Use a UK Mobile phone in Canada: How much does it cost? (Guide for travelers)

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When traveling around the world, there are many things people need to keep in mind. Especially when it comes to internet connectivity, people need to know how much it costs to use their mobile phone in Canada when coming from the UK. So, if you live in the UK and plan to travel to Canada soon, this is the place to be. 

So, we will provide you with a guide that will tell you everything you need to know to use your UK phone in Canada. The good news is that all the information we give here will help you on your next trip. And you can even show this guide to your travel companions!

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Contents

Can I use my phone in Canada?

At first glance, the answer to this question is simple because we can say that everyone can use their cellphone when they travel to Canada, even if they are from the UK. 

However, people need to know a few things about how they use their devices. You need to know the coverage availability, cellphone bands, and much more when traveling. These are simple things that all travelers should remember as much as possible.

Try to look up all the information we discuss here, so you can know more about the place you are traveling to. Sometimes it’s not about where you have to visit or where you want to go; communication is also important for people wherever they are. 

Currently, there are a few ways to find out how to use your cellphone in Canada, and we’ll talk about them later. There is a lot to know and many options that everyone should know about.

What are the options for using a UK Mobile phone in Canada?

When we discuss cellphone usage options in Canada, we can see that there are many, many options that come to mind. Be it roaming, pocket WiFi, and others. 

However, some of these services are better than others, so there’s really no need to mention them here. Today, as we move increasingly into the digital age, travel and communication are crucial.

So, on our list, what options are available for travelers to connect in Canada? We can name them, they are SIM cards, eSIM, Free WiFi, and Pocket WiFi devices. But which of these options is best for people? That’s what we’re going to talk about here. 

In this way, if you are unsure which service to use, we will explain everything to you so that you can easily make the right decision.

eSIM for traveling abroad

eSIM for Canada
eSIM with unlimited data plans in Canada. Source: Holafly.

These digital SIM cards have become very popular lately. For those who don’t know much about eSIMs, they work the same way as regular SIM cards. They provide users with most of the traditional services like text messages, calls and cellular data. 

 But how can people get one, and what should they know about this service? Well, we can find many companies that provide this kind of service to people. In most cases, they are easy to obtain as travelers can purchase these cards from online stores.

One of the eSIMs we recommend most is the Holafly eSIM for Canada due to everything it offers. You only need to remember that you need the latest generation of devices to use the eSIM because these types of smartphones are the only ones that support the eSIM. 

In terms of pricing, we can say that people have the flexibility to choose what suits them best. There are options for stays of 5, 10, 15, or 20 days; you can recharge another package with top-ups if you need more time. All plans come with unlimited data, so you will have no problem sharing photos, viewing social networks, or anything else you need.

Advantages

  • You have 4G LTE coverage in the country with support from Rogers Canada networks.
  • Easy to install on your cellphone.
  • Only requires a QR to be activated.
  • Unlimited data plans are available
  • Recharge eSIM service through top-ups every time you need it.
  • Doesn’t occupy a physical space on a cellphone.

Disadvantages

International SIM Card

The second alternative is the SIM card. Almost anyone who has used a phone in the past has also used a SIM card, in any place around the world. They’ve been around for a long time and now can be used as a travel replacement.

These SIM cards require the user to have an open band on his/her device to work, that’s one thing that is different from the eSIM. Otherwise, people cannot use these international cards.

Apart from that, the entire purchasing process is simple and quick. And once it’s installed on your phone, you don’t have to do much to use it! For this, we recommend using online stores or local operators in Canada, which offer affordable prices and network coverage.

Pocket Wifi

It’s time to talk about pocket WiFi devices. These can be easily rented, and people even receive it at home in just days! 

There is a price to be had with these devices. Rental fees for a week are approximately between $50 and $349.99. It could be more depending on how many days people travel. 

That being said, renting such a device can cost up to $400, depending on whether there are penalties to pay.

Free Wifi

One alternative to staying connected while traveling is to use a free WiFi connection. When traveling, this might be something too normal, you might see other travelers doing the same. 

There are many places you can find it but not always connected to one. And this is something to consider because people need to stay connected as much as possible. It’s still a good choice to keep in mind. It has only a few shortcomings, but the main one is that we won’t always be in the same place.

Can I use my UK phone service in Canada?

Yes, that is the short answer we can give readers. They can all use their cellphones with Canadian phone service when they travel to Canada.

For those wondering, in this particular case, we are talking about the roaming services these companies offer. If you are from the UK, you probably use Three, O2, or Vodafone.

Fortunately for Canada, these companies offer a good range of roaming services. But what about the price? Let’s dive deeper in depth.

Using my Mobile phone in Canada with Vodafone 

Vodafone offers users a hassle-free way to use their phones with roaming services. The company divides its roaming services into three categories, and Canada is currently one of the most expensive countries due to where they are located. It should be noted that the daily roaming rate here is $8.37 for data, about $0.05 per minute, and for SMS, about $0.02 per message sent.

Using my Mobile phone in Canada with O2

It is time to talk about O2. Compared to what you can see on Vodafone, they have very similar services, cellular data roaming costs you $7.32 per day, but SMS and phone rates are different. For text messages, the cost is $0.02 per message sent and $0.05 per minute of call.

Using my Mobile phone in Canada with Three Mobile

The last cellular operator on our list is Three Mobile. They are well known among UK users and had to be included in this article.

In the case of this operator, they have rates of $7.2/Mb, $1.71 per minute of calls received or made, and finally, $0.43 per text message sent.

Local mobile operators in Canada

In Canada, you can find many cellular operators that you can sign up for. Bell Mobility, EastLink, and Freedom Mobile, among others, are part of the list there. 

Bell Mobility is the best at the moment. They have more coverage and better planning and are generally more affordable for people.  

Travelers can connect to any of these cellphone providers when traveling to Canada, but doing so can be a bit of a hassle, so keep that in mind.

How much does it cost to use my UK phone in Canada?

It depends a lot on the service you use. Prices can range from 19 to 54 dollars, which is the price of the Holafly eSIM for Canada, but it can be higher with other companies. 

The price of the one that can be used with Pocket WiFi is $400, for example, a lot more. Holafly’s virtual SIM card is a viable alternative, with five unlimited data plans available. For us, this alternative is the best option, and there’s no doubt about that.

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