Canadian Mobile Phone Companies

[KraKto$is8]

I'm going to Canada in January, for 6 months, and I'd like to keep in touch with my friends in the UK, and I intend to use my cellphone for that (my internet access will be limited ). Currently I'm on O2, who, like all large UK companies, charge loads if you do anything with your phone outside the UK. So I was looking to get a Canadian SIM card, preferably pay-as-you-go, with a decent international call and text deal.

Any suggestions, advice, or comments? Should I just stick with O2? Is there a specialist UK company that does this?

[Dilly_D]

It depends where you're going in Canada because each province has there own companies as well as the 'nation wide' companies. In Ontario we have(iirc) Bell Mobility, Rogers, Telus, and Fido. As far as I know, Rogers and Fido have the only 'pay as you go' service. But, you must remember...North America isn't as advanced in mobile technology as Europe is...I don't even think we have sim cards here. As well, most places here will make you sign at least a 1 year contract...so since you'll only be here for 6 months, I'd say a pay as you go thing would be best option...but 'm not sure how pay as you go works for text msgs and internet access...and I don't know if your phone would be compatible.

There may be something you can do with O2 tho....to be able to have your phone workin and shit over here...I'd say contact them and ask what you should do.

[Vaio]

I'd suggest asking Sunday8pm, the local expert on everything Canadian.

~Vaio~

[KraKto$is8]

I've looked at the O2 website and they charge shit expensive prices. Like £1.49/min to just receive a call. My phone should be compatible, I bought it from Canada.
I'll mainly be in Ontario but I'll be doing a lot of travelling, which could pose a problem for coverage.

[Aryn]

Alberta has telus, fido, bell mobility and rogers too. we also have pdl mobility.
i am with bell mobility and i can't call the uk from my phone (though i meant to ask them about that so i'll check on that and post what i find out)
if i remember correctly, when a2 was here he bought a calling card and used it to call the uk. i shall direct him to this thread.

[Aryn]

ps where are you going in canada? that would help us to help you :P

[KraKto$is8]

Mainly Ontario, but I'll be going to Quebec, Manitoba, Michigan (i know, that's the US), maybe some other random east coast provinces, and maybe Saskatchewan and Alberta. All over, basically

[SYMM]

Would it not make sense to just use pay-phones (get a card, like Aryn says) while you're there?
Though really, will your friends expect anything more than fortnightly emails?

[Dante Hicks]

Unless you need to be contactable in an emergency, I'd go with the calling card options. I've not visited Canada, but when I've travelled to South Africa I've found it more than acceptable. You can either use ones suitable for pay phones only, or just get one which you can use from any phone (like the ones immigrants in this country often use to phone their country-of-origin). The call rate is massively better than any mobile phone is likely to be. You can then just use in people's homes you stay with, or your hotel room, or wherever.

Would people from the UK _really_ need to get hold of you in an urgent rush?

[Sunday8pm]

I've only heard good things about Rogers for mobile phones in the Ontario area, there are a lot of stores around too.

[A2]

Originally Posted by Aryn

if i remember correctly, when a2 was here he bought a calling card and used it to call the uk. i shall direct him to this thread.

Indeed - 5 Canadian Dollars got me a calling card that had a localrate number to dial on it (which appeared to be 25 cents for as long as you wanted) and there was about 3 and a half to 4 hours worth of credit to the UK on it.
Possibly worth taking your phone, as recieving text messages while abroad is free regardless but make sure that it is a tri-band handset. Most UK ones are dual band. If you're not sure look it up on the handset manufacturers website