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Mobile phones, or cell phones, are a crucial part of everyday life in Toronto. Most residents have a cell phone.  Mobile phone plans in Canada tend to be more expensive than plans in Europe. They are similarly priced to plans in the US with an average cost of $50 per month for prepaid plans. Expect to pay fees for any over use of data, minutes, or SMS outside of your plan. Coverage within the city should be good, but you may have some issues outside of the main city.

Providers

There are many options when it comes to selecting a cell phone provider. Here are the major providers in Toronto:

• Bell
• Telus
• Rogers
• Kodoo
• Fido
• Virgin Mobile

Contracts

Mobile phone plans in Canada are complex and constantly changing, with different companies offer different prices and contract terms. Free mobile phones are available on many monthly plans, subject to multi-year contracts. Cell phone contracts are typically 1, 2 or 3-years. If you purchase your mobile phone outright, you may benefit from cheaper rate plans.

To obtain mobile services, visit a local service provider. You will be asked to provide basic contact information, as well as a credit card number or credit history. If you do not have a credit history in Canada you may be required to pay a deposit on your account, or have a co-signer guarantee your account.

There are some basic points you need to consider for choosing the right deal.

• Personal Use: Evaluate how much you use the phone, when, where you are calling, how often you use short message services (SMS), if you use the phone abroad, etc.
• Coverage: Most important if you live in a remote place or regularly using the mobile while traveling in the countryside as most companies offer decent coverage.
• Fees & Rates: Each operator offers several different plans and options. Investigate the plans carefully and evaluate your needs.

Pay As You Go

Prepaid phones offer maximum flexibility. Users pay in advance for credits which are used to make calls. When you need credit you can buy "top-up" cards from news agents, petrol stations and online (as well as directly from the mobile retailer).

Prepaid plans are another option. Plans start at $20/month. Take into consideration these points when picking a card:

• Cost of the purchase of the SIM card itself, which sometimes includes a block of minutes of communication
• Cost of recharging the card
• Connection fees; some operators do not apply connection fees
• Time of the validity to make and to receive calls