Bell mobility vs Rogers wireless

[John Holmes]

I’m coming to the end of a two year cell phone plane with bell mobility and deciding whether to re-new with them or try Rogers.

Quite frankly, I wasn’t very satisfied with bell as the phone which I was using, an Audiovox was really bad in terms of it’s reception. My main concern for a phone is its ability to connect clearly in various locations. I can care less about the camera and other features. I have been given mixed opinions was to what is the better network to go with. Some say Rogers has stronger signals and therefore you get better reception and others say that it depends on the phone you have, and that the one I had was just a lemon.

So I am wondering if anyone whom may have had experience with both Rogers and Bell Cell phones can give me some advice as to which is better in terms of reception.

 

[The Lurker]

Don't know about their service but Rogers uses GSM phones which are the most flexible. If you ever travel, buy a local pre-paid sim card and it becomes a local phone! Bell and Telus use CDMA and only work in those nets that support it. I spent 2500 USD once travelling to SJ for work!!!!

Just my two euros.

 

[PHNINE]

In terms of coverage you have to go with Rogers. Ted Rogers has this area dominated. I have had my Rogers cell phone for well over 6 years now. Always the best service and coverage. Especially if you travel, the Rogers network is the strongest in partnership with other carriers.

 

[billbopper]

It depends on the nerwork and the phone itself. As mentioned earlier, Bell and Telus operate on CDMA network. CDMA is strong in North America and a few other countries like Korea.

GSM used by Rogers and FIDO dominates in Europe and much of the rest of the world. However in other parts of the world GSM operates on different frequencies than North America. While most GSM phones will work anywhere where there is a GSM network, the phones are usually locked by the cell phhone provider (i.e. Rogers) so you cannot use another carrier's SIM card. You need an unlocked GSM phone. If you travel frequently to Europe or Asia, make sure your GSM phone is a triband or quadband phone to take advantage of the different frequencies that GSM uses.

If you do not travel outside North America, it is a mute point. There are as many people who complain about GSM coverage as CDMA coverage. Go to the provider's websites and check out their coverage maps. You might find CDMA covers more rural areas than GSM.

With GSM you can switch phones more easily. A locked Rogers phone can be used only on Rogers. An unlocked GSM phone can be used on any GSM network - Rogers, FIDO etc. if you buy ther other carrier's SIM card

 

[l69norm]

...an Audiovox was really bad in terms of it’s reception....both Rogers and Bell Cell phones can give me some advice as to which is better in terms of reception....

The earlier Audiovox phones had horrible reception. At work, we sent back over 15 Audiovox 8500 flip phones as they were just about unusable. It's suppose to be fixed in later versions (8600). They were replace with Samsungs and Nokias - no more complaints.

It really depends on the signal level where you live and where you expect to use the phone. At work, we used to have both Rogers and Bell. Some people were better on Rogers and visa versa on Bell. You should try both and make a decision based on that. Also see if you are eligible for an employee discount cellular plan like GM or Provincial government

In general, Rogers has bigger overall coverage, but it tends to run thin - lots of holes and dead spots. Bell has less overall coverage, but it's a lot stronger.

This is changing as Rogers and Fido combine networks. In downtown Toronto, Fido had more cell sites than Bell and Rogers put together. Bell and Telus are also sharing cell sites now as well.

Some features are different as well. Bell phones can receive txt messages in the US, but can't send txt. Rogers is suppose to have 2-way txt messages in the US.

 

[Meister]

I switched from Bell to Rogers so that I can use it in Europe. It works great there. I also found that the Rogers signal is much better where I live, 45 minutes away from downtown. Although, I am not sure if that improvement is due to my new phone or the Rogers network.

 

[CapitalGuy]

I hate Bell, but the plan I have with them has no roaming charges anywhere in Canada or the US. So if I'm in Vancouver and call someone else in Vancouver, it's a local call with no extra charges, even though my # is a 613 (Ottawa) number. No other company offers that perk, so I'm with Bell.

 

[Fred Zed]

I’m coming to the end of a two year cell phone plane with bell mobility and deciding whether to re-new with them or try Rogers.

I had was just a lemon.

So I am wondering if anyone whom may have had experience with both Rogers and Bell Cell phones can give me some advice as to which is better in terms of reception.

I find Rogers to be flexible about bill payment. Once in a while I have forgotten to pay my Rogers bill on time. They have never suspended my service. A friend of mine who is with Bell has had their service suspended a couple of times for being a few days late.
I also think that compared to Bell Rogers Customer Service is better (once you get past the voice recognition part, which is a joke, only those with a pure Anglo- Saxon accent can get past that ).

 

[civic82]

I was told........

.....it's the Bell users who can still use their phone during the last MAJOR power outage we had a few years ago.
Then again, you have a lot more to consider........

Do you travel? If yes, GSM=Rogers, have to unlock your phone though. This can be done very easily at places like the Pacific Mall, Markham. Depending on the model, it shouldn't cost a lot. Once it's unlocked, it's good for everywhere in the world.

Like cool phones? Gotta go with Rogers! Bell's phones are so ugly I think twice before using them even at home.

Costs? Consult both companies for their bundled services: internet, home phone, TV, cellular services, family plans, etc. That is if you utilize all of the mentioned services. You get a cheaper price by having them all with the same company. I will definately do that next year when I move into my new house. On top of that, it saves you a lot of hassles on the bill payment charges from different companies.

I think by considering all these, your decision should be crystal clear.

 

[Cobster]

bell sucks.
(trust me, i used to work there)
scam artists even to their own employees
the things we did to the customers...hence i quit.

another thing to add, ask for cell site maps from rogers and check out what kind of reach they have.
imho, i'd go with telus, their service has been amazing for the past 6years i've been with them.
never an issue once.

 

[Hightop]

Telus

Telus now has a new phone the uses both wireless frequencies believe its the A840 cdma and sim chip can be used all over world with Roaming world phone card plus add in the free incoming calls for the extra 10 a month on 3yr contract found it to be best deal. Basic web service on telus is free too as opposed to rogers where they charge for everything

 

[Hard Idle]

CuteCob's right but..

Just go with a re-seller! Bell and Rogers will never "get it" when it comes to service and listening. One a bully allways a bully.

 

[John Holmes]

Thanks

Thanks for all the info... It has helped me with my decision.

 

[A-ROD]

I am with Bell only because the company I work for pays for my phone and they have a contract with them.
Their service is OK... I travel alot all over North America and never seem to have a problem.
They treat their customers like shit though... and their new phone selection sucks. It seems they always have phones in their stores that are in the middle of being obsoleted.
From talking to people, I would go with Rodgers if I had the choice.

 

[JaySS]

I've never had a Bell cellular phone so I can't make a comparison between the two companies. But I've been with Rogers for more than 4 years now and I've never had a service problem with them. I pay my bills on time, never really complained about anything and so I guess I'm in good terms with them. The only problem I had was with a phone I purchased, the Motorola T720. That phone had a lot of bugs, it had poor reception and it was really slow loading up. Motorola phones are a hit or miss anyway but at the time(which was more than 2 years ago) I didn't know any better. The phone I have now is a Samsung P207 and I love it. It looks great, phone reception is good and the phone features are exactly what I was looking for like MP3 ringtones. The only thing that bothers me about the P207 is the battery life. It has a short battery life.

 

[Meister]

and their new phone selection sucks. It seems they always have phones in their stores that are in the middle of being obsoleted.

The problem is that most phone manufacturers bring out their phones for GSM first (bigger market). That's why Rogers is about 8 months ahead in Blackberry versions over Bell.

 

[goalie000]

Has anyone else heard this?
Rogers Cell now displays your Registered Name and your phone number on any phones that have Call Display. Not generally known as far as I know. Just started on Dec 1st.

 

[simontemplar]

Has anyone else heard this?
Rogers Cell now displays your Registered Name and your phone number on any phones that have Call Display. Not generally known as far as I know. Just started on Dec 1st.

Ya, when I phoned the office the other day, they told me my name came up, which it never did before (only my number used to show).

 

[Meister]

I just block my number.

 

[PHNINE]

I still use two cups and a string for my telephoning needs...LOL