Cell Phone advice. Looking for cell phone for senior mainly for emergency only.

[morkys]

Looking for a good cell phone to get for a senior who needs a cell phone to have available 99% for emergency purposes only.

Any ideas on the lesser expensive phones/plans etc etc?

thanx

:)

[Digiital]

Ok here is something ALOT of people don't know. Just get any phone, no subscriber needed. All cell phone providers are required to allow people without a sub to dial 911. So as long as you keep the phone charged, you will be able to dial 911.

[morkys]

Understandable, but I want it also for less than catastophic emergencies. Like when friends and family can help and emergency, amlbulance, police and fire aren't necessarily needed. Most people are telling me to get a pay as you go system.

Could somebody suggest the least expensive phone that will meet our needs? Where can I get the least expensive cell phone from?

What are the cheapest plans? Do you have to top them up to keep them active? What are the least expensive carrying costs per month?

[Digiital]

In that case, go for pay as you go.

http://www.geckobeach.com/cellular/intro/pre-paid.asp

[tweakthis]

I recently bought a Virgin cellphone. I l bought the mid-range phone. I love the phone and have been happy with the service.

You can buy minutes for as low as $15 (30 mins) and they are good for 90 days, vs. 30 days at the other cell phone providers I checked out. The coverage area is the same as Bell. If you take the phone on vacation, calls within that area code are charged at the local rate.

virgin mobile canada (http://www.virginmobile.ca/web/switchLang.do;jsessionid=DUKf2wc1za41JlLFz2prGGhe9 LyqWr80GGlyXUVGOQeMQNVhEHSk!2119960774?lang=en)

[StevenC]

Just my 2 cents:
If you have a Rogers family plan, you can add the FireFly for free.

[frostyone]

That geckobeach link has out of date info.
Too bad, it's a good idea.

Bell Prepaid ,somewhat surprisingly, is one of the cheaper ones now.
"30¢/minute for the first 2 minutes, 5¢/minute thereafter - on every call"
http://www.bell.ca/shop/PrsShpWlsRtpPre_Landing.page?subnav=rates

TelusPrepaid ,probably the most expensive, but for $5/month get
"unlimited 5¢/minute local Evening and Weekend calling."
http://www.telusmobility.com/on/services/payandtalk/evenings_and_weekends.shtml
--

I used to use Clearnet for a prepaid travel phone
They were great. Not the cheapest , but the best overall,.. at the time.
Would have been an easy recommendation.
Sadly, they got bought by Telus.
Who promptly started removing all the little things that made Clearnet a great choice.

I would have said stay away from Telus ( that's typical of former Clearnet users) , but paying $5/month for evening and weekend calls isn't bad.

All of these companies are reacting to Virgin's entry into the market.
Most of these changes are recent.

You're gonna have to check each individually for rates.
Check their area coverage first.

Edit:
Forgot, you get to choose the area code so pick it carefully.
That'll be your local area code for billing.