Carriers

Canada EH · October 7, 2016

I live in Alberta Canada

I have found out that

Rogers owns Fido, Chatr(Crappy Zone type service), and Mobilicity(Sold to Rogers in 2015 - Great for data, but zoned as well)

Bell owns Virgin, Solo and MTS Mobiltiy but Bell trades off with Telus on their network.

Telus owns Koodo, Public Mobile, Mike and Clearnet but Telus as the best coverage for their network.

Shaw does not operate their own house brand cell phone company but they do own Wind.

Then there are other virtual providers renting from the big companies.

Presidents Choice (Sold in "StupidStores"), 7-Eleven Speakout, and Petro Canada mobility.

From my chats with a few tech store employee's, I can use a Fido on a Rogers locked phone. Koodo on Telus and so on so forth.

But I wonder then about the 3rd string subsidiaries Chatr, and Mobilicity SIM card on a Rogers locked phone. Solo on Bell, Public Mobile on Telus.

I have heard some crazy stories about these 3rd string companies.

How once you leave a metropolitan city your phone will not work. I believe its Mobilicity.

My phone is locked to Rogers and I do not feel like paying $100 to unlock it. So thats why I've been looking into this. I will try a cheaper alternative, which is the ebay service.

Fido is decent. I had a great number that was cancelled because it was inactive. The plan was to go 7-11 and pay $25 to keep it active for the year.

Does anyone know how long before they recycle the number back into the pool?

I only use about 400MB of data a month, rarely use voice minutes and about 75 text. Voicemail I do have, but I think I can connect via landline to cut down on my cell minutes.

From my searchings, prices have gone down a bit. $5 for my plan.

Canada EH · October 9, 2016

Just got done talking to a Rogers guy at a store today. He was great and gave me a free Rogers SIM card, so I saved $5 or $10.

He told me I could get Rogers to unlock it for $50, but since I bought the phone used there might be an issue. So he stated to give the Pay as you go service a whirl for awhile then call Rogers to unlock it. I might just go into the store, same guy maybe same store as today.

Its good cuz then I can find another phone number. My current one is great, easy to remember. Its like this area code 918-9000 so easy to remember.

I stay well away from the newer area codes for cells.

Rogers has a bad reputation for their crappy customer service and their dodging coverage out in the sticks. But I can always port my # if I find a good one. Use it for online classifieds, then find a company that does $20 for the year type of service.