(Edited after Speakout support fixed my Alcatel problem.)

Is the following the best way to maximize this free phone offer?

1) I buy a $100 Speakout voucher at my local 7-11, get the Alcatel 356 for free, and ask for a 416/647 area code number?.
2) Activate using a Toronto store code to get assigned an area code of 416 instead of 905/289?
3) Use up the included 5 minutes of air time within 30 days?
4) Activate the $100 voucher by December 31 to get the free $25 top-up?

Tony said:

It depends what you want to achieve? I don't live in Ontario but I'm guessing 905 is a greater Toronto area code? Why do want a 416/647 number? Is it for business so it looks like you are "based in downtown Toronto"? Or do you have friends in 416/647 so they can have a local number to cal you?

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Many people prefer 416/647 numbers because they have broader local calling area, which I think covers pretty much the whole GTA.
On the other hand, 905/289 numbers are much more limited. For instance, a call between east of Woodbine Ave. and west of Woodbine Ave. is considered long distance, even if it is only across the street. (note: I have switched away from Bell for a couple of years already so not sure if this is still the case.)

Local calling applies between all these area codes:

519/226/416/647/905/289, another reason why I like Speakout.

It depends what you want to achieve? I don't live in Ontario but I'm guessing 905 is a greater Toronto area code? Why do want a 416/647 number? Is it for business so it looks like you are "based in downtown Toronto"? Or do you have friends in 416/647 so they can have a local number to cal you?

Many people prefer 416/647 numbers because they have broader local calling area, which I think covers pretty much the whole GTA.
On the other hand, 905/289 numbers are much more limited. For instance, a call between east of Woodbine Ave. and west of Woodbine Ave. is considered long distance, even if it is only across the street. (note: I have switched away from Bell for a couple of years already so not sure if this is still the case.)

I was sorry to see the unlimited data for $10 a month go, but it really wasn't much use to me anyway. The phone is too small for internet browsing, and the data was very slow. I could complain but really, I am so very happy I have this alternative to dealing with regular cell companies where the $50 a month plan gradually morphs into $80 a month because you have to pay for caller ID, add a text plan, and get dinged for long distance when someone calls you when away from home - and the penalty for going over your data allotment is to worry about all the time.

Hopefully free wifi coverage will grow to the point where I will rarely wish for cellular data. I see in New Zealand the main phoneco is converting all their pay phone booths into wifi hotspots, which service will be reasonably priced.

best you can do is get a 416 number from another telco or VOIP provider, and port the 416 number to Speakout.

Your plan will maximize the $100 offer. The $25 bonus topup may persist after Dec 31 (I don't know). I'd buy the voucher and activate relatively soon so you don't risk losing the slip of paper and out of 365 days, whether you activate now or Dec 31, over the course of a year it's not that big a deal. At the end of a year, if you still have lots of money left on the account, you can just do a $25 topup and extend the balance another year.So in effect for $125 you get 2 years low-use service (your nickname is 905 emergency, so your phone is just for emergencies?) or $62.5/year or roughly $5/month to have a phone for emergencies. Every year you extend an outstanding balance with a $25 topup just brings your average monthly cost down.

1) I buy a $100 Speakout voucher at my local 7-11, get the Alcatel 356 for free, and ask for a 416/647 area code number?.
2) Activate using a Toronto store code to get assigned an area code of 416 instead of 905/289?
3) Use up the included 5 minutes of air time within 30 days?
4) Activate the $100 voucher by December 31 to get the free $25 top-up?

chimpanzee said:

yes. just find one store that has it.

the promo is like this:

if you buy the phone and a 100 voucher, the phone is free. so just find a store that carries it(sometimes it is hard).

you can use the voucher for whatever account you want for the 25 bonus(which is added at the time of refill activation, not when you buy it)

No thanks Mr. Speakout. You have shoot in your foot by inventing this new data plan scam. Thanks not interested in your rotten cookies.

That's OK, I hear what you're saying. Some people just like to talk once in a while and maybe text, it works for them, maybe they can't afford to give up a week's groceries for a phone bill. Peace out.

the promo is like this:

if you buy the phone and a 100 voucher, the phone is free. so just find a store that carries it(sometimes it is hard).

you can use the voucher for whatever account you want for the 25 bonus(which is added at the time of refill activation, not when you buy it)

the free alcatel is when you buy 100 voucher. the 25 extra is when you top up 100. seperate deals.

buy a $100 Top Up voucher and get a $25 Top Up bonus.
also $49 off a phone, new phone available, Huawei Ascend Y215

https://www.speakout7eleven.ca/prepaid-phones-promotions/25-top-up-bonus

This deal also has the free phone Alcatel 356. Question I have is can I claim the free Alcatel 356 phone with a $100 top up voucher but use the voucher to top up my existing SIM on a Samsung phone instead? Or am I restricted to using this $100 voucher on the new SIM that came with the Alcatel 356 SIM?

https://www.speakout7eleven.ca/prepaid-phones-promotions/25-top-up-bonus