I'm mobile

Oops, sorry to those who clicked on this only to find nothing written on it before! I was going to compose something but somehow clicked the publish button and off it went , into the Internet abyss, a thousand apologies guys.

Now, what was the title about? I'm mobile? Well, have always been mobile... hmmmm.... oh, oh, I know, it's about getting a mobile phone here, or cell phone as they call it in the Americas and Caribbean. It's handphone back in Malaysia and S'pore I think, handy in Germany.. who else can think of different names for mobile phones in different countries, comment below please.

About 2-3 weeks ago, we decided it was time to get a cell phone contract for Mitchell and I. Dave already had one from work, though he's not supposed to use it for personal purposes. Mitchell has started being more independent and has been going off on his own to play with his friends and as we have not met the majority of them, it seemed only sensible and safe that he got his own cell phone.

Off we trotted to Best Buy, the one stop shop where you can compare all the different deals from the different providers, and all the phones that come with the plans. Good on the adverts, excellent in theory, but in reality??? Actually, our experience wasn't quite so bad, we wanted to go with Rogers as they did a good student package and as our cable, tinternet and home phone was already with them, we decided to go with them.

There are only 2 main players in the phone world of Canada. This is the same for home or cell. It's Bell or Rogers and they have the monopoly. Oh, you hear about Telus and Fido but actually they are just subsidiaries of Bell or Rogers. Virgin is here too, as is some other never heard of providers, but coverage is patchy. To be truthful, as I was not planning on going far from Thornhill/ Richmond Hill/Toronto, coverage should not be an issue for me. Still, we opted for Rogers.

Cell phones are pricey here and the contracts no better. Most are about 3 years if you wish to get a smart phone at a discount price. 3 years! Who's cell phone has lasted more than 2?? I ask you. There is option to upgrade, but not for 2 years....here's the deal, you pay for everything. So, let's say you get a student package, for 200 mins talk time, unlimited text messaging, unlimited multimedia, 500 MB data, free evening and weekend calls, all for the lovely price of CAD50 plus tax. Great you say, perfect you think! Then, it dawns upon you, that, a) you pay to receive calls, b) caller display is extra CAD8 a month, c) voicemail is extra CAD 8 a month, but you could combine the two for CAD12 a month. If you want call waiting, another charge....... so, now let's recalculate. 200 minutes of call time, includes calls that your friends make to you. CAD50 +12(for caller display and voicemail) plus 13%tax. Now, it's up to over CAD70 a month. Oh, and overseas texts, not included in the unlimited tax, they are 35c +tax each, or you could buy 25 for CAD4!!! Oh, plus tax, do not forget the tax.... I am so used to paying for things with VAT included, I'm having to adjust. After nearly 3 months here, I've still not got the hang of it. Blame it on my age, can't teach an old dog( could use the B word here, but I won't cause I'm not a B) new tricks.

Moving swiftly along, we got 2 phones, 2 smart phones, I got a touch phone, an Android Sony Xperia X10 and Mitch a Samsung Corby, which he is extremely pleased with. It was 2nd choice as the phone he really wanted was not in stock. Insurance for phone? Does not cover loss or theft! CAD 10 and Cad5 for Mitch's. Time to pay.... ah, you have very little credit history in Canada, just moved here? When, oh when will this stop coming up to haunt us? Rogers requires CAD100 deposit for each phone account, in case you take the phone, leave the country and never come back! ok ok we succumbed, what else could we do. I did have a CAD50 voucher that I used towards the purchase of Mitch's phone and a skin for mine. Some good news there LOL.

All set, all go, ah, wait, must tell you about the one of CAD 35 activation fee for each phone, happy to go ahead? What could I say, Mitch's face lit up like a Christmas tree at the thought of networking on his phone, chat FB, myspace all awaiting...so,.2 hours after entering the shop, we leave with our toys!

I had in the previous month spent about CAD 60 plus tax on my PAYG phone, and thought, time for a new phone, and if I am spending that much, might as well get a contract. Was I wise? Watch this space.... time will tell.

In the meantime, Mitch is loving his phone, it's permanently glued to his ear, till we asked him to try the earpiece, trying to minimise radiation and all that. I am getting used to my touch phone and it's fun, Internet at my fingertips, apps and games to amuse, maps and GPS, weather and news, all at the touch of a finger pad.... unless you're like me, with fat fingers and keep getting the things you don't want!!! Having to go back and try again, but it's getting better all the time.

Toronto was measured as the 8th most expensive city in the world to live in, London came in at 10, and I do believe it's true.... living the life here in Toronto.