[kwlug-disc] cell phone plans

[Paul Nijjar]

This got rejected by the mailing list but is relevant.

----- Forwarded message from kwlug-disc-bounces at kwlug.org -----

Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:10:50 -0500
From: Brian Johnson <REDACTED>
To: kwlug-disc at kwlug.org
Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] cell phone plans

I'm in charge of 5 family phones.

All are running Fongo and I pay for unlimited Canadian SMS on each for $18/yr
(so about $90/yr + HST)

We are all mostly in WIFI areas so we don't use much cell based data.

One (mine) is still on a ThunderBay Tel prepaid plan that is I think $100/yr
and you buy data out of that.� I use about 10GB/yr which is less than the
$100/yr required to keep the plan active. This plan can be tricky to get
unless you have contacts in the ThunderBay area but runs with freeing roaming
on the Rogers network in SW Ontario

The other 4 are on Fido prepaid tablet plans (two 2GB/mo and two 4GB/mo data
only) that currently, with discounts, totals $26/mo (including HST) for all
four combined (so about $276 / yr + HST)

We have two grandfathered PAYG T-mobile SIMs (minimum $10 USD / yr each to
keep active) for when we go to USA (no data) but I am always looking for
cheap ways to get data in other countries.

None of our phones support esims so I've ordered a $12USD (free shipping) SIM
from 5ber that allows you to load esims to that physical SIM to test (ie play
with).� Delivery of that has been delayed by the current postal strike.� I
was expecting it to arrive earlier this week.


On 11/4/2024 5:20 PM, Ronald Barnes via kwlug-disc wrote:
> CrankyOldBugger wrote on 2024-11-02 07:23:
> 
> > It's been a few years since I last posed this question, but what are
> > you folks using for cellphone plans, and how deliriously happy are
> > you with them?
> I was going to post that I'm happy with my Wind Mobile (no, I won't call
> it "Freedom Mobile").
> 
> 
> Been a customer since a few months after they arrived in town and it
> works fine for our use.
> 
> 
> I'm mostly near WiFi, so WiFi calling is enabled.
> 
> 
> I'm paying $20 / month with unlimited Canada-wide talk and text. I think
> text to US is included, but I don't use that.
> 
> 
> Getting support (i.e. "please turn off voicemail") is a PITA these days,
> but that's probably SOP for all service providers.
> 
> 
> Around these parts, the deal is sweetened by free access to Shaw WiFi in
> lots of public places, YMMV.
> 
> 
> Finally, what sent me into the arms of Wind Mobile is in the news again,
> and is worth reiterating:
> 
> > Hundreds of Rogers, Bell and Telus customers angry prices can increase
> > during contract
> 
> https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rogers-bell-telus-contracts-prices-1.7369942
> 
> 
> 
> So, as a matter of principle, I go out of my way to avoid the big 3. And
> it's pretty easy these days.
> 
> When I was in Cambridge over the summer, I didn't have any issues,
> although I was again connected to WiFi for 99% of the time.
> 
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----- End forwarded message -----