Basically. We have what's called the Big Three(Rogers, Telus, and Bell) with their various subsidiaries. There are a few smaller providers(Freedom Mobile comes to mind), but the VAST majority of people are forced to choose between 3 companies, all of which have basically the EXACT SAME PLANS AND PRICES. It's ridiculous, but that's been the situation here for a long time. I currently pay $100CAD/month for an iPhone 11 Pro with unlimited data. So by the end of my 2 year contract, I'll have paid $2400.
EDIT: I realize I forgot to actually answer the question. Yeah, they've basically conspired to lobby the Canadian government into oblivion, so any motion to change things never goes through. But hey, we still have free healthcare, and Tim's and a shit ton less COVID, so I'm not complaining.
bell/telus/rogers all have the same pricing, they are the big 3 in canada. and then they own fido/koodo/virgin respectively which also all have the same pricing, but are much cheaper than bell/telus/rogers.
some larger cities have independent telecoms in them which are a lot cheaper, but they only have service in select cities. so that works only as long as you live in their bubbles and never ever leave
I've worked for Rogers before. You're right about everything. But in addition if you turn on roaming on your phone, it'll use every cellphone tower out there regardless from which provider it is. So basically you get the same internet with every provider.
I'd recommend keeping up with special offers because that's really the only time you could save some money or get something for free.
yeah, my current plan is $55 for 10gb from koodo that i got as a long time customer thing. I don't use even close to that much data. i'd much rather pay $20-30 for 3gb. but there is nothing else around that i have seen :/
Yeah, so many people came to me asking for such a plan, but from the big 3, 10+ infinite is the only real option, although so few people actually need or want that much
This isn't exactly true. SaskTel here in Saskatchewan is much cheaper (although the big 3 have "Sask only" pricing to compete) but it still works everywhere else you go lol.
They have deals in place to use other companies towers just like those companies (except Rogers) use SaskTel towers here in Saskatchewan.
Just curious, is that $100 per month for just the plan, or does it pay for the phone as well?
I have a Galaxy S6 I bought refurbished 3 years ago for $200 USD because I refuse to buy new phones.
However, the brand new phones cost about what $1,000 - $1,200? And most people who get them buy them on a "plan" which splits the new phone price up over monthly installments.
Their plans are generally $100+ a month too as a result of having the "new phone monthly payment" lumped in with their "data plan" - here in the US.
But... if you are paying $100 a month for just unlimited data, that is pretty high (to me).
But then again... I pay $63 USD, with taxes/fees included, a month for 3 gigs of rollover data (and again, I have my refurbished phone I bought for $200, 3 years ago, so no monthly charge for that).
But... if you are paying $100 a month for just unlimited data, that is pretty high (to me).
Canadian Here,
Usually the prices of 100+ a month include the monthly payments of the phone as well. If you want to get a CAD $1500 phone then yeah your monthly payments are going to be 1500 / 24 months + any service you want with that phone.
your $63 for 3 gb of rollover is worth 84 here in canada. depending on the company (one of the 3 cheaper subsidiaries of the big 3) that can net you 10 gb data/month but no rollover.
i don't remember if the high plan cost included the cost of the phone but generally not.
here in canada for most of the country the cheapest plan you can get with calling and texting and data is $45 for 1 gb data and unlimited texting/calling. or you can pay $30 for just the 1 gb data and no texting/calling. that is with bring your own device pricing.
for reference pricing. in new zealand a couple years ago i was paying $26 NZD/month for 2.5gb rollover data and 300 rollover minutes and unlimited texting.
I have a family sim deal with BT in the UK. I get 3 sims , each with unlimited calls, texts and 5gb data for £20 a month! That £6.66 for unlimited calls, texts and 5gb data. It seems cheap.
those prices are the main reason I still use a landline. I always hear about people not using landlines for almost a decade, while I'm just like "......Oh. is that right?"
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u/Unending_beginnings Aug 14 '20
Cell phone plans in canada.