Freedom Mobile realiability
Any Freedom Mobile customers here can tell me why I should or should not move from Rogers to Freedom mobile besides price??
Freedom Mobile realiability
- Last Updated:
- May 24th, 2023 7:50 pm
Tags:
- SCORE+2
- Jpisquem [OP]
- Newbie
- Jul 19, 2017
- 3 posts
- 2 upvotes
16 replies
- hightech
- Deal Expert
-
- Dec 23, 2003
- 17412 posts
- 6272 upvotes
- Toronto
I am not a Freedom customer, but let me tell you a few things about them.
Positives:
- Cheaper prices (assuming the big providers don't match the offer)
- Larger data buckets
Negatives:
- Call quality is not as good as the big 3
- Data speeds are slower than the big 3
- Data speeds are misleading as part of the data speeds are full speed, while the rest of the plan may be "fair use" i.e. throttled down: https://www.freedommobile.ca/docs/defau ... policy.pdf
- Coverage can be best described as "swiss cheese" as some areas are good and other areas can have large network holes with poor reception. If you are outside of the major cities, reception may be few and far between
- You may have roaming ability on other networks, but Freedom customers are prioritized lower than other customers. That means you may encounter more issues vs being with Bell/Telus or Rogers. Just think about this: Why would the Big 3 give you the SAME network experience from the competitor?
Common sense would say that you need to pay to play and nothing comes without a price. Personally, I would just stick with the big 3 and those who resell from the big 3. These days you can get decent deals for about $36 for 7 Gigs from Zoomer Wireless which is the Rogers network. Heck I got a 11 Gig Unlimited calling/text plan from Koodo for $40 a month with a free basic phone. You just have to look for the deals and I am sure we will see some in the near future due to Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Boxing Week, etc.
Positives:
- Cheaper prices (assuming the big providers don't match the offer)
- Larger data buckets
Negatives:
- Call quality is not as good as the big 3
- Data speeds are slower than the big 3
- Data speeds are misleading as part of the data speeds are full speed, while the rest of the plan may be "fair use" i.e. throttled down: https://www.freedommobile.ca/docs/defau ... policy.pdf
- Coverage can be best described as "swiss cheese" as some areas are good and other areas can have large network holes with poor reception. If you are outside of the major cities, reception may be few and far between
- You may have roaming ability on other networks, but Freedom customers are prioritized lower than other customers. That means you may encounter more issues vs being with Bell/Telus or Rogers. Just think about this: Why would the Big 3 give you the SAME network experience from the competitor?
Common sense would say that you need to pay to play and nothing comes without a price. Personally, I would just stick with the big 3 and those who resell from the big 3. These days you can get decent deals for about $36 for 7 Gigs from Zoomer Wireless which is the Rogers network. Heck I got a 11 Gig Unlimited calling/text plan from Koodo for $40 a month with a free basic phone. You just have to look for the deals and I am sure we will see some in the near future due to Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Boxing Week, etc.
- Gangsta101
- Deal Addict
- Nov 30, 2016
- 1542 posts
- 2137 upvotes
- Waterloo Region
Well it depends mostly on the coverage in your area, but also on your phones ability to use VoLTE/VoWiFi.
The key point to remember always is that the primary complaint against FM is indoor reception. (If you struggle with signal reception outdoors in your home/work area then there really is no need to consider Freedom mobile).
However if you have a recent phone with access to VoLTE/VoWiFi, then you should be able to connect to a WiFi network at home, (and work if the WiFi isn't restricted), and indoor call reception should not be a problem for you.
My advice is not to trust other people's judgement but make your own decision yourself, to do this, get a Freedom Mobile prepaid line, forward your calls to this line and test it out for a couple of days. See how you like/dislike the data speed, see if call reception is ok. That way you can get first hand information about your unique circumstances before you pull the trigger. And this should cost you less than $20.
The key point to remember always is that the primary complaint against FM is indoor reception. (If you struggle with signal reception outdoors in your home/work area then there really is no need to consider Freedom mobile).
However if you have a recent phone with access to VoLTE/VoWiFi, then you should be able to connect to a WiFi network at home, (and work if the WiFi isn't restricted), and indoor call reception should not be a problem for you.
My advice is not to trust other people's judgement but make your own decision yourself, to do this, get a Freedom Mobile prepaid line, forward your calls to this line and test it out for a couple of days. See how you like/dislike the data speed, see if call reception is ok. That way you can get first hand information about your unique circumstances before you pull the trigger. And this should cost you less than $20.
- knacks
- Deal Addict
- Jan 21, 2013
- 1439 posts
- 591 upvotes
- Markham
Minor detail but just so that the OP doesn't go looking for it, the $36 is currently for the 4GB plan at Zoomer (or 5GB from their previous promo). For 7GB it's currently $45/month. ($50, 10% off). But yes, I actually DID switch from Rogers to Zoomer (which uses Rogers network) and I'm paying a lot less for the same coverage. The free phone that comes with the plan are budget to midrange but most people just sell it anyways and use the funds to buy a better phone.hightech wrote: ↑
Common sense would say that you need to pay to play and nothing comes without a price. Personally, I would just stick with the big 3 and those who resell from the big 3. These days you can get decent deals for about $36 for 7 Gigs from Zoomer Wireless which is the Rogers network. Heck I got a 11 Gig Unlimited calling/text plan from Koodo for $40 a month with a free basic phone. You just have to look for the deals and I am sure we will see some in the near future due to Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Boxing Week, etc.
Here are the promo plans at Zoomer: https://www.zoomerwireless.ca/promotion ... tober-2020
You also get a $100 activation credit and if you are referred, you get another $50 credit, so essentially the actual 2 year cost of the plan is a lot cheaper if you factor in the $150 in credits right off the bat. You essentially don't have to pay for the first few months.
Last edited by knacks on Nov 10th, 2020 2:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
13:6W-365. 14:11W-2134. 15:10W-1749. 16:4W-8120. 17:11W-2797. 18:8W-210. 19:7W-466. 20:20W-9316. 21:46W-4574. 22:48W-3948
.
.
- d1ulove3
- Deal Fanatic
-
- Mar 5, 2013
- 6075 posts
- 1861 upvotes
- Manila, Philippines
Your Mileage May Vary!
I use Freedom from 2015 up to present there ate some issue sometimes but not everyone is perfect. I live and work where Freedom Mobile has a good service from voice to data speed pretty much workable. I cannot compare it to Robelus as I need to pay more to get almost the same service.
In bell I paid $240 4 lines no phone included, In freedom $171 phones are included. So test it first if it will work for you.
I use Freedom from 2015 up to present there ate some issue sometimes but not everyone is perfect. I live and work where Freedom Mobile has a good service from voice to data speed pretty much workable. I cannot compare it to Robelus as I need to pay more to get almost the same service.
In bell I paid $240 4 lines no phone included, In freedom $171 phones are included. So test it first if it will work for you.
FreedomMobile 35% Friends & Family
- HydroSnap
- Newbie
- Dec 21, 2018
- 4 posts
- Vancouver
FM is great if you live in areas with great coverage. I live in Vancouver so my coverage is great. Always full LTE anywhere. At my work in Coquitlam, it is still full LTE and runs fantastic. My parents live in South Surrey and the coverage is still there but it isn't always LTE, sometimes it is 3-4 bars of 3g and speeds are really slow. I find that with having WiFi calling enabled, then I don't really care about coverage since I can use WiFi to cover the bad reception and speeds. Ultimately, it comes down to where you live and where you spend most of your time.
Obviously, FM sucks indoors, I noticed it immediately when I turned off WiFi calling. I have been with FM for only 2 months (coming from Telus). I do miss the reception quality of Telus when indoors, however, with a much more affordable cell phone plan, I just use my work's WiFi when at work for everything. I would make the switch to Koodo or Fido immediately if they could offer the same price that FM offers (let's find out this upcoming Black Friday sale).
Obviously, FM sucks indoors, I noticed it immediately when I turned off WiFi calling. I have been with FM for only 2 months (coming from Telus). I do miss the reception quality of Telus when indoors, however, with a much more affordable cell phone plan, I just use my work's WiFi when at work for everything. I would make the switch to Koodo or Fido immediately if they could offer the same price that FM offers (let's find out this upcoming Black Friday sale).
- bembol
- Deal Expert
-
- Jan 27, 2006
- 19585 posts
- 3238 upvotes
- Woodbridge
My sister wanted to upgrade her iPhone 6S but didn't want to pay.
To keep it short, I told her I've been with them almost 2 years and so far my only issue is when we went to Blue Mountain a few weeks ago. I had no coverage but having two phones it wasn't an issue as I'm also with Koodo.
I told her, if I was only with Freedom how often do I go Blue Mountain? LOL It was my first time.
Also when I signed up I got a brand new iPhone 11 Pro Max, for $100 I got 21GB and more importantly the phone is mine to keep.
As posted, YMMV and remember you have 30 days if you don't like it cancel it.
To keep it short, I told her I've been with them almost 2 years and so far my only issue is when we went to Blue Mountain a few weeks ago. I had no coverage but having two phones it wasn't an issue as I'm also with Koodo.
I told her, if I was only with Freedom how often do I go Blue Mountain? LOL It was my first time.
Also when I signed up I got a brand new iPhone 11 Pro Max, for $100 I got 21GB and more importantly the phone is mine to keep.
As posted, YMMV and remember you have 30 days if you don't like it cancel it.
"I'll put up color bars before I'll put you in front of our cameras."
- MacKenzie
THE NEWSROOM (HBO)
- MacKenzie
THE NEWSROOM (HBO)
- pjw918
- Deal Addict
- Feb 28, 2012
- 1507 posts
- 2960 upvotes
'Reliability' depends on device compatibility and access to extended range LTE Band 13.
You must have working VoLTE to access LTE B13 on Freedom.
B13 is fully deployed in AB/BC, not quite yet in ON.
Freedom Device Compatibility Matrix
(VoLTE, WiFi Calling, B13, eSIM)
--
Freedom Trial Tips
(15-day, no-risk)
You must have working VoLTE to access LTE B13 on Freedom.
B13 is fully deployed in AB/BC, not quite yet in ON.
Freedom Device Compatibility Matrix
(VoLTE, WiFi Calling, B13, eSIM)
--
Freedom Trial Tips
(15-day, no-risk)
- TDNGUYEN
- Deal Addict
-
- Apr 21, 2007
- 3545 posts
- 2101 upvotes
if you live directly in the GTA - you shouldn't have a problem with FM. LTE speeds are fast enough to play games, browse IG, stream videos. Call quality is OK - not the best, but it does the job for all my client meetings.
I don't get the hate for FM sometimes, its a great alternative that has improved over the years.
I don't get the hate for FM sometimes, its a great alternative that has improved over the years.
- DamianR
- Newbie
- Jul 14, 2016
- 4 posts
- 1 upvote
It just so happened that I am on here looking for a new provider as Freedom keeps promising me one price and bills me for way more. I was on the phone for the past 1.5hrs and have been huing up on 2x by customer relations(retention). The service for cell phones is fine but the customer service is terrible. Probably going with Shaw Moblie
- tablo13
- Deal Addict
- Aug 30, 2011
- 2198 posts
- 847 upvotes
- Edmonton
Eh, Freedom Mobile is just okay. It’s just that often, it is much better for a slightly higher price to go with a big 3 EPP plan or big 3 flanker brand (Fido, Virgin, Koodo, etc). As long as it’s not those 3mbps “3G” throttled plans, the speeds and reliability would be much better.
Regarding coverage, eh they seem to be fine within urban areas. Our first hand experience is with my dad not getting signal at his workplace in Leduc, AB about 7-8 years ago during the WIND mobile days. He had to argue for more than an hour to cancel it.
I live near the southern edge of Edmonton. For what it’s worth, Freedom Mobile was the first carrier to install a new tower 5 minutes south of me at the newly developed town centre. That’s understandable with the whole nationwide roaming thing. Rogers followed shortly after. I was on Koodo and never got signal indoors at the Superstore until about December last year.
I know people always say Bell/Telus has the best coverage... However at least where I live, Freedom and Rogers were quicker to expand their network and install new towers. Telus still have no new towers in the area although signal is mediocrely usable at 1-2 bars.
Freedom Mobile plans seem lukewarm to me for what you get. However, Shaw Mobile for $0 unlimited talk and text, and $10/GB for Shaw customers, now that’s a totally hot deal. I’ve been intending to sign my mom up for Shaw Mobile since she only uses wifi and has no cellular data connection. The $20 connection fee is somewhat of a barrier since we have to walk into the Shaw store...
Regarding coverage, eh they seem to be fine within urban areas. Our first hand experience is with my dad not getting signal at his workplace in Leduc, AB about 7-8 years ago during the WIND mobile days. He had to argue for more than an hour to cancel it.
I live near the southern edge of Edmonton. For what it’s worth, Freedom Mobile was the first carrier to install a new tower 5 minutes south of me at the newly developed town centre. That’s understandable with the whole nationwide roaming thing. Rogers followed shortly after. I was on Koodo and never got signal indoors at the Superstore until about December last year.
I know people always say Bell/Telus has the best coverage... However at least where I live, Freedom and Rogers were quicker to expand their network and install new towers. Telus still have no new towers in the area although signal is mediocrely usable at 1-2 bars.
Freedom Mobile plans seem lukewarm to me for what you get. However, Shaw Mobile for $0 unlimited talk and text, and $10/GB for Shaw customers, now that’s a totally hot deal. I’ve been intending to sign my mom up for Shaw Mobile since she only uses wifi and has no cellular data connection. The $20 connection fee is somewhat of a barrier since we have to walk into the Shaw store...
- MassDeduction
- Newbie
- Feb 24, 2017
- 26 posts
- 20 upvotes
Are you suggesting that if Freedom offers you, for example, 19 GB that not all of the 19 GBs are at full speed? If so, you're mistaken. Whatever amount of data is advertised in the plan is at full speed, and it's only data above and beyond that which the fair use policy is discussing as throttled data. This is no different than unlimited plans from the big-3 that throttle you when your high-speed data bucket is used up.hightech wrote: ↑ [...]
- Data speeds are misleading as part of the data speeds are full speed, while the rest of the plan may be "fair use" i.e. throttled down: https://www.freedommobile.ca/docs/defau ... policy.pdf
[...]
I generally agree with the rest of your points, depending on your needs though. Hard to pass up Shaw's 27 GB for $25 a month plan, for example, which you might prefer if you generally find Shaw/Freedom coverage sufficient for your needs, and a big data bucket is more valuable to you than the best possible coverage. If your data needs are lesser, though, then I do recommend a big-3 option over Shaw/Freedom.
Everyone's needs are different. Someone who talks and texts rarely, but streams a lot, may prefer coverage blips on Freedom than running out of high-speed data on the big-3.
- JasonCao
- Deal Addict
-
- Mar 24, 2012
- 2948 posts
- 1388 upvotes
- MARKHAM
Freedom is way better than when it was Wind Mobile. back than with wind, it is impossible to get a signal once indoor. right now im with freedom, in gta/york area, i can get LTE signal indoor and can stream video no problem.
right now freedom is having a promo, $60 per month all in tax extra for 20GB unlimited and FREE iphone 11. just renew my contract with freedom, gave the iphone 11 to wife. she is happy =D.
right now freedom is having a promo, $60 per month all in tax extra for 20GB unlimited and FREE iphone 11. just renew my contract with freedom, gave the iphone 11 to wife. she is happy =D.
- MassDeduction
- Newbie
- Feb 24, 2017
- 26 posts
- 20 upvotes
And because of how Freedom does it, it's actually a 21 GB for $60 per month plan (rather than 20 GB). The 1 GB of domestic roaming data is separate from the 20 GB, and can be used as Freedom data if you run out of Freedom data but haven't used up all your domestic roaming data yet.JasonCao wrote: ↑ Freedom is way better than when it was Wind Mobile. back than with wind, it is impossible to get a signal once indoor. right now im with freedom, in gta/york area, i can get LTE signal indoor and can stream video no problem.
right now freedom is having a promo, $60 per month all in tax extra for 20GB unlimited and FREE iphone 11. just renew my contract with freedom, gave the iphone 11 to wife. she is happy =D.
I agree that Freedom offers way better service than Wind did. I'm very surprised they've been so slow to roll out 600 MHz so far, though, they could really benefit from it.
- lawrenceGL
- Newbie
- May 15, 2023
- 1 posts
I purchased 10G by agreement, they only gave 7G. Used 6G, their system tells 9G. How can we trust a company like this.
- smgksa
- Deal Addict
-
- Dec 13, 2016
- 1393 posts
- 932 upvotes
- GTA
I tell you this:
If rogers give you the same price and same gb that you need take rogers, I'm with Freedom since 2016 because of price bonuses phones. Now that almost everyone price match freedom I'm slowly moving my lines.
Freedom Mobile F&F
- insync44
- Deal Addict
-
- Dec 22, 2010
- 1918 posts
- 491 upvotes
- BC
The only reason I joined FM is because they are the cheapest for my Watch. But certain areas I cannot get reception.
we are all just one bad day away from losing everything
Thread Information
There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)