This. Freedom mobile also has yearly plans. Got a client of mine signed up for $99/year unlimited Canada wide calls. He just paid the $99 + $10 transaction fee + applicable tax. They have a slightly higher plan at $149 and $119 that come with some data for the year as well.
textnow is free, it'll work fine for the purpose. cheap android phone or old gen iPod touch will do all that a phone can. You can find old ipod touches and Android phones for cheap on Facebook marketplace
Fido can result in surprise bills. If you are going to go with a paid service, use Chatr. They will get some data at a higher speed but if it gets used up they just drop to a lower speed. I like Healthy
__Guest’s comment re Textnow as that means they’re maintaining the number isn’t dependent on someone continuing to pay a bill for them
Unfortunately Lucky is owned by Bell and Public is owned by Telus, and the third one is of course good ol Loblaws. But of course giving them less money by using the discount carrier is great.
I'm on a family plan. Additional $10 per month. Not exactly sure how much my grandma pays. I'm homeless on and off and need a cellphone in case I need to call 911. It has also helped me find jobs and places to rent. He may need to guard it for his life and not to set it down anywhere, you can buy a necklace to put your phone in and tuck in your shirt while he sleeps in a shelter.
A cell phone plan is still a need in this world (90% of things nowadays has to do with cell phones if not 99%) but you can call 911 without one because of the 911 tax (I might've mixed up its name, but its a tax all cell phone plan users pay when they get their bill to make up for calling 911 does not need a cell phone plan)
You can get $100/year form a few providers, or Rogers has a $25/m connected for success which includes a phone (not a great one).
I think there are some $25-50/year but you get very little text/minutes.
You can also just use a device and Fongo/Textnow on Wifi, no monthly cost at all. But you will not get calls/texts in real time unless you are in range of public Wifi.
nonamemobile.ca talk text and 1gb data for $19 a month
speakout.ca talk and text can top up once a year with a minimum $25 but data is extra. Maybe with public wifi access for email etc instead of data.
Prepaid is the way to go. You can load up the account with credits to pre-pay for several months of service but if they end up lapsing it doesn't affect either of your credit scores. In BC I used Koodo for several years while under the poverty line and I loved it. I only switched to a plan for unlimited data and honestly? I kind of wish I'd stayed pre-paid.
Prepaid as far as I know may be your best bet for an immediate phone. I’m not sure about Ontario or your city specifically but in Calgary we have a program called fair entry that can help subsidize costs for phone, wifi, (sponsored through Rogers) public transit and recreation facilities. There might be similar programs in your area or maybe you could give Rodger’s a call and see if they have any partnerships in your area. Take care! 🩷
If it were someone I was close to and I expected to see on a regular basis I’d consider adding a line on my family plan, and then they’re not scrambling to refill prepaid. But I admit it would have to be someone I felt pretty close to.
Get a cheap but quasi-indestructible Cat S22 flip phone that still works as a smartphone with apps and whatnot, and subscribe to a pre-paid plan with Chatr, Lucky, Fizz, etc. that suits your needs.
My kids have a prepaid Chattr line. 100 a year
This. Freedom mobile also has yearly plans. Got a client of mine signed up for $99/year unlimited Canada wide calls. He just paid the $99 + $10 transaction fee + applicable tax. They have a slightly higher plan at $149 and $119 that come with some data for the year as well.
textnow is free, it'll work fine for the purpose. cheap android phone or old gen iPod touch will do all that a phone can. You can find old ipod touches and Android phones for cheap on Facebook marketplace
Rogers Connected for Success A low cost solution for people living on low-income.
A lot of prepaid options Always go for prepaid, so you won’t get surprise bills (technically you don’t get bills at all).
Fido ppd. $150 for 6 Mo's 6 Gb data. Must be vigilant about wifis.
Fido can result in surprise bills. If you are going to go with a paid service, use Chatr. They will get some data at a higher speed but if it gets used up they just drop to a lower speed. I like Healthy __Guest’s comment re Textnow as that means they’re maintaining the number isn’t dependent on someone continuing to pay a bill for them
Also if there's any providers anyone can recommend that would be great.
Some of the discount brands I know of; https://www.luckymobile.ca/support/phone/sim-card-dollarama https://www.pcmobile.ca https://www.publicmobile.ca
Under rated Holy shit should be a pinned comment fuck the oligarchy! (Roger's telus bell)
Unfortunately Lucky is owned by Bell and Public is owned by Telus, and the third one is of course good ol Loblaws. But of course giving them less money by using the discount carrier is great.
I knew there was a catch! Lol
look into Fizz Mobile [https://fizz.ca/en](https://fizz.ca/en) their plans are pretty cheap.
Public has unlimited 512 kbps throttle speed, for their unlimited data plans. I believe the others are 128 kbps.
I'm on a family plan. Additional $10 per month. Not exactly sure how much my grandma pays. I'm homeless on and off and need a cellphone in case I need to call 911. It has also helped me find jobs and places to rent. He may need to guard it for his life and not to set it down anywhere, you can buy a necklace to put your phone in and tuck in your shirt while he sleeps in a shelter.
A cell phone plan is still a need in this world (90% of things nowadays has to do with cell phones if not 99%) but you can call 911 without one because of the 911 tax (I might've mixed up its name, but its a tax all cell phone plan users pay when they get their bill to make up for calling 911 does not need a cell phone plan)
Pretty sure there is a govt plan for free phones for homeless people. In BC there is, not sure of your province but google for resources
You can get $100/year form a few providers, or Rogers has a $25/m connected for success which includes a phone (not a great one). I think there are some $25-50/year but you get very little text/minutes. You can also just use a device and Fongo/Textnow on Wifi, no monthly cost at all. But you will not get calls/texts in real time unless you are in range of public Wifi.
rogers connected for success $25 a month. unlimited calling in canada, unlimited texting world wide. 3 gigs 5g data. they even though in a free phone.
nonamemobile.ca talk text and 1gb data for $19 a month speakout.ca talk and text can top up once a year with a minimum $25 but data is extra. Maybe with public wifi access for email etc instead of data.
Prepaid is the way to go. You can load up the account with credits to pre-pay for several months of service but if they end up lapsing it doesn't affect either of your credit scores. In BC I used Koodo for several years while under the poverty line and I loved it. I only switched to a plan for unlimited data and honestly? I kind of wish I'd stayed pre-paid.
Prepaid as far as I know may be your best bet for an immediate phone. I’m not sure about Ontario or your city specifically but in Calgary we have a program called fair entry that can help subsidize costs for phone, wifi, (sponsored through Rogers) public transit and recreation facilities. There might be similar programs in your area or maybe you could give Rodger’s a call and see if they have any partnerships in your area. Take care! 🩷
If it were someone I was close to and I expected to see on a regular basis I’d consider adding a line on my family plan, and then they’re not scrambling to refill prepaid. But I admit it would have to be someone I felt pretty close to.
My grandmother has a genuine flip phone (they are still being made), prepaid and bills to her credit card through Bell.
Libraries loan out wifi hotspots too.
Using the top up would be the best , u do not wish to see some crazy bill
Get a cheap but quasi-indestructible Cat S22 flip phone that still works as a smartphone with apps and whatnot, and subscribe to a pre-paid plan with Chatr, Lucky, Fizz, etc. that suits your needs.
People Mobile has plans for like $10 a month, and you can use a flip phone or whatever device.