Cheap mobile data only plans

I'd go with Public Mobile...$15/mth plan is $13/mth with Autopay, reduces $1/mth every yr loyalty discount. Unlimited incoming calls, 100 min outgoing, unlimited texting, 250mb data. 250gb of data is more than enough for Whatsapp. Don't think it's a good idea to give kids unlimited data...last thing you want is for them to be watching things like TikTok or YouTube while they walk to school.

They also have periodic "giveaways"...current one is 500 min Global calling and 2gb of data (if unused, remaining is carried over to next month).

DCI wireless has a 1GB/$15 plan. Additional data is $10 per GB. However, this plan is marketed towards non-phone devices (tablets, laptops, IoT). You'll have to ask DCI if they can/will let you use it on a phone.

Both Bell and Rogers also have data-only tablet plans that charge (in an amazing coincidence) exactly the same price of $10/month plus $10/GB usage . I do not know what will happen if you were to use the SIM attached to one of these plans in a phone. It might work, but you might instead have your account terminated.

SpeakOut has a 2GB data plan for $35 a month, but usage beyond that is billed at $100/GB.

[Fido] 4GB LTE Data Plan $10, BYOD, no contract (Read OP & Thread Summary 1st)

Takes a bit of work to get the plan and set up WhatsApp so read the OP and Thread Summary and Search the thread, but this is full LTE on Rogers network at 4GB/$10 with no strings attached. And for $5 to $10 per month more they'll even throw in a tablet.

^ Fido is the best one out there.....and if you stay long enough, you can negotiate for credits (either 50% off or 100%) to further bring down the price.......hands down best data plan out there!

bylo wrote: ↑[Fido] 4GB LTE Data Plan $10, BYOD, no contract (Read OP & Thread Summary 1st)

Takes a bit of work to get the plan and set up WhatsApp so read the OP and Thread Summary and Search the thread, but this is full LTE on Rogers network at 4GB/$10 with no strings attached. And for $5 to $10 per month more they'll even throw in a tablet.

ji2o0k wrote: ↑ ^ Fido is the best one out there.....and if you stay long enough, you can negotiate for credits (either 50% off or 100%) to further bring down the price.......hands down best data plan out there!

Only caveat on using FIDO data/tablet plan is if you want to have a phone number and have the ability to text....you need a dual SIM phone that is active or standby if using different providers. I know this because I use FIDO and Speakout.

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ Only caveat on using FIDO data/tablet plan is if you want to have a phone number and have the ability to text....you need a dual SIM phone that is active or standby if using different providers. I know this because I use FIDO and Speakout.

OP explicitly said, "Looking for a data only plan for my kids."

bylo wrote: ↑ OP explicitly said, "Looking for a data only plan for my kids."

I realize that but sometimes you have to "think outside the box for them" and explain the pros and cons of their choices.

What kid is OK with using Whatsapp only? Do their friends text or Whatsapp?

I agree with gr8dlr.

For example, WhatsApp uses a text message verification to confirm you own the phone number. Since the Fido data plan does not allow text messages now (I've tested it), you'd need another phone number that you can verify lol

Thanks everyone for the feedback, these are all great ideas.
My concern is they will click on some YouTube video and burn through their data in no time, and then have no access. That's why I was angling for the unlimited (and slow) option.

I think Lucky may be my only option at that price range. But I've heard their customer service service is horrible. Anyone have experience with them?

I also do have WhatsApp working for them on wifi using some voip numbers that I have laying around.

Parps wrote: ↑My concern is they will click on some YouTube video and burn through their data in no time, and then have no access. That's why I was angling for the unlimited (and slow) option.

Perhaps that's a lesson in responsibility and accountability they need to learn. It's something they'll need to understand and respect in real life--when it's their money.

I also do have WhatsApp working for them on wifi using some voip numbers that I have laying around.

As I understand it the issue with WhatsApp on Fido is activation because their data plan doesn't receive incoming texts.

bylo wrote: ↑ Perhaps that's a lesson in responsibility and accountability they need to learn. It's something they'll need to understand and respect in real life--when it's their money.

As I understand it the issue with WhatsApp on Fido is activation because their data plan doesn't receive incoming texts.

Agreed, but its for me to get in touch with them, and potentially locate their phones. If data is finished, I can't do either. But you're right, they should be responsible.

You can activate whatsapp with a voice call (ie. call another number and attach that to your whatsapp). That's how I got it working with wifi.

Parps wrote: ↑ Agreed, but its for me to get in touch with them, and potentially locate their phones. If data is finished, I can't do either. But you're right, they should be responsible.

You can activate whatsapp with a voice call (ie. call another number and attach that to your whatsapp). That's how I got it working with wifi.

You don't need data to "locate their phone". You only need to be connected to a cellular network. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ You don't need data to "locate their phone". You only need to be connected to a cellular network. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Pretty sure you need the phone to have data so the phone can send it's location.

Parps wrote: ↑ Pretty sure you need the phone to have data so the phone can send it's location.

I was under the impression you can remote tell the phone to ring max volume [even if the phone is on silent] which is using cell towers which means it can triangulate /ping the phone and rough location....again someone correct me if I'm wrong because I've never lost my phone.

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ I was under the impression you can remote tell the phone to ring max volume [even if the phone is on silent] which is using cell towers which means it can triangulate /ping the phone and rough location....again someone correct me if I'm wrong because I've never lost my phone.

No it doesn't work that way. The location (gps) is sent via data..if you have no data, you get no location.

Parps wrote: ↑ No it doesn't work that way. The location (gps) is sent via data..if you have no data, you get no location.

OK....there's conflicting info on the internet [imagine that! LOL]. Guess it depends.

https://www.quora.com/Can-you-track-an- ... Fi-or-data

https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/10/2 ... e-iphones/

They shouldn't blow thru data in the month regardless. I used to use Whatsapp with Speakout data - only 100mb/mth with no issues.

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ They shouldn't blow thru data in the month regardless. I used to use Whatsapp with Speakout data - only 100mb/mth with no issues.

OP's "concern is they will click on some YouTube video and burn through their data in no time, and then have no access." (Never mind what if they discover free pr0n )

bylo wrote: ↑ OP's "concern is they will click on some YouTube video and burn through their data in no time, and then have no access." (Never mind what if they discover free pr0n )

We're going down a nasty rabbit hole...read/listen on podcasts about David Choe.

Fido user here... (and shout out to all the Speak out + Fido tab dual sim users out there! @gr8dlr )

OP, can the tablets you use set an data usage warning limit and another limit to stop data in the settings?
If yes, then you can then use Fido. My idea is:
-Set a warning at 3GB, then you can tell the kids go easy, its about to stop.
-Set the data cap at 3.9 GB. -That's when its dead, yes you will loose location reporting but there's no way around that unless you block the high use apps at step 1 above (I guess its manually done?).

As for the text verification, unless you have a dual sim tab, you will need an old cell phone and a bunch of speakout phone numbers for verification. Just pop in the sim to get the verification whenever you need, and top up $25 every 11.5 months. That is not cheap but you could net out higher with the lower rate of Fido services (and potential discounts as explained in the Fido tablet thread).

Hope that helps.