Please suggest best cellular service provider in canada

[prsh_patel]

I'm not sure if any thread is posted on this topic, if posted, my apologies, though i look forward to hear from the experienced members who are in Canada, I appreciate if you can please share your thoughts on best service provider (In toronto or anywhere else in canada) considering below criteria

1) Best Talktime Plans
2) Best Data usage plans
3) Best Signal Strength (Not so much focused on this)
4) Best in customer service and no hidden charges

i just walk through plans of few of the service providers like Rogers/Fido etc, still just would like to have word from ppl having real experience with the other providers.....

My simple question is as a new comer what would be the best for them?? As a new comer we'll have large number of calls to employers, real estate agencies, recruitment agencies, relatives etc and also we'll have lots of calls from our home country....considering all this factor please advise on right choice...

Thanks in anticipation

 

[explorer101]

Always avoid bell and rogers. Go for WIND, $ 25-30 UNLIMITED calls and texting including call display, voice messages, free long distance calls within Canada, no activation charges, no long contracts. With bell and Rogers if you take all these you can end up paying $ 60 and you are struck up with that blood sucker company for 3 years. A new company Public Mobile is also there in market, plans are quite cheap but I dont know about its coverage.

 

[prsh_patel]

Thanks Adi an Explorer for sharing your views...its valuable information and sparks the debate over good service providers for the new comers...any more opinion from fellow members??

 

[haral]

Public Mobile -

 

[qorax]

Public Mobile -

That's-
-CDMA
-Old technology
-Limited coverage
-Call dropping
-Not available in all provinces
-No Data Plans
-Very few handsets on offer

Think about it...
Qorax

 

[qorax]

Always avoid bell and rogers. Go for WIND, $ 25-30 UNLIMITED calls and texting including call display, voice messages, free long distance calls within Canada, no activation charges, no long contracts. With bell and Rogers if you take all these you can end up paying $ 60 and you are struck up with that blood sucker company for 3 years. A new company Public Mobile is also there in market, plans are quite cheap but I dont know about its coverage.

Good choice...

 

[explorer101]

That's-
-CDMA
-Old technology
-Limited coverage
-Call dropping
-Not available in all provinces
-No Data Plans
-Very few handsets on offer
Think about it...
Qorax

Correct, I checked Public Mobile network is not even in full Toronto GTA, go to their website and see the network location.

 

[Baloo]

I'm not sure if any thread is posted on this topic, if posted, my apologies, though i look forward to hear from the experienced members who are in Canada, I appreciate if you can please share your thoughts on best service provider (In toronto or anywhere else in canada) considering below criteria

Be aware that Canada has one of the most expensive cellular/mobile telephone systems in the world, very few companies are open about call charges and network costs.
Contracts are usually long, and prepaid is normally expensive. Data costs are high and there is in many cases a very small amount of data included in the plan.
Wind is one of the more transparent (about prices) providers, but they are still not inexpensive compared to other countries.

 

[slavasz]

Public Mobile - they just started their operation in May 2010. By the end of 2011 they are supposed to expand their coverage to other large Canadian cities such as Ottawa.
The 1xRTT CDMA 800MHz - is 2.5 generation. It is not that old
The main problem:
Question What types of phones will work on Public Mobile?
Answer Only Public Mobile phones will work on the Public Mobile network. Phones from other wireless companies will not work on our network. Visit a Public Mobile store to see our selection of great phones.
Top

Question I already have a cell phone. Can I use it with Public Mobile service?
Answer Only Public Mobile phones can be used on the Public Mobile network. Look for the Public Mobile logo on the phone or visit a Public Mobile store to make sure. A reactivation fee of $25 applies when activating a previously used phone.

WIND - uses different implementation of CDMA but in different band, so, again, you can use ONLY their phones.

 

[prsh_patel]

Thanks a ton fellow members for sharing your views n knowledge...this will help making decision for grabbing the first Canadian number...one has to be cautious before taking the service, once number taken it's difficult to change....

Looking at above posts I think new comer can go ahead with the services of wind...thanks once again for your contribution...

 

[slavasz]

In Canada and US unlike in many other countries when you switch operators you can keep your number.

 

[prsh_patel]

Tats awesome, in india, number portability just started, never knew it is available in us n Canada..

 

[qorax]

In Canada and US unlike in many other countries when you switch operators you can keep your number.

Tats awesome, in india, number portability just started, never knew it is available in us n Canada..

Moreover, when u "port" here - u usually get a pretty good deal too...
WINDmobile was offering $150 credit till late, for bringing your no. to them.

Qorax

 

[Baloo]

Just in case anyone wanted the link.
http://www.windmobile.ca/

 

[DJ_111]

What about Pay As You Go [Prepaid Package]. Do Wind Mobile offers prepaid.