Rogers to telus, looking for advice

[kbudgell]

I've been with Rogers for years in Toronto, now living in Newfoundland. Reception is terrible outside the capital city so I'm looking to switch to Telus. Right now I have the following with rogers:

300 mins (6pm eve)
visual voicemail
2500 MMS/SMS
Local my5
6GB data (tethered)

I'm paying $25 (voice) + $30 (data) + $15 (vmail/text) + SAF + 911 etc.
So about $80/month

I'd like to get a similar plan with telus and will gladly sign a new 3 year with them since I'm planning to get an iphone 4 when I switch. I'd like a similar plan to what I have now but I could certainly get by with just 3GB of tethered data and I'd like to spend something closer to $60.

Worst comes to worst I'll take the $60 smartphone plan with 1GB of data, does anyone know if that 1GB can be tethered without extra cost?

My last concern is that so far with Rogers I've been able to upgrade my phone often enough and just renew back to three years. How do upgrades work with Telus? Same deal?

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice you can offer!

[Col]

I can answer the upgrade question at least.

The earliest you can upgrade is 6 months prior to the end of your contract. If you sign a three year contract for the iPhone 4, today, the earliest you can do an upgrade at the discounted price is in February of 2014. I came from Rogers and I do miss the option of upgrading when you want. Living out in the middle of nowhere has its disadvantages.

[kbudgell]

Thanks Col.

That upgrade option is crummier than the cookie monsters bed (audience moans). My understanding is that Bell is not much better. I guess I better plan to enjoy this next iphone for another 2.5 years.

[Col]

Thanks Col.

That upgrade option is crummier than the cookie monsters bed (audience moans). My understanding is that Bell is not much better. I guess I better plan to enjoy this next iphone for another 2.5 years.

Yeah, I know the feeling. I'm trying to get rid of my current contract to get the iPhone 4, and I already know there will be another one next summer. Really burns my arse. Rogers reception around here isn't any better, if it were I would never have left them.

[RightThere]

Tethering is included with the 1GB plan. Data wise, you won't find anything comparable with Telus, but if you can get by with 1 or 2 GB, the rest of your plan wouldn't be an issue to match I'm sure.

And Telus does have earlier renewal options, but 12 months remaining on your contract would be the earliest. Otherwise full price on a new phone.

[Col]

And Telus does have earlier renewal options, but 12 months remaining on your contract would be the earliest. Otherwise full price on a new phone.

Now, when I went in and asked my Telus store on Tuesday, they said 6 months was the earliest!

[RightThere]

Now, when I went in and asked my Telus store on Tuesday, they said 6 months was the earliest!

To get a full discount (3 year renewal price) you need 6 months or less or a really good reason (switching from voicen only to voice and data).

At 12 months, the can offer a partial renewal credit, but not full pop. I was just on the line with L&R today and confirmed it. However I've been with Telus for 12+ years so may not be available to everyone.

[ykz]

To get a full discount (3 year renewal price) you need 6 months or less or a really good reason (switching from voicen only to voice and data).

At 12 months, the can offer a partial renewal credit, but not full pop. I was just on the line with L&R today and confirmed it. However I've been with Telus for 12+ years so may not be available to everyone.

It's easy enough to check renewal options on the My Telus website; it's under "my offers". With 12 months to go, things start to appear, but there's nothing valuable until 6 months and then only if you sign a new 3-year commitment.

As for coverage in NL - I'm not sure if it makes things harder or easier than in Toronto with now 14+ vendors to choose from and more plans and options than I care to count.