SIM and eSIMCanada
PhoneBox
Suited to people who want a Canadian number without a credit check or lock-in, and to pause or cancel it as they go home or move.
Official websiteKey facts
- Type
- SIM and eSIM
- Based in
- Canada
- Languages
- Japanese
- Help in Japanese
- Available
- Cost
- $35 a month (30GB) to $50 (120GB), in Canadian dollars
- Countries
- Canada
- On this site
- 5 plans listed
What you can do
You can sign up for monthly plans from $35 for 30GB to $50 for 120GB, with an eSIM or a SIM card. Every plan has unlimited calls within Canada and unlimited domestic and international texts. You can also transfer the Canadian number you use now, and manage your remaining data and plan changes in the portal or app.
From applying to after you arrive
Choose a plan, and either an eSIM or a SIM card.
Apply with an activation date (an eSIM can also be activated right away).
On the activation date you chose (Pacific time), the number becomes active and your Canadian phone number is emailed to you.
Payment can be set to automatic, and you can change or cancel the setting later in the app.
If you need help, you can contact the 24-hour, 365-day support by phone, email, WhatsApp, WeChat and other channels.
What sets it apart
There is no minimum contract term and no credit check. Even if you have just arrived in Canada and have no credit history, you can start, and you can cancel at any time once your return is decided.
During a temporary return home you can pause the plan and resume it when you are back (conditions apply; check the official site for how charges are handled while paused).
It has partnered with educational institutions and companies across Canada since 2011, and the official site says it has over 2,000 education and travel partners and more than 80,000 users. Support is multilingual, and there is a Japanese-language contact. The operating company is Connex Global Communications Inc. (doing business as PhoneBox).
Plans for Canada are for use within Canada only, and can't be used outside Canada.
It suits people who want a Canadian number ready for the day they travel, and to pause or cancel it as they return home or temporarily go back. If you plan to use data outside Canada too, it's worth comparing it with other agencies, including what to do about a line for your travel destination.
