PCS U.S. Data Roaming
FAQs
How is U.S.
data roaming pricing determined?
PCS U.S. data roaming is charged by the MB when
used within 1X areas, and is prorated to the closest KB (1MB = 1024KB
or approximately 1¢ per KB). It is charged in addition to the
amount you are billed in Canada.
However, depending on your phone's browser and coverage area, you
may be charged at a rate of 95¢ per minute for some browser
services (Wireless Web, wireless Web games, Instant Messaging, downloadable
ringtones and images, and e-mail via your browser). See
next FAQ.
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What is the average
price per data service in the U.S.?
Below is the average charge per service based on the applicable
rate.
| Service |
Standard Service
Fee |
U.S. Roaming Rate
(Cdn $)
|
| Text
Messaging |
15¢
per text message sent |
None |
| Web
Alerts |
15¢
per web alert message received |
None |
| Connect
rate plan |
1MB
= approximately 200
e-mails without attachments |
Varies
by rate plan |
| BlackBerry
|
1
MB = approximately 500
e-mails without attachments |
$8/MB |
| Picture
Messaging |
25¢
per picture |
$10/MB |
| Video
Messaging |
50¢
per video |
| Wireless
Web |
Starts
at 5¢ per page |
| Instant
Messaging |
10¢
per message sent; free to receive |
| Web
Games |
Starts
at 5¢ per page |
| Web
Games |
Starts
at 5¢ per page |
| mobile radio |
Starts
at $15.00/month or included in select SPARK bundles |
| mobile TV |
Starts
at $15.00/month or included in select SPARK bundles |
| Downloadable
Games |
Starts
at 50¢ per game + 50¢ per download |
| Downloadable
Images |
Starts
at $1.50 per image + 50¢ per download |
| Downloadable
videos |
Starts
at $1.00 per video + 50¢ per download |
| Downloadable
Ringtones |
Starts
at $2.00 per truetone + 50¢ per download |
| E-mail
(My Inbox, Office Inbox) |
Starts
at 5¢ per page sent & received |
|
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Where is 1X coverage
in the U.S.?
Our data services use the network of one of the largest wireless
carriers in the United States. Data service roaming is available
along most major U.S. highways and within major cities and popular
destinations.
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What PCS services
are available in 1X areas only?
Picture Messaging, Downloadable Games, BlackBerry services and Connect rate plans are limited to 1X coverage areas and are always
charged by the megabyte.
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How do I determine
how much I will be charged for my browser service?
U.S. data roaming pricing varies for browser services based on the
service itself, the phone's browser type, and the coverage area
you are roaming in. Wireless Web, wireless Web games, Instant Messaging,
downloadable ringtones and images and e-mail via your browser can
all potentially be charged at 95¢ per minute. See
next FAQ.
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Is my PCS phone's
browser 1X data capable or digital PCS capable?
The rate you are charged for browser services depends on your phone's
browser version. If your phone's browser operates in both 1X and
digital PCS modes, you may be charged 95¢ per minute (see
next FAQ). Check the chart below for your phone's browser type
and rate.
| 1X Phones |
Browser Type
|
U.S. Data Roaming
Rate |
LG
TM520
|
digital
PCS |
Digital
PCS - 95¢ per min |
| Motorola
V120x |
| Sony
Ericsson T206 |
Audiovox
8300/8150
|
1X
and digital PCS |
1X
- MB
or
digital PCS - 95¢ per min
|
| Kyocera
KE424C |
| Samsung
A540/A520/A220 |
| Motorola
T731/V60ci |
Kyocera 7135
/ K440
Nokia 3205i
Intermec 760A
Audiovox Thera
Samsung SPH i700/A630
BlackBerry 6750/7750/7250/7520/7130e
Audiovox 8900
Samsung A600/A840
LG 200/ 8100 / 125 / 4750 / 535 / 6190 / 5450/ 4600 /
6070
Audiovox PPC 6600
Treo 650
UTStarcom 6700 / 860 /
Motorola RAZR v3c / V265 / V262 / V65p / V710 / M800
|
1X |
1X - MB |
|
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How does coverage
affect my U.S. roaming rate?
Most U.S. cities are covered by 1X service, but some areas are covered
by digital PCS only. There is also a chance that a phone with a
1X and digital PCS browser can find a digital PCS network within
1X coverage. Therefore, if you are in digital PCS area or if your
phone uses the digital PCS network within a 1X coverage area, you
will be charged at a rate of 95¢ per minute for the following
browser services: Wireless Web, wireless Web games, Instant Messaging,
downloadable ringtones and images, and e-mail via your browser.
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What is a megabyte
(MB)?
A megabyte is the standard used to measure data that is transmitted
to or from your device, similar to transferring data through the
Internet. Note: 1MB = 1024KB of data.
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How can I enhance
1X performance for my device in the U.S.?
We recommend downloading a new roaming list on your handset prior
to travelling to the U.S. to enhance your data roaming connection.
The enhancement takes approximately three minutes to complete and
must be done within our digital PCS coverage areas in Canada.
Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Dial *22803 to reach our automated system. Select your
language.
Step 2: Select option 2 to begin the roaming list download process.
For LG 5450/4600/6070 phones only
- After you have downloaded the new roaming list to your phone,
the Roaming Indicator will not appear on your handset display when
you're in the U.S. This does not impact the performance of your
handset in any way.
If you encounter issues with the download, please
contact
a Client Care representative.
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