North America plan - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Cdnff · 2008-01-28, 02:55 PM

Hi all,

Recently moved back to Canada full-time and looking at changing to Canadian my cell phone provider. I need a provider that offers a good one-rate North American plan, as I travel a great deal inside both Canada and the US and don't want to pay roaming or long distance. Took a quick look around, but have yet to find a Canadian based provider that offers a plan that is close to what i have with Verizon (250 min for $60 US). Anyone know of any good plans up here north of the border? Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Al.

wprager · 2008-01-28, 04:44 PM

Wireless Wave is great for comparing various plans. Click on "Compare rates" in the left-hand navigation pane and go from there. There is even data for pay-as-you-go services (which exclude PetroCan and 7-Eleven). Depending on your usage pattern and whther or not you need to be accessible via single number, you could also consider getting a pay-as-you-go phone. The afore-mentioned PetroCan and 7-Eleven offer 20 cents/minute (30 for North America long-distance), so 250 minutes would range between $50 and $75, depending on local versus long distance split. This would, of course, mean that you would also need a SIM and airtime from a US provider (assuming you get an unlocked GSM phone), and would be reached by a different number. I really don't know your usage/travel patterns, so it may be completely wrong for you, but you never know (just thinking outside the plan).

outinthornhill · 2008-01-29, 07:52 AM

The Wirelesswave chart is not a very reliable source. In less than a minute I could see all sorts of out-of-date or missing data. Since Wirelesswave no longer sells Telus Mobility plans/products, I don't expect them to be up-to-date on the competition.

I have never heard of a North American one-rate wireless plan sold by a Canadian carrier aside from high-end business plans. You might find something there.

A friend who has moved back from CA, but still travels regularly and has to stay in contact with his colleagues in CA, has kept this NA-one-rate plan. I can't tell you who the carrier is and the plan is no longer sold but he has unlimited evenings/weekends and NA-wide calling etc. and there is no way he is giving that up. It does mean, if we want to call his cell, we have to dial LA but he gets a lot less nuisance calls.

Canada-wide wireless one-rate plans are relatively new and rare here and I expect NA one-rate plans eventually. Just not yet.

jwt873 · 2008-01-29, 10:19 AM

Rogers has had Canada One rate plans for a while now. I was subscribed to their $40 plan around eight years ago... It wound up costing near $70 with all the additional stuff like call display, voice mail and system access fees.

I could call anywhere in Canada and the US with no additional long distance fees. (The plan didn't cover calling Canada from the US).

http://your.rogers.com/business/wire...or&cat=1&typ=2

apn · 2008-01-29, 06:36 PM

Don't even try to compare US vs. CDN plans from a competitive point of view; simple fact is that we get hosed.

It's hard to avoid LD charges in Canuckistan, but I believe Rogers offers it, but only when calling other Rogers fixed/mobile account holders.

An option that you might not have considered is that if you still have access to a US mailing address, can you not just continue to keep your Verizon account and setup automatic credit card payments? Only issue might be roaming costs on Bell/Telus CDMA network.

Failing that, if your US-roaming and/or LD usage is significant, then stay away from the CDN prepaid services. Only Rogers offers US roaming, but at $2.50/min.

However, even on the post-paid plans, roaming charges are nuts @ between $0.50 to $0.95/min.

Like I said, no competition here...

Here's a website that provides some comparisons of the various plans available;

http://www.geckobeach.com/cellular/intro/plans.php

You can also check on howard forums, since there might be some info there too.

ironmike · 2008-02-01, 06:06 PM

I subscribe to the Verizon North America calling plan and for me this was the best option. I never have roaming or long distance anywhere in North America and the plan was a much better price than Rogers/Telus/Bell NA plans.

The one downside is I have a US number so local BC residents will have to dial long distance to call me. To get around this I have my home Vonage line permanently set to ring my cell phone number (unlimited forwarding).

Data roaming isn't that bad either, $1.99/mb. I only use it for email so end up with an extra $10 per month on average in data roaming charges.

I have been doing this for just over 2 years and has worked fine for me.

Mike

Nuje · 2008-02-01, 11:51 PM

So how much is the Verizon North America plan? how many minutes does that give you?

ironmike · 2008-02-02, 01:16 AM

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...List&catId=930

They have changed it slightly but this is the new plan.

apn · 2008-02-02, 08:01 AM

Good info ironmike,

I overlooked the US number part of the equation. So I'm curious if the combined VzW rate plan AND Vonage bills still have a cost advantage over the Canuck wireless operators rates.

Also not sure if you're using Vonage in the States (around $25/mo) or here (around $40/mo) to generate the BC local #, so that could also make/break the difference.

ironmike · 2008-02-04, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Also not sure if you're using Vonage in the States (around $25/mo) or here (around $40/mo) to generate the BC local #, so that could also make/break the difference.

I actually have both and pay $24.99 for the Vonage.ca account. I actually just called up to express my displeasure with the differences in price and was able to get them to match the US pricing.

sam8899 · 2008-03-27, 09:18 PM

Unlimited Canada plan base on Rogers Network

1. Apply $35 MY5 plan(National Wild)
2. Apply unlimited long distance from orther provider (about $10/month)
3. Put the long distance access number in your MY5
4. If you want to make a outband call, call the access number 1st. then enter the destination number followed by the # key

Now, all your outband call to any canadian city is free!!(from any canadian city)

You can also buy and install a Autodialer chip, so you can dial out the destination number directly or choice number from call list/contacts and dial out.

It's awesome !

*No need to change cell phone
*Dial out directly

sam8899 · 2008-03-27, 09:30 PM

Unlimited Incoming Calls + Call Back = Unlimited calls

To use CallBack service, you need to have a unlimited incoming calls plan.

1. Dial the local CallBack access number. The number always rings busy. So it is no charged.
2. CallBack will call you back right away. Answer your cell phone, since you have a unlimited incoming calls plan, it is no charged.
3. enter the destination number followed by the # key. Callback will connect you both.*support all cell phone provider.

2008-01-28, 02:55 PM	#1
Cdnff Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 19	North America plan Hi all, Recently moved back to Canada full-time and looking at changing to Canadian my cell phone provider. I need a provider that offers a good one-rate North American plan, as I travel a great deal inside both Canada and the US and don't want to pay roaming or long distance. Took a quick look around, but have yet to find a Canadian based provider that offers a plan that is close to what i have with Verizon (250 min for $60 US). Anyone know of any good plans up here north of the border? Thanks in advance. Cheers, Al.

2008-01-28, 04:44 PM	#2
wprager Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kanata, ON, Rogers Digital, 8300-HD Posts: 1,415	Wireless Wave is great for comparing various plans. Click on "Compare rates" in the left-hand navigation pane and go from there. There is even data for pay-as-you-go services (which exclude PetroCan and 7-Eleven). Depending on your usage pattern and whther or not you need to be accessible via single number, you could also consider getting a pay-as-you-go phone. The afore-mentioned PetroCan and 7-Eleven offer 20 cents/minute (30 for North America long-distance), so 250 minutes would range between $50 and $75, depending on local versus long distance split. This would, of course, mean that you would also need a SIM and airtime from a US provider (assuming you get an unlocked GSM phone), and would be reached by a different number. I really don't know your usage/travel patterns, so it may be completely wrong for you, but you never know (just thinking outside the plan). Last edited by hugh; 2008-01-29 at 10:38 AM.

2008-01-29, 06:36 PM	#5
apn Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 569	Don't even try to compare US vs. CDN plans from a competitive point of view; simple fact is that we get hosed. It's hard to avoid LD charges in Canuckistan, but I believe Rogers offers it, but only when calling other Rogers fixed/mobile account holders. An option that you might not have considered is that if you still have access to a US mailing address, can you not just continue to keep your Verizon account and setup automatic credit card payments? Only issue might be roaming costs on Bell/Telus CDMA network. Failing that, if your US-roaming and/or LD usage is significant, then stay away from the CDN prepaid services. Only Rogers offers US roaming, but at $2.50/min. However, even on the post-paid plans, roaming charges are nuts @ between $0.50 to $0.95/min. Like I said, no competition here... Here's a website that provides some comparisons of the various plans available; http://www.geckobeach.com/cellular/intro/plans.php You can also check on howard forums, since there might be some info there too. Last edited by apn; 2008-01-29 at 06:48 PM.

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2008-01-29, 07:52 AM	#3
outinthornhill Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thornhill, ON Posts: 745	The Wirelesswave chart is not a very reliable source. In less than a minute I could see all sorts of out-of-date or missing data. Since Wirelesswave no longer sells Telus Mobility plans/products, I don't expect them to be up-to-date on the competition. I have never heard of a North American one-rate wireless plan sold by a Canadian carrier aside from high-end business plans. You might find something there. A friend who has moved back from CA, but still travels regularly and has to stay in contact with his colleagues in CA, has kept this NA-one-rate plan. I can't tell you who the carrier is and the plan is no longer sold but he has unlimited evenings/weekends and NA-wide calling etc. and there is no way he is giving that up. It does mean, if we want to call his cell, we have to dial LA but he gets a lot less nuisance calls. Canada-wide wireless one-rate plans are relatively new and rare here and I expect NA one-rate plans eventually. Just not yet.

2008-01-29, 10:19 AM	#4
jwt873 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Woodlands, MB Posts: 598	Rogers has had Canada One rate plans for a while now. I was subscribed to their $40 plan around eight years ago... It wound up costing near $70 with all the additional stuff like call display, voice mail and system access fees. I could call anywhere in Canada and the US with no additional long distance fees. (The plan didn't cover calling Canada from the US). http://your.rogers.com/business/wire...or&cat=1&typ=2

2008-02-01, 06:06 PM	#6
ironmike Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 20	I subscribe to the Verizon North America calling plan and for me this was the best option. I never have roaming or long distance anywhere in North America and the plan was a much better price than Rogers/Telus/Bell NA plans. The one downside is I have a US number so local BC residents will have to dial long distance to call me. To get around this I have my home Vonage line permanently set to ring my cell phone number (unlimited forwarding). Data roaming isn't that bad either, $1.99/mb. I only use it for email so end up with an extra $10 per month on average in data roaming charges. I have been doing this for just over 2 years and has worked fine for me. Mike

2008-02-01, 11:51 PM	#7
Nuje Veteran Join Date: May 2002 Location: A charted un-desert isle Posts: 2,465	So how much is the Verizon North America plan? how many minutes does that give you?

2008-02-02, 01:16 AM	#8
ironmike Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 20	http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...List&catId=930 They have changed it slightly but this is the new plan.

2008-02-02, 08:01 AM	#9
apn Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 569	Good info ironmike, I overlooked the US number part of the equation. So I'm curious if the combined VzW rate plan AND Vonage bills still have a cost advantage over the Canuck wireless operators rates. Also not sure if you're using Vonage in the States (around $25/mo) or here (around $40/mo) to generate the BC local #, so that could also make/break the difference.

2008-03-27, 09:18 PM	#11
sam8899 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7	Unlimited Canada plan base on Rogers Network 1. Apply $35 MY5 plan(National Wild) 2. Apply unlimited long distance from orther provider (about $10/month) 3. Put the long distance access number in your MY5 4. If you want to make a outband call, call the access number 1st. then enter the destination number followed by the # key Now, all your outband call to any canadian city is free!!(from any canadian city) You can also buy and install a Autodialer chip, so you can dial out the destination number directly or choice number from call list/contacts and dial out. It's awesome ! No need to change cell phone Dial out directly

2008-03-27, 09:30 PM	#12
sam8899 Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7	Unlimited Incoming Calls + Call Back = Unlimited calls To use CallBack service, you need to have a unlimited incoming calls plan. 1. Dial the local CallBack access number. The number always rings busy. So it is no charged. 2. CallBack will call you back right away. Answer your cell phone, since you have a unlimited incoming calls plan, it is no charged. 3. enter the destination number followed by the # key. Callback will connect you both.*support all cell phone provider.