Last August, Jenna and I drove to Somerset Mall in Troy, Michigan to pick up an iPhone. A few weeks later, it was unlocked. Since then, it’s been an amazing phone/iPod/camera/web device. I really love carrying just one device.
But there’s a problem: Mobile data rates in Canada are atrociously high. Unlimited plans (like the one that comes with the iPhone in the US) just don’t exist north of the border. For many, this limits internet connectivity to WiFi hotspots, which sadly, aren’t everywhere, and aren’t always free. This seriously affects the “always-connected” appeal of the iPhone.
But…
If you’re with Fido, and you sign up for the $18 Value Pack, 12 megabytes of data are included per month. “Hah!” you say, “That’s a paltry amount of data.”
Yes, it is. But here’s the thing: if you sign up for the Value Pack, you get unlimited data during the first four months. Not 12 megabytes. Unlimited.
I signed up a few weeks ago on a monthly package (no contract) and it’s working great. I’ve called back several times to confirm that I am indeed signed up for unlimited browsing, and the answer has always been yes.
This is covered quite thoroughly on HowardForums. YMMV, but if you have an iPhone in Canada, and want a data plan, this is the way to go (for a few months, anyway).
Comments 13
Sweet Jesus!
Posted 10 Jan 2008 at 7:02 pm ¶hi dan i got the 18 dollar value pack and the unlock iphone but i cant used the browser cuase it says that i am not subscribe to edge can u show me how to use browser?, i am with fido thank you
Posted 18 Jan 2008 at 1:01 pm ¶You need to go into Settings -> General -> Network -> EDGE and input the following settings:
APN: internet.fido.ca
Username: fido
Password: fido
Make sure you double (or triple check) with Fido that you have unlimited surfing. Otherwise the data plans are insanely expensive.
Posted 18 Jan 2008 at 1:05 pm ¶Did u get your first bill yet? Cause I added this feature and called in 3 times and went to a store and they told me it was unlimted. I also heard that people with this plan still get charged because it considered abusing data usage. Please get back to me
Posted 20 Jan 2008 at 2:38 am ¶I got my first bill after adding this plan. On my plan, anyway, it’s confirmed as unlimited, with no per kilobyte charges.
Posted 20 Jan 2008 at 11:07 am ¶can I une my 7$ ulimited data plan on my Iphone ?
Posted 17 Feb 2008 at 5:29 pm ¶sorry I forgot to tell u than I’m with fido (7$ unlimited data plan)
Posted 17 Feb 2008 at 6:00 pm ¶I”m goin to hook up that fido right now, and if that works, thats awesome. Thanks Dan.
I think i have a solution after the 4 months is up.
Posted 21 Feb 2008 at 4:54 pm ¶What happens after the 4 months?
Posted 24 Mar 2008 at 2:58 am ¶can you use the 7$ unlimited?
@K, after the 4 months, the data rates go back up to standard (http://www.fido.ca/portal/en/domore/options.shtml)
And sadly, no, according to everything I’ve read, the $7 unlimited plan doesn’t apply to the iPhone. It only works with certain Fido-branded handsets.
Posted 24 Mar 2008 at 7:53 am ¶Guys, I am at my tail end of the unlimited plan- ends in April.. anyhow called fido and checked on what my options are for when the unlimited options are up.. well it turns out the best thing I can do is stick with the value pack.. there is a $20 unlimited data value pack ..but…problem is that its NOT unlimited EDGE but rather unlimited WAP which as you know is not for iPhone users.. So looks like we’ll have to keep the EDGE feature turned off and use only when needed.. boooo!
Posted 04 Apr 2008 at 4:16 pm ¶I’ve contacted fido about adding a data plan to my iphone and they know nothing about an $18 value pack. They have a $20 value pack that includes unlimited surfing but nothing about data? Can someone confirm? Also the data plans after based on this link (http://www.fido.ca/portal/en/domore/options.shtml) is this for iphone? Talks about tethered to laptop etc…?
Confused.
Corey
Posted 10 Apr 2008 at 11:33 am ¶@Corey — I think the plan has since been discontinued. I got in at the last possible moment, I think. I’m pretty sure the other plans won’t be unlimited with the iPhone.
Posted 10 Apr 2008 at 8:34 pm ¶Trackbacks & Pingbacks 3
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