I bought an Android phone

[Eric Battersby]

On Wed, 23 Mar 2011, Mike Kallies wrote:

> On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 4:58 PM, William Park <opengeometry-FFYn/CNdgSA at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> > I'm currently paying Rogers $50/month for cell phone, so I'm looking for a
> > cheaper alternative, either cheaper monthly or pay-as-you-go.
> >
> > If you add Caller-ID, how much would the price be?
>
> I'm a very cheap person.  I'm looking at http://www.speakout7eleven.ca/ .
>
> You have to buy one of their phones, and they don't do number
> portability, but the airtime lasts a year and apparently, they're on
> the Rogers network, so you can drop the SIM into a Rogers phone and it
> will work.  All the extras are included, but as with all
> pay-as-you-go, the $0.25 per-minute price is too high for it to be
> your only phone.
>
> $10/mo apparently also does unlimited web access.  I'm going to give
> it a try, but I have to unlock my current phone to do so.
>
> Oh and rumour has it that you have to go in-person into a 7-11 to buy
> additional airtime.

I have had a 7-11 SpeakOut (SO) pay-as-you-go phone for a few
years now.  The air time lasts a year after from purchase
date.  The minimum purchase amount is $25.
All regular air time is $0.25/min, outgoing texts are $0.10
(unless you get the special text plan).
Air time that is used to check your balance, or to add air
time is free.

It includes (no extra cost) CallerID, Voice Mail, and incoming texts.
You can check your Voice Mail for free from a land line
and they remain around for 5 days.
Air time does not start until pickup.
This phone will not work in the U.S.

The "plan" is simple to figure out.
Check balance; perform operation; check balance.
You need to go into a 7-11 store to purchase air time, so
don't get low in Markham (0 stores?) or Brampton (1 store).
This phone is NOT suitable for undisciplined "cheap" persons.
You need to keep calls short, or decide if you can
wait for a land line.
So, if you speak 3 times per day, 2x1min,1x2min, each day,
that is about $30/month.

Occasionally, they offer discounts which effectively makes air
time cost $0.20/min if you purchase $100.
Typically around December, you can get a free working phone
with a $100 air time purchase.

I don't know if its SIM will work in a Rogers phone.
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