Forum Discussion

MelissaK's avatar
MelissaK
Network Novice
Hace 2 años

recent Alaska users

I am about to go and spend a year in Alaska working. I was Sprint but now on the T-Mobile network. When I spoke with T-Mobile today they said when I go through Canada to turn on roaming and the only charge would be for calls at .025 per minute. Everything in Alaska is no charge. I will be in Anchorage and the coverage map seems to show good coverage. I am looking for recent or current users in Alaska that can provide feedback because I know T-Mobile has been working on coverage issues in Alaska so even if it was a month ago, the experience could be out of date. Do I still need to be on roaming in Anchorage? What have been your experiences with service and do

you have any tips or tricks? Some of what my agent was saying was not clear as she was not as good with English. ¡Gracias! 

t-mobile
  • sandrakay1958's avatar
    sandrakay1958
    Newbie Caller
    Hace 9 meses

    We spent 5 months working in Alaska the summer of 2023 and we are going back again to work this summer.

    First off, I'm not sure why the rep told you that you would pay for calls in Canada.  T-Mobile plans include unlimited calls/text and limited data in Canada and Mexico. That was the main reason we switched to them.  We spent 2 months in Canada the first year we switched  to TM and a month in Canada on our way to Alaska last year and had no extra charges at all. And we used our phones a lot.

    BUT even though T-mobile has a contract with AK main cell provider, it is still considered roaming.  They ended up canceling my husband's acct. right before we left Alaska to head back home. So he lost the use of his phone until we got back to the lower 48 and got it reinstated.  Every time I got a warning text I called TM trying to get them to work with us and to not shut us off.  I begged, offered to pay a fee to keep service, anything! But they refused.  I'm not sure why they didn't cancel my acct but I am very thankful they didn't or we would have been on the  road in Canada without cell service. 

    TM suggested we buy a different phone and go thru a different provider while  in AK.

    Not an affordable option.

    I’m still trying to figure out the best way to have cell service while in Alaska again this summer.