Do NOT get WIND Mobile!!

[Deeaar]

There r various plans/providers/cards/networks for Intl Calling. And remember, there's VOIP too. 'Magic Jack' & 'Vonnage' rule that segment.

Magic Jack -- $20/yr for calling over 65 countries [Beat that!]

Thats interesting Captain....

Can i bring my normal Nokia phone from UAE to use in canada. Will it be worth bringing or i can buy a new one if reasonable.
Pls suggest..

[Awoderu A.A]

I was made to believe that making use of a phone in canada is very expensive and using a landline is cheaper and better.Which is better getting a CDMA mobile in canada or just getting a phone and the getting a seprate sim card.

Do some networks in the US also work in Canada.

[slavasz]

So with Wind do we need a new handset from the Service Provider we take this service? - yes, compatible with their network.

[Rossei]

Some Facts about WIND:

WIND covers only Toronto area, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa right now. With $25 unlimited plan, you can stay/travel to these places and have unlimited incoming/outgoing calls. But if you are somewhere else; you have to pay 25c/min for both incoming and outgoing.

All SMS (including Int'l) are FREE everywhere.

You can use your own cell phone if it's unlocked and compatible with AWS/1700 Mhz/BandIV network.

Available add-ons:
                        $10/mo for unlimited Canada long distance calling
                        $10/mo for unlimited US long distance calling
                        $20/mo for unlimited calling to these countries (Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore and South Korea)

[qorax]

Thanks Qorax. So with Wind do we need a new handset from the Service Provider we take this service?

Thats interesting Captain....

Can i bring my normal Nokia phone from UAE to use in canada. Will it be worth bringing or i can buy a new one if reasonable.
Pls suggest..

Yes, WINDMOBILE works with your 'market-purchased' handsets too -- but, not all handsets r compatible... though most handset makers have quite a few of them, including Nokia, HTC, LG, SonyEric, Huwei etc.

1. U can check @ http://windmobile.ca for the 'compatible' handsets vis-a-vis AWS network.
2. And yes, WIND doesn't 'force' u to buy the phone from them. Just buy their SIM & a 'plan' - and u r set to go!
3. Ditto for the Internet Sticks.

Qorax

[qorax]

Thanks Qorax as always....I have heard about VOIP phones but not very sure how it works....do you have any link where I can find more information about it...also I suppose VOIPs can only work when we are at home..and due to time zone difference if we want to talk to our family during office hours or so...mobiles would be the only option...right?....

1. The 'phones' remain the same [u don't need anything 'different'].
2. U only attach a modem to an available USB port @ your computer -PC/notebook.
3. As long as u have a HSIP connection [internet] - u r fit to call anytime of the day - from/to anywhere.
4. Read here: http://www.magicjack.com/6/index.asp

Qorax

Ps.: For an office set-up, most latest PABX systems [including their handsets] r VOIP phones too. I have the Nortel ones in my office - they run smooth on VOIP, as well as the landline. BTW, do u know 'landlines' r soon to become passe? At least in this part of the world.

[qorax]

I was made to believe that making use of a phone in canada is very expensive and using a landline is cheaper and better.Which is better getting a CDMA mobile in canada or just getting a phone and the getting a seprate sim card.

Do some networks in the US also work in Canada.

Today many do not possess a 'landline' - I don't @ my home.
It is trending!

The choice is yours, whether u bring-in your phone or fetch a CDMA/AWS/Std GSM. Everything works here. But most new providers, like WIND, also have an 'entry-level' phone @ $60 odd -- plus the $25/month plan [of WIND]. Check their website.

Qorax

[mayankpandya]

Qorax,

Please clear below red Statement in Bold. What is the real picture of Wind ?

Regards,
Mayank

Some Facts about WIND:

WIND covers only Toronto area, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa right now. With $25 unlimited plan, you can stay/travel to these places and have unlimited incoming/outgoing calls. But if you are somewhere else; you have to pay 25c/min for both incoming and outgoing.

All SMS (including Int'l) are FREE everywhere.

You can use your own cell phone if it's unlocked and compatible with AWS/1700 Mhz/BandIV network.

Available add-ons:
                        $10/mo for unlimited Canada long distance calling
                        $10/mo for unlimited US long distance calling
                        $20/mo for unlimited calling to these countries (Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Singapore and South Korea)

[qorax]

Qorax,

Please clear below red Statement in Bold. What is the real picture of Wind ?

Regards,
Mayank

That post of Rossei is perfectly correct. U may check the WIND coverage here: http://www2.windmobile.ca/en/pages/storesandcoverage.aspx

1. But, how many of us r going to 'land' & reside elsewhere?
2. How many of us r [so]'frequent traveller' upon 'landing'?
3. How many of us would be 'ear-plugged' to our phones while holidaying, if any?
4. How many of us cannot afford another $5-10 'top-up', while 'away' outside the WINDZone, if required?

Your call, Buddy!

Qorax

[mayankpandya]

Great ...That means...Wind is good choice...

That post of Rossei is perfectly correct. U may check the WIND coverage here: http://www2.windmobile.ca/en/pages/storesandcoverage.aspx

1. But, how many of us r going to 'land' & reside elsewhere?
2. How many of us r [so]'frequent traveller' upon 'landing'?
3. How many of us would be 'ear-plugged' to our phones while holidaying, if any?
4. How many of us cannot afford another $5-10 'top-up', while 'away' outside the WINDZone, if required?

Your call, Buddy!

Qorax

[qorax]

Great ...That means...Wind is good choice...

Uhh, U bet Sir !

[bootstrap]

Their FAQ section answers on the question of bringing own handsets to the Wind network:

Yes, you can get a WIND SIM card and service without buying a WIND phone, though your phone will need to be unlocked and compatible with our AWS/1700 Mhz/BandIV network.
If you have an unlocked, AWS-compatible phone, here's what you need to do:
Bring the phone or data stick you want to use to any WIND store or kiosk
Have a WIND retail specialist check to make sure your phone will work on our service
Sign up for a WIND plan, buy a SIM card and activate both
You're good to go!
Unfortunately not all of our special offers are available with SIM-only purchase – but you'll still get our awesome rates on our standard plans. There may also be certain limitations on functionality, such as the ability to use International Roaming. To learn more, visit a retail location.


Although, they are facing stiff legal challenge at this moment and may potentially be closing down shortly, I hope that they survive it and offer more choices to the Canadian consumers.

[qorax]

Their FAQ section answers on the question of bringing own handsets to the Wind network:

Yes, you can get a WIND SIM card and service without buying a WIND phone, though your phone will need to be unlocked and compatible with our AWS/1700 Mhz/BandIV network.
If you have an unlocked, AWS-compatible phone, here's what you need to do:
Bring the phone or data stick you want to use to any WIND store or kiosk
Have a WIND retail specialist check to make sure your phone will work on our service
Sign up for a WIND plan, buy a SIM card and activate both
You're good to go!
Unfortunately not all of our special offers are available with SIM-only purchase – but you'll still get our awesome rates on our standard plans. There may also be certain limitations on functionality, such as the ability to use International Roaming. To learn more, visit a retail location.


Although, they are facing stiff legal challenge at this moment and may potentially be closing down shortly, I hope that they survive it and offer more choices to the Canadian consumers.

Yeah, we'll see when, if at all, they come to that stage. As of now, WINDMOBILE is good !

[Mezo2009]

Thanks Rossie. It's unfortunate that someone gets stuck with wing or others without being able to get a refund.