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Prepaid Reviews

Fido Prepaid Calling Plans

Editor Rating
Overview

Launched in 1996 as Microcell Solutions Inc., Fido is now a subsidiary of Rogers Wireless Inc. They have over 1.3 million subscribers in Canada.

Pros: You can get a very cheap airtime rate if you mostly call on nights and weekends. Free incoming minutes can also keep your bill low.

Cons: Their plans can get confusing, which makes it difficult to figure out which is the best plan for you.



Detailed Provider Information

Plans: Fido offers four different top-up cards. Minutes on the 10 dollar card cost 30 cents each. MInutes on the 20, 30, and 50 dollar cards cost 20 cents each, and evenings and weekends, starting at 7 p.m., cost 5 cents per minute. Fido also offers the option to pay 1 dollar per day for unlimited incoming local calls, with outgoing calls costing 30 cents per minute. There is also the option to pay 1 dollar per day for unlimited evenings and weekends starting at 6 p.m., with weekday calls costing 30 cents per minute.


Customer Service: Fido customer service is available through a toll free number from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, local time. Customer service can also be reached through e-mail.


Credit Check: None


Contract: None


Payment Options: Payment can be made with a prepaid airtime voucher, which can be purchased at many locations nationwide. Credit card payments are also accepted.


Text and Picture Messaging: Text messaging is 15 cents per outgoing message to other Canadian customers. Text messages to the U.S. cost 25 cents. Customers can also buy a daily text messaging package, 30 cents for 10 messages or 50 cents for unlimited messaging. Incoming text messages are free. Picture and video messages are 35 cents per outgoing message. Incoming picture and video messages are also free.


Data Plans: Mobile web is available from Fido for 5 cents per KB a la carte.


Downloadables: Fido has a number of ringtones, graphics, games, and music available for varying prices.


International Calling: International calling is available to a number of countries. Call customer service or visit their website for rates to specific countries.


Roaming Charges: Roaming with Fido prepaid is charged at $2.50 per minute and 40 cents per text message.


Calling Features: Voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and call forwarding are included at no additional charge.


Activation Fee: There is no fee to activate your Fido prepaid phone.


Long Distance: Long distance calls can be made to anywhere in the U.S. or Canada for 30 cents per minute plus normal airtime.


411 Calls: Directory assistance with Fido is available at an additional charge. Call customer service for rates.


Earliest Minute Expiration: The 10, 20, and 30 dollar airtime cards expire in 30 days. The 50 dollar card expires after 60 days.


911 Calls: Calls to 911 are free, but there is a 50 cents monthly 911 service fee charged each month.


Phones: Fido offers some of the newest handsets available on the market. Most of these are flip phones, but there are a few candybars and one smart phone available. Unfortunately, with the prepaid deals, the phones are rather expensive, ranging from $55 to $450.


Some Available Cell Models:

Motorola W233 Renew
Motorola KRZR K1 (shown)
Nokia 2760
Samsung SGH-F266
Sony Ericsson T303A


Coverage Map: View the Fido coverage map

Average User Rating:
NotWoofinHappy
2007/12/06

Fido has all these great commercials on television that tell me how good they are to their customers and how affordable they are. I have found this to be a lie. I have been charged long distance rates for local calls, I have been told that I will be credited. This didn't happen.

I have had to wait anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to receive text messages on occasion.

Fido did not always suck. Before they were bought by Rogers they actually were a great company, despite having a limited coverage area.

The only thing they are good at these days is taking your money.

Call centre takes forever
2008/02/19

Their call centre is definitely understaffed. First call I had to hold for about 30 mins. Called again in a month, and this time I've been holding for 1 hr and 16 mins and still holding... this is just stupid...

tes
2008/02/21

If there were a 0 star Fido would get it. Signed up for 36 months, pay an Extra $16/month for Unlimited text messaging.11 months into contract and a whopping $400 bill for text message overages I discover Fido's UNLIMITED text messaging is not UNLIMITED but now 2500/month. Misled and lied to. Customer service is aphalling - you need to spend hours on hold/neglect and still not get any resolution. I would never recommend FIDO to anyone

dean
2008/03/10

Fido kept adding 'extra' charges, including 'late payment' fees of $30 even though I paid a full month ahead. Once they charged this fee twice in 3 days.
Customer service is useless. If you go with FIDO I hope you double the expected costs.

Cliff
2008/08/31

recent switch from telus because of need for simm chip phone not always the best service but at least you could get ahold of them if you needed to. Tried to access them via their webpage but could not access my account earlier conversation from their rep admitted they were having problems with their web site. Unable to contact and add a feature by phone endless cycle of "press 1 if you want" etc. Eventually gave up and went to their outlet vendor to get him to do it. Unable to access a live voice. The phone works but the service sucks and I am locked into a 3 year contract. I would definately not recommend this company\

bestincanada
2008/09/02

considering the un-competitive Canadian telecommunications market, FIDO is the best and most flexible option in Canada.

primal divine
2008/09/11

Rogers is real the culprit here. I quit Rogers due to constant overbilling disputes, and had to eventually buy out of my contract with them and switched to Fido. Fido went along very nicely until Rogers bought them out a year later. Now I have the same issues with Fido that I had with Rogers. They systematically overbill. If caught they will recredit teh account, but if youpay attention you will discover constant 'errors' in overbilling, always to the company's advantage. Someone ought to investigate them for this. I am sure they are acting illegally.

Ms.baillie
2008/10/20

Disturbingly poor customer service - their system is chronically "down" or having problems - trying to force you into a monthly contract by making prepaid nearly impossible to use. Shame on them.

Jill
2008/12/13

The two latest fido commercials in the dog house? The 1st with the lab is just fine but the second with the border collie is very disturbing. The dog looks miserable and the association with the "chained dog to the doghouse" is a horrible reality for lots of unfortnuate dogs therefore very disturbing to watch. We actually change the channel when that ad comes on.

Sue Stark
2008/12/19

I have had a prepaid fido cell phone for several years now, is there any possibility of getting a new phone upgrade. Bell Mobility did this for my husbands phone.

Eric
2009/01/01

Brutal customer service. Staff are poorly trained. Each time I had a problem, I would have to call customer service multiple times to have it rectify. Network is never available around major phone call days: New Years Eve, Halloween night, etc.

shabana
2009/02/06

I dont like the services when ever I call the customer services I have to hold for about 20 minutes it is very irritating and in conveinence and the customer service rep is not atall friendly and helpful.

123FIDO
2009/03/10

The customer service is the WORST I have ever experienced. WORST! They are terrible at online billing and pretty much organizing/managing anything. Agreed that things took a horrible turn when Rogers took over.

That being said, I think their plans are the cheapest and most flexible. I stay with FIDO only because I know that if I try to port my number I am SURE that the incompetent staff at all of the phone companies will screw it up and I will lose the phone number that I've have for years and use for my business.


switchingfromFido
2009/04/02

I've been a prepaid Fido customer for 10 years. I had some charges that did not belong there but that I was charged for. They have no method for refunding their erroneous charges and were incredibly rude when informing me that I was screwed.
After too many problems that are occurring with greater frequency I'm switching from Fido.
Time to properly train your CSRs and put policies in place to actually help the customer when Fido screws up.

ARGH?!
2009/04/15

WHERE THE FREAK IS THE CSR?! I called at around 6:44 tryin to know why my prepaid rate is messed up told me its closed since its already 9:44 i checked their website and it says (closes at 9pm local time) WTFREAK?!!?

customer service had no energy or whatsoever, very very dull, i work as a csr and this one is just HORRIBLE!

NOONE CAN CALL ME since I have to wait tom. to get this fixed! I wasted $40 for this?!

mona
2009/04/23

Never had any problems for 9 years. The best packages around. Roaming works, texts are fast, and good extra features for pre-paied.

kevin
2009/04/29

absolute crap, you get charged an obscene rate if you pay $10 a month and the customer service is horrid

I spent a whole hour look through their menu on 611 and after an hour I had to use an option that was totally unrelated to my issue to be able to talk to a real person

Fiona
2009/05/04

Wow...even the automated voice is rude! Worst customer service ever.

josh
2009/06/10

i think that saktel phones dont have enough coverage with there phone s

Vera
2009/06/11

I have no complaints,yet, about Fido EXCEPT...there seems to be a problem with their customer service line. There is NO way to get in touch with a human being for one thing and to find a category to get to that human does not exist. Is this their way of making sure no one can fix and concerns with them? On the rare occassion when I do find a human,I tell them how difficult that is. They all tell me they will pass that on to management but the same issue is still there.

amanda
2009/06/20

good staff helpful just don't try to call at x-mas time. Getting a representative on prepaid usually after option no 5.

Mail fraud
2009/06/22

Horrors. When I started their basic monthly plan 2 years ago they immediately charged me $60 for internet usage that wasn't used. So I paid, cancelled internet access and hoped for the best. Every month thereafter I was still charged $75-$660 and had to spend hours waiting for customer (dis)service to get them reversed. If I didn't they cut me off. When I finally threatened to contact the RCMP concerning mail fraud I eventually got a Fido executive begging to fix things, and didn't. In the end I just gave up and switched.

Cara
2009/07/22

Pretty godd service I got a really good deal from a promo on my three year plan though so that my favourite part. I've never had a problem with their customer service either. The only problem I ever had was not getting a new phone because it was damaged because of water damage, but I think that Nokia, not Fido. Also, just so you guys know, if you just press zero and hold it down when your on their customer serivce menu, then you can speak toa representative. This is true with most menus of that sort.

Barry
2009/08/18

Never really had a problem with them for 4 years. Not sure why most others running into problems, but I guess it's always easier to complain than to praise.
Called them (no trouble getting a rep) to change to a plan with no system access, and they added on voicemail, more minutes and fido-to-fido for free. Can't complain about that!

APPLE
2009/08/29

worst CPR. at least, the system access fess are inclusive in plans unlike telus which charges extra. overall, a disappointment..

disgruntleduser
2009/09/06

I ordered an Iphone online on Aug 4 and was guaranteed I will receive the unit on Aug 14 at the latest. My cc got charged on the Aug 5. The unit never arrived and when I called to cancel the order because I can easily get it from a local store, they said it would be impossible and that I would have to wait for the unit to arrive; they just can not now tell me when that is going to happen. What a big SCAM FIDO!!!!

Jim
2009/09/16

The worst with no question

Julie
2009/09/17

I've never had any problems with FIDO, everything works for me.

John
2009/09/23

I like the prepaid service but where is the customer service? I ordered a new phone 3 weeks ago and I still waiting for it!I called them few times and nobody can tell me where is the phone or give a tracking number!!!

rjp
2009/09/24

FIDO GOES ON YOUR CREDIT HISTORY REPORT - DON'T SIGN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BE WARNED, it is in the terms and conditions. It is one way they ensure you pay, or they will ruin your credit history.

Don't know any other provider that does this! IT IS A STANDARD THING FOR EVERYONE WHO SIGNS UP. WTF

cons r us
2009/11/14

the name explains it all actually -10 stars 4 them bunch of rip offs. worsh phone company ever even worse than rogers

OMG
2009/12/11

F*ing horrible customer service. They must be owned by Vonage. Vonage and fido are brutal to work with. Fido needs Rogers to step in and clear s*^t up. Doesnt Rogers own them now? I now know why they have a dog parading on their commercial. The service is dog s&*t. Good rates but terrible service and CSR suck. I could go to the moon and back before they pick up the damn phone to answer my concern. Microcell has very old technology as well. Very slow system on voice commands. That chick cannot understand a word I say and I speak English born in Canada. Do yourself a favor and unlock your phone so you can try another provider. FIDO is BOW WOW...

george
2009/12/17

I brought my own GSM phone and use fido prepaid. It is the only one in town that provided the service. no complaints. but data plan is ridiculous, 5 cents per KB, come on, that just discourages me to do web browsing..

luis gomes
2009/12/20

If Fido is owned by Rogers look out for the biggest rip-offs in your life .Rogers has ripped off millions if not billions with their over billing and other lying ways. Every one needs to cut their cable like I have for 6 years now. If people did what I did Rogers would be dead like it should be. I always use pay as you go its much cheaper if you dont waste time on the phone like an idiot talking about nothing important.

fido sucks
2010/01/05

FIDO IS RIPPPPPPPPPPPP OFFF PERIOD

Adrienne Lawson
2010/01/14

Have been with FIDO for over 12 years & have had no problems.

Sophia
2010/01/20

i have been with fido since the beginning of 2009 and it worked fine for the first couple months, but now it is horrible. Over the past 3 months, at times I have received text messages 1 1/2 hours later than when they were sent, and today 4 hours for one text. I called customer service and the menu was so confusing plus the man told me that he was sorry but the fido network just gets busy from time to time. but then other times my phone works just fine.

del
2010/01/27

looks like fido is ready to screw us again. Fidos prepaid rate is going up to .40 cents a minute for the first 5 mins of your call. thats 33% kick in the nuts. time to change providers. Fido and it's parent Rogers both belong in the dog house.

Tyty
2010/02/24

Fido charges the airtime since the first ring started; it is not when someone answers the phone call.

I called my husband and after 2 rings, he answered the phone. We hang up the phone at 52 seconds, but they charged me 62 seconds (2 minutes for $0.60). They are real big thief. I am going to change the other provider after I finish my airtimes

thanks
2010/03/07

best phone ever never had any problems yet and ive had it for 5 years

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March 10, 2010
Prepaid Reviews U.S.
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