Good Time to Go Mobile?

I've had a Telus prepaid plan for awhile...I can still get two months for $50, but it's starting to look like I'm going to run out of minutes.

So my question is, is this at all a good time to go contract? Some of the plans sound reasonable (Telus's are reasonable and Bell is finally getting some reasonable data plans) but with talk of increased competition in the Canadian cell phone market, as well as government reviews of price systems, etc., I'm starting to wonder if things won't be cheaper a year or two down the road.

I don't know if you'll even need to wait years. I'd wait and see what the next couple months brings as far as changes.

Personally, unless you're purchasing a phone, I see no real need to go with contracts anyhow. They generally just mean you're stuck if and when your phone dies. I've never gotten anything but crap service from any cell company once they have you signed onto a contract, and you can't leave without it costing you.

Well you essentially have to sign into at least a 1 year contract to get standard features, from what I can tell. Although I would be purchasing a new smartphone, so a longer contract would be financially benneficial.

But I will hold onto my prepaid for now and see how this business goes. Speaking of which, more news about Mulroney today and the wireless industry. Fishy stuff.

I dredged up some neat stats the other day though.

2006 average cell phone bills (approximate) in...

Denmark: $10
UK: $40
US: $50
Canada: $60

Highest in the world as far as I can tell.

You won't be able to see any new competition until the end of 2008 at the least. The spectrum auction is in May and will probably go on until June. Then new competitors need negotiate with the big 3 telcos on the use of their cell towers and other agreements relating to coverage. Then they need to set up stores or websites and price out plans, etc...

In the short term, I would wait until the iPhone is released because:
1. You might like it
2. If you are waiting for good data plans, the iPhone might force the other telcos to reduce their rates.
3. More EVDO or HSDPA phones will be released.

I've been hearing rumors that the iPhone will be out in Dec or Jan.

Also, if you sign a contract, you will pay system access fees. If you stay prepaid, you don't pay these fees.... at least that is what a Rogers CSR told me.

Yes, if it wasn't for the 'system access' fees of close to $10, I would have gone contract ages ago.

I have yet to see anyone bring out cost comparisons in terms of $/person/sq mile of infrastructure.

Considering how many more people the UK, Denmark, and the US have for each tower area, it seems to be hard to compare.

If you stay prepaid, you get more choice as there are some providers that just do prepaid (ie. Presidents Choice Mobile for CDMA and Petro Canada mobile for GSM). Not only that, you skip system access fees, plus you get free voicemail and call waiting. Options that you would have to pay if you signed contract. Plus you don't have any expensive Early Termination Fees when you want to get out because your competitor has something way better that your current provider cannot match.

If you get a smartphone or any phone that uses data, stay away from Rogers. Period. Actually, regardless of data or not, stay away from Rogers, period. There is a reason that Ted Rogers is the second richest person is Canada... and it's not because customers love his company.

Cheers.

I used to be with Rogers, but then they randomly cut support for my phone.

Telus is much more helpful.