Best prepaid cell phone plan?

[pppddd]

Hi,

I'm looking into purchasing a prepaid cell phone for my dad (in ottawa). he barely uses the phone (usually only for a few outgoing/incoming call)? I'm looking for a plan that has the longest expiry date so I don't have to top up often. (i know virgin offers $100 for 365) and Wind has $40 for 180 days. Any recommendations?

[Dilton]

One advantage of Wind is that it will work in the US (on T-Mobile's network) whereas I believe Virgin will not. I don't know about now but when I was with Virgin Mobile a few years ago and Fido before that and I went to the US I could not make or receive calls.

I think none of the prepaid plans (Fido, VM, Koodo, Speakout, Petro, etc) will work in the US, only Wind and Mobilicity will. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Sepharite]

Virgin is good if you want to do the monthly prepaid. But Petro Mobile and Speakout are good prepaid. They last the entire year, no matter how much you have on the account and how much you initially pay. It's 25 cents a minute which is rather costly, so it really depends on his monthly usage - which would he benefit from.

[rivet]

Depends on how many minutes he uses. For very rare usage, speakout is the best. Otherwise, most other prepaid plans, including Rogers, are basically the same if you can top up $100 (last 365 days). Rogers prepaid can be used in US for roaming, although roaming charge is expensive

[win-star]

One advantage of Wind is that it will work in the US (on T-Mobile's network) whereas I believe Virgin will not. I don't know about now but when I was with Virgin Mobile a few years ago and Fido before that and I went to the US I could not make or receive calls.

I think none of the prepaid plans (Fido, VM, Koodo, Speakout, Petro, etc) will work in the US, only Wind and Mobilicity will. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Fido [and rogers] pre-paid is able roams in the US, petro and speakout can't roam.

I can't speak for the other pre-paid

[Fraser River Rat]

Hi,

When you say your Dad hardly uses the phone, do you also mean his land line use? Is losing the land line an option? What type of phone would your Dad like to have? Candy bar, flip, keyboard slider or blackberry/Iphone type? Extras like a camera or Wifi connectivity? Will he need out of the city coverage? Rogers is more expensive but offers more prepaid plan choices. Prepaid phones can also be purchased from FS, BB or Walmart. Rogers phones will work with a Speakout sim card.
http://www.comparecellular.com/compare-rate-plans/step2.asp?ProvinceID=3&RegionID=64

[pppddd]

Hi,

When you say your Dad hardly uses the phone, do you also mean his land line use? Is losing the land line an option? What type of phone would your Dad like to have? Candy bar, flip, keyboard slider or blackberry/Iphone type? Extras like a camera or Wifi connectivity? Will he need out of the city coverage? Rogers is more expensive but offers more prepaid plan choices. Prepaid phones can also be purchased from FS, BB or Walmart. Rogers phones will work with a Speakout sim card.
http://www.comparecellular.com/compare-rate-plans/step2.asp?ProvinceID=3&RegionID=64

He has a landline but would like to have a phone when hes out of the house ( he rarely is). The landline remains. He has no preference on phones.

Thanks everyone, your replies are very helpful. I'm new to forums and glad to see how helpful everyone is.

[pppddd]

speakout seems to be a great option. However it's unfortunate all the 7-11 stores closed in Ottawa

[kwanyeung20]

speakout seems to be a great option. However it's unfortunate all the 7-11 stores closed in Ottawa
Just order the sim-card online. You can top it up online also, so not a problem.

[stephroll]

Speakout (http://www.speakout7eleven.ca/prepaid-phones-promotions) has a promo .Buy $100 top-up get $25 bonus.