Discussions

Has anyone found how ridiculous cell phone plans are getting? I need to upgrade two cell phones, but changing will more than double the cost from my existing monthly plans. How do people afford to have the latest phone......

I just upgraded and the new Rogers infinite plan is same or a bit less than my old share everything plan, even with the (very pricey) new phone cost included. I was easterly surprised.

I found that prices aren't too bad. I was able to decrease my monthly cost and increase my data when I got a new cell plan last month. Looking at Koodo for example, 6GB of data is $45/month and an iPhone 8 is an extra $10/month on top of that. How much are you paying right now and what are you getting for service?

Recently upgraded our Rogers phones/plans. They say prices are better but justify by saying they are giving more data for about the same price. Doesn’t help those that don’t need all that data.

I have $65 plan plus the $27 phone charge. So it is already $92 for one phone and I had gotten the cheapest phone there was at the time of my contract renewal. My second cellphone, I have kept with the same phone for the last 4 years becuse I didnt need the data and wanted to keep the low cost plan. But it is time for an upgrade with that phone as well.

That's a lot to spend. How much data and how many minutes are you getting?  
 
Like I mentioned, Koodo has 6 GB for $45, or 10GB for $50. Probably the same for Fido and Virgin, they usually all match prices with each other.

Its a telus phone and I got the cheapest plan I could get with the cheapest phone at the time. I think it has 10gb data and unlimited nationwide calling.

My son's iphone died which was long past contract, so we searched for a new phone/plan and prices are ridiculous. Rogers was advertising on FB 10GB for $50 so he went with that. Then I just get a letter from Bell offering 15GB plan for $55, but too late for us. Phone prices are basically the same amongst providers, but some seem like a good deal, but then you either give up the phone after two years or you have to buy out the balance for $200-350!

Well Telecommunication companies aren't in the business of supplying free phones. So if you don't want to return it or buy it out bring your own device. There are many cheap plans as a previous poster has explained. In fact Manitoba has some of the cheapest cell phone plans out there. If you want change the province of their websites and see what other provinces pay you might be surprised. Koodo has great value plans as already said. Koodo is Telus and will be the exact same speeds, coverage and use the same towers etc. Only trade off with Koodo is its all self serve online. If you can do things on your own its a good option, if you need call and talk to humans then Koodo wouldn't be for you.  
 
If you don't need LTE data you can also use Public Mobile they have 2.5GB (3G speeds) and unlimited calling and texting for $35 a month or 5GB for $40. Also Public has a rewards plan that also lowers your bill. For example if you set up auto pay they reduce your bill by $2 every 30 days. If you are loyal to them after a year they further reduce your bill $1 for every 30 days you continue to be a customer. Also if you help answer questions in their online community you can get further rewards. If you really tried you could likely have your phone plan for pretty much free. Just remember 3G speeds...  
 
If you don't like the prices, shop around. A cell isn't essential if you can't afford one don't get one.  
 
Edited by BiG Mack, 2021-02-19 11:52:28

Well unfortunately a cell phone for me is essential as I have no land line at home. The previous owners had ripped the phone line out on the property. I will definitely be looking around for deals., thanks to everyone who had helpful suggestions.

Yes I agree with you it is too expensive for the service quality.  
I use a cell for business constantly, creating grain contracts, grain target pricing, weather reports, checking cattle prices , pricing and ordering inputs, checking parts diagrams, in contact with the dealership, talking to the bank/accountant/crop insurance/agronomist etc etc , it’s essential, and we are only a small family farm. Often I am in the field working and need to contact a supplier and the service is patchy or nonexistent . Internet and cell phone service is atrocious in rural areas and we certainly don’t get the level of service that we pay for , need and deserve.  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2021-02-19 17:22:49

Koodo Lunar New Year deal. 10gb of data $50 until Feb 22.

Changed over from Roger's to Simply Connect. They have some low cost plans. You can bring your own phone or one of theirs. Good for those that don't need a lot of data. They told me it runs on Roger's network. I've had plan for almost a year with zero problems. Discount for members of Canadian Snowbird Assoc.  
www.simplyconnect.ca

FYI there are changes (for the worse) coming to Koodo on the 23rd, they're going to start charging $5 more for Canadian long distance which doesn't make any sense.  
 
Bell sent me a letter with a SIM card last week with a plan offer of 20GB of full speed data with no overages for $55 as I was very briefly a customer with them with a tablet several years ago. I asked Rogers if they could match it, the best they said they could do is my current plan which is $10 more with 5GB less full speed data

Kinda true...  
 
The $5/month add-on is for new customers.  
 
You’ll notice bring your own device (BYOD) and Tab plans are also changing in price, no longer aligned as they currently stand on Koodo’s website. BYOD plans will be $5/month cheaper says the company  
The company confirmed existing or renewing customers are not affected by these changes, as long as they stick to their current plan.  
 
All of Koodo’s plans right now i:nclude unlimited Canada-wide calling and unlimited international messaging, which will soon become a $5/month add-on for new customers. It remains to be seen if Rogers’ Fido and Bell’s Virgin will follow suit and also make Canada-wide calling a $5/month extra.  
 
https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/carriers/telus/koodo-set-to-debut-province-wide-calling-canada-wide-to-cost-5-extra/

I was kind of sad to see my MTS unlimited data plan finally get retired when I upgraded with Telus early this year. But at the same time, I like this new set of plans better in a way, because this plan includes tethering at no extra charge (as far as I know, anywho). I didn't ask for it, but I'll definitely take it!  
 
It was available on the old plan (at least when MTS existed. Never bothered asking Telus), but it upped the bill by $30.

Anyone who has moved to Canada from abroad is going to find our cell phone plan prices to be criminal. It's embarrassing how much we pay in this country for what has essentially become as essential a service as any other.  
 
Check it phone plans in the UK and Ireland. Unreal the difference. 5 pounds for what I pay $85 CAD per month.

Yes, My cell phone is $28 a month. I don't have data but pretty much where ever you go has free wifi. It's the basic plan and it has caller ID and Voice Mail. It's not an IPhone and you know what I don't care. I am an Andriod person anyway. IPhone is just another word for $$$. I got the phone that was free with my plan, and yes it is a smart phone.