While camping, we were talking about different mobile phone companies, their rates and plans and coverage. Wind seems to have the cheapest plans, but also kinda bad coverage. It was weird seeing my friends being charged for data while driving down the highway; with Koodo (Telus's discount department) this idea of paying for roaming data anywhere in Canada just doesn't exist.
So I happened to check our phone bill today, and noticed some limited time offers for plans. Koodo is offering 500 minutes and 1GB of data and unlimited evenings and weekends (5pm-8am) and unlimited texting and unlimited calling between family (meaning numbers on the same account) for $40. Total cost after 911 fee and GST is $42.44. They're also offering the same plan but with 2GB of data for $50. Total cost $52.94. Extra data costs $5/250MB, so $20/GB.
Keep in mind that you can use your Koodo phone almost anywhere in Canada (Telus has great coverage) and there's no long distance charges anymore if you're calling from Canada to Canada.
Koodo does a Tab, but really what that means is they'll loan you $300 or $504 interest-free towards the purchase of a phone, and then you pay it back over 24 months ($15/month or $21/month). So if you have your own device, there's no extra charge for a phone.
Also, if you have a Manitoba or Saskatchewan address you can get a $48/month plan with 5GB of data. I guess that's the one upside to living in the coldest provinces in Canada?
Anyway, I thought I would point out these limited-time plans. I'm sure they'll be gone within a few weeks, as Koodo likes to offer a cheaper plan for a little while and then make it unavailable for a while.
There are only a hand full of "first party" providers in Canada.
Handy Chart of the networks, and brands using the networks
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_mobile_phone_companies#Mobile_network_operators
When checking plans be sure to check for things like 911 fees being added on top of the plan price.
Unless you never upgrade your phone on contract, the amount of subsidy is important as well, if you renew a grandfathered 3yr plan it will be renewed as a 2yr now under law, but will loose subsidy credits for upgrades.
My Current plan is $76.00 before Taxes, no additional fees.
- 6GB Data
- 200 Weekday Minutes
- Early Evening Calling from 6pm
- MY10 Canada-wide Talk & Text
I hardly ever use voice, I don't think I have exceeded my voice or texting plan more than once in the last 3 years.. It is all about data now.
Where did you get your plan, and how long ago? 6GB data plans used to get handed out as an "upgrade" about three to four years ago, before it became painfully obvious that data was the most important thing to most people.
Quote from: Thorin on June 24, 2016, 01:46:47 PM
with Koodo (Telus's discount department) this idea of paying for roaming data anywhere in Canada just doesn't exist.
So I happened to check our phone bill today, and noticed some limited time offers for plans. Koodo is offering 500 minutes and 1GB of data and unlimited evenings and weekends (5pm-8am) and unlimited texting and unlimited calling between family (meaning numbers on the same account) for $40. Total cost after 911 fee and GST is $42.44. They're also offering the same plan but with 2GB of data for $50. Total cost $52.94. Extra data costs $5/250MB, so $20/GB.
Keep in mind that you can use your Koodo phone almost anywhere in Canada (Telus has great coverage) and there's no long distance charges anymore if you're calling from Canada to Canada.
WOW.
That is almost comparable to the extra-special plan I am thinking of switching to, being an employee of goa. Available to everyday consumers, well done, Telus, you have surprised me.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/tag/slow-clap/ (http://www.reactiongifs.com/tag/slow-clap/)
What and how much is your extra-special plan, Darren?
Quote from: Thorin on June 24, 2016, 02:56:20 PM
Where did you get your plan, and how long ago? 6GB data plans used to get handed out as an "upgrade" about three to four years ago, before it became painfully obvious that data was the most important thing to most people.
The plan is now just over 3.5 years old, I am actually on month to month with it right now (Looking at maybe getting a iPhone in the Fall). It was a Rogers promo around when the iPhone 5C was originally released.
Quote from: Thorin on June 24, 2016, 03:50:55 PM
What and how much is your extra-special plan, Darren?
[TelusOffer.png]
Darren:
$7.00 basic
$5.00 500 minutes talk time
$2.00 free evenings and weekends
$2.50 SMS (texting) cap
$20.00 data usage cap
-------
$36.50 total
That's assuming you use 500 minutes in the daytime in a month, and that you hit the max for texts and data (why would you not?). If my kids used that, their bills would be $27 - basic plus seventy two billion gigs of data used (for a mere $20 capped amount).
Pretty good deal, I'd say.
I'm betting those CAPs mean hard caps. Use it, and you lose it.
Quote from: Tom on June 25, 2016, 10:48:12 AM
I'm betting those CAPs mean hard caps. Use it, and you lose it.
It clearly states 667 MB, IE this plan is completely useless for any modern smart phone unless you live WiFi to WiFi. I use way more than that a week.
Given that it says "Capped at 667MB = $20", I think what they mean is they'll charge 3 cents per MB to a maximum charge of $20. There's no way they'd put out a plan that limits you to 125 text messages a month, right?
Quote from: Lazybones on June 25, 2016, 11:27:57 AM
Quote from: Tom on June 25, 2016, 10:48:12 AM
I'm betting those CAPs mean hard caps. Use it, and you lose it.
It clearly states 667 MB, IE this plan is completely useless for any modern smart phone unless you live WiFi to WiFi. I use way more than that a week.
Right, I just meant if you use 667, then no more data... Or possibly insane 5c/MB or worse charges on top.
I still think that it means the maximum charge is capped, not the maximum usage.
Quote from: Thorin on June 25, 2016, 09:43:23 PM
I still think that it means the maximum charge is capped, not the maximum usage.
If it was only a max charge why mention the amount of data at all.
To show the math? $0.03 / MB to a max of 667 MB = $20 max charged.
I guess we could get Darren to ask around and get it clarified...
That would be unlimited data for $20, I highly doubt they'd actually provide that. But maybe I'm just being overly skeptical.
DD is getting almost the same offering I get at NAIT. I can tell you for sure it's not a hard cap, and while the rate says up to so much data the over charge is the same as the regular charge (see Thorin's math). Telus basically offered a stupidly reduced plan to the provincial bodies to gain profit on quantity rather than retail pricing. Also you can use any phone you want with these plans, at least at NAIT we can.
My rates are NAIT are better (half the cost on data) but I'm on NAIT's corporate plan, and I think DD's is the personal phone plan through the GOA. I don't get the Canada wide long distance either.
But as we joke at NAIT, these plans are basically pay as you go with a minimum monthly rate. You still have to buy the phone out right (at least we do at NAIT).
Quote from: Tom on June 25, 2016, 11:56:16 PM
That would be unlimited data for $20, I highly doubt they'd actually provide that. But maybe I'm just being overly skeptical.
Yeah, I think you're being overly skeptical in this case.
Quote from: Melbosa on June 26, 2016, 10:52:37 AM
DD is getting almost the same offering I get at NAIT. I can tell you for sure it's not a hard cap, and while the rate says up to so much data the over charge is the same as the regular charge (see Thorin's math). Telus basically offered a stupidly reduced plan to the provincial bodies to gain profit on quantity rather than retail pricing. Also you can use any phone you want with these plans, at least at NAIT we can.
So you pay per MB up to a certain amount, and then if you use more you don't pay more? Or you continue paying at the same price per MB?
Quote from: Thorin on June 26, 2016, 06:44:29 PM
Quote from: Melbosa on June 26, 2016, 10:52:37 AM
DD is getting almost the same offering I get at NAIT. I can tell you for sure it's not a hard cap, and while the rate says up to so much data the over charge is the same as the regular charge (see Thorin's math). Telus basically offered a stupidly reduced plan to the provincial bodies to gain profit on quantity rather than retail pricing. Also you can use any phone you want with these plans, at least at NAIT we can.
So you pay per MB up to a certain amount, and then if you use more you don't pay more? Or you continue paying at the same price per MB?
The $20 thing is just so that they make you pay something. Really, at least for NAIT, its a Pay as you go with a minimum of the $20. If you exceed that $20 data amount you just continue to pay the rate that got you there, no more, no less. So yes you continue paying at the same price per MB.
Oh I read it as you were billed the rate up till 20 then something happens....
I'm waiting for Darren to come back and clarify the pricing. But Mel, there's a base monthly cost of $7, and the way I read it, there's a pay-per-use charge up to a maximum charge. And this RFD posting confirms it (check the last quote in post #21): http://forums.redflagdeals.com/telus-canada-wide-corporate-cell-plan-govt-employees-1435742/2/#post18196380.
-----
On to something else - after the camping trip my phone was going weird, using lots and lots of battery, like, 5% an hour without being used at all. Two nights ago it went from 100% to 1% in 9.5 hours sitting on my night table doing nothing. At times it would lose 10% per hour while plugged in to the charger.
I traced this back to Google Play Services (the giant tarball of google services on any Android phone), it was keeping the phone awake for some reason. I never did figure out why, I finally gave up and was looking to install a custom rom but I don't really like that idea. Turns out that Samsung did once upon a time put out an Android update for my old Galaxy S2X phone. Yeah baby, now I'm updated all the way to Jelly Bean! Like, three versions behind? Or is it four now?
Oh well, at least the battery isn't getting drained super-fast and taking forever to recharge anymore. You guys were all laughing at my tiny phone with its outdated Android, but hey, it cost me nothing when I got it (on a Koodo Tab back when they used 10% of your bill to pay off your Tab, instead of tacking the cost onto your bill), and now I don't have to spend $300+ to buy another phone. Instead, that money's gone to a Margaritaville Margarita Maker ($250 at Costco).
Quote from: Thorin on June 27, 2016, 01:00:34 PM
I'm waiting for Darren to come back and clarify the pricing. But Mel, there's a base monthly cost of $7, and the way I read it, there's a pay-per-use charge up to a maximum charge. And this RFD posting confirms it (check the last quote in post #21): http://forums.redflagdeals.com/telus-canada-wide-corporate-cell-plan-govt-employees-1435742/2/#post18196380.
Yeah that is the one employees can get because they work for Gov. NAIT's plan is different as its the one for NAIT phones, not employees.
Quote from: Thorin on June 27, 2016, 01:00:34 PM
-----
On to something else - after the camping trip my phone was going weird, using lots and lots of battery, like, 5% an hour without being used at all. Two nights ago it went from 100% to 1% in 9.5 hours sitting on my night table doing nothing. At times it would lose 10% per hour while plugged in to the charger.
I traced this back to Google Play Services (the giant tarball of google services on any Android phone), it was keeping the phone awake for some reason. I never did figure out why, I finally gave up and was looking to install a custom rom but I don't really like that idea. Turns out that Samsung did once upon a time put out an Android update for my old Galaxy S2X phone. Yeah baby, now I'm updated all the way to Jelly Bean! Like, three versions behind? Or is it four now?
Oh well, at least the battery isn't getting drained super-fast and taking forever to recharge anymore. You guys were all laughing at my tiny phone with its outdated Android, but hey, it cost me nothing when I got it (on a Koodo Tab back when they used 10% of your bill to pay off your Tab, instead of tacking the cost onto your bill), and now I don't have to spend $300+ to buy another phone. Instead, that money's gone to a Margaritaville Margarita Maker ($250 at Costco).
LOL nice Thorin.
Quote from: Melbosa on June 27, 2016, 01:20:15 PM
Quote from: Thorin on June 27, 2016, 01:00:34 PM
Oh well, at least the battery isn't getting drained super-fast and taking forever to recharge anymore. You guys were all laughing at my tiny phone with its outdated Android, but hey, it cost me nothing when I got it (on a Koodo Tab back when they used 10% of your bill to pay off your Tab, instead of tacking the cost onto your bill), and now I don't have to spend $300+ to buy another phone. Instead, that money's gone to a Margaritaville Margarita Maker ($250 at Costco).
LOL nice Thorin.
Channeling my inner Ust...?
That Play Services thing is like a running gag. It comes back. You can often "fix" it by clearing data in settings for play services. Or do a phone wipe. But newer OS is good.
I'm actually thinking of switching mila to someone else if i can find a good long distance plan to phil/thailand (mostly phil). The signal here is @%&#, and wind's recent upgrades in Edmonton made things /worse/ for a lot of people not better.
Quote from: Tom on June 27, 2016, 02:00:43 PM
I'm actually thinking of switching mila to someone else if i can find a good long distance plan to phil/thailand (mostly phil). The signal here is @%&#, and wind's recent upgrades in Edmonton made things /worse/ for a lot of people not better.
You mean this notice: http://www.windmobile.ca/network-edmonton
Yeah, it's a load of BS. I'm sure they did something, but they fscked it up. It's weird too, in BC and Ontario they posted regular network upgrade notices, but just a single one for Edmonton. It's strange. Maybe they just did a quick tweak that backfired...
I currently have a S6 for testing at work and none of the above Android comments surprise me. I think we will stick to iPhones as our standard.
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
My Nexus 6P has great battery life, lasts me almost 2 full days with regular use and game play.
Quote from: Lazybones on June 27, 2016, 03:23:28 PM
I currently have a S6 for testing at work and none of the above Android comments surprise me. I think we will stick to iPhones as our standard.
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
My daughters have battery life problems with their iPhones (they've had 4S and 5S now) as well. In fact, I was the only one in the house not to have had any problems over the last three years, until now. I went so far as to ask the Easter Bunny to bring Mophie battery cases for their phones so that they could make it through a school day. Both the 4S and 5S will just shut off at recess outside in the winter time, which was the only time they were supposed to be using them.
Quote from: Melbosa on June 27, 2016, 03:26:28 PM
My Nexus 6P has great battery life, lasts me almost 2 full days with regular use and game play.
Yeah, at my lowest depths of despair, I was thinking of either going cheap and getting a Galaxy S5 Neo ($530 outright .. or $15/month x 24 months from Koodo with a $100 gift) or expensive and getting a Nexus 6P ($724 outright .. or $350 + $15/month x 24 months .. or $50 + $21/month x 24 months + have to get a more expensive plan).
The S6 I am testing hit like 50% before noon today. Multiple review rank it as mediocre.
Facebook is a battery hog on both platforms.
Also the iPhone should have a detailed report of battery use under system to indicate what is using it all up Android 5.1.1 seems to have one as well.
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
We've been through the battery usage reports, and have adjusted usage of the phones. Nevertheless, at -15 C their phones had a habit of turning off at 50%+ battery life left. IPhones really don't like the cold, certainly not -15 or lower for 30 or more minutes.
All that said, the phones I wouldn't mind getting as a present are the Galaxy S7 (waterproof but it's too big), the iPhone SE (powerful in a nice small package), or the Nexus 6P (been reading/hearing nothing but good things about it).
In the end, though, getting this old phone working meant that my wife could spend the money on a margarita maker. She said something about it being good to make smoothies for the kids. Yeah right, it's for the kids.
Batteries hate the cold. Always have. You loose a significant fraction of output power.
Well I can say both my wife and I are impressed with our Phones. She has a iPhone 6 and I have the Nexus 6P. Both recommend the phones highly.
Quote from: Tom on June 25, 2016, 10:48:12 AM
I'm betting those CAPs mean hard caps. Use it, and you lose it.
What it means is "you get charged nothing if you don't use this -- but the MAXIMUM you can get charged is "X" for [cap #]".
e.g. The 667MB is the maximum data you can get charged for, on this plan. Use 1667MB and you have the same data charge, not some mysterious unknown charge for the extra 1000MB.
AFAIK anyway (aka that's the reason it's such a great plan, i.e. one of the "benefits" of remaining at GoA)
Quote from: Melbosa on June 26, 2016, 11:02:47 AM
My rates are NAIT are better (half the cost on data) but I'm on NAIT's corporate plan, and I think DD's is the personal phone plan through the GOA. I don't get the Canada wide long distance either.
But as we joke at NAIT, these plans are basically pay as you go with a minimum monthly rate. You still have to buy the phone out right (at least we do at NAIT).
It's probably what Mel is saying -- except I am quite sure there is no charge for items past the listed "cap". THAT'S THE REASON IT'S A DEAL.
Otherwise folks with typical usage would just grab Koodo. Or heck even basic Telus plans.
Quote from: Thorin on June 27, 2016, 01:00:34 PM
I'm waiting for Darren to come back and clarify the pricing. But Mel, there's a base monthly cost of $7, and the way I read it, there's a pay-per-use charge up to a maximum charge. And this RFD posting confirms it (check the last quote in post #21): http://forums.redflagdeals.com/telus-canada-wide-corporate-cell-plan-govt-employees-1435742/2/#post18196380.
Yes, THIS. (AFAIK, from what OTHERS have told me who have this plan.)
And Post #21 @ RFD clinches it:
Quote
This most important part of the contract is this term:
Caps do not prevent further usage for voice, data, text etc, with this offer and any additional usage above the caps is billed at no charge, $0.00. Tethering is included with this offer.
That means the cap is a price cap, not a usage cap
I guess GoA>NAIT in this case. #woot
Quote from: Thorin on June 27, 2016, 01:00:34 PM
I'm waiting for Darren to come back and clarify the pricing. But Mel, there's a base monthly cost of $7, and the way I read it, there's a pay-per-use charge up to a maximum charge. And this RFD posting confirms it (check the last quote in post #21): http://forums.redflagdeals.com/telus-canada-wide-corporate-cell-plan-govt-employees-1435742/2/#post18196380.
-----
On to something else - after the camping trip my phone was going weird, using lots and lots of battery, like, 5% an hour without being used at all. Two nights ago it went from 100% to 1% in 9.5 hours sitting on my night table doing nothing. At times it would lose 10% per hour while plugged in to the charger.
I traced this back to Google Play Services (the giant tarball of google services on any Android phone), it was keeping the phone awake for some reason. I never did figure out why, I finally gave up and was looking to install a custom rom but I don't really like that idea. Turns out that Samsung did once upon a time put out an Android update for my old Galaxy S2X phone. Yeah baby, now I'm updated all the way to Jelly Bean! Like, three versions behind? Or is it four now?
My personal nemesis on my Android cell is "Google Play MUSIC" for some reason certain webpages or apps launch it and the damn thing drains my battery crazy fast (and warms up the phone usually) -- if I notice the warmth or fast drop in power I go to task manager and kill it and I'm fine and the webpage/app is fine. Just frustrating that it happens so often (like a few times per week -- usually when I'm not at home or near a power outlet #MurphysLaw )
Overall my phone battery last really long though, depending on how much screen viewing time. When indoors I reduce brightness to minimum and that helps too. OF COURSE I turned off all "Push Notifications" in any apps, along with any AUTOMATIC updates of apps, both of those will do a lot of "talking" to the web which adds to the drain. Also/especially #FacebookFreeFTW.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on June 28, 2016, 05:15:01 PM
Quote from: Thorin on June 27, 2016, 01:00:34 PM
I'm waiting for Darren to come back and clarify the pricing. But Mel, there's a base monthly cost of $7, and the way I read it, there's a pay-per-use charge up to a maximum charge. And this RFD posting confirms it (check the last quote in post #21): http://forums.redflagdeals.com/telus-canada-wide-corporate-cell-plan-govt-employees-1435742/2/#post18196380.
Yes, THIS. (AFAIK, from what OTHERS have told me who have this plan.)
And Post #21 @ RFD clinches it:
Quote
This most important part of the contract is this term:
Caps do not prevent further usage for voice, data, text etc, with this offer and any additional usage above the caps is billed at no charge, $0.00. Tethering is included with this offer.
That means the cap is a price cap, not a usage cap
I guess GoA>NAIT in this case. #woot
Actually I went back to my Phone guys at NAIT today after this discussion. And ours is as yours DD. You can only be charged to a maximum of $20/month, and then no charge for data over that. So we are the same in that regard (and I stand corrected).
@%&# you both and your cheap phone plans!
Just kidding, but seriously those are good plans. Less than forty bucks for unlimited data and texting and a bunch of minutes...
Yeah, I'd kill for that. That's what I'm basically paying now, but with better coverage.
Just think, on that GoA plan you could install a texting app for texting and Skype for calls and just use mega data. That would cost $7 for the base cost and $20 for the max data, plus $0.44 for E911 and $1.38 GST. $28.82 per month, unlimited data including tethering.
And still making money on that. Makes you wonder about those $70 3GB plans...