shaunc89

Hey folks,

I just arrived on an IEC WP at the weekend, and working through my list of IDs to apply for etc. I popped into Fido today to pick up a sim only month to month thing and was flat out refused. I was expecting them to ask for a silly amount of money for a deposit in the worst case, but the computer flat out refused me. I have a job to start etc so I can provide that info if they ask but they didn’t even give me the opportunity. They told me to come back in 6 months. Luckily my UK SIM will keep roaming for a bit so I have the time to sort something out.

Anyone had any luck getting a month to month SIM just after landing? Or another operator that might be a bit more lenient (e.g. let me provide proof that I can afford to pay) I’m loathed to go prepaid as the offerings are pretty bad and it doesn’t help me in any way for building credit etc.

Shaun

Allie73

Koodo Prepay. No contract $15/month, which includes 250MB of data and unlimted texting. You buy booster packs for extra data and minutes, which don't expire. They don't ask for any proof of anything. Just go to the kiosk at almost any mall and buy a SIM then set up an account online to activate it.

Siouxie

7-11 https://www.speakout7eleven.ca/deal?...SAAEgIDkvD_BwE
Freedom - https://www.freedommobile.ca/en-CA/prepaid-plans

Make sure you ask for PREPAY - also known as Pay As You Go.
You might find the wiki of use too https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Cell_Phones-Canada

(Oh - and Welcome to Canada eh! Enjoy!)

Hurlabrick

Exactly what we have both done and used for 2 years now. Works well, you just have to remember to buy top up's every couple of months(although Koodo sends text reminders).

It must be a good deal, as they have tried several times to get us to 'upgrade' to a normal contracts - for guess what? More money. Yeah, i'll be doing that!!!

TheAwesomeMatt

I use Public Mobile and they're pretty decent, I think my 5gig plan with unlimited calls and text is around $38/month

shaunc89

Thanks folks, the Koodo ($65 7 GB) deal looks almost identical to the plan I was going to pick for Fido - so that looks like what I’ll go with!

Kanukki

+1 for Public Mobile. They operate on the Telus network (same as Koodo). You can pick up a sim card from various places, including Walmart or online.

Another option to look into is Lucky Mobile. They operate on the Bell network. You can grab their sim cards from Dollarama.

MB-Realtor

another vote for Public Mobile.

Lichisadave

I’m with Chatr direct deposit each month $40 I get 5 GB unlimited mins and text including texts to uk never had a problem with them.

pawxpaw

Get public mobile. Same network. Cheaper prices. And includes international texts which Koodo normally doesn't.

Once you get some credit there are better deals you can get. But get used to negotiating.
Standard rates in Canada are criminally high and low service. You have to fight to get deals, but with some work you can get a good (for canada) deal. But don't expect anything close to anywhere else in the world.

In my 13 years here I bet I average 1 change of network for every year. Loyalty gets you nowhere. You have to switch and play them against each other to get deals.

Plus get used to them flat out lying to you. My mum tried to get the plan I'm on and they lied to her face it doesn't exist even though I was stood with her on the phone and they could see my account. It often takes multiple escalations to managers before they cave in and give you something.

Cell phones are one of the worst things in Canada and I take great pleasure in paying them as little as possible. There is no competition here. Just lots of price fixing that the government turns a blind eye to.

unobscure

Was about to ask the same question so thanks for all the replies.

One additional question. Do you/can you keep the same number when you swap networks or do you have to have a new one each time

Allie73

You can keep your number. I switched from Virgin to Koodo and kept my number. I recently helped a relative switch from Fido to Koodo and she was able to keep her number.

Siouxie

Just tell them you want to port your number to your new provider... don't cancel your service until you have done so - follow the suggested course of action here: https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/mobile/num.htm

Gozit

The OP asked for non-prepaid so i'll pitch in re postpaid services.

Try all the 'little' providers' (owned by the big three.) Fido you've already been refused, so try Koodo and failing that try Virgin. They all have the same offers but different policies / YMMV around being approved.

Personally as someone who uses their phone heavily the prepaid offerings aren't enough for me. My phone bill is 115+tax to finance an iPhone, unlimited everything and 20GB data. Would be 75/month for the same plan if i bought my phone outright. TBH it is a lot better then it was 5-6 years ago.

Gozit

Tip - try to go to the bank and get a credit card before signing up, then that way you will have an open line of credit on your report as opposed to nothing. There are banking packages out there designed for newcomers - will give you a $500-1000 credit limit to start. Something to start building credit with.