Best Cell Phone Plans in Canada: Family Mobile Plans in Ontario

AirVoice Wireless | Jun 21, 2024 | 20-minute read

Introduction to Family Mobile Plans in Ontario

In today’s digital age, finding the right cell phone plan for your family in Ontario, Canada, can be a daunting task. With a myriad of options available, each bundle boasting different features and benefits, navigating through the choices can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve crafted this comprehensive guide to help you discover the best family mobile plans tailored specifically for Ontario residents.

The Appeal of Family Plans

In Ontario, where 88.1% of households own a smartphone, the reliance on these devices for everyday tasks, from keeping in touch with loved ones to managing schedules, has never been more apparent. As families increasingly recognize the importance of staying connected, the demand for tailored mobile solutions that cater to their unique needs is on the rise. In this article, we delve into the landscape of family mobile plans in Ontario, exploring how these offerings address the communication requirements of households across the province while providing cost-effective and convenient solutions for staying connected in today’s fast-paced world. Let’s delve deeper into the several benefits of family plans:

Cost Savings: Family plans typically offer discounts for adding multiple lines to the same account. This can result in significant cost savings compared to individual plans for each family member.
Shared Data: Many family plans allow for data sharing among all members. This means that if one family member uses less than the amount of their data allocation, it can be utilized by another family member who may need more, reducing the likelihood of overage charges.
Convenience: Managing one account for the entire family is more convenient than dealing with multiple individual accounts. It simplifies billing, payments, and account management tasks.
Unlimited Talk and Text: Family plans often include unlimited talk and text, ensuring that family members can stay connected without worrying about exceeding their limits.
Parental Controls: Family plans often come with parental control features, allowing parents to monitor and manage their children’s usage, set restrictions and consent requirements, and block certain content or apps.
Device Discounts: Some carriers offer discounts on new devices when signing up for a family plan, making it more affordable for family members to upgrade their smartphones.
Emergency Connectivity: With everyone on the same plan, family members can easily reach each other in case of emergencies, regardless of their location.
Additional Perks: Many family plans include add-ons such as free subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, discounts on accessories, or priority customer service.

Comparing Prepaid vs. Postpaid Family Plans

In the world of family cell phone plans, there’s an ongoing debate between prepaid and postpaid options. Each has its own unique advantages and considerations. In this comparison, we’ll explore the differences between prepaid and postpaid plans, dissecting their benefits and drawbacks. From flexibility and control over expenses to data allowances and additional perks, we’ll delve into how each type of plan caters to the diverse needs of families in Ontario.

The Flexibility of Prepaid Options

Flexibility: Prepaid family plans offer flexibility as they typically do not require a contract commitment. Users can opt for monthly or pay-as-you-go options without being tied down to a long-term agreement.
Control Over Expenses: With prepaid plans, families have greater control over their expenses as they pay upfront for the services they use. This helps in avoiding unexpected charges or overage fees.
No Credit Checks: Since prepaid plans do not involve credit checks, they are accessible to individuals with varying credit histories, making them suitable for families who may have difficulty qualifying for postpaid plans.
No Surprises: Prepaid plans eliminate surprises on monthly bills, providing clarity on usage and expenditure. This can be advantageous for families on a tight budget or those who prefer predictable expenses.
Limited Features: Prepaid plans may offer fewer features compared to postpaid plans. For instance, they might lack certain perks like device financing or international roaming options.

The Benefits of Committing to Postpaid

Higher Data Allowances: Postpaid family plans often come with higher data allowances, making them suitable for families with heavy data users, multiple devices, or frequent hotspot users.
Device Financing: Postpaid plans typically offer device financing options, allowing family members to upgrade to the latest smartphones with little to no upfront cost. This can be beneficial for families looking to spread out the cost of new devices.
International Roaming: Postpaid plans often include international roaming options, enabling family members to stay connected while traveling abroad without incurring exorbitant roaming charges. Some carriers offer free data roaming around the U.S. and Mexico.
Shared Data: Many postpaid family plans offer shared data pools, allowing family members to share data allowances across multiple lines. This ensures efficient utilization of data and minimizes wastage.
Added Perks: Postpaid plans may come with additional perks such as free subscriptions to streaming services, discounts on accessories, or priority customer service. These extras enhance the overall value proposition of the plan.

Top Picks for the Best Family Mobile Plans in Ontario

Rogers | Best for Data Heavy Families

Rogers offers family plans tailored for data-heavy families, such as Rogers Infinite, providing generous data allowances to meet their needs. With customizable plans and options for shared data, families can efficiently manage their data usage across multiple lines. Additionally, Rogers’ fast and reliable network ensures seamless connectivity, making it ideal for families who rely heavily on data for streaming, gaming, and other online activities.

Telus | Mobility for Good

Telus stands out with its “Mobility for Good” program, which offers discounted family plans to low-income households, seniors, and individuals facing financial hardship. Through this initiative, eligible families can access affordable cell phone plans with essential features like unlimited talk and text, ensuring they stay connected without breaking the bank. Telus’ commitment to social responsibility makes it a top choice for families looking to support a carrier with a positive impact.

Bell | Unlimited Sharing Plans

Bell’s family plans feature unlimited sharing, allowing family members to share data, talk, and text allowances across multiple lines. This flexibility ensures that everyone in the family has access to the resources they need without worrying about overage charges or limitations. Bell Canada’s robust network coverage and reliability further enhance the value proposition, making it a reliable choice for families seeking seamless connectivity.

AirVoice Wireless | Best Value with Flexibility

AirVoice Wireless offers family plans that prioritize value and flexibility, allowing families to customize their plans according to their specific needs and budget. With affordable rates and options for device financing, families can access the latest smartphones without breaking the bank. Additionally, AirVoice Wireless’ partnership with Affirm enables customers to purchase devices with payment installments, adding further flexibility and affordability to their family plans. Also, all AirVoice family plans come with free internationals calls to loved ones overseas in over 80+ countries.

Chatr Mobile | Great Phones with Unlimited Talk

Chatr Mobile excels in providing family plans with great value and simplicity. With unlimited talk and affordable rates, families can stay connected without worrying about minute restrictions. Chatr Mobile also offers a selection of budget-friendly smartphones, making it easy for families to find devices that suit their needs and preferences. With straightforward plans and reliable coverage, Chatr Mobile is a solid choice for families looking for affordability and ease of use.

Planning for Your Family’s New Mobile Plan

Before committing yourself to a new mobile plan, it’s essential to first understand the unique needs and preferences of your family. From determining the number of family members who will be utilizing the plan to analyzing usage patterns and budget constraints, there are various factors to consider. By comprehensively understanding your family’s cell phone requirements, you can make informed decisions when selecting the ideal plan that caters to everyone’s needs.

In this section, we’ll delve into the key considerations to understand your family’s cell phone needs, providing you with valuable insights to guide you through the process of choosing the perfect mobile plan for your family in Ontario.

Factors To Consider in Family Plans

Number of Users: Determine how many family members will be included in the plan.
Usage Patterns: Analyze the data, call, and text usage of each member to select an appropriate plan.
Budget: Consider the family’s financial resources and how much they are willing to spend on the plan.
Coverage: Ensure that the chosen carrier has good network coverage in the areas where family members live, work, and travel.
Features: Look for plan features such as data sharing, parental controls, and international roaming options that align with the family’s needs.
Contract Terms: Decide between contract-based plans, which may offer discounted devices, or no-contract options for more flexibility.
Customer Service: Research the carrier’s reputation for customer service and support.
Additional Perks: Consider any extra benefits such as streaming subscriptions or device discounts that may come with the plan.
Device Compatibility: Ensure that the plan is compatible with the devices owned by family members.
Long-Term Viability: Evaluate whether the chosen plan will meet the family’s needs in the long term, considering factors like data growth and changing usage patterns.

Considering these factors is essential for making an informed decision and ensuring that you choose the most suitable family plan.

Estimating Data Consumption

Estimating your family’s data consumption is pivotal for selecting the right cell phone plan without overspending. Begin by reviewing past bills and checking phone settings to gauge individual usage patterns. Take into account the activities each family member engages in, such as streaming, social media, and gaming, as these impact data consumption differently. Utilize online calculators to estimate the total data needs based on these activities and the number of users. It’s essential to plan for potential growth or changes in usage patterns to avoid unexpected charges or limitations. By following these steps, you can ensure that the chosen plan aligns with your family’s data needs and allotment without paying for excess data.

Understanding your family’s data consumption helps in selecting a suitable cell phone plan. By estimating usage based on past bills, phone settings, and online calculators, you can gauge the amount of data needed for each member’s activities. This approach enables you to choose a plan that offers sufficient data without overpaying, while also considering future growth or changes in usage patterns. Ultimately, estimating data consumption empowers you to make an informed decision and select a plan that meets your family’s needs without unnecessary expenses. Here’s how to check your data usage on iPhone and Android devices:

Checking Your Current Usage on iPhone Devices:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on “Cellular” or “Mobile Data”. It will vary based on your iOS
Scroll down to see your data usage statistics.
You can reset the statistics at the bottom of the page to track your usage for a specific period.

Checking Your Current Usage on Android Devices:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on “Network & Internet” or “Connections”. It will vary based on your device.
Select “Data usage” or a similar option.
You’ll find your data usage statistics, including a breakdown by app.
Set a billing cycle date to track your usage accurately.

Additional Savings and Perks for Ontarian Families

Device Financing and Trade-in Deals

Device financing and trade-in deals are common offerings in family plans provided by carriers in Ontario. These features can help families afford the latest smartphones while also providing opportunities to trade in older devices for credit towards new purchases. When comparing family plans, it’s important to consider these aspects alongside other factors such as pricing and coverage.

Device Financing: Many carriers offer device financing options as part of their family plans. With device financing, families can purchase the latest smartphones and pay for them in monthly installments over a set period, typically ranging from 12 to 36 months. This allows families to spread out the cost of expensive devices over time, making them more affordable and accessible. For example, AirVoice Wireless partners with Affirm to provide this service, enabling customers to enjoy flexible payment options when upgrading their devices.

Trade-in Deals: Trade-in deals are a common feature offered by carriers alongside device financing in family plans, and Rogers is no exception. With trade-in deals, families can exchange their old smartphones for credits towards the purchase of new devices. Rogers often runs trade-in promotions where customers can receive trade-in credits based on factors like the age, condition, and model of the device being traded in. These credits can then be applied towards the cost of upgrading to new smartphones.

Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD)

Bringing your own device (BYOD) is a popular option offered by carriers in family plans, allowing families to use their existing smartphones instead of purchasing new ones. Bringing your own device offers a host of benefits worth considering. BYOD allows you to leverage your existing smartphones, saving you the expense of purchasing new devices and potentially lowering your monthly costs. With BYOD, you retain the familiarity of your current devices, along with your personalized settings and data. This seamless transition to a family plan ensures that you can enjoy the benefits of shared data, unlimited talk and text, and additional features, all while maintaining the devices you know and love.

Bringing your own device (BYOD) to a family plan involves several steps to ensure a smooth transition. By following these steps, you can successfully bring your own device to a family plan, saving money and retaining the familiarity of your existing smartphone. Here’s a general guide on how to BYOD:

Check Compatibility: Ensure your device is compatible with the carrier’s network.
Unlock Your Device: If needed, unlock your device from your current carrier.
Backup Data: Back up your data, including contacts and photos.
Obtain a SIM Card: Get a SIM card from the new carrier.
Activate Your Device: Insert the SIM card and follow activation instructions.
Transfer Your Number: If desired, transfer your phone number to the new carrier.
Test Your Device: Ensure everything is working properly.

Membership Bonuses and Loyalty Rewards

Membership bonuses and loyalty rewards are increasingly common features in family cell phone plans, offering additional value and incentives to customers. Keep your eye out for family plan promotions on their website or social media adverts. Here’s an overview of how these perks typically work:

Membership Bonuses: Some carriers offer special bonuses or discounts to members of certain organizations, such as unions, professional associations, or corporate partners. These bonuses may include discounted plan rates, waived activation fees, or exclusive device offers. By partnering with these organizations, carriers can attract new customers and reward existing ones with valuable benefits.
Loyalty Rewards: Many carriers offer loyalty programs that reward customers for their continued patronage. These rewards may include discounts on monthly bills, free data or minutes, device upgrades, or even exclusive access to events or experiences. Customers typically earn loyalty points or credits based on their length of tenure, monthly spending, or participation in certain promotions. Over time, these rewards can add up and provide significant savings for families on their cell phone bills.

FAQs for Choosing the Best Family Cell Phone Plan

What should I consider when choosing a family plan?

When choosing a family plan, consider factors such as the number of users, usage patterns, budget, coverage, features (such as data sharing and parental controls), contract terms, customer service reputation, and any additional perks or benefits offered by the carrier.

Can family plans include different types of devices?

Yes, family plans can typically include different types of devices, including smartphones, basic phones, tablets, and wearable devices. Each device added to the plan may have its own associated line and monthly fee.

How can I avoid overage charges on a family plan?

To avoid overage charges on a family plan, monitor your usage regularly, consider opting for a plan with unlimited data or generous data allowances, use Wi-Fi whenever possible to conserve cellular data, and set up usage alerts or restrictions to manage data usage more effectively.

How can I add or remove a line from my family plan?

To add or remove a line from your family plan, contact your carrier’s customer service department either by phone, online live chat, or in-store visit. They will assist you with the process, which may involve providing information about the new line or canceling an existing one. Keep in mind that there may be fees, taxes, or contract implications associated with adding or removing lines, so be sure to inquire about any potential charges beforehand.

Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily AirVoice Wireless. Staff authors are listed here