Comments on: Purchasing Unlocked Cell Phones in Canada

By: MB190e

MB190e — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:46:00 +0000

After over a month of research and deliberation, my final decision was that all this is way too complex, restrictive and expensive. Judging by some comments here, unlocking seems to be an “iffy” proposition, full of possibilities for being ripped off etc. There is life after cell phones. I’m on a Pay-As-You-Go plan with Rogers and when my account is exhausted, I’m not buying any more time. Why? Because I’ve had my account for over ten years and used my phones (all of them combined) for a total of 37 hours (3.7 hours per year). The other day my car broke down, but there was no coverage in my area in Southern Ontario. Someone stopped and his Koodo phone showed 4 bars and I made my emergency call. (Unfortunateky, Koodo doesn’t offer a phone that I like) I’m already married. I don’t need to marry a cell phone provider. My cell phone is going in the garbage and I’m not getting a new one. The cell providers (as well as satellite TV providers too) can play their games with someone else.

By: Passthesunchips

Passthesunchips — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:36:00 +0000

I want to buy a Blackberry Bold 9900, this phone is available through Telus (my provider) and Bell. My friend is selling hers, and she is with Bell. I already have a Blackberry (pearl) and a SIM card. I know I would have to unlock the phone to set it up with Telus, and according to everyone I’ve talked to (cellular sales tech at Future Shop, tech at The Phone Experts) it is easy to purchase an unlock code from ebay. I looked on ebay and the ones that show up are from the states. I’m just wondering if you could walk me through the process? Or tell me if it won’t work? I don’t want to spend $400 on a fancy paperweight. Any help is appreciated.

By: Rosielynn11

Rosielynn11 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:29:00 +0000

i wish i had found this before buying. bought a telus pay as you go phone, realized they hve shitty service, and now im out 80 buck for the phone. i guess there is no way to do something to switch to like rogers and keep my own phone?

By: billybongjohnny

billybongjohnny — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:06:00 +0000

so I get where your coming from with this blog its truly appreciated as well however in accordance to your blogs step 1, i know my imei # how do i check between carriers and or service providers how do i check the compatibility of my imei # with any of the 3 major service providers in Canada? you never mentioned that portion of the step1???

By: Heidiandwoody

Heidiandwoody — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 19:32:00 +0000

I just purchased the i phone 3G S and their carrier is Rogers. My old cell and data plan are with Bell. How do I unlock it to use with Bell? So far it seems I have to jailbreak to unlock it but I’d rather not jailbreak it.

By: Wazo

Wazo — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:24:13 +0000

Hello Kye, just wanted to say thanks for the info, very very helpful. All the best!

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:41:46 +0000

Great advice, thanks Kye. I read the other posts and some have advised to buy an unlocked phone from the web. I tried this last August with PURE MOBILE and never received the phone, did receive the charge on my VISA. I have been trying ever since to get the money back. My advice DO NOT USE PURE MOBILE. Does anyone have another suggestion for where to buy unlocked phones? I am in Mississauga.
Thanks!

By: Will Kuhlkamp

Will Kuhlkamp — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:42:45 +0000

Are the cell phones Petro Canada sells in conjunction with their plan locked or not?
I think I understand the concept of owning a unlocked phone which I then can use with different Sim Cards when I travel between Canada and the USA. But where do I get a Sim Card for the services like Speak Out or Petro Mobility here in Canada without buying their phone? Or do I have to buy one of their phones with a plan and then get the phone unlocked?

By: chopstks

chopstks — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:41:23 +0000

Just wanted to share my experience. I am a big fan of UNLOCKED GSM phone since 2004. Never wanted to go back to locked phones especially Canada’s carriers are really a big rip-off and there is no freedom of communication and choice as in Asia or Europe. My unlocked phones are always manufacturer-unlocked meaning they have never been locked by carriers and straight from the manufacturer. I always buy them on the internet (local stores do carry them if you know where) and have them shipped to my door. Beware of the custom fees, shipping fees and brokerage fees but it’s worth it. With unlock phones, I can actually save up a lot of money, no contracts and swap SIM cards whenever necessary. Bear in mind that only Rogers and Fido provided SIM card in Toronto, Canada. However, with unlocked GSM phone, I can travel to places in Europe, Asia, Mexico etc and buy a cheap local SIM card. That saves huge money on international and local calls. Plus you have absolute communication freedom. Isn’t what phones are built for? My recent addition was a Windows Mobile manufacturer-unlocked touchscreen GSM smartphone (my preference over iPhone). Just popped in my $10 SIM card and buy prepaid vouchers and I am good to go. For internet connection, I use MS ActiveSync at home or office and Wifi while travelling, no data plan needed at all since I won’t be emailing on the tiny keyboard. I also subscribe to Skype so that I can make cheap international calls whenever I have free Wifi connections at overseas hotels. (Last time I checked, Skype for Windows has been withdrawn but you can still use it if you have the old application). When I need news feed, I subscribe to Tweeters so that they can send text messages to me for free.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:09:00 +0000

Hi Revera,

Thank you for your comment.
This is not an area that I am very familiar with. (i.e. the physical unlocking of devices)
However, i have made a call to one of our colleagues and they will let me know either way.
Can anyone else shed any light here?

Kye