I’ve had frequent feedback on my $39 cell plan. Likely from people who are around the $100 a month mark on theirs. Mine is FIDO with talk, text and very little data. (New customers and plans start around $45 a month now).
If you want, but I would NOT rush right into it, you may be able to get a free cell phone plan.
There’s a new cell provider – sort of. It’s Shaw Mobile – you may have seen or heard their ads in the last few weeks. Shaw Mobile isn’t actually new – just a new rollout. Shaw purchased Wind mobile in 2016 and re-named it Freedom Mobile with about a million subscribers. Now they are expanding to Shaw Mobile, but appear they will leave Freedom in operation, too.
Shaw’s introductory offer if you’re a Shaw internet customer living in BC or Alberta is a free cell plan with unlimited text and talk. If you want data, it’s $10 per gig and it’s good for 90 days if you don’t use it all each month. If you’re like me and don’t watch movies or endless YouTube clips, that is plenty of data! If you want almost unlimited data, the introductory rate is $45 a month with 25 gig of data.
The bad news:
-If you’re on a contract with someone, you’re not a free agent and are stuck. It’s the reason I keep harping on never signing contracts.
-If you’re not a Shaw internet customer, the offer is $15 a month for talk/text or $85 with 25 gig of data.
-The other bad news is that this is an introductory offer. It won’t last and that’s one of the reason I won’t switch. If the real rates explode, I’d be stuck with a higher rate than I currently have. So I’m going to wait until the real rates show up.
You need to also know a couple of other things:
-The rollout is brand new. There are always bugs and problems. If you need your phone – don’t consider switching until the bugs are solved. And read the review below!
-You must live in BC or Alberta to get the cheap rates.
-The switch to Shaw needs to be made in-person at a Shaw retail store. That means you’ll likely line up for one or two hours! Do NOT leave until you’ve tested your internet and an incoming and outgoing call. There are lots of stories that you’ll need to go to the back of the line if it turns out your phone isn’t working!
-Yes, Shaw sells phones, too, including Iphones and Samsung. But the plan offers are based on bringing your own phone.
-You’ll have a $20 admin fee – which is reasonable for the industry.
-It’ll be 4k (speed) so you’ll have good service if and when everything works.
-All plans come with voicemail and caller ID
The reason Shaw can (maybe) end up with lower cell rates is that they’re already getting a ton of your money from your internet subscription. Plus they have over 100,000 wifi hotspots across the country. If you cell isn’t catching one of those, it’ll automatically switch to Shaw’s LTE network.
How it works & the details: https://mobilesyrup.com/2020/07/30/shaw-mobile-bc-alberta-0-talk-text-45-25gb-plans/
Shaw mobile reviews and outline: https://www.whistleout.ca/CellPhones/Guides/shaw-mobile
Because I do need my phone (as I don’t have a landline) this review, along with not having the real rates yet assures I won’t even consider switching right now:
SHAW MOBILE!!! Don’t switch from your current provider!!! What a disaster! I switched from my mobile company to Shaw mobile. Shaw texts me my first bill @2am – 6 hours after I signed up. My phone keeps switching between nationwide and no service. I talked to a representative after a lengthy hold and was told that this is new and there are some kinks to work out. Could I be patient and wait longer. Are you kidding me? I need my phone to do my job! After no service for over 12 hours I ported my number back to my original carrier. (edited for spelling)