My contract expires with TELUS on March 1st... Which carrier should I go with?

[trinxified]

So I've got two contracts with Telus right now . Both are ending next month and I'm definitely getting excited about getting a new phone and possibly end up getting cheap plans. I've been with Telus for many years now, but this is the first time I've actually let my contract expire for the full 3 years (I always use to renew my contract very early for new phones )

Now that I'm a bit more sensitive with money and like bargain hunting, what is the best carrier I should go with in terms of price and plans? Here's my situation right now...

I have a Blackberry Tour 9630 right now (yes very old phone) and here's my plan:
- 350 daytime minutes (shared)
- free incoming calls
- free outgoing calls after 5pm and weekends
- unlimited sms/mms texting
- voicemail (max 10 stored)
- caller ID
- 500mb data w/ BBM

I pay $59.55 ($119.10 for 2 contracts) per month all-in with taxes, service fees, etc. I want to get a smartphone again for sure but I don't necessarily need to stick with BlackBerry. As long as I'm paying $0 or fairly cheap for the phone, I'm set. I'm not caught up with what are the best smartphones out there, so yeah.

I actually have 2 contracts with them (me and my girlfriend), and I pay for both. The same phones, same exact plans. This time around, I might only renew one contract or two again. Depends what my girlfriend wants.

Anyway, I would really APPRECIATE any advice or opinion!

[shushwap]

The best deal you are going to get is with Telus retentions department...If you are going to re sign both phones... You should qualify for a bus plan...

[djemzine]

The best deal you are going to get is with Telus retentions department...If you are going to re sign both phones... You should qualify for a bus plan...

I somewhat agree with the above, but to add, you might want to check out carriers such as Koodo, Wind or Mobilicity with their ulimited plans. Question is, are you willing to stick to Telus after your contract expires and pay month to month? I.e. paying the $110 (I think) or would you want something that's cheaper that offers the same or better without a contract?

That's where Koodo, Wind or Mobi come into play, but do note that if you are considering Wind/Mobilicity, you would have to purchase a new phone (i.e. AWS compatible phones only) and you're coverage area in terms of whether the reception for those two carriers are great.

Going forward, see what Telus Retentions can offer you if you were deciding to resign otherwise just go month to month and try to get a better plan if you can. Worst case, that is when you switch carriers.

I would do some more homwork on this if I were you. Try calling up other carriers and see what plans can they offer you based on what you have, and if its cheaper. Of course I assume you wouldn't be signing up a contract with them?

Keep us posted and all the best.

Cheers

[Jimboski]

I heard Koodo or Wind Is good lately as the Big 3 don't offer good plans anymore..

[trinxified]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm looking for a cheaper plan ($50 or less) but still have similar features I already have now. I don't mind switching carriers at all, so that's not a concern. I'm going to wait until my contract expires fully so I can talk to Telus Retentions...

As far as the phone goes, I'm still not sure.

[shushwap]

It will make no difference if you wait till the contract expires... Just call them up now and see what they can do for you... Make you sure you speak with someone in the loyalty department...

[gstar1]

Not to be rude to the OP, but why are you expecting so much. The plan that you have, you cannot find it cheaper than what you have. You will not get a data plan for less than 50$. Even if you call retentions and beg them. It wont happen. Best bet to go with is Rogers. Excellent customer service and they always will hook you up. Bell is horrible, im with them and they SUCK. Telus is average, koodo,wind,mobilicty has crummy reception and customer service.

[shushwap]

koodo is owned by telus and use telus towers... So the service will be the same

[gstar1]

I had koodo and I called them asking why its bad service, they said they use sub towers that connect to the telus towers, theeeennn connect to ur phone

[trinxified]

I don't think my plan is good at all.. Isn't $60 per month overpriced nowadays? It's been like that for the whole 3 years.

[gstar1]

for 72$ with bell I get:

unlim after 6pm
unlim weekends
unlim txt/video/pic message
6gig data
150daytime min
fab10
caller id/call display

[hi-tech]

for 72$ with bell I get:

unlim after 6pm
unlim weekends
unlim txt/video/pic message
6gig data
150daytime min
fab10
caller id/call display

Telus and bell have the same RAN. You get the same signal generally. The only dependant variable on reception is your handset. If you have a cheap Huawei or LG you're probably not going to get a great signal vs. what you might get with a Motorola or a Blackberry. Over all, the BELLUS RAN is waaaay more reliable than any other network in Canada. I have a Rogers/Wind and Mobilicity signal around me almost all the time, and he Telus/Bell HSPA network destroys all of them hands down.

What you're looking for is Koodo. You get the Telus HSPA network, plus unlimited Canada wide call/text for $50 with Caller ID and Voicemail. Add the data saver option on top.

[X360]

You can port to Bell and sign up 2 lines $65 each and share 1100 day time minutes + 12GB of data. You will have port in credit $10 for each line for 3 years contract.

$65 + tax- $10 for each line.

$65
- 550 min
- unlimited incoming
- 6pm nights and weekends
- unlimited local plan member talk
- call display
- voice mail
- text message
- 6gb data
- SAF/911 fee waived

Port in Credits
• The $65 plan offers a $360 credit, offered in $10 monthly increments, for 36 months. This will be applied on the 1st or 2nd bill.
• Both port credits are as is, and non negotiable. If customers want a higher port credit, there are other "less competitive" plans available that offer this. All port credits are non tax-rated. This means that any credits are applied AFTER the final invoice total has been calculated. E.G., $65 plan + tax - $10 credit, not $65 - $10 credit + tax.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/bell-...-plan-1114924/

[Jimboski]

You can port to Bell and sign up 2 lines $65 each and share 1100 day time minutes + 12GB of data. You will have port in credit $10 for each line for 3 years contract.

$65 + tax- $10 for each line.


http://forums.redflagdeals.com/bell-...-plan-1114924/

12GB of Data? I'm sure 6GB Is plenty LOL.

[shushwap]

Thats not that great... I am with Telus and I get unlimited North American calling with 6 gig data and call forwarding... Voice mail... Call display...
For $80

for 72$ with bell I get:

unlim after 6pm
unlim weekends
unlim txt/video/pic message
6gig data
150daytime min
fab10
caller id/call display