Even running 48-states and Canada in my truck, it was EXTREMELY rare for me not to have service (Verizon) ... but if I ever did, texting always worked for some silly reason. I never could figure that out ... I'd have no bars and "no service" would be plastered across my screen, but I could always text. Anyway, I'll skip all those charges just to guarantee I'll have i-net when I don't have it once every 13 years.