Insights For Success

Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Security

Roam Mobility

Roam Mobility launches USA Monthly Plans

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

I've written about Roam Mobility before:

Today Roam Mobility is launching new monthly plans that include unlimited talk, text and data. It is a middle of the ground offering between their day plans and their 3-month snowbird ones.

Although these plans were originally designed for Canadian travelers heading to the USA, it is really applicable to anyone going to the US (Europe, Asia, Middle East, etc).

At launch, there are 2 monthly plans (30 day) which both include unlimited talk and text but differ in their data offering:

  • 1GB of 4G LTE for $39.95
  • 4GB of 4G LTE for $64.95

Once you consume all of your data, you get unlimited 2G data. In my testing, the TMobile LTE network is excellent but their 2G network is so so.

All you need is a non-expired Roam Mobility SIM card and then you can choose these plans on their website.

Why a Canadian should choose Roam Mobility

Telus, Rogers and Bell have all started to offer special Roaming plans ($5-7 per day) where you consume your home monthly plan when in the US. The attractiveness of this plan is the ease of use. You keep your same SIM and number. 

Most Canadians have limited data plans and the risk you run is the overage charges once you've eaten your monthly allocation. With Roam Mobility, you have to switch SIM cards but you are given ample 4G LTE and even if you do bust your cap, you get unlimited 2G connectivity. At least there won't be any $50-100 surprises at the end of the month.

What is my review of Roam Mobility

I have tested almost every conceivable USA travel solution from Roam Mobility, KnowRoaming all the way to buying local SIM cards upon landing. I have found the Roam Mobility solution to be the most robust one I have used.

KnowRoaming provides "unlimited" data for $US8 a day but it is slower 3G. Additionally during my last trip to San Francisco, I couldn't get inbound calling to work and finally gave up after 45 minutes on the phone with their support person. I didn't have my Roam SIM so I was stuck paying the Telus $7 a day fee.

So for USA only travel, I would buy a couple of Roam Mobility cards and use them.

Link to monthly plans page

ZIPSIM is a US prepaid SIM card for travel and EDC

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

I have written about the virtues of RoamMobility countless times (hereherehereherehere). I have written about them because roaming fees are the scourge of travelers. Regardless of what roaming plan your carrier offers, you will likely be limited to slow speed, data caps or other conditions which mean you have to think twice very time you pickup your phone. RoamMobility was a nice easy solution that offered an affordable way to get virtually unconstrained normal use.

Then came with their travel SIM sticker, which offers good global pricing and coverage but costs more if you travel to the US. 

RoamMobility and KnowRoaming are excellent for travelers to the US but require some planning:

  • RoamMobility - You have to buy the SIM, activate it and load it with your preferred plan specifying your travel dates and times. I once made a mistake and started the plan too soon and there was no way (according to support) to fix it once an order is placed online. Did I mention SIM cards expire if not used for 6 months? Plus you have to manually configure your smartphones data connection.
  • KnowRoaming - KnowRoaming requires that you purchase their kit and install their sticker on your SIM. Then using their app  you register the virtual SIM and load money into your account. Then once you travel and arrive in your destination, you open the app and it configures your phone for local use.

Welcome ZipSIM to the world

Otono, the company behind RoamMobility USA, RoamMobility Canada also created ReadySIM. ReadySIM was a burner style SIM card and wireless service that only required a ZIP code for activation (any US zip code). 

According to the company, ReadySIM was an instant hit with travellers and large corporations. Why wouldn't it be. You can purchase a stack of them in varying configurations and activate them only when needed. (Good for travelers or EDC practitioners). 

To keep up with demand, Otono partnered with a global electronics distributor and rebranded ReadySIM to ZipSIM

Our approach to cellular plans has always been innovative and progressive, and this rebrand highlights those characteristics within ZIP SIM. Our customers and partners all love our patented self-activating SIM cards and we’ve brought that front-and-center with this rebrand.
— Oren Chervinsky, VP Global Sales & Marketing for Otono

So ZipSim is also a good choice for US citizens looking for a quick and easy burner service that doesn't collect personal information (such as name, address and credit card information). Remeber that your smartphone itself leaves a breadcrumb of information so you'll want to be careful there.

we will continue to put customer privacy at the core of our business while being 100% compliant with government regulations for the wireless industry
— Oren Chervinsky, VP Global Sales & Marketing for Otono

American lawmakers would like to pass laws forcing carriers to identify buyers of "burner" prepaid services but these laws haven't passed yet. Additionally I reached out to the company asking about their customer data protection rules and how/when they turn over data to law enforcement but I have not received a response yet. Will update this post when a response is received.

The technical stuff

Like RoamMobility, the ZipSIM service runs on-top of the T-Mobile network. The network has dramatically improved over the last 2 years and call drops and slow data are things of the past. I have tested T-Mobile service (in the last 3 months) in Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Chicago) and service has been exceptional.

Additionally you need an unlocked smartphone to use ZipSim (or any other carrier's SIM) but your phone's should always be unlocked. Most carriers will do it for customers in good standing for a nominal fee.

Comparing ZipSIM and RoamMobility

How does the little brother compare to its older sibling? ZipSim is more expensive for less data:

  • ZIPSIM - A 7 day ZipSim card costs $US25 and includes 500MB of data, unlimited US talk, unlimited global text & voicemail
  • RoamMobility - A similar 7 day plan costs $CAD34.65 (~$US26) and comes with unlimited US/Canada talk, unlimited global text, voicemail, 3.5GB of LTE data.

There is one other important distinction. With RoamMobility, if you consume all of your allotted LTE data, you continue to get unlimited data at 2G speeds while on ZipSim you are cut-off. 2G isn't great but it is fast enough to send emails, text messages and use asymmetric instant messaging (Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, etc).

ZipSIM Pricing

  • 7 Day Talk+Text+Data with 500MB 4G LTE — $25
  • 14 Day Talk+Text+Data with 1GB 4G LTE — $35
  • 21 Day Talk+Text+Data with 1.5GB 4G LTE — $45
  • 30 Day Talk+Text+Data with 2GB 4G LTE — $55
  • Data-only 500MB 4G LTE — $15
  • Data-only 1GB 4G LTE — $25
  • Data-only 2GB 4G LTE — $40

Includes nationwide calling anytime. Text includes incoming and outgoing text to over 200 countries. Talk+Text+Data plans include voicemail, call waiting, and call display. 4G LTE data is unthrottled and includes hotspot tethering with other devices. All prices in US dollars.

Conclusion

If you are an EDC prepper, this is a good solution to keep a secondary, instant activation, no registration SIM card ready.

If you are an infrequent traveler to the USA and have modest data requirements, this is definitely and easy solution.

If you have spontaneous last minute travel to the US, this is a good solution.

If you don't need the privacy of ZipSim and have planned trips to the USA, I still believe RoamMobility is the best option. Better pricing and more flexibility. As I write this, they have a promo on their SIM cards and offer international shipping.

Comparing T-Mobile's Tourist plan with Roam Mobility

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Image by GotCredi used under Creative Commons License

I received a handful of emails asking me to company the new T-Mobile Tourist plan with the Roam Mobility talk+text+data plans.

For $US30, T-mobile gives you:

  • a single use disposable SIM (valid for 21 days)
  • 1000 minutes of local USA calling
  • 2GB of high speed LTE data
  • Unlimited international text messaging to 140 countries

For $CAD4.95 a day, Roam Mobility gives you:

  • a reusable SIM (expires after 6 months without a plan)
  • unlimited nationwide calling (USA) and Canada
  • Unlimited international text messaging to 140 countries
  • ~400MB of LTE Data a day 

What happens when your SIM expires

With the T-Mobile and Roam Mobility plan, when the SIM expires, you lose your assigned number and need to get a new one. T-Mobile give you one free with their plan while Roam Mobility charges you $CAD9.99 per SIM.

Data usage

Both companies give you unlimited data over 2G and limit the quantity of LTE data provided. T-Mobile gives you 2GB to use anyway you want. You can use all the data in the first week and then end up stuck with low speed 2G for the remainder of your trip. The only way to get more LTE data is to buy a new plan.

Roam Mobility allocates about 400MB of LTE per day of service purchased. If you buy 21 days of service (3 weeks like T-Mobile), you get 8.4GB of data. If you manage to consume it, you drop to unlimited 2G data. 

Neither service gives you the option of adding additional LTE data capacity easily but the Roam allocation should be more than adequate for 98% of users.

What about WIFI Hotspots like a Mifi

 

T-Mobile will allow you to use your SIM in an unlocked WIFI hotspot but you will likely consume your LTE data allocation in no time. The Roam Mobility service isn't built for this type of use but they do allow you to enable the Hotpost function on your smartphone.

Calling from the USA to Canada

T-Mobile does not provide any international calling in the existing tourist plan. Roam Mobility gives you unlimited calling back to Canada.

Calling from USA to International locations

Neither providers allow you to make international calls. You will have to rely on VOIP type solutions (Skype, Hangouts, Facetime, etc).

Conclusion

Neither solution is perfect but I believe the Roam Mobility solution is still a better value.

I am also testing the KnowRoaming service but their current unlimited $7.99 data package is limited to 3G and relies on T-Mobile's older, slower, less reliable non LTE-network. 

 

T-Mobile launches tourist plan for visitors to the USA

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

T-Mobile just launched a plan for tourists visiting the USA. Go into any T-Mobile store with an unlocked GSM phone and buy this $30 plan. It is active for 3 weeks and does not auto-renew.

  • You get 2GB of LTE data
  • Unlimited texting to 140 countries
  • 1,000 minutes of domestic calling 
  • a free SIM card

This will complete directly with companies like Roam Mobility and KnowRoaming. Let's see if they respond with cheaper plans.

Source

Roam Mobility released new plans

StrategyEdward Kiledjian

As part of their recent network upgrade to LTE, Roam Mobility has spiced up their plans. The new Text+data plan is an interesting option for people who don't really use their smartphone for calling (which is a surprisingly high number).

Now my caveat. Anytime you see unlimited data, it is on the T-Mobile 2G network which is painfully slow and has spotty coverage across the US. It is enough to [very slowly] download emails but, during my tests in New York and Vermont, it was too slow for GPS navigation or web browsing on my iPhone 5s using Safari or Chrome.

The new LTE network seems to be blazing fast and I will test it during my upcoming trip to Los Angeles (expect a blog post early September).

For Canadians travelling to the US, Roam Mobility offers the best price/value options. Their Data only plans are incredible values. As an example Rogers charges 8$ per day for 50MB. Roam gives you 300MB (valid for 3 days) at 8$.

 

Source: Roam Mobility