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Hello All,
This is my first post in the Fido community although I've been a Fido customer for years. Recently, I got interested in the Fido Data Plan for Tablets (3 GB for $15/mo) for my Samsung S5 phone (T-Mobile unlocked). Currently, I don't have any plan (neither talk-text nor data) for this phone. I've 2 questions re: this though:
1) Since the SIM is meant for tablets, will it work for my phone? I've gathered mixed answers online so far. Even if it works, do I need a tablet with SIM slot first for activation? How does it work?
2) If it works on S5, will I be able to use apps like Skype, Viber or FB Messenger for incomeing/outgoing calls for free? Or, they will incur extra charges?
My primary usage would be online browsing, facebooking, emails, occasional youtube videos etc, not much into calls & texts. Thanks in advance.
Solved! Go to Solution.
December 2017
Hello @Rossei,
Welcome to the community!
@Rossei wrote:
Hello All,
1) Since the SIM is meant for tablets, will it work for my phone? I've gathered mixed answers online so far. Even if it works, do I need a tablet with SIM slot first for activation? How does it work?
Yes it will work in your phone, you do not need a tablet to activate the service. Just purchase the SIM and activate it and insert it in your phone.
Your phone will also need to have the correct APN settings for Fido you can find that information and how to set it up here.
2) If it works on S5, will I be able to use apps like Skype, Viber or FB Messenger for incomeing/outgoing calls for free? Or, they will incur extra charges?
You can use any apps that requires data and make and receive calls through those apps and it will only use your data.
Keep in mind that the SIM does have an actual phone number and you can make and receive calls over the network and you will incur charges if you, also outgoing text you will be charge but incoming is free.
You can have Fido put a block on all calls and outgoing text messages so that does not happen to you.
Did the policy change recently? I can't use my data only plan sim card on LG G8 ThinQ.
Hi, is there a way to get this plan online?
Hey @Tom177 !
Welcome to the Community.
Since there are specific requirements to be eligible to add a line with a Data Only plan, it's currently not possible to get the plan online.
You can reach out to us through any of our customer service channels and we'll be glad to get you set up.
If I want to block the call and outgoing text message for Data Only Plan, could I call 611 free of charge? Will I be hit with the $10 service call charge?
Hey @Carlsburg!
That's not something you can do via our self-serve options so no fee applies; you can definitely call and have it done for free
In terms of the $10 fee, it only applies for :
I hope that helps! Let us know if you prefer that we send you a PM here on the Community.
My understanding from this related post is that the tablet data only plan also works on smartphone. Can someone please advise if it works on any type of smartphones? Mine is iPhone 6x. I called Fido customer service and was told that it won’t work on smartphones. If I put the SIM card which is issued for the table data plan into my iPhone, I will be charged $1/minute pay-as-you-go rate. Is that true?
Hey there @hyysarah
Welcome to the community
The Data only plan is not indented to be used on a mobile device, which is why we do not offer this plan with cellphones and only tablets. To answer your question, if you do use calling service while on this plan you will be billed $1/minute for each call (which is usually the case when you insert your SIM in a phone).
Charges will also apply for sent text messages, the pay per use rate will vary based on the destination. For a mobile phone within Canada it's $0.25/text and $0.45/text for international mobile phone numbers.
Hope this clarifies, and let us know if you have any questions.
Hi @FidoSaad,
Thanks for the information. So it means the tablet data plan will also work on iPhone. The charge will occur only when using calling/texting service. Please kindly confirm my understanding.
Thanks
Sarah
Hello @Rossei,
Welcome to the community!
@Rossei wrote:
Hello All,
1) Since the SIM is meant for tablets, will it work for my phone? I've gathered mixed answers online so far. Even if it works, do I need a tablet with SIM slot first for activation? How does it work?
Yes it will work in your phone, you do not need a tablet to activate the service. Just purchase the SIM and activate it and insert it in your phone.
Your phone will also need to have the correct APN settings for Fido you can find that information and how to set it up here.
2) If it works on S5, will I be able to use apps like Skype, Viber or FB Messenger for incomeing/outgoing calls for free? Or, they will incur extra charges?
You can use any apps that requires data and make and receive calls through those apps and it will only use your data.
Keep in mind that the SIM does have an actual phone number and you can make and receive calls over the network and you will incur charges if you, also outgoing text you will be charge but incoming is free.
You can have Fido put a block on all calls and outgoing text messages so that does not happen to you.
Hello FidoRachel
I noticed Skype, Viber or FB Messenger for incomeing/outgoing are working, other Application like Fongo/Textnow/Textmeup recently became inoperable on Fido LTE network, (works on my personal WIFI from different ISP)
Is Fido selectively blocking certain internet traffic base on applications?
I believe Canada holds a firm stand on net neutrality and not discriminate internet traffic.
On December 14, 2017, Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development concurred with that policy stating, "We believe that an open and accessible Internet is vital to the free flow of content and information, which, in turn, is vital to our democracy. Freedom, equality, diversity and openness are important values for our government, and we firmly intend to uphold these values."[22]
Please clarify.
Thanks,
Ken
Quoting this section from your reply:
2) If it works on S5, will I be able to use apps like Skype, Viber or FB Messenger for incomeing/outgoing calls for free? Or, they will incur extra charges?
You can use any apps that requires data and make and receive calls through those apps and it will only use your data.
Hey @kmak!
Thanks for reaching out. Fido does not block VoIP service providers on the Fido LTE network.
We'll send you a PM here so we can take a closer look at what's going on there.
Chat soon
Thanks KAPABLE-K for your detailed response. I can go forward buying the SIM now.
What about incoming texts and phone calls? Are they free ?
Hello Xohaib,
Welcome to the community!
In addition to the rates mentioned above, you should note that Long distance is additional 45¢ per minute within Canada. Also, sending MMS to a Canadian wireless customer costs 50¢, while to a US or International wireless customer costs 75¢ (see here).
Hope this helps
Cheers
Quick question:
Is it possible to add unlimited text add-on for $10 to data only plan?
Hey @Ukrop
Yes, the unlimited text message option is compatible with the data only plan
Hope this helps.
Thanks @FidoKenny !
One more question:
I just found out about Value Packs - http://www.fido.ca/web/content/options/valuepacks&cm_sp=Consumer-_-Q2_valuepack_16_EN-_-Shop_main
Do you think it's possible to add this Value Pack to Data-Only plan?
Thanks again!
I will need to confirm this information with our support. I will also need to double check the information about the text messages and make sure that it's compatible with the Data Only plan.
I will get back to you here as soon as I have news on this