Prepaid SIM for Cabot Links?

[Michael Whitaker]

Anyone have a recommendation for a prepaid SIM that will provide data and local phone service while on Cape Breton Island? I have an unlocked old iphone 3G that I use when I travel.

The best deal I can find online is a SIM from Seven-Eleven (yes, The 7-11!) that offers unlimited internet browsing and local "anytime" calls for about $30. It seems their SIM uses the Rogers network.

The big question, however... is there cell coverage in Inverness and the surrounding area? What is your first hand experience?

[Greg Beaulieu]

According to the map on the Rogers site, Inverness is in a dead zone.

http://www.rogers.com/business/on/en/smallbusiness/rogers/coverage/

Looks like you need a service that uses the Bell network:

http://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Coverage_map

[Bill_McBride]

According to the map on the Rogers site, Inverness is in a dead zone.

http://www.rogers.com/business/on/en/smallbusiness/rogers/coverage/

Looks like you need a service that uses the Bell network:

http://www.bell.ca/Mobility/Coverage_map

I called AT&T and spent $30 on an international calling plan for Canada. 

[Wayne_Kozun]

There are three main cell carriers in Canada:  Rogers, Bell and Telus.  Bell and Telus share the same network.  There is no coverage from Rogers on the western half of the island once you leave Port Hawkesbury so that isn't an option.  But I do believe the other guys have pretty full coverage on the highways on the island.  So if you get a SIM card get one from Bell, Telus or there lower cost Koodo , Solo or Virgin.  

My best advice would be to minimize cell phone usage and just use wifi.  Cabot Links has good wifi so you can use that with stuff like Skype or Facetime.  The other option is to sign up for some sort of North American roaming plan with your US based carrier.

Funnily enough Canadians who have a Rogers phone get no service as there doesn't seem to be a way to do domestic roaming in an area not covered by your provider.  So I have always been without service when on Cape Breton, other than via wifi.

[Charlie_Bell]

If you need to be connected all the time, I'm not the one to ask.  If you're going to stay onsite at Cabot Links, though, and you only need to make outgoing calls, I'd check with them.  When we stayed there earlier this summer, they offered free wifi and free international phone service.

[ward peyronnin]

Hey Buddy

I'd be more concerned as to whether your GPS system performs like it did on the continenet

[Ben Cowan-Dewar]

Michael,
Your cell will work and international plans are fairly cheap to add. Failing that, we do offer free wifi and long distance, so we have you covered.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Michael,
Your cell will work

Unlike Canadians carrying a Rogers cell phone.

@Ben - You have to get Nadir Mohamed and/or his replacement as the new CEO of Rogers to come to Cabot to make them realize that they have to expand their network from Port H up to Inverness.