Lost My Telus Cellphone, Time To Switch To GSM? (FIDO/Rogers Advice?)

[Jucius Maximus]

I lost my Telus cellphone recently* so now I need to get a new handset.

*If anyone finds a blue & silver Motorola v262 in Mississauga (Square One area or Heartland) please let me know! :cheesygri

Since we now have number portability, would this be a good time for me to switch to a GSM carrier?

Basically I am looking for something cheap & low volume. I don't make many calls and was on prepaid just topping up $10/month to keep it active and still the prepaid balance is building up.

What is the best option for me?

I just want a simple GSM phone with all world frequencies, excellent RF performance and no camera.

[Kwirky]

7-11 SpeakOut seems good for low use; $100 gets you a years worth of airtime and a cheap phone (or $75 off a better phone).

[Jucius Maximus]

Isn't SpeakOut for the US only?

[downloader]

are you sure you can keep your number? I thought it was just for customers with contracts

[ItemFinder]

Speakout is available in Canada. You can port your number to any carrier of your choosing, but you should be aware you may need to pay early termination fees if you're on a contract.

[Kwirky]

Isn't SpeakOut for the US only?

No, it is in Canada, but the website really doesn't provide much help for Canadian customers. The best source of information on this service would be this thread from the hot deals forum: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401812&highlight=speakout

[Gee]

He stated he wans on Pre-Paid with Telus. No contracts for that. He just lost all the money he banked.

I would definitely go with GSM. It will cost you more to replace the Telus phone. This is the main reason why Belus sucks.

I suggest you get a Fido plan since your use is modest. Pay the monthly. If you really want to save the money, then get Pay As You Go.

[Kwirky]

I would definitely go with GSM. It will cost you more to replace the Telus phone. This is the main reason why Belus sucks.

Not necessarily... check out the Staples clearance thread in Hot Deals, there are a few Telus phones for under $20 (if you can find stock).

[Gee]

I doubt that will be available in Eastern Canada. Telus is HUGE in BC / Alberta.

I guess if they ship, then buying online is an option. But from my experience. Belus will not activate a phone if the ESN was not in their database. Meaning, you cannot use a Bell phone on Telus, even though they use the same technology.

Of course, this is a non issue on GSM.

[ineedaname]

I dunno if you're interested in a contract but my cell phone plan with rogers gives me 250 daytime minutes, free caller id and free weekend/nights

It costs 20 a month and of course system access fee crap.

And of course it comes with a free cell phone or a cheaper one of your choice from the rogers website.

You probably won't b able 2 get the same plan as me but there are similar corporate plans that are floating around.

If you're lucky you can get someone's transfer off of craigslist n stuff.

Or try www.howardforums.com

[jcoltage]

Losing your Telus phone was the best thing that could have happened to you.

Try 7-11 they just added a few new phones to the line up