Cellular charges...

[Stoo]

I am a heavy Blackberry user. Each month, I get a bill that runs around $600. I phone Bell, spend an hour or more on the phone, get the bill down a bit by adjusting packages, and then wait until the following month. And then repeat. Last night, I opened my invoice and it was over $700! Part of the problem I suspect is that it's a corporate account, and not a personal one... I am constantly frustrated by Bell when I (for example) increase my minutes package, only to learn that the new package doesn't include long distance... ("Well Sir, your old package did and we grandfathered it, but the new ones don't. But you can add this feature for $60 a month.." sort of bullshit EVERY FREEKIN' MONTH!) Generally, I can get the bill down by $100 in credits, but I have to go through this with them literally every month.

So here's the question: Does anyone know of a supplier that has an "everything" account, that covers tons of time, long distance and data time for a flat rate?

I'm tempted to try Rogers but I often hear that they are even worse than Bell. I don't think I can realistically change to one of the smaller spin-off companies since I need broad coverage.

Any suggestions? (Other than talk less!)

 

[3Tees]

Avoid Rogers. They are horrible. I don't know how many times I've told them to cancel a service and they still keep billing me for it - it's shameful that a Canadian company practices business like this. I mean that "billing error" shit went out the window 20 years ago with most companies.

 

[to-guy69]

With that kind of heavy usage, you may be better off going to an AT&T plan from the US (Data Connect North America or Data Connect Global) which may be cheaper even after the roaming charges.

http://www.wireless.att.com/busines...LinkName=AvailableDataRatePlans&wtLinkLoc=BDY

 

[Stoo]

To-guy, some one suggested that to me once before but the issue there is that clients would need to call a US number to get me I assume. I wonder if you can get a toll-free number on those?

 

[to-guy69]

You could get a North American toll free number and have it terminate (forward) to any cellular number of yours.

http://www.tollfreeforwarding.com/pages/rates.html
Instant Activation, All Features Included, No Hidden Fees, Easy Cancellation

$19.77 includes 250 minutes of call time per month when calls are forwarded to USA/Canada. Additional call time is 7.9 ¢ per minute.

There may be cheaper TF providers with some research.

 

[The Bandit]

Honestly, with those kind of charges, how many minutes do you use a month? And is it "really" necessary(do you have a business?)...how much of it could be done on a land line?

 

[Stoo]

Honestly, with those kind of charges, how many minutes do you use a month? And is it "really" necessary(do you have a business?)...how much of it could be done on a land line?

I do own a business that deals with time-sensitive information and customers hate waiting. I tend to be out of my office most of the time. My biggest complaint isn't that the dollar amount is large, it's just that I have to call them every month to argue since they are constantly changing the plans. If I make a change that they recommend to save money, inevitably it ends up costing me more.

I have better things to do than spend an hour on the phone with them every month. Sadly, I called Rogers today to see what they could offer, and after being transferred three times I ended up hanging up after being put on hold for 10 minutes.

Ugh~