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Simple and affordable cell phone plans
December 23, 2020
5:41 pm
pooreva
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Edit by admin: this thread was spin off from a discussion about Tangerine's two-factor authentication

Kidd said

Good luck with that. I have a cell phone which was collecting dust, so i cancelled my overpriced cell plan. The phone still collects dust but i have more money in my pocket.

Rogers wanted to do a voice print for authorization. I refused.  

Let me know if you need low cost (limited outgoing minutes, unlimited incoming calls, unlimited texting) prepaid mobile phone plan. I will refer you to a person who will set you up.

On the other note... how these companies with 'voice command' think to serve people with speech impairment (stuttering, for example)??? Or if you are accessing such system in public place or noisy environment or just need privacy?
I really HATE when I encounter system with voice navigation. At least my Garmin NAVI (almost) never had an issue with my English 🙂

December 24, 2020
7:10 am
Winnie
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pooreva said
Let me know if you need low cost (limited outgoing minutes, unlimited incoming calls, unlimited texting) prepaid mobile phone plan. I will refer you to a person who will set you up.
 

I'm using Fido prepaid, cost $12.75 + 13%tax = $14.40. Included 50 minutes (incoming and outgoing combined total) and 50 text. Not sure, if this plan is really low cost, but if better plan is available, I will take it. Please refer me, if you can.

December 24, 2020
5:51 pm
smayer97
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@Winnie, actually for $13+tx you can get 100 Canada wide mins PLUS UNLIMITED INCOMING calls PLUS UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL texting PLUS 250 MB of data from Public Mobile ($15/mo - $2 discount when you sign up for AutoPay) + a $10 account bonus if you use a referral link. (covers the cost of the SIM).

And if you sign up by Dec 31, you can get 2GB of data and an extra 500 international mins (incl Canada and US).

other bonuses from PM is you get an additional $1/mo off for every year you are a customer, up to $5/mo off. You can also earn referral bonuses, $1/mon discount for every account that signs up under you, as long as they remain a customer).

Also, if you sign up for any plan for $23 or more, you get your second month free + an additional one-time of 5GB of data. [EDIT: there is currently no expiry date for these 2 bonuses as they are now simply calling it a Boxing Week savings with no expiration date...so it can end soon or be allowed to carry on for a while...time will tell]

One big benefit of the add-ons (the 2GB or the 5GB, not the base 250mb) is any unused portion never expires and carries forward until all used up.

See my PM to you.

December 25, 2020
7:30 am
rfdm4g4g9
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Winnie said

pooreva said
Let me know if you need low cost (limited outgoing minutes, unlimited incoming calls, unlimited texting) prepaid mobile phone plan. I will refer you to a person who will set you up.
 

I'm using Fido prepaid, cost $12.75 + 13%tax = $14.40. Included 50 minutes (incoming and outgoing combined total) and 50 text. Not sure, if this plan is really low cost, but if better plan is available, I will take it. Please refer me, if you can.  

Freedom Mobile (Wind Mobile):

Prepaid : UNLIMITED - Talk & Text. Both incoming & outgoing is unlimited.

Only $ 8.25/month.

For only $99/year, get Canada's most affordable Unlimited Talk & Text plan.

I believe SHAW owns Freedom Mobile now,
So their quality & coverage has vastly improved.

December 25, 2020
7:34 am
rfdm4g4g9
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I hope the code they text is not cell phone only and email also.

Lot of tines I am overseas and access my Tangerines account.

I only have access to my email. I don't take my Canadian cell phone abroad. I use a local SIM card and local number.

December 25, 2020
8:49 am
pooreva
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rfdm4g4g9 said

Freedom Mobile (Wind Mobile):

Prepaid : UNLIMITED - Talk & Text. Both incoming & outgoing is unlimited.

Only $ 8.25/month.

For only $99/year, get Canada's most affordable Unlimited Talk & Text plan.

I believe SHAW owns Freedom Mobile now,
So their quality & coverage has vastly improved.  

You forgot to add $30 activation fee... Plus they charge $15/GB. You might accidentally activate data on your phone and puffff - $15 gone.

I still believe Public Mobile is better deal on a long run due to better coverage and service cut off when you finish your 100 outgoing minutes and 250MB/month. Plus you get perks from time to time.
These plans are for those who need 'emergency' phone (spouses). Ideal when one partner doing grocery shopping and texting offers, pricing, etc.

December 25, 2020
9:44 am
Winnie
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Unfortunately my old unlocked phone with buttons don't work with Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile.

This antique phone works with GSM only.
Rogers will discontinue GSM support soon, planned to do that by the end of 2021.

I like this very simple phone and don't want to buy a new "smart phone" until this one works.

December 25, 2020
12:25 pm
Dean
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Winnie said

. . . I like this very simple phone and don't want to buy a new "smart phone" . . .  

I hear ya, Winnie ... I'm pretty much the same. I like my basic flip-phone (that's all I need or want). And when the time comes to replace it, I can buy a brand new one ... yes, they still sell them. sf-smile


.

    Dean

sf-cool " Live Long, Healthy ... And Prosper! " sf-cool

December 25, 2020
12:26 pm
smayer97
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@Winnie... are you sure? I have an "antique" BUTTON phone 3G GSM that works just fine on PM.

Alcatel 871A https://www.gsmscore.com/alcatel/871a/

December 25, 2020
12:30 pm
BillieBob
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Winnie said
Unfortunately my old unlocked phone with buttons don't work with Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile.
 

Here is a link to Public Mobile's site where you can check if your phone will work with their plans.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/sim-card

December 25, 2020
1:03 pm
Winnie
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BillieBob said
Here is a link to Public Mobile's site where you can check if your phone will work with their plans.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/sim-card  

No, my phone isn't listed there. I have LG-GW300FD.

smayer97 said
@Winnie... are you sure? I have an "antique" BUTTON phone 3G GSM that works just fine on PM.

My phone LG-GW300FD from 2009 is not 3G GSM, it is 2G GSM (GSM-850 and GSM-1900).

December 25, 2020
1:31 pm
rfdm4g4g9
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Winnie said
Unfortunately my old unlocked phone with buttons don't work with Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile.

This antique phone works with GSM only.
Rogers will discontinue GSM support soon, planned to do that by the end of 2021.

I like this very simple phone and don't want to buy a new "smart phone" until this one works.  

Lot of new button phones work with PM and FM, if you don't like smartphones.

These new button feature phones are quite cheap. The money you save on the plan will easily pay of for this new phone you buy within months.

December 26, 2020
10:12 am
islander
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2G probably not working anymore.
2g-3g-sunsets

For affordable cell plan check this out:
Petro-Canada Mobility
I just signed up and cannot comment on coverage or quality yet. ( Network provider seems to be Rogers. )

December 26, 2020
12:13 pm
Londonguy
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In my experience Freedom's coverage in Ontario deteriorates quickly as you go further north of the 401, so for the past 2 years I've been using Lucky Mobile, which is Bell's nofrills service. No coverage issues. Plans start at $15 but I have their $25/month for unlimited calling and texting plus 1GB/month of data when you sign up for autopay by credit card. I need the unlimited minutes because I often find myself blowing 30-45 minutes of airtime just on call waiting whenever I need to chase down problems.

https://www.luckymobile.ca/why-lucky-mobile

Anyone interested can PM me for a referral code for a $25 credit on signup

December 26, 2020
1:23 pm
Alexandre
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I've chosen $15 (after tax) Virgin Mobile prepaid data plan. It offers $250MB data and no free minutes.
Coverage is a good as Bell, i.e., can't be better. Definitely beats Freedom Mobile I had before and was very disappointed with.

For voice calls I use Fongo smartphone app. It is VoIP, works over Wi-Fi when Wi-Fi coverage is available, over cell data when not.
It is free, and it provides you with local Canadian phone number. Calls are free Canada-wide (in most areas). Non-free phone numbers are flagged before call is made.

With Fongo mobile, I can switch seamlessly between mobile operators. If Virgin ups their prices, I may just switch to any other mobile operator, without hassle of phone number transfer - just swap SIM and good to go.

Also, I can just stop paying for mobile service and still have my number working within Wi-Fi coverage.
Fongo provides visual voicemail (for free), so even when leaving Wi-Fi coverage incoming calls won't be lost. You'll get messages left to you later, in voicemail and/or email.

You know that 911 can be called even from deactivated SIM card? If you need just truly emergency phone outdoors you can have cell phone plan with Fongo for $0.

December 26, 2020
1:57 pm
LX66NE
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Hi. I am new here. I was compelled to sign up here as I have a lot of information that I can provide about Public Mobile.

They have plans for every walk of life. But from what I am seeing here is there is a need for a low priced plan.

Public Mobile for me after comparing all the plans is the BEST.

Coverage is using Telus and Bell Towers. Public Mobile is owned by Telus.
Public Mobile is a complete do it yourself and all help and moderation is done online. You CANNOT call some one. They have a fantastic Community to refer to before you ask for a Moderator.

If you choose the $15 plan. You will get while in Canada:
100 outgoing minutes - Canada Wide
Unlimited inbound minutes - from any where
Unlimited texts inbound/outbound including picture texts (but for a pic you have to turn data on)
Ok....to save some money on the $15 plan.
Sign up for auto pay gets you $2 (but you don't have to use auto pay ... just make sure you sign up for it)
We are now at $13 per 30 days.
Every year of loyalty gets you another $1 off per 30 days for up to $5 for 5 years
We are now at $12 per month.
Then for every referral you give you will receive $1 off per 30 days for as long as that person remains with Public Mobile.
We are now down to a possible $0 per month.
Signing up for Auto-pay will add 250mb and up, depending on plan, of data.

For insurance on your outbound minutes buy 2 packages of 500 Canada Wide minutes for $5 each. They don't expire until they are used up. If one gets consumed then buy another and so on.

There are a number of LD Add-ons to suit your needs and are reasonable.
And there are some add-ons to allow calling while in the USA but they are time limited to 10 days.

Plans differ in Quebec based on provincial guidelines. Basically the same price but you are forced to sign up for Auto-pay.

Then PM is so good they usually have 2 freebies every 6 months. Usually data, Canada Wide Minutes or an LD plan. The mix can vary.

If you just start up don't forget to ask some one for a referral code. Public Mobile will give YOU a one time $10 credit to your account.

Any questions??

December 27, 2020
10:00 am
pooreva
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Alexandre said
For voice calls I use Fongo smartphone app. It is VoIP, works over Wi-Fi when Wi-Fi coverage is available, over cell data when not. 

I do not see any benefit of using Fongo (they charge for: Unlimited Canada Texting (SMS) $2.79 – 1 month) when there are few really free (ad supported) phone apps doing the same thing - free phone and texting over Wi-Fi, no data plan needed...
Maybe I am missing something???

December 27, 2020
10:17 am
LX66NE
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You can use Fongo for:
Free inbound texts to confirm Craigslist ads.
Forwarding calls to your mobile number and publish the Fongo number. Allows you to preserve your privacy of your mobile number.

I would not use Fongo for day to day use as to not confuse people with numerous phone numbers no would I want to be dependant on always having wifi available.

You can use your VoIP.ms number using Zoiper over data or wifi for:
Calling out using your VoIp.ms number and giving caller ID of your mobile number which takes all inbound calls free.

Apple to Apple you can:
Use FaceTime and iMessage free with wifi.

Using Public Mobile you can:
You can text inbound and outbound free, local and internationally free and send pics too, free.

December 27, 2020
12:38 pm
Alexandre
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pooreva said

Alexandre said
For voice calls I use Fongo smartphone app. It is VoIP, works over Wi-Fi when Wi-Fi coverage is available, over cell data when not. 

I do not see any benefit of using Fongo (they charge for: Unlimited Canada Texting (SMS) $2.79 – 1 month) when there are few really free (ad supported) phone apps doing the same thing - free phone and texting over Wi-Fi, no data plan needed...
Maybe I am missing something???  

I do not use SMS and texting, except incoming SMS which are free, so for someone like me these other phone apps do not offer additional value based on SMS capabilities alone.

Also, I got rid of ads in Fongo app for a one time fee of $6.99. Considering I spent few months without cell plan, I still saved money and have full featured add-free VoIP app with local phone number.

Fongo app works over Wi-Fi and over data, which makes 250MB data plan more than sufficient. With Virgin, it is fast data plan, not 3G, so it also works fine for occasional google maps or nav software usage.

If you think other apps are better, please share their names and people will decide. That's the point, I believe.

In general, if one to combine well designed VoIP app with pure data plan, and not interested in texting, they could be looking at nice savings. If they are mostly "stay at home," the phone plan could be $0, with 911 capability for emergency calls outside house.

December 27, 2020
1:24 pm
LX66NE
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I agree. Gather what is available, ask questions, then build to suit your specific needs.

One other thing to keep in mind is that some prepaid plans like Public Mobile and Voip like Voip.ms use E911. Public Mobile does NOT charge for E911 but Voip.ms does. And I believe some others charge $35 per call to 911.

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