How to Avoid Vidéotron Roaming Fees in the United States

🍁 Guide for Canadian travellers

How to Avoid Vidéotron Roaming Fees in the United States

Travelling to the United States with a Vidéotron phone? Learn how to use a travel eSIM to stay connected without relying on expensive daily roaming charges.

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Keep Your Vidéotron Line

A travel eSIM can be added as a second mobile line on a compatible phone without removing your regular Vidéotron SIM card.

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Mobile Data in the United States

Use your VoyageSIM eSIM for Google Maps, WhatsApp, Messenger, email, social media and other internet-based applications.

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Control Your Travel Budget

Purchase a specific amount of mobile data before your trip instead of risking unexpected daily data roaming charges.

Why Can Vidéotron Roaming Fees Add Up Quickly?

When your phone connects to a United States mobile network using your regular Vidéotron line, daily roaming options or standard international usage charges may apply.

Vidéotron currently advertises its 24-hour traveller option for the United States starting at $13 per day. It may be triggered when eligible mobile services are used on a United States network.

At $13 per day, a 7-day trip could cost up to $91, while a 14-day trip could reach $182, depending on how many days the roaming option is activated.
Daily roaming option
$13/day
Up to $91 for 7 days
OR
Travel eSIM
Prepaid
Choose your data before departure

Mobile carrier prices and conditions may change. Always review the details of your Vidéotron plan before travelling.

The Alternative: Use a United States Travel eSIM

A travel eSIM is a digital SIM installed directly on your phone. It lets you use a separate mobile data plan in the United States without physically replacing your Vidéotron SIM card.

On a compatible dual-SIM phone, your Vidéotron line can remain installed while your VoyageSIM eSIM is selected as the main line for mobile data.

Use Google Maps and GPS navigation
Send messages with WhatsApp
Check your email
Use Messenger and FaceTime
Browse the internet
Use mobile hotspot when supported

How to Use a Travel eSIM With Vidéotron

Check That Your Phone Supports eSIM Most recent iPhones, Google Pixel phones and compatible Samsung Galaxy devices allow you to add a second digital mobile line.
Purchase a United States eSIM Plan Select a data allowance that matches the length of your trip and your expected mobile internet usage.
Install the eSIM Before Departure Connect your phone to Wi-Fi and scan the QR code received after your purchase. You do not necessarily need to begin using the plan before arriving in the United States.
Turn Off Mobile Data on Your Vidéotron Line In your cellular settings, make sure mobile data is assigned to the VoyageSIM eSIM rather than your Vidéotron line.
Enable Data Roaming Only on the VoyageSIM eSIM Many travel eSIMs need data roaming enabled on their own line so they can connect to a local partner network.
Confirm Which Line Is Using Mobile Data After arriving in the United States, verify that VoyageSIM is selected as your cellular data line.
Important Warning Turning off automatic network selection alone does not guarantee that roaming charges will be avoided. To reduce the risk, disable data roaming on your Vidéotron line and explicitly select the VoyageSIM eSIM for mobile data.

Recommended iPhone Settings

1. Open Your Cellular Settings

Go to Settings → Cellular.

2. Select Cellular Data

Choose your VoyageSIM eSIM as the line used for mobile data.

3. Turn Off Cellular Data Switching

This feature may allow your phone to automatically switch back to your Vidéotron line if the eSIM connection becomes weaker.

4. Open Your Vidéotron Line Settings

Turn off Data Roaming for your Vidéotron line.

5. Open Your VoyageSIM Line Settings

Turn on the eSIM and, when required by your plan instructions, enable data roaming on the VoyageSIM line only.

Can You Keep Your Vidéotron Phone Number?

Yes. On a phone that supports two active mobile lines, you can generally keep your Vidéotron line installed while using VoyageSIM for mobile internet.

Your regular phone number remains connected to your Vidéotron line. However, traditional calls and SMS messages made through that line may still be billed according to your Vidéotron plan.

To communicate without using traditional cellular calls, use WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, iMessage or another internet-based communication application.

How Much Mobile Data Do You Need in the United States?

1 to 3 GB: maps, messaging and light usage
5 GB: regular usage for approximately one week
10 GB: social media, navigation and frequent usage
20 GB or more: heavy usage and longer trips

Streaming videos, making video calls, backing up photos and using mobile hotspot consume significantly more data than maps, email and internet-based text messaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a VoyageSIM eSIM Replace My Vidéotron Plan?
No. A VoyageSIM eSIM is a temporary mobile data plan used during your trip. Your Vidéotron subscription remains active unless you change it directly with Vidéotron.
Do I Need to Remove My Vidéotron SIM Card?
Usually not. If your phone supports two mobile lines, your Vidéotron SIM card can remain installed while the VoyageSIM eSIM is used for mobile data.
Can I Receive Vidéotron Text Messages in the United States?
Your Vidéotron line may remain available to receive certain text messages, including verification codes. Applicable fees and conditions depend on your Vidéotron mobile plan.
Will WhatsApp Keep My Regular Phone Number?
Yes. Installing a data-only eSIM does not normally change the phone number already connected to your WhatsApp account.
Do I Need to Enable Data Roaming on My eSIM?
Often, yes. Many travel eSIMs use partner networks and require data roaming to be enabled on the VoyageSIM line. It should remain disabled on your Vidéotron line if you do not want that line to use mobile data abroad.
Can I Install My eSIM Before Travelling?
Yes. Installing your eSIM before departure while connected to reliable Wi-Fi is recommended. You can then select it as your mobile data line after arriving in the United States.
Does VoyageSIM Include a Phone Number?
VoyageSIM plans are primarily data-only plans. Calls can be made through internet-based applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger or FaceTime.

Travel to the United States Without Worrying About Data Roaming

Choose your travel eSIM before departure, receive your installation instructions and connect to mobile internet after you arrive.

Discover Our United States eSIM →