a mobile phone, except for the limited time we travel out of town or country by car. Driving Toronto to Florida. Kids insist we get a pre paid phone and pre paid talk SIM for our safety and contacting hotels. They suggested buying it in the US. Best Buy or Walmart in the US sells some from as little as $20.

The help we need is to pick a phone, basic talk and text that will work in the USA and With Bell. Mobility, so that we can also get their SIM card put in when we are back in Toronto. Please identify the network technology features needed for this phone selection; keeping in mind it must be inexpensive talk and text. If we find such a phone that has more user friendly and enhanced capabilities at a bargain prices eg. Palm Pre, we will consider the value of the marginal extra cost. Also keep in mind we are tech savvy but not users of a mobile phone.

 

[BGY11]

Most phones you purchase will be locked to a carrier, so you'd have to get them unlocked first if you wanted to use it on multiple providers. That said, it shouldn't be too hard to get a prepaid phone unlocked if needed.

As for technology, your best bet would be one that works on AT&T if you want to ensure it will work well on Bell Mobility as well. Specifically, look for a phone that offers HSPA 850/1900MHz frequency support.

 

[joey90210]

My parents were in the same position and picked up and used a phone from TracPhone while they were in the States. (Walmart, Target, etc). Phones are not fancy or high end but can be used for texting, they are no contract, it worked for them. Your can use it to make local, long distance and international calls (Calls back to Canada).

Pay as you go, top up cards can be bought from near anywhere.

They have even shared it / traded it off with friends as they go to the states. each person just top it up as needed.

To save on local calling costs the number can be reassigned based on your locale, ie: one winter in Florida, next winter in Phoenix.

It might be a fit for you.

 

[57]

Just as an FYI, here's a previous thread discussing US PAYGo options:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=161282