Fido, switch to iPhone

fish2079 · Aug 21st, 2009, 02:12 PM

My 3 years contract with Fido is about to expire, so I figured this might be a good opportunity to get an iPhone 3GS.

Like many of you, I have no need for data plan as I'm still attending university where Wi-Fi is available. So I want to know what's the best strategy to negociate a good deal (preferably 199$ for the phone with my current plan, I have 60$ Fido dollar as buffer room).

My second question is about data fee. I read some posts about disabling VPN, 3G, EDGE with fake ID and password, also I have to call Fido to have them block all data. I have a friend with iPhone 3G who personally confirms these approachs are reliable.

Nonetheless, I'm very paranoid (terrible experience in the past) and want to know whether the phone can still work (no phone, just Wi-Fi, video, etc.) without my SIM card. Worse comes to worst, I'd just rip out the Sim card and put it back into my old phone and use iPhone as a new iTouch (200$ vs 239$, not bad deal).

Any help is appreciated.

dona83 · Aug 21st, 2009, 02:55 PM

$399 for an iPhone 3GS 16GB without a data plan.

You're better off getting an iPod Touch. Wait for the 3rd gen to come out which is rumoured to include a the same camera with video capabilities

johnnydee · Aug 23rd, 2009, 03:21 AM

According to my last call with a Fido rep " no iphones are available without a data plan!"

imactheknife · Aug 23rd, 2009, 07:47 AM

Apple has told thier resellers like Fido that they cannot sell the phones without data plans as thats where apple makes the money back for the cost of the phone. $200 bucks is a great deal, but paying full price ($700) without a plan is expensive!

bshell · Aug 23rd, 2009, 11:22 AM

First make sure you are talking to a customer service rep in Retentions. They have more options in what they can offer you.
I ended up getting offered 200 min + unlimited after 5:00pm with no system access fee or 911 for $17.50/mo. Add to this the $10 iPhone pack which includes call display and visual voice mail. Plus the $25 500MB plan and you've got $52.50 before taxes. Is that too much for a college student? Let me tell you: when you have one of these 3GS marvels
with a data plan it's like having a tricorder. Do it!

fish2079 · Aug 24th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Thank you for replies.

To the post above, your phone plan: 200 minutes plus unlimited after 5:00 for 17:50 is what I have right now, except I signed up for it before they took out the system access fee.

I figured I had to talk to someone from retention. Since my contract expires this December, I suppose Fido will call me a while before that (they already texted me for a deal which I chose to ignore).

As for the 55$/month, frankly, I do think it's too much for me, especially since I'm not earning any money during school semester.

How I envy my friend. He talked to a rep for 2 hours until he got an iphone 3g for a cheap price without a data plan. Sure wish I have his skill.

Either way, I think I'll just wait until Fido makes the first move. If I can't strike a good bargain, I'll just get an iTouch at Boxing Day. Hopefully they'd drop the price by then.

fish2079 · Aug 25th, 2009, 12:49 PM

Thank you for all your replies.

bshell, 52.50$/month before tax is too much for me, especially since I'm not even making any money during school semester.

Since my contract expires at December, I'll just wait for Fido to make the phone call and ask for contract renewal. If that doesn't work, I'll just hope for a good discount on iTouch during boxing day.

fish2079 · Aug 25th, 2009, 01:13 PM

Just read a couple more posts here and there about iPhone 3GS

The more I think about it, the less I want the phone. It's really too much of a hassle. I'm not even sure if my 60 Fido dollars can be used to purchase the phone since it supposedly only applies to the full price of the device (699$)

iPhone 3GS: 299$ - 60 = 239$ + 50$/month
iTouch: 234$

dona83 was right, I should just get an iTouch.

candan9019 · Aug 25th, 2009, 01:20 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by imactheknife
	Apple has told thier resellers like Fido that they cannot sell the phones without data plans as thats where apple makes the money back for the cost of the phone. $200 bucks is a great deal, but paying full price ($700) without a plan is expensive!

I think you mean Rogers, Apple doesn't get any money from the monthly plans anymore (like with the first gen). Rogers pays full price and subsidizes like any other phone.

To the OP I would say it's a good idea to wait, with Bell/Telus switching to HSPA very soon it would be good to see what they are going to offer. A Telus iPhone could be a possibility. Best to stay away from contracts for now, I'm kicking myself for signing with Fido back in June.

fish2079 · Aug 25th, 2009, 01:48 PM

Yep, that's what I figured. More competition = better deals for us (only exception being gas, lol)

I googled around further and found out that once iPhone is activated, it can be used without a sim card (no phone calls, 3G, Edge of course).

So here's my alternative to cheap iTouch:

Manage to get iPhone for 199$ without data add on, keep my old plan
I'll just use my old phone to make calls and use iPhone as an iTouch, hehe.

Aug 21st, 2009, 02:12 PM	#1
fish2079 New Neighbour Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8	Fido, switch to iPhone My 3 years contract with Fido is about to expire, so I figured this might be a good opportunity to get an iPhone 3GS. Like many of you, I have no need for data plan as I'm still attending university where Wi-Fi is available. So I want to know what's the best strategy to negociate a good deal (preferably 199$ for the phone with my current plan, I have 60$ Fido dollar as buffer room). My second question is about data fee. I read some posts about disabling VPN, 3G, EDGE with fake ID and password, also I have to call Fido to have them block all data. I have a friend with iPhone 3G who personally confirms these approachs are reliable. Nonetheless, I'm very paranoid (terrible experience in the past) and want to know whether the phone can still work (no phone, just Wi-Fi, video, etc.) without my SIM card. Worse comes to worst, I'd just rip out the Sim card and put it back into my old phone and use iPhone as a new iTouch (200$ vs 239$, not bad deal). Any help is appreciated.

Aug 21st, 2009, 02:55 PM	#2
dona83 Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mission BC Posts: 5,261	$399 for an iPhone 3GS 16GB without a data plan. You're better off getting an iPod Touch. Wait for the 3rd gen to come out which is rumoured to include a the same camera with video capabilities __________________ eMac G4 1.25Ghz (six years young) - Dell Vostro V13 Intel SU7300 - iPhone 3GS 16 GB Black Fido "There are only two great tragedies in life, one is to lose your heart's desire, the other is to gain it." -George Bernard Shaw.

Aug 23rd, 2009, 07:47 AM	#4
imactheknife Honourable Citizen Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Back In Collingwood.. Posts: 1,890	Apple has told thier resellers like Fido that they cannot sell the phones without data plans as thats where apple makes the money back for the cost of the phone. $200 bucks is a great deal, but paying full price ($700) without a plan is expensive! __________________ My Avatar picture of me is outside the Apple Store at the Fashion show mall in Las Vegas 2003. I use a Core duo 20" Imac and a Core 2 Duo Mac Mini.

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Aug 23rd, 2009, 03:21 AM	#3
johnnydee Full Citizen Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 8ton Posts: 610	According to my last call with a Fido rep " no iphones are available without a data plan!"

Aug 23rd, 2009, 11:22 AM	#5
bshell Full Citizen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 65	First make sure you are talking to a customer service rep in Retentions. They have more options in what they can offer you. I ended up getting offered 200 min + unlimited after 5:00pm with no system access fee or 911 for $17.50/mo. Add to this the $10 iPhone pack which includes call display and visual voice mail. Plus the $25 500MB plan and you've got $52.50 before taxes. Is that too much for a college student? Let me tell you: when you have one of these 3GS marvels with a data plan it's like having a tricorder. Do it!

Aug 24th, 2009, 12:53 PM	#6
fish2079 New Neighbour Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8	Thank you for replies. To the post above, your phone plan: 200 minutes plus unlimited after 5:00 for 17:50 is what I have right now, except I signed up for it before they took out the system access fee. I figured I had to talk to someone from retention. Since my contract expires this December, I suppose Fido will call me a while before that (they already texted me for a deal which I chose to ignore). As for the 55$/month, frankly, I do think it's too much for me, especially since I'm not earning any money during school semester. How I envy my friend. He talked to a rep for 2 hours until he got an iphone 3g for a cheap price without a data plan. Sure wish I have his skill. Either way, I think I'll just wait until Fido makes the first move. If I can't strike a good bargain, I'll just get an iTouch at Boxing Day. Hopefully they'd drop the price by then.

Aug 25th, 2009, 12:49 PM	#7
fish2079 New Neighbour Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8	Thank you for all your replies. bshell, 52.50$/month before tax is too much for me, especially since I'm not even making any money during school semester. Since my contract expires at December, I'll just wait for Fido to make the phone call and ask for contract renewal. If that doesn't work, I'll just hope for a good discount on iTouch during boxing day.

Aug 25th, 2009, 01:13 PM	#8
fish2079 New Neighbour Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8	Just read a couple more posts here and there about iPhone 3GS The more I think about it, the less I want the phone. It's really too much of a hassle. I'm not even sure if my 60 Fido dollars can be used to purchase the phone since it supposedly only applies to the full price of the device (699$) iPhone 3GS: 299$ - 60 = 239$ + 50$/month iTouch: 234$ dona83 was right, I should just get an iTouch.

Aug 25th, 2009, 01:48 PM	#10
fish2079 New Neighbour Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8	Yep, that's what I figured. More competition = better deals for us (only exception being gas, lol) I googled around further and found out that once iPhone is activated, it can be used without a sim card (no phone calls, 3G, Edge of course). So here's my alternative to cheap iTouch: Manage to get iPhone for 199$ without data add on, keep my old plan I'll just use my old phone to make calls and use iPhone as an iTouch, hehe.