Sim Card

Question

We leave for our long awaited 7 week Alaska and Canada trip in just over 5 weeks (thank you to everyone for all their help in the planning, not only in answering my posts but also for all the other information I have received by reading other posts) and I am still confused about which sim card/s to buy. We have already downloaded maps to our phone and will use wifi for most things. We just need a sim card for things that need a higher level of security than offered by wifi e.g. to check bank baIances, to purchase tickets to attractions etc. and also in case we need to make the occasional phone call e.g. running late to accommodation, questions about an attraction. If anyone has answers to the following questions I would really appreciate it.

1. We are coming from Australia and have read that phones purchased in Australia do not work on the networks in Alaska. Is this true?

2. Do android phones work on the AT&T network?

3. Can we purchase a sim card that will cover Alaska and Canada without roaming charges or will we need to purchase 2 sim cards? We will be travelling from Alaska into the Yukon and back again and it would be great if we did not have to change sim cards whenever we cross the border but I do understand that they are 2 different countries so will probably have to purchase 2 sim cards, I am just hoping this isn’t the case.

Thank you very much for your help.

Answer

Traveling to Alaska and Canada with a phone from Australia is possible, but there are some important considerations for SIM cards, networks, and coverage.

1. Phone compatibility: Most phones purchased in Australia are GSM phones and generally work in North America, but there are exceptions. The key is whether your phone supports the LTE bands used in the U.S. and Canada. Some older or budget phones may not support certain bands, leading to limited coverage or no service in rural areas like Alaska or the Yukon. Checking your phone’s model and supported bands against AT&T (U.S.) and Canadian carriers is recommended.

2. Android phones on AT&T network: Yes, Android phones will work on the AT&T network if they are unlocked and compatible with AT&T's GSM/LTE bands. You should ensure your phone is unlocked (not tied to an Australian carrier) before traveling. Most modern Android phones from Australia will work without issue, but verifying LTE bands for Alaska is important due to the more rural coverage.

3. SIM card coverage for Alaska and Canada: There is no single SIM card that covers both countries without roaming charges. The U.S. and Canada are separate countries with different carriers and roaming agreements. You generally have two options:

Purchase a U.S. SIM card (e.g., AT&T or T-Mobile) for Alaska. This will give you local coverage, including data and calls, at standard U.S. rates.
Purchase a Canadian SIM card (e.g., Bell, Rogers, or Telus) for the Yukon and other parts of Canada. This avoids high roaming charges.

Some U.S. carriers offer international plans that include Canada at extra cost, but these can be expensive and may still limit data usage. Similarly, some Canadian SIM cards offer U.S. coverage. However, for the longest trip like yours, using two SIM cards—one U.S. and one Canadian—is usually the most reliable and cost-effective solution, especially if you are traveling to remote areas where coverage can be spotty.

Tips:

Ensure your phone is unlocked before leaving Australia.
Buy a U.S. SIM card at the airport or online before entering Alaska.
Purchase a Canadian SIM card in Whitehorse or nearby towns in the Yukon, or pre-order online for delivery to a Canadian address.
Download offline maps and travel guides in advance since coverage in remote Alaska and the Yukon may be limited.
Consider using Wi-Fi for banking and sensitive transactions where possible to reduce mobile data use and risk.

In summary, most Australian phones will work in the U.S. and Canada if unlocked and compatible with LTE bands. Android phones are fine for AT&T. You will likely need two SIM cards, one for Alaska and one for Canada, to avoid roaming charges and ensure reliable coverage.