phone plan help, canadian in us?????

[jwilliamson]

hi there,

i am a british columbian relocating to washington, seattle for work.

pretty much my entire friends and family network remain in bc, canada, so my calls will be predominantly long-distance at an international level - apart from the new contacts and local phone calls i'll make as i settle in in seattle.

my question is what the heck do i do about getting good phone service that enables me at the best price possible, with good service, to make local seattle calls but numerous international calls to bc, canada.

i am really hoping for the easiest and definately the most cost effective/cheapest possible plan. am i better off on a landline once i am settled or on a mobile cell phone plan? any help is majorly appreciated. thanks so much.

[Reba]

Vonage is a pretty good and inexpensive service as far as home phones go, and I think they work on some mobiles now as well (Blackberry and iPhone touch I think only), with an app download, so I think you have to have a local calling plan with some other company first, dunno it's new. Check out their website. I used to use a Vonage line, until I had to cut some expenses because my hours got cut at work. The service is good, and I was only paying $31 per month for unlimited calling.

I have a Verizon mobile that allows unlimited local and long distance calling all over North America, but I've had the plan for about 6 years now and I'm not sure they still offer this contract.

DO NOT whatever you do get a landline from AT&T or any Bell company! They nickel and dime you to DEATH! and their long distance charges are freakin' inhumane. Even local plans cost more down here in the US than up home in Canada. I don't know what phone companies are up in WA but you're probably best off to look at mobile or VOiP plans first. Most cable companies will do packages with cable, internet and phone, so check them out too.

[rsibley]

Vonage is good if you're looking for a landline. I've been using it for about a year, and it has unlimited calls to USA/Canada for about $30/month. (or, they also have limited minutes for $20/month).

Another option is to use Google voice. I just got a google voice number, and it allows free calls to Canada from any phone you register with the service. For details you can search for "google voice" [sorry, i can't post a direct link].

Richard

[Steven]

If you live in BC I assume you're familiar with Shaw. Comcast offers basically the same thing using the same technology in Seattle, except their prices are usually more competitive.

[MC]

Another option is to use Google voice. I just got a google voice number, and it allows free calls to Canada from any phone you register with the service. For details you can search for "google voice" [sorry, i can't post a direct link].


The only buzz surrounding Google is perhaps its reliability. Gmail was down several times in 2009 due to router issues and business people relying on Google were let down and questioned their integrity. You could remember the old adage: "You get what you pay for." Google is no different but no disrespect intended.

[SueParker]

I will second the Google voice option, or Skype if you will be making most of your calls from home/office.

You can get a Skype number for $30 a year, and unlimited US/Canada calling for $2.99 a month. You need to be at a computer to use it though.

With google voice the number is free, calls to Canada are $0.01 per minute (maybe it's $0.02? I forget, it's cheap) and you can make a call from anywhere, BUT you also have to pay to have a phone. If you plan to have a cell phone anyway and have a good plan, this is probably the way to go. If you will not have a cell phone, or will not be making a lot of calls on it, Skype may be cheaper.