Planning a trip from Canada --> Los Angeles, good options

I'm a complete newbie to the cell phone world, so bear with me. As a roaming geek, most of my communication is done via instant-messaging from either my main PC or laptop, so it's pretty rare that I'm on the phone.

Nevertheless, as of next month I'll be spending a week down in Los Angeles to attend E3. What's occured to me is that last year I ended up being completely screwed, because I didn't have a cell phone available and had no way to confirm appointments or make last second arrangements. This is something I'd like to change for this year, and I'd also like to assess if a cell phone may be viable for the long term.

So here's my question: For someone who's currently situated in Vernon, British Columbia and is planning only a week-long trip to Los Angeles, what kind of option would be best in terms of getting a cell phone and plan? I've been researching for the last little while and have seen an assortment of options, but was just curious on if there may be some more specific insight into my situation that could be offered.

I'm completely aware (and prepared) that I'd probably get loaded with roaming charges one way or another, but the kind of plan I'm looking for is one I'd only need for about a month (at worst - I'd really only be using it for the week down there), with considerations that I may also pick the service up again later on down the road. Any tips? The three strongest providers in my area currently are Bell, Telus, and Rogers, though I'm gathering I should approach Bell as if it were the plague.

when you get to LA, go to a Cingular or T-mobile store and check out the prepaid options. you'll need to get a new phone, but prepaid basic phones aren't that expensive. then you can use the phone, and put money on it whenver you want to pick up the service again.

That sounds like a great idea. Question: Would I be able to use this phone up in Canada if by chance I wanted to subscribe to a local provider up here in the future for further access, or would the phone be "locked" only to my original provider?

it will be locked to cingular, but there's places in van, LA, probably even vernon that can unlock it for you.

then you could use your rogers sim in it while you're in canada, then swap your prepaid cingular sim into it when you go to the US.

You'll need an american address though. I was in Cingular in Buffalo yesterday and they said the only way you can make a pre paid account is if you have an american address, doesn't have to be yours, could be families or a buddy but some kind of address.

Just buy an unlocked handset or research a handset that can be unlocked easily.. i have a sony ericsson t290 phone i was inquiring aobut getting unlocked because i was thinking of going to canada. but it seemed like either pay like 35 or more dollars or what.(phone is 50 bucks now at wally world. and works good a phone good reception exceptionall battery but unloacable without having to send it somewhere and pay like 35 bucks??). just look it up and see if you can get a cheap phone unlocked maybe a nokia 6010 if you can get one probably easier to unlock.

Planning a trip from Canada --> Los Angeles, good options

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