Traveling from Albany, NY to Campbellton, NB

I currently have no cell phone. I need something to use for this trip. Here's my plan: buy a T-Mobile pre-paid phone here in the US. Once I get to Canada, buy pre-paid minutes for Aliant and switch the SIM cards (assuming the Aliant card comes with a SIM). Would that work, or would I have to buy a whole new phone to use with Aliant?

Alternatively, do any US Carriers have roaming coverage all the way up to Campbellton?

Thanks a lot for your help.

You're traveling about 100 miles north outside of T-mobiles prepaid coverage area. That's a bummer. I would recommend using a Rogers SIM. They have coverage in Camplbellton and the SIM can be swaped for the existing t-mobile.

You will have to activate the SIM by calling customer service or going to a store (may be an additional fee). You will also get a local phone number.

Are you sure the Rogers SIM can be swapped into a T-Mobile phone without having to unlock the phone first?

My original plan wouldn't work, as Aliant is not GSM. I checked and neither Rogers or Fido, which are GSM, have coverage in Campbellton. What I will have to do is buy and activate a phone in Montreal either from Aliant (Bell) or Telus and just hope I can get there without needing a phone while on the US side.