Best time to get a cell phone plan - great cell phone deal!

Planning to get a cell phone? If you're willing to sign a 2 or 3-year contract, this is probably the best time to get one. All major cell phone carriers in Canada are offering plans featuring unlimited incoming calls, plus you get 1, 3, or 6 months of unlimited calling depending on the length of the contract, not to mention a discounted or even free phone.

Here's a snapshot of what each carrier is offering:


Telus - $25/month (approx. $37.30 with taxes and fees)

- up to 100 anytime minutes
- up to 1000 evening and weekend minutes
- free incoming calls (local)
- 100 long distance minutes

Weekends- Friday at 9pm to Monday at 7am
Evenings - Monday to Friday 9pm to 7am
Extended Evenings - Monday to Friday 6pm to 7am
411 directory assistance charge - $1.25 + airtime
Taxes and long distance charges are extra

Free and discounted handsets

Fine print: Clients who sign a 1, 2, or 3 year contract will receive unlimited local calling for 1, 3, or 6 months, respectively. Offer available to new activations only until September 18, 2005. Clients who sign a 1, 2, or 3 year contract will receive, text messaging, picture messaging and video messaging, for 1, 2, or 3 months, respectively. Unlimited incoming text messaging does not include Premium Text Messaging or My Updates. Taxes, long distance, roaming, pay-per-use charges, monthly system licensing and 911 (Enhanced) emergency access charges are extra. Video and picture messaging are only available on 1X digital coverage areas. Text messages sent to people outside of Canada and the U.S. are not included in the offer.


Rogers - $25/month (approx. $37.30 with taxes and fees)

- up to 100 anytime minutes
- up to 1000 evening and weekend minutes
- free incoming calls (local)
- 100 long distance minutes

Subscribe to any plan with a 2 or 3-year service agreement and receive:
- 6 months unlimited local calling
- 3 RealTrax ring tunes per month for 3 months
- 3 months unlimited text, picture and video messaging

Discounted handsets


Fido, owned by Rogers, offers the same, but without the long distance minutes. Its coverage is somewhat limited too.


Bell Mobility: Same plan as Fido, better coverage than Fido, for $35/month (Bell usually includes fees in its advertised prices, not sure about taxes)



RECOMMENDATION: Go with Rogers. You'll get probably the best coverage in the country plus 6 months of unlimited calls regardless of whether you sign the 2-year or 3-year deal, not to mention one of the cheapest per minute rates if you run out of minutes.


But before you go out and sign a deal:

- Ask yourself, 'do I really need this plan?' You're going to pay close to $480 a year. Is it worth it? If you need your phone just for a few minutes a day, then it probably isn't. You'd be better off getting a Virgin Mobile phone. It'll cost much less over the year. You'll pay for what you use, instead of paying much more for something you won't be able to use up!

- Do you want to be locked in for 2 or 3 years? If not, buy a refurbished phone from the carrier or an electronics store such as Future Shop, or a used phone from a private seller, and get the plan on a monthly basis without signing a contract. (For cheap refurbished/used phones, check out Atilla Liquidators in Toronto, 416-931-3391, or in Montreal, check out the electronic stores around St. Laurent Blvd. @ Ontario St.).

What's your take?