GSM phone/SIMS card/Ontario, CA

[Rose412]

I'm purchasing my first cell phone and I'm researching what are my best options.
Since I live in North Carolina, I'm tentatively planning on getting a unlocked quad-band phone so I can use a Cingular plan in the states, and use a Rogers SIMS card in Ontario.
Is there a more economic option?
Thanks for any info.

[ZaphodB]

It depends on how much you're going to use your phone.

Rogers charge CAD 25 for the card and then I believe CAD 40 in initial service load. Cingular charge 79c per minute standard rate, or for $4 a month you can get a special 59c per minute rate when travelling in Canada (plus 19c per minute long distance when calling Canada from the US).

The point at which it becomes more economical, then, to use a Rogers SIM as opposed to a Cingular phone on "roam" is about 70 minutes a month for the standard Cingular plan and 86 minutes a month for the World Traveler Canada Connect add-on.

Here are the maths:

CAD 65 = USD 55
USD 55 / USD 0.79/min = 69.62 min

CAD 65 = USD 55
USD 55 - USD 4 = USD 51
USD 51 / USD 0.59/min = 86.44 min

This doesn't include taxes or long distance.

Be aware that if you travel at all outside your "home" area in Ontario you'll incur roaming charges on Rogers prepaid, and that it isn't free to call the US from Canada on Rogers prepaid.