Senior Cell Phone Plans and Deals

Are you shopping for a cell phone for a senior? Choose a cell phone plan fit for you with these tips for saving and the most popular plans in Canada.

Cell phones are an essential part of everyday life, and they allow seniors to connect with their friends and family. Many cell phone carriers offer simple cell phone plans that provide less complicated navigation and understanding for our senior citizens. For more tech-savvy seniors, the smartphone offers safety and entertainment on top of the communication aspect. Seniors can learn to access social media, learn to pay bills online, and easily stay connected with their friends through simple text messages.

Getting the best deal for your needs as a senior is especially important if you are on a fixed income. You will want to understand your options and understand your charges to ensure you are not overpaying for service.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Cell Phone and Plan for a Senior

To prepare for choosing the right cell phone and cell phone plan for seniors, you need to know a few things before deciding. Here are a few questions to guide you in your choices. 

1. How are you going to use your phone? Are you planning to use your cellphone strictly for phone calls, or do you plan to stream videos or use the internet? This question helps determine if you will need a simple phone or a smartphone.

2. Do you already have a cell phone? Some people prefer to keep using their current cell phone until it reaches the end of its life. 

3. Do you need a safety package? There are many carriers geared towards seniors that offer safety packages that include fall detection and urgent response.

4. Is a prepaid plan right for you? Prepaid plans are excellent for people on a tighter budget and those who will not use their cell phones as often. 

5. Are you eligible for a veteran discount or low-income plan pricing? You can check with carriers to help determine if they offer discounts, or you may be able to apply for low-income plan pricing through your county.

6. What are the carriers in your area? You want to ensure you choose a cell phone provider that offers vital service in your home to ensure you can always stay connected.

Choosing the Best Phone Plans

When shopping for the best phone plan for your budget, there are three things to keep in mind when you are shopping around. 

• Price – Shop around and compare prices for similar plans that fit your needs

• Features – It is essential to stay connected and have the safety features you need in an emergency. Be sure you are choosing a plan that has the features for you.

• Coverage – Whether you often travel or stay home, you want to ensure the carrier covers the areas and locations you need it the most. 

Popular Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

These popular plans prioritize senior-friendly features and offer a variety of ways to save money while staying connected with your friends and family.

SimplyConnect $45 Smartphone Plan | WhistleOut

– This plan is a more affordable cell phone plan for seniors in Canada and offers 6GB of data. With this plan, you will have national coverage on Rogers’ network. You can save more money by bringing your cell phone and save an additional 10% off your plan or sign a 2-year contract, and they will give you a free phone.

Plans | Cityfone

– This plan is perfect for you if you only plan to talk or text with your loved ones. You can sign up for caller ID to see who is calling you and have a small voicemail. If you bring your own phone, this plan offers a discount of 10%. Cityfone has a lower cost plan for $18 that gives you 150 minutes and 150 text messages if you do not plan to talk much. 

Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $25 Plan with PPU ...

– Get unlimited Canada-Wide minutes and messages with the option to pay for data as needed. You can get a new phone by signing a 2-year contract or bringing your own phone to activate. 

Managing Cell Phone Costs 

Living on a fixed income means you need to stick to a strict budget. When a bill with unexpected charges arises, it can make it hard to catch up for months. Although many carriers offer features to help you stay safe from unexpected fees, you can feel secure knowing you are safe from unexpected expenses if you select the right plan. Here are a few tips to help you save on your cell phone and cell phone bill.

Prepaid – The easiest way to keep your costs low and prevent unexpected fees is to go with a prepaid cell phone plan provider. Many carriers offer prepaid plans that allow you to pay in advance and only pay for what you use. These plans have premium features such as unlimited calling and mobile data to help you find the right plan for you.

Use Old Phones – When you purchase a phone, you can continue to use it for years after your contract ends. There is no need to spend additional money on a new phone if the current phone is working for you just as well.

Avoid Data Overages – If you are on a monthly plan, you want to be aware of your monthly charges to ensure you are staying within your limits to avoid overages. Most carriers are required to alert you by text message when you are close to your limit, and there are ways you can monitor your data usage through the carrier’s app or websites. 

Discount Program - Mobility for Good – Mobility for Good is a program for low-income seniors through Telus that receive (GIS) or Guaranteed Income Supplement benefit with low-cost wireless service. This program provides a $75 discount through Mobile Klinik and provides you with 3GB of shareable data, unlimited talk, and text Canada-wide at a rate of $25 per month.