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2:48 pm
September 1, 2009
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Hey everyone, new to the board here.
Just got a question that I hope is pretty straightforward. I'm currently in Vancouver and have happily been with Speakout for a year now. In a few days I'll be flying out to Ottawa for university. Now I'm interested in keeping my Vancouver number (for summers when I'm back in Vancouver), and having a separate number for Ottawa (for the school year). How would I go about doing this? Can I just buy a new sim card from SpeakOut and swap the cards whenever I want to swap between Vancouver/Ottawa?
If this does indeed work, will the accounts/sims expire after a certain period without use (eg. my Vancouver account during the school year in Ottawa), even if it's still got airtime on the account?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks a bunch in advance.
3:11 pm
March 15, 2008
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Can I just buy a new sim card from SpeakOut and swap the cards whenever I want to swap between Vancouver/Ottawa?
SO doesn't sell individual SIM cards. You could, however, (a) buy a SIM card from someone on this forum, (b) call SO CS using that SIM, tell them you've moved and ask for a new Ottawa phone number. You`ll have to pay for the SIM card but the phone number change should be free.
Then yes, you could swap SIM cards depending on your location, in order to minimize airtime costs.
will the accounts/sims expire after a certain period without use (eg. my Vancouver account during the school year in Ottawa), even if it's still got airtime on the account?
Yes, your airtime and SIM cards (i.e. phone numbers) will expire unless you add at least $25 of airtime at least once a year. The FAQ provides more details.
7:42 pm
I thought there was something about after 3 months of inactivity, SO disables the SIM and you have to call in to get it reactivated. And I think after another 3 months after that, the SIM card is cancelled and you'll lose your phone number. Can anyone confirm that? I went looking but I can't find it.
8:26 pm
March 15, 2008
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I thought there was something about after 3 months of inactivity, SO disables the SIM and you have to call in to get it reactivated...
As long as you have sufficient airtime to cover monthly 911 fees you can leave your phone powered off until the day your airtime expires.
I went looking but I can't find it.
See our FAQ 13a.
The fineprint in SO's old brochure from a few years ago did say the following but (a) there's nothing like that on their website today nor have I seen that brochure in the stores and (b) I've never heard of anyone losing their phone number in this way. Note too the word I bolded:
Your mobile number may be cancelled if your account has no activity for 120 consecutive days. If this occurs please contact Speak Out WirelessSM Customer Care to establish a new mobile number for your account. Mobile number cancellation does not affect your account balance and expiration. A service activation fee and new wireless phone number may be required to reactivate service.
4:13 pm
August 22, 2009
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Good question Nex. I'm in similar situation and was wondering about my options. I'm home in Toronto for the summer but will be heading out to Kingston soon for school. I sent an email to Askspeakout and asked them: 1) Is there a fee to switch area codes? (2) If I could keep the same number while I switch area codes?
Here is the their (exact) response: According to the attached Long Distance matrix you would want to change it. If you move generally we do not charge to change your number but we look at on a case by case basis dependant upon the customer how often you change etc. You would not be able to retain your current number as you are changing area codes. Call customer service by dialing 611 and they can discuss your options.
Askspeakout
Hope this helps.
9:13 pm
October 21, 2008
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Speakout is perfect for situations like this.
Well, almost perfect, all they have to do is be able to sell SIM cards on their own.
Speakout airtime can last a full year. Buy a SIM card from someone on this forum or buy a new Speakout phone using the current promo and have one SIM for your home area code and one SIM for your school area code. When you visit home you can use your old number (which everyone at home already has) and keep the same number for your school area code, and you can keep that number for the following school year, etc.
Worst case scenerio, after 4 years of school you're left with 2 SIMs, so you can sell one on this forum (assuming Speakout STILL doesn't sell SIMs on their own 4 years from now).
That's a much better idea than constantly changing your area code and phone number and letting EVERYONE know your new number, etc.
9:42 pm
September 1, 2009
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Thanks for the responses, guys
Yeah, it seems Speakout is really convenient and easy to do something like this. Now I've just gotta find someone with a sim card for sale in Ottawa.
8:24 am
March 15, 2008
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Now I've just gotta find someone with a sim card for sale in Ottawa.
Not necessarily in Ottawa. The SIM could be from anywhere in Canada. Once you get it, put it in your phone, call SO CS, tell them you've moved to Ottawa and need a local number. They'll make the change free of charge.
