DigitalGhost

You have to be kidding don't you, if you used the phrase 'tablet PC' in most stores here then they would probably hand you an own brand asprin made by President's Choice. They are positively light years behind us in terms of mobile technology.

billyphatu

I was kidding about the 'cheap' part - but when I was in TO last year, it was just as the iPad came out in North America and we saw plenty of iPads in the coffee shops. I think it's the telecoms companies that are far behind.

northerndave

I was in a ROGERS yesterday, and some bloke was getting tied into a 3 YEAR contract for an iphone! and he didnt even know what his email addie was

DigitalGhost

Sounds about right, from my experience so far their staff seem to be very well trained at exploiting those without English for a first language, which obviously in Toronto equates to around 40% of the entire population.

The4BellsLondon

Word of warning - if you are going abroad get the roaming data package for the month you are travelling.

My parents took the kids to Seattle for the weekend - now being the silly immigrant I didnt even THINK about cell phone use - its all the same land mass innit!

Daughter downloaded 4 pics to facebook - $7500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DigitalGhost

That was another reason why I've opted for PAYG over here, at least at first anyway, I was shit feared of accidentally straying outside my 'normal service area' and copping a massive bill as a result.

The4BellsLondon

Indeed - I ended up having a MAHOOSIVE ruck on the phone with them and got to the point of about to cancel all 3 accounts when they pulled the charges!

DigitalGhost

Yeah the guy in Rogers was trying to sell a $50 contract to a Chinese woman when we were in there on the back of that sort of thing. Apparently they refuse the issue contracts for iPhones or Blackberries in Ontario now without an unlimited data plan to prevent situations like that occuring but as the woman quite rightfully pointed out, $50 p/m is a lot to spend on a phone for a young kid.

The4BellsLondon

Yeah - if we had taken the $50 roaming for that month it would have been covered, but in BC you can just buy it for when you are travelling .

What I want to know is, what happens if you live right by the border> ??

DigitalGhost

I think they would likely insist on a specific handset configuration otherwise the phone could start seeking and connecting to US networks as a roaming tourist whenever it loses standard signal.

fledermaus

Not sure but I turned off emails on my Blackberry when I was in the USA and while we were waiting for the ferry back the emails started to come in via Rogers. So presumably it only logs onto your service provider?

The4BellsLondon

Hmm dunno - my emails came thru in uk - but I had a roaming package.

billyphatu

So how do cell plans work there? Are they specific to a geographic area/province, or can you use them nation-wide?

conjonway

Looking forward to seeing what the replies to this question are, because right now you just get shafted for trying to call anyone, I hate the Canadian cell phone system.

exenglishman

The way it works is very stupid. You will get a cell phone number local to the city you sign up with, calling outside of that city will result in long distance charges, your minutes won't cover long distance. Texts can work province to province from your inclusive amount as far as im aware. It really is very dated compared to the Uk.

As far as in iPhone bundle goes I'm on virgin mobile, on a rolling 30 day contract (no credit check - just needed credit card) I get 100 mins, unlimited text, unlimited international text, 6GB of data (included tethering to computer) voicemail and caller Id. Total cost $65 a month. Signed up for it last august so don't know if you can get it anymore! I looked around for ages and believe me when i say this is the best deal by far!