• Fixed length contracts
• Open-ended contracts
• Prepaid services

Before you subscribe for cellular phone service, the Office de la protection du consommateur recommends that you evaluate your needs carefully.

Helpful questions

These questions should help you choose a plan that suits your habits and your needs:

• Why do you need a cellular phone?
• What is your budget?
• How many minutes do you think you will use your cellular phone each month?
• Do you expect to use your phone for short calls or long conversations?
• At what time of day do you expect to use your phone most often?
• Will you make local or long distance calls?
• Do you plan to send and receive text messages? How many per month?
• Do you wish to go on the Internet? Do you need a data plan?

Fixed length contracts

If you choose a fixed length contract, you will be bound by an agreement for a fixed period of time, lasting, for example, from 1 to 3 years. During this time, the price of the services cannot be raised. See Amending the contract for further information on this subject.

If you cancel your contract, you may have to pay cancellation fees. Before signing an agreement with a service provider, find out about these fees. They will vary based on whether the carrier provided you with a cellular phone with a discount or not. For more information, see the following pages:

• Cancellation fees: cellular contract with a phone discount;
• Cancellation fees: cellular contract with no phone discount.

If your current service provider offers you a new phone for free or at a discount, this offer is likely contingent on signing a fixed length contract.

Open-ended contracts

If you choose an open-ended contract:

• you will receive a bill each month, but you will not be bound by a contract for a fixed period of time;
• the price of the services may be raised. See Amending the contract for further details;
• you will not normally pay fees if you cancel your agreement.

Prepaid services

You can choose services with prepaid cards. This option may also be called a "prepaid plan" or a "prepaid account". See Prepaid calling cards for more information.