Lifestyle: Telecommunication and Internet
Cell phone and internet plans can be pretty expensive in Canada. Let’s explore together some of the providers that we have in BC to help you find the right plans for you and your family.
CELL PHONE PLANS
Major service providers in B.C. offer a 3GB plan that averages around $80+. However, many smaller service providers have the same coverage but offer them better plans.
In Canada, it is now illegal for any cell phone provider to sell SIM-locked phones, meaning that you can bring in a phone from another country and add on a local plan for it. If your phone is locked, you can also go to any provider and have it unlocked for free, however, this may not be applicable to all phones.
Data is expensive, however, Vancouver generally has many free, public wifi hot spots available throughout the city. For the average person, a 3 GB plan is sufficient for their personal usage.
TIPS
Shop around, and compare prices and plans. Most providers may have similar price ranges but due to the increasing number of cell phone providers in BC, there are frequent promotions/deals that happen all year long. Keep an eye out on local forums such as “https://www.redflagdeals.com” or on social media for special specified promotions. If you do not have a phone and need to purchase one once you arrive in Canada, look into special promotions/offers available. Most providers do not offer a two or three-year contract option as most have moved to the “Tab” model. Most 05 - $50 on top of your phone plan each month to pay off the remaining “Tab” which is the retail price of the phone. Please note that sometimes it may actually be less expensive overall to buy out the phone completely rather than opting in for a “Tab” plan. Travel a lot? Most BC phone plans include unlimited texting to North America/International and certain plans will also include unlimited minutes/calls to international numbers as well. Another great thing about BC’s mobile plan providers is their customer retention service. For long-time customers, some mobile providers will offer better plans, discounts, and free upgrades on your phone. Check-in with your provider’s customer service from time to time and ask what they are able to provide, if you do come across a better plan with another service provider you may even get lucky enough to have them match the better offer. If you don’t want to be tied down to a set price for a set amount of data, other options could include prepaid plans or pay-per-use rates.
The larger ISP companies such as Shaw, Telus, and Novus usually have first-time customer promotions and packages available. Our tip would be to keep an eye out for any of the deals that they are offering before looking into other smaller ISP providers.
INTERNET PLANS
Same as for the cell phone plans, you can get access to different internet providers in BC. Here is a sample of some companies.
Surfinternet
Unlimited internet from 79.99 per month for internet service, download speeds up to 25MBS Novus Cable, Fibre Optic internet, Wireless Limited availability, services available for buildings within the greater Vancouver area - check to see if Novus is available at your building here. Teksavvy Cable DSL Fixed Wireless Prices are based on area, check to see if Teksavvy is available in your building here. Telus DSL Fiber Mobile Broadband Starting at 60.00 per month for internet service. Download speeds up to 120 MBS available Distributel Provides Cable or DSL services Starts at 34.00 per month for internet service Offers internet download speeds up to 10 MBS Note 📝
Most service providers in Canada typically require you to provide a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to initiate various processes. Therefore, it’s crucial to obtain your SIN number promptly within your first week of arrival in Canada.
Suggested Prompts
How can consumers determine if a prepaid plan or pay-per-use option would be more cost-effective for their specific usage patterns?
What strategies can customers use to negotiate better deals or discounts with their internet and cell phone providers?
How do the different internet technologies like cable, DSL, satellite, and LTE compare in terms of speed, reliability, and coverage across various regions in BC?
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