Please please help me find a better phone plan! (With Solo mobile)

[jenny621]

Hi all! I've been on the forum all day trying to look through other ppl's comments - but I am really new at this, so I am not sure where to go. Most of the cases I've seen aren't similar to mine...so here is my stupid plan.

Solo mobile signed 3 years (my contract ends June 30th) (I signed with them when they first came out! I think...)
Shared phone (2 phones) - Shared plan 35-36
http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/m...ype=prd_detail
(Yes...this is my phone and my sister's phone))
This plan was on promotion so no sys fee.

Features:
Call waiting, conference call
150 minutes day time (shared between sister phones)
Free calling after 7pm and weekends
Unlimited in-coming text
Unlimited calling/texting between sister phones
- 35$ before tax

But after 1 year of that, it was too difficult because not enough minutes to share plus without texting sucks
so its $10 for unlimited texting
- 45$ before tax

In between I lost my phone on the bus once...and had to pay $50.00 to get the same phone (it was the cheapest at the time)

They sent us a text telling us that if we renew the plan before June 30th, they will give us a new phone and $50.00 to use on our plan.
But my sister and I are planning to just get separate plans and I'm looking into getting a smart phone...any ideas on where to go? I know I can transfer to Bell...
But I am pretty sick of not having caller ID and hoping to get a data plan that is reasonable...at one point i called in and asked them if it would be possible to cancel because this plan really isnt working...but canceling was too expensive. And then one of the agents told me that they can put sis and I on a new plan that just came out which makes it $30 before tax with all features (including unlimited incoming outgoing texts) but then when my bill came it was over $120, so I called and they said the person before made a mistake and that plan was already expired so I was charged for all the texts I've sent within the month!

Hmm pretty fed up with Solo
Do you guys know good plans I can pick up from Bell? (or any where else?)

Please help me out!
Thank you!!
J

[Superhucard]

Hi all! I've been on the forum all day trying to look through other ppl's comments - but I am really new at this, so I am not sure where to go. Most of the cases I've seen aren't similar to mine...so here is my stupid plan.

Solo mobile signed 3 years (my contract ends June 30th) (I signed with them when they first came out! I think...)
Shared phone (2 phones) - Shared plan 35-36
http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/m...ype=prd_detail
(Yes...this is my phone and my sister's phone))
This plan was on promotion so no sys fee.

Features:
Call waiting, conference call
150 minutes day time (shared between sister phones)
Free calling after 7pm and weekends
Unlimited in-coming text
Unlimited calling/texting between sister phones
- 35$ before tax

But after 1 year of that, it was too difficult because not enough minutes to share plus without texting sucks
so its $10 for unlimited texting
- 45$ before tax

In between I lost my phone on the bus once...and had to pay $50.00 to get the same phone (it was the cheapest at the time)

They sent us a text telling us that if we renew the plan before June 30th, they will give us a new phone and $50.00 to use on our plan.
But my sister and I are planning to just get separate plans and I'm looking into getting a smart phone...any ideas on where to go? I know I can transfer to Bell...
But I am pretty sick of not having caller ID and hoping to get a data plan that is reasonable...at one point i called in and asked them if it would be possible to cancel because this plan really isnt working...but canceling was too expensive. And then one of the agents told me that they can put sis and I on a new plan that just came out which makes it $30 before tax with all features (including unlimited incoming outgoing texts) but then when my bill came it was over $120, so I called and they said the person before made a mistake and that plan was already expired so I was charged for all the texts I've sent within the month!

I think the best value and price is from Mobilicity or Wind Mobile.

But to get a smartphone under these two, you would have to pay $400 to $500 upfront, so it could be a problem. If your sister just needs a regular phone, get one from either Mobilicity or Wind Mobile when your contract ends.

As for you, if you require a hardware subsidy to get the smartphone (i.e. just paying $0, $99 or $159 upfront), your best bet would be ... well, it depends which smartphone are you looking at and how much monthly fee do you want to pay?

[jenny621]

I think the best value and price is from Mobilicity or Wind Mobile.

But to get a smartphone under these two, you would have to pay $400 to $500 upfront, so it could be a problem. If your sister just needs a regular phone, get one from either Mobilicity or Wind Mobile when your contract ends.

As for you, if you require a hardware subsidy to get the smartphone (i.e. just paying $0, $99 or $159 upfront), your best bet would be ... well, it depends which smartphone are you looking at and how much monthly fee do you want to pay?

I think the best value and price is from Mobilicity or Wind Mobile.

But to get a smartphone under these two, you would have to pay $400 to $500 upfront, so it could be a problem. If your sister just needs a regular phone, get one from either Mobilicity or Wind Mobile when your contract ends.

As for you, if you require a hardware subsidy to get the smartphone (i.e. just paying $0, $99 or $159 upfront), your best bet would be ... well, it depends which smartphone are you looking at and how much monthly fee do you want to pay?

Hmm, I am actually not sure what type of smart phone i want...initially I wanted a smart phone to go on the internet (so i can talk to my dad who is overseas on skype)...but now I don't really care anymore, any phone would do as long as its a good plan.
Any recommendations?

Today I went to T-mobile
They offered that if I transfer to Rogers they can give me a $250.00 Credit (after I pay my first phone bill)
$40 plan (without tax) with a blackberry
- 6pm weekday free calling/weekend free
- 250 mins day time
- 500mb internet FB/bbm/twitter/Msn
- unlimited msg/pictures
no activation fee ($35)

Or
$30.00 with any normal phone
- 150mins
- unlimited incoming
- evening weekend free 7pm
- unlimted text (including internationally)

hmm personally it would be cool to have international texting - but I cant decide which deal is better...I guess I can do without internet...but hmmm

[Superhucard]

Hmm, I am actually not sure what type of smart phone i want...initially I wanted a smart phone to go on the internet (so i can talk to my dad who is overseas on skype)...but now I don't really care anymore, any phone would do as long as its a good plan.
Any recommendations?

Today I went to T-mobile
They offered that if I transfer to Rogers they can give me a $250.00 Credit (after I pay my first phone bill)
$40 plan (without tax) with a blackberry
- 6pm weekday free calling/weekend free
- 250 mins day time
- 500mb internet FB/bbm/twitter/Msn
- unlimited msg/pictures
no activation fee ($35)

Or
$30.00 with any normal phone
- 150mins
- unlimited incoming
- evening weekend free 7pm
- unlimted text (including internationally)

hmm personally it would be cool to have international texting - but I cant decide which deal is better...I guess I can do without internet...but hmmm

You don't want an IPhone 4, for example? Have you used a blackberry before?

The first one is a basic blackberry-specific plan for a 3 year contract. The 2nd plan is just plain bad since Rogers has GRRF and you can get the exact same plan from Fido without the system access fee or GRRF. (Fido is owned by Rogers)

If you like the 2nd plan, I think you should look at Fido's smartphone offerings. With that $30 phone plan you can add a data plan for $25 or $30, and you are qualified to get an IPhone 4 or a Nexus S. Many places offer $0 downpayment on fido dumbphones/smartphones that includes a $50 gift card or $100 bill credits with new activation.

Otherwise, the plans are best with Wind mobile or mobilicity like $35 per month unlimited local calling, unlimited text and picture messaging, caller id, voice mail and etc. You cannot get all that from Rogers, Bell or Telus at this price.

[Superhucard]

I just found out Bell HTC Desire Z is now $0 for a 1-year term contract.

Take a look at that, too.

[jacobe]

I too am looking for a good cell phone plan. The only reason that WIND and Moblicity doesn't sound attractive to me is that when my buddies who are with them are at York U they don't get reception inside the buildings. I hope to see that they will have stronger signals since their data plans are much better than the other companies.

I am currently checking out virgin mobile's plans.

[jenny621]

I too am looking for a good cell phone plan. The only reason that WIND and Moblicity doesn't sound attractive to me is that when my buddies who are with them are at York U they don't get reception inside the buildings. I hope to see that they will have stronger signals since their data plans are much better than the other companies.

I am currently checking out virgin mobile's plans.

Ohh! hmm I haven't thought about Virgin mobile plans...if you happen to come across any, please leave a comment. I'm thinking of Moblicity now..they have this thing where its if you buy 12 month plans its 33% off (so if 25$x12x0.67). It's prepay - but does anyone know how phones work? Where do I get a phone if I want to go to moblicity?

By the way, thank you for everyone's replies! Super helpful.

J

[_Allan_]

IF you're in the Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary or Edmonton area, check MOBILICITY.ca ... they have UNLIMITED data for $10 as an addon, which would allow you to skype with your dad.
Wind also works in those areas, has similar plans, and has a 'subsidy' called the TAB (similar to Koodos).

[n3o321]

please tell me how important is a cellphone when you are in school?
you're there to study :P

and if its important, such as family emergencies, im sure more than 1 call would happen. my brothers + mom's iphone 4 doesnt get reception at all when they're at Lowe's and i get full bar when i'm there.

reception bar isnt always true either.


go to mobilicity or wind. end of story. I wouldnt suggest going on a contract when good dual core phones are coming out. Nexus S seems to be sooo good to/for me. I was also a previous Iphone4 user if that helps anyone decide on a smartphone that has never used a smartphone. only thing you'll need help with is rooting/installing custom roms on android D: lol

[jenny621]

please tell me how important is a cellphone when you are in school?
you're there to study :P

and if its important, such as family emergencies, im sure more than 1 call would happen. my brothers + mom's iphone 4 doesnt get reception at all when they're at Lowe's and i get full bar when i'm there.

reception bar isnt always true either.


go to mobilicity or wind. end of story. I wouldnt suggest going on a contract when good dual core phones are coming out. Nexus S seems to be sooo good to/for me. I was also a previous Iphone4 user if that helps anyone decide on a smartphone that has never used a smartphone. only thing you'll need help with is rooting/installing custom roms on android D: lol

Hmm, after looking at all the options, I think plan is more important to me and I'll just scrap the smart phone idea...
If i go with mobilicity, does anyone know where I can get a reasonably nice phone? Anything nicer than my original one is good

Thank you!
J

[jacobe]

I would test out the reception from WIND or mobilicity in your area. My friends who live near York U have bad receptions but my friend in Calgary is super happy with her service+plan+reception from WIND. She could make unlimited long distance calls and texts for about $40/month.

I have been looking at Chat-R (owned by Rogers so you know that they have good reception). There is a $35 no contract plan for unlimited incoming/outgoing local and long distance calls, texts, caller ID and voicemail. But Chat-R have crappy phones so you might want to pick up an unlocked one and the company also doesn't allow data plans (stupid Rogers trying to control the market) to force people to use either Rogers or Fido if they want data.

The Virgin Mobile plan that I have been thinking about is called myPlan Super Social for $40/month (no contact term) for: 300 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, 100 MB data, unlimited local incoming calls and you could choose to have either unlimited text messaging or voicemail+caller ID. The company also has several good deals on phones right now.

Are you a student? In my case, I am a student so I have to think about my budget. Currently, I am with Fido and I have a ~$21 after taxes monthly retention plan that has almost everything that I need (200 daytime + 1000 Fido to Fido expanded network, unlimited evenings and weekends @7, Caller ID, voicemail, and 125 texts (unlimited incoming texts)). I really want data so that I could use some of the cool android apps but I have to think carefully about my budget

[jenny621]

I would test out the reception from WIND or mobilicity in your area. My friends who live near York U have bad receptions but my friend in Calgary is super happy with her service+plan+reception from WIND. She could make unlimited long distance calls and texts for about $40/month.

I have been looking at Chat-R (owned by Rogers so you know that they have good reception). There is a $35 no contract plan for unlimited incoming/outgoing local and long distance calls, texts, caller ID and voicemail. But Chat-R have crappy phones so you might want to pick up an unlocked one and the company also doesn't allow data plans (stupid Rogers trying to control the market) to force people to use either Rogers or Fido if they want data.

The Virgin Mobile plan that I have been thinking about is called myPlan Super Social for $40/month (no contact term) for: 300 daytime minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, 100 MB data, unlimited local incoming calls and you could choose to have either unlimited text messaging or voicemail+caller ID. The company also has several good deals on phones right now.

Are you a student? In my case, I am a student so I have to think about my budget. Currently, I am with Fido and I have a ~$21 after taxes monthly retention plan that has almost everything that I need (200 daytime + 1000 Fido to Fido expanded network, unlimited evenings and weekends @7, Caller ID, voicemail, and 125 texts (unlimited incoming texts)). I really want data so that I could use some of the cool android apps but I have to think carefully about my budget

Thanks for your input! Hmm, I am a student, but I am sure my next plan will not be worst than the one I am currently paying (yes budget is important thus scrapping the smart phone idea) and $21 after taxes is AMAZING..(with CALLER ID TOO?!) I should have been smarter the first time around...solo was a mistake. Now I can't go asking for better plans with bigger companies...and my solo 3 years doesn't really go to anything.
I'll go in to mobilicity and wind in the next couple of days and update here.

Thanks to anyone who has replied too!
J

[Superhucard]

Thanks for your input! Hmm, I am a student, but I am sure my next plan will not be worst than the one I am currently paying (yes budget is important thus scrapping the smart phone idea) and $21 after taxes is AMAZING..(with CALLER ID TOO?!) I should have been smarter the first time around...solo was a mistake. Now I can't go asking for better plans with bigger companies...and my solo 3 years doesn't really go to anything.
I'll go in to mobilicity and wind in the next couple of days and update here.

Thanks to anyone who has replied too!
J

You can still get a smartphone from Mobilicity or Wind.

For example, Wind has a $15 a month voice plan and you get a data add-on for as low as $5. Get the LG Optimus 2X on tab, you pay $295 upfront. The other dumbphones are at least $100 upfront. Check it out.

[Superhucard]

You can also look at this:
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/hot-k...-card-1044772/

Additional promo till end of June:
http://koodomobile.com/special/