Cell phone services - pay by the minute

[franta]

Hey guys,

since I'll be looking for a job in Canada, I guess it is utterly important to have a cell-phone. There's a plenty of ancient threads about cell phone services plus I haven't found the one with a link to some comparison tables, so I'm opening a new one.

I've googled comparecellular.com/cell-phones/ which provides one with the good comparisons. Do you know anything else? I had tried to google something under Canadian government's umbrella such as cost of banking tables, but Google hasn't managed to help me with this one. crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t1021.htm was the only result.

I plan to use both my laptop with Skype credit and cell phone with prepaid plan. I was honestly surprised that prepaid plans are date-limited (30 days 15 CAD, 60 days 25 CAD, etc.) - doesn't make much sense to me, since the fees are bigger, but OK - it's their strategy. Any tips? I'm afraid talk & text plans wouldn't suit me as I'll be in Canada for less than 6 months.

Thanks a lot.

 

[manianz47]

Hi

Check the below providers (pay per month but unlimited Talk (and limited Text) from the Home zone)

WIND
Mobilicity
Fido
Chatr

You can buy an Unlocked phone for less. But finalize the provider first since all phones may not be compatible with all carriers

WIND is a good option for low cost phone also.

 

[mic8400]

Hi

Check the below providers (pay per month but unlimited Talk (and limited Text) from the Home zone)

WIND
Mobilicity
Fido
Chatr

You can buy an Unlocked phone for less. But finalize the provider first since all phones may not be compatible with all carriers

WIND is a good option for low cost phone also.

+1 for this

 

[Suin]

Wind has limited coverage, unfortunately.
I would go with Virgin mobile that has Canada-wide coverage- for $35 a month you can get 400 min, unlimited incoming calls, unlimited worldwide text and picture messaging, unlimited weekends and nights from 5pm till 7 am.
And the most important - no long distance fee!

 

[mic8400]

hmmmmm sounds worth looking into...

 

[shakira2009]

Wind has limited coverage, unfortunately.
I would go with Virgin mobile that has Canada-wide coverage- for $35 a month you can get 400 min, unlimited incoming calls, unlimited worldwide text and picture messaging, unlimited weekends and nights from 5pm till 7 am.
And the most important - no long distance fee!

Thank you also for this. I'll take a look into it.

For 1 year I've been using a Pre-paid cell phone that I bought at 7Eleven, and it's been great. Very simple, just phone + texting and pay-as-you-go.
http://www.speakout7eleven.ca/

Now I'm looking to upgrade a bit, and Virgin sounds good.