I am currently with Virgin mobile but am considering switching to Fido in order to get the iphone. When I talked to the place selling phones from both companies I was informed Virgin is yet to have coverage for HSPA here but it is on its way. Was also told when it arrives it will only work in the city that fido is the way to go. I called virgin to verify this and they advised that fido and rogers are showing same coverage as virgin and they cant guarantee any phone from either company would get reception or coverage in this area but it is coming very soon. They advised i also call those companies to verify coverage.  
 
I am just curious as to what others are finding with these companies and what their coverage and rates are like? I see virgin offers a more competitive data deal, but sometimes better coverage will overide a better deal. What are everyone's thoughts on these companies? Should I just wait to switch to a data phone? Thanks for everyones opinions

If Fido has the same coverage as Rogers then there is no problem with coverage in or out of Brandon-I have been with Rogers since 1995 and have always had coverage in Brandon and everywhere else that I have been in SW Manitoba. Virgin should have given you a direct answer about what areas they will cover instead of trying to tell you that the others are no better than they are.

I've been with Fido for 4 yrs. No issues with coverage. They've been good to me. The first cell phone company that I am actually happy with!!

I am also on Virgin and considering the switch to Fido for the iPhone. Virgin currently doesn't have any smart phones besides the BlackBerry Curve which I currently have. Kind of annoying.

Is the way to go with an iPhone.

Virgin will be carrying the iPhone locally in near future, within the next few months, as will be Koodo (Telus) but the coverage area will be limited to trans Canada and in Brandon for local coverage.  
 
Fido may be the best option, unless if service doesn't matter to you, Koodo's plans include long distance minutes as part of the minutes

I am currently with virgin also and they offer all blackberries, and also have smartphones now, but it is the coverage. They cover Winnipeg and Portage and are coming to this area in the very near future is what I was told by virgin, however a business here that sells both told me that it will be over a year for coverage in most areas around here and that soon the talk and text phones wont work once hspa is all up..this is wrong verified by virgin. So that is why i am wondering which is better. I had rogers, hated the service and coverage was horrible. I travel alot and into the states and mexico, i need to be covered whereever i am. Good to hear Fido is going in a good direction though. Something definately to start looking into it sounds.

service does matter to me. Sounds like you work in a cell service industry. If so, do you know how long coverage will be limited and when it will be broad?

I also need service as I travel quite often, I have talked to Virgin as well and I've heard the towers could be up as early as September however the service part worries me. I'm thinking a switch to Fido is a good idea at this point.