Phone Networks In Canada

There are many wireless phone providers offering several types of service in Canada such as Bell Mobile, MTS, Rogers AT&T wireless, Telus, Saksktel and Virgin Mobile to name a few. Some services provided include voice calls and data via GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and some even offer EDGE 2.75G (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution), 3-G (3rd Generation) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems).

Rogers AT&T began it's network in 2001 and is one of the largest wireless providers in Canada with over 4 million subscribers, and is the parent company of one of the most popular providers, Fido (www.fido.ca). In cooperation with its U.S. AT&T partners, Rogers has been enhancing its network with EDGE technology providing its subscribers with EDGE-capable handsets speeds of 100 kbps up to around 170 kbps. They do boast a 3-G network, but to be considered a 3-G network according to the ITU (International Telecommunications Union), data rates have to be 384kbps or higher. Even though EDGE is a 3-G technology, the Rogers network is in reality a 2.5-G enhancement.

Although traditional land line phone services do still exist, most carriers have followed the trend of VOIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol, and a high-speed, broadband internet connection. This is also referred to as Cable Telephony. Many companies will install the internet connection for you, while some require you have the connection already. In almost every case, these services are identical to traditional land line services with the exception of how 911 and emergency calls are handled. Most have features like Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding and Voice Mail and many others.

Some of the companies offering service are, Vonage, Primus, Yak and local providers like Compton Communications in Ontario that offer plans $20 to $25 a month for basic service up to around $32 to $37 per month, or Videotron in Quebec offering basic services starting at around $16 to $22 a month depending upon the type of internet connection you have. Most have plans that include long distance service and international calling plans.

The Canadian numbering system follows the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and is administered by the Canadian Numbering Administrator, and the Canadian Numbering Administrator Consortium. The Canadian system follows the same guidelines as the United States as well as 17 Caribbean Nations, using ten digit numbers with the countries divided up geographically into area codes, with the prefix 1 or 0 being reserved for assistance or long distance calls. For example, Montreal has area codes 514 and 438, while Toronto has 416 and 617, hence a typical Montreal number would be 514-123-1234.