Best Cell Phone Service?

[Baloo]

Hey guys,
I am thinking about getting a cell phone in Canada.  I was wondering what your experiences with cell phones in Canada are.  How do they differ from cell phone plans in America?  Which is the best service provider? 

If it makes a difference, I am in Calgary, Alberta.

Service quality varies depending on location.
But they are all as bad as each other, be ready for high prices, long contracts and nickel and dime tactics.
Canada has one of the most expensive mobile telephone markets in the world.
Abysmal.

[potcakes]

Cell phones suck in Canada PERIOD... Once you get over the bad service, indifferent attitude by staff, and the crazy costs, will will be fine. However if you are travelling or even going near the american border switch you phone off, disable it, leave it behind. My phone kept picking up email even though it was left in my bag and  didnt use it. $300 later!!!!!! Not impressed. Cant wait to get out of my contract and switch to PAYG.

[QCSunshine]

Service quality varies depending on location.
But they are all as bad as each other, be ready for high prices, long contracts and nickel and dime tactics.
Canada has one of the most expensive mobile telephone markets in the world.
Abysmal.

I mentioned this earlier, but I'll throw it out here again.... President's Choice has a no-contract service. It's way cheaper than what we had before, and you can quit anytime. And Petro Canada too.  You pay per minute to talk, but can get internet on it for a cheap monthly rate. The traditional providers also have pre-pay plans, but it is more expensive per minute. Obviously these set-ups wouldn't be ideal for people who talk all the time on their phones, but we are mainly email people and use an internet phone for long and long-distance conversations, so it is perfect for us.

[doctorkb]

I never mentioned anything about BC Tel and I'm aware they were not owned by the BC government.

I was covering all bases -- the widespread perception is that BC Tel was a crown corporation -- and as BC Tel is half of Telus, it only made sense.

My sister in Toronto has been digging around now for some time to learn who owns Bell and so far has come up with nothing.

It's publicly traded.  If you buy a share, you can go to the annual shareholder's meeting and participate in the proceedings -- it should be easy to see who the big players are.  Like Telus, Bell cannot be more than 1/3rd foreign owned (as far as voting shares go).  *IF* an EU or US company could buy either of these firms, the consumer would be MUCH better off.

I get offers all the time from other companies but they never beat what Telus is offering, at least what I'm seeing.

Funny, I've had Vonage for a while -- way better (both price & service) wise than Telus.  I've had Fido for mobile -- again, better for price and service than Telus.

The only thing Telus is good for (in my world) is ADSL.  In that case, they offer better price and better service than Shaw (the only real alternative for high-speed Internet where I am).

And what is wrong with pointing fingers at the government? Upcoming selections or not...

We're going to see enough mud-slinging over the next month and a half... it would be nice if private citizens could stick to the truth.

Besides, which government sold out?  I think the federal Liberals have done much more selling out than any other government...

[steveoo]

there are NO GOOD cel phone companies in Canada!!!! Period!!!

[toby]

I like the idea of a President's Choice pre-paid cel phone.

I'd guess that I'll have to pay full price for the phone itself, since I'm not signing up for a contract, right?

Will I be able to call long distance to people outside Canada (as long as I have money in the account)? 

Will I be able to use it in other countries (albeit with steep roaming charges)?

The reason I don't ask President's Choice is that sometimes salespeople bend the facts a bit.

 
Thanks

[Baloo]

there are NO GOOD cel phone companies in Canada!!!! Period!!!

Luckily in Ottawa, Wind mobile are better than many - YMMV

[QCSunshine]

toby,

The phones we got were on sale for $50 or $60, and there are other phones under $100. You can use the phone in the US (at an expensive roaming rate, probably) but the technology of the phone won't work in Europe (like all cell phones with that type of technology.) You can call anywhere with the phone (but again, you would have international rates per minute.) The PC mobile website explains the plans and we got our phones at Loblaws. I've been with them since September I think, and my husband switched to them in November.

I will add that my husband has been with Fido, Telus, and Rogers in the past, but he likes this best for what we use the phone for, and especially for the lack of contract.