Fort Lauderdale Airport - Purchase SIM card

[whee-sailing]

Is there somewhere in the Fort Lauderdale airport where I can purchase and activate a SIM card that will work in the US and Puerto Rico? Even better if it will work in the Caribbean, too! I can do this in San Juan instead if that's a better option.

 

I'm thinking something along the lines of the super easy Telcel card you can pick up and activate at OXXO in Mexico and instantly have service. 

 

Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

What is your current cell company? Many companies now have free roaming in various areas.

[lx200gps]

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

What is your current cell company? Many companies now have free roaming in various areas.

I guess you're not familiar with cell phone services for us Canadians (such as the OP)   😃

 

I'm with Bell, probably the biggest cell provider in Canada. Roaming in the US is $12/day, which does cover Puerto Rico as we used it in November in San Juan, and is $15/day everywhere else.  On some trips I buy a prepaid SIM card off Amazon prior to a trip if I know I'm going to need cell service on shore, other times I'll use my own SIM card and swallow the roaming charges.

[CruiserBruce]

29 minutes ago, lx200gps said:

I guess you're not familiar with cell phone services for us Canadians (such as the OP)   😃

 

I'm with Bell, probably the biggest cell provider in Canada. Roaming in the US is $12/day, which does cover Puerto Rico as we used it in November in San Juan, and is $15/day everywhere else.  On some trips I buy a prepaid SIM card off Amazon prior to a trip if I know I'm going to need cell service on shore, other times I'll use my own SIM card and swallow the roaming charges.

No, I am not, that is why I asked. Many cell phone providers are expanding offerings, as competition is driving improvements in service. For example, with AT&T, we renewed our contract in Nov 2021. At that point Canada and Mexico were treated as part of the US plans as totally free/included. They have since added Central and South America as fully included. 

 

Just asking, and hinting to double check plans and coverages.

[lx200gps]

33 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

No, I am not, that is why I asked. Many cell phone providers are expanding offerings, as competition is driving improvements in service. For example, with AT&T, we renewed our contract in Nov 2021. At that point Canada and Mexico were treated as part of the US plans as totally free/included. They have since added Central and South America as fully included. 

 

Just asking, and hinting to double check plans and coverages.

No offense intended at all, hence my 😃. Canada is notorious for some of the worst and most expensive cell plans on the planet, virtually no effective competition and very expensive rates.  Cell service while on shore off a cruise ship can be somewhat expensive for us.

[whee-sailing]

3 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

What is your current cell company? Many companies now have free roaming in various areas.

 

My current company does not offer any service at all outside of Canada. That's why I have to pick up a SIM card whenever I travel.

[Charles4515]

1 hour ago, lx200gps said:

I guess you're not familiar with cell phone services for us Canadians (such as the OP)   😃

 

I'm with Bell, probably the biggest cell provider in Canada. Roaming in the US is $12/day, which does cover Puerto Rico as we used it in November in San Juan, and is $15/day everywhere else.  On some trips I buy a prepaid SIM card off Amazon prior to a trip if I know I'm going to need cell service on shore, other times I'll use my own SIM card and swallow the roaming charges.

Considering the value of the Canadian Dollar that roaming charge does not seem high. I would pay $10 in Caribbean ports. (Canada and Mexico are free) on my AT&T plan. 

 

They could buy a SIM card for visitors to the US from AT&T or T-Mobile in the US but it would only include the US. For both the Caribbean and US they would need a global card probably available on Amazon. US SIM cards are sold at carrier stores or Target, Walmart, Costco, CVS and Best Buy.

 

If I don’t want to roam and want a SIM abroad I don’t go to a store. My iPhone has had an eSIM. So I buy it electronically on my phone. 

 

 

[Charles4515]

6 minutes ago, whee-sailing said:

 

My current company does not offer any service at all outside of Canada. That's why I have to pick up a SIM card whenever I travel.

Do you have an unlocked phone? Hopefully you are arriving in advance of your cruise. Likely there will be a carrier store or one of the others I listed near your accommodations. 

[whee-sailing]

An esim is not an option with my current phone, unfortunately. I'll look into pre-purchasing a global sim card.

Edited December 31, 2022 by whee-sailing
typo