Fido has recently lowered their prices, how do they stack up to Speakout?

Fido's $15/mth plan includes 50 anytime minutes and 50 text messages sent and an unlimited number of texts received. I can't find any mention about a 911 fee, so we'll assume it's included.

How much would that cost with Speakout?

Well, let's assume this person sends about 50 texts and receives around 60 texts. And uses exactly 50 minutes per month. And only buys airtime in the lower amounts so is charged $.25/minute.

50 minutes @ $.25 = $12.50
110 texts sent and received @ $.05 = $5.50
911 fee = $1/mth approx.
Total = $19 of usage

BUT the Speakout client get voicemail and call display (which cost $6 each or $10 together with Fido), so if you would be getting voicemail and call display, Speakout is definitely better.

AND additional airtime minutes cost $.35 with Fido. PLUS you are only charged this with Speakout if you use it, with Fido, this is the flat minimum fee.

What about people who talk a lot in the evenings and weekends? How well does Speakout stack up?

Fido's new $20/mth plan is basically the $15/mth plan with unlimited evenings and weekends. Since this person will be using the phone a bit more, let's assume he gets the $10 voicemail and call display option as well. Total cost – $30/mth.

How much usage would this person get with Speakout? Let's assume he gets the $100 top-up card, so he pays $.20/minute, and his texts are similar to the previous example.

50 daytime minutes @ $.20/min = $10
110 texts @ $.04/text = $4.40 *see note below
911 fee = $.80/mth *see note below
74 evenings and weekend minutes @ $.20/min = $14.80
Total = $30

As long as this person keeps his average evenings and weekend usage to 74minutes per month or less, Speakout is the better deal. If this person uses a lot more evenings and weekends (and spends more than $30/mth on Speakout) then Fido is the way to go.

Note:

* These are the effective rates when purchasing a $75 or $100 top-up card. Due to Speakout grossing-up the amount credited to your account, the effective rate is only 80% of the posted rate.

Note #2: Fido does have one big advantage though, they charge by the second, not the minute. But unless you are paying more than $15/mth with Speakout, or $25/mth and like having call display and voicemail, then Speakout is still the way to go.

Thanks ortron! Usually when people say I stick out they are referring to my stomach, so your comment is very welcome!

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