How does roaming work in Canada and abroad?
With Videotron, you can use your Mobile Service in Canada or abroad through three types of networks:
Videotron Network
The Videotron network corresponds to the network covered by Videotron's Mobile Service transmission antennas, which extends over most of Quebec and a few bordering areas in Ontario (eastern Ontario).
Partner network
Partner network is the network covered by the transmission antennas of a partner operator with whom Videotron has entered into Mobile Service agreements. It provides you with optimized coverage in Quebec and Eastern Ontario until Videotron's network is fully developed.
Extended network
Videotron's Extended Network refers to the combination of Videotron's network and Videotron's partner network.
Network selection
To find out which network you are in, your telephone will clearly indicate it. In order for your device to select the best network, make sure that the roaming function is activated in your mobile’s settings. For your information:
- "Roaming mode" in Canada is the use of your mobile phone in an area outside of Videotron's extended network, which means outside of Quebec and a few bordering areas in Ontario.
- "Roaming mode" in the United States (zone 1), means the use of your mobile phone when you are travelling in the United States and in certain Central American countries served by the long-distance access code 1 (e.g.: 1 XXX XXX-XXXX).
- International "roaming mode" refers to the use of your mobile phone when you are travelling anywhere in the world (outside of Canada, the United States, and Zone 1 countries). If you are on a cruise or travelling, you could find yourself in an extraterritorial area. In this case, it will not be possible to benefit from the Daily Traveller pass. The services will then be billed on a per-use basis according to rates in extraterritorial and cruising areas.
To discover the roaming rates for various destinations, check out the roaming rates while travelling.
Good to know
The term "Accidental Roaming" indicates that your device's signal is received by an antenna not recognized in Videotron's extended network (for example near the U.S. border). The network indicated on your phone will then change its name. In such a case, avoid charges by deactivating data roaming on your device.
How do my mobile services work with roaming?
When roaming, the number of services you have access to on your mobile phone can be different.
Call Forwarding
To activate or deactivate Call Forwarding, use the menu on your device. Roaming charges apply if Call Forwarding has not been programmed before you leave.
View the interactive demo to learn how to activate Call Forwarding on your device.
Voicemail
People calling you will reach your voicemail if your phone is turned off. To listen to your messages, press and hold the 1 key. Charges may apply.
Call Display
It even works while roaming and is not subject to charges.
Text, photo and video messaging
Activate data roaming to access photo and video messages abroad. Text messages are free to receive outside Canada, but roaming charges apply to sent texts.
On tablet
Videotron tablet data services are not available abroad. However, you can continue using your tablet by connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
Good to know
When calling an international number, you now need to dial + instead of the international access code. We would like to remind you that you still need to dial the country code of the person you are trying to reach. For example, if you're calling Canada from abroad, you need to start with +1 XXX XXX-XXXX.
How do I know if my mobile phone works abroad?
If you have a Videotron phone, go to the Coverage and Travelling section to learn about the international rates we charge in accordance with our roaming agreements with operators in the country you'll be travelling to.
Unless you request otherwise, your mobile phone is automatically unlocked (Voice and Data) in Canada, the US and abroad.
If your phone was not purchased from Videotron, you can check whether Videotron has roaming agreements in the country you'll be travelling to. Check with your device's manufacturer to make sure that it has the right frequencies for your destination.
