Watchout on the border

[eastridges]

Just arrived at Brimley State Park in Upper Michigan. I have a mifi through verizon and used it on the first day of arrival. The second day I received 4 emails from verizon stating that I have incurred a total of over $500 in international roaming charges. That is bad news to receive on the second day of vacation..... Well anyways, I called Verizon and they waived the charges since I have not been out of the US. Thank you Verizon.

The problem seems to be that Canada though my be able to boost the power of their towers to collect on some international charges from the US and/or it may just be coincidental because of the location. Verizon tells me they have a tower no farther than six or seven miles.

The fix is to make sure you toggle (their term) your account to not allow international roaming. I am grandfather'd in to a rate for 3gb service so am not able to do this. My fix is to connect my usb cable and then toggle it. Of course I can connect only one device and not wirelessly.

This is worth a check for anyone traveling close to the border with any wifi connectivity devices.

[patbarton]

I don't have that problem. My wi-fi is a Virgin mobile account and it doesn't pick up anything, anywhere!

[CamillaMichael]

quote:Originally posted by patbarton

I don't have that problem. My wi-fi is a Virgin mobile account and it doesn't pick up anything, anywhere!

:-)

[eastridges]

So far I am extremely happy with the ability to connect with my verizon in or out of the sticks.

[richfaa]

Yes..got to watch for that. We live very near Lake Erie and if out on the Islands or near the border you can get a Canadian tower. It is just something you do not think of unless you live in the area.

[kab449]

Just spent a week on Wellesley Island, NY (1000 islands region). The Canadian Towers would grab the connection from our I-Phone and trigger text messagesabout incurring international roaming and data charges. I called ATT and explained this to them. They said they would note my account and when I got the bill if any of the charges were on they would remove them. That along with unlimited data and text is why I will never switch.

[Art-n-Marge]

Are y'all at the borders saying that the default setting by Verizon is to pick up international towers and that one must enable a setting NOT to do this? The border we are next to is Mexico and I think their crap isn't compatible and therefore I have not had this problem, but I haven't checked in forever and haven't gotten any charges. I guess the recommendation is to check and know, rather than guess and "hope" for no charges since so much has changed.

[mhs4771]

Don't know about the other carriers, BUT with Verizon there is a glitch in their software. We have the USB BroadBand Modem and can set it to connect only to the Verizon Network, BUT if the Verizon signal fades and the Rogers (Canadian) signal is stronger the Modem will switch networks and Verizon knows this and is doing nothing to fix the problem. So for the past week we have been internet-less because we were on the St. Clair River and can see Canada right across the river and most US Cell signals are very marginal in that area, while the Canadian signal is nice and strong. So yep, beware, unless you have a Global Roaming plan, then you don't have a problem.

[Alwims]

It's not just Canada. We're setting on the Rio Grande River here in Mission Texas and can see Old Mexico out our livingroom window and we have the same problem with our phones picking up Mexican towers.

Oh and Thanks Pat, now I've got to clean coffee off my laptop from laughing at your post.

[jimcol]

It's not just data as voice will do the same thing. Experienced that at Niagra Falls a few years ago. Expensive call. I don't think anyone is cranking up power to pirate customers it's just sometimes you are closer to a Canadian Tower than a US Tower. Jim

[DQDick]

Got to wonder why the Canadians find it more profitable than US companies to put towers right along the border. Just saying.

[padredw]

Fortunately I called Verizon before our trip to Ontario in June. The representative was very clear about the potential charges (which still seem excessive) should we make calls in Canada. There was an option to pay a monthly fee (I've forgotten the amount)for foreign service but that too seemed expensive to me. She did tell me how to turn off service while we were in Canada. I don't think I ever did that, but we were careful not to make any calls until we got back in New York.

We had great "hosts" while we were in Canada as "OntMont" (John and Donna) 'camped' with us at Fifty Point Conservation Area in Ontario and took us over to Niagara Falls. We also got to see our friends Carol and Al in Michigan before going on to Canada. Both couples have parked their Montanas in our back yard on Texas trips. Their friendship (as well as friendship with others such as Helen and Bill) is a result of this forum and is the primary reason we as SOBs stick around.

[Sierra 117]

Dick,

If you look at the distribution of the Canadian population you will find that most of us live within one hundred miles of the border, so that's where our cell towers are. Snagging US calls is just a benefit to the cell phone carriers if they get away with it.

[DQDick]

Thanks Barry, I knew there were big towns there, but didn't realize it was that strong.

[Dunesmd44]

We had that problem in ElPaso, TX last year called AT&T they made sure no roaming charges.

[PackerFan]

Great info to know. We have the Verizon MIFI and will be sure and change this setting on our account.