Rogers (and Fido) Pre-paid Phone Service Ending December 16, 2024

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I saw a few recent posts "hinting" at this, however, I received a text today confirming the following:  I've therefore started this thread on the topic.

1. Rogers (and Fido) Prepaid services will no longer be available after December 16, 2024.

2. I can switch to Rogers (or Fido) (assume Post-paid service) and keep my number

3. I can switch to Chatr Prepaid and keep my number.

They provided a phone number 1-844-235-3766, or say to visit a Rogers retail location...

I just finished pre-paying until July 25, 2025 (so 9 months still to go, value approximately $75).  I also have a balance on my grandfathered anytime plan of about $95.

I guess I'll need to do some research and decide what I'll do and also find out what Rogers will do regarding the $170 or so in "value" that I still have in my Prepaid account.

***Edited Labels***

[Pauly]

The Extension of the Prepaid / Pay As You Go shutdown to feb 20th was probably a recent change by upper management, so perhaps not all call taking reps might have been briefed on the recent change or maybe have not read the updated announcements in their knowledge base yet.

This is some good news as it give the people more time (approximately a little over one month) to use up their remaining airtime balance before the service is shut down for good for ever

I would probably want to use up my airtime too if this was the case.

[ummapapa]

I have a cell phone used for emergencies only, thankfully minimal times.

I top up annually and have a $241.62 balance.

Will this cease on February 20, 2025?

We use land lines in our house and I take the cell phone in our vehicle.

If so, is the money refunded to me?   thanks Barrie

[Pauly · Accepted solution]

Rogers Prepaid (formerly referred to as Pay As You Go) is ending, this has been talked about for several months now. yes you will lose your balance,  but if you migrate to Chatter they might be able to credit you some of your balance

Please my advice is to never keep your pay as you go balance so high, people should have been using up their balance instead of accumulating it for ever.

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@ummapapa wrote:

...is the money refunded to me?   

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The money will not be automatically refunded. If you contact Rogers via the Share a Concern link, you may obtain some sort of credit, as discussed earlier in this thread.

https://www.rogers.com/contact/share-a-concern/

At this point, the prepaid service will end in February, so it's up to you to be proactive since you were notified per post 1 and other posts in this thread.

[fblaine]

Some people, mostly elderly like my mom, have a cell phone to use only if they have an emergency. It makes no sense  to have a monthly plan when they would only use it for a one off emergency purpose. 

[Pauly]

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@fblaine wrote:

Some people, mostly elderly like my mom, have a cell phone to use only if they have an emergency. It makes no sense  to have a monthly plan when they would only use it for a one off emergency purpose. 

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I understand, no one is telling her to get a monthly plan, just because rogers pay as you go is going away does not mean she is out of luck, chatr still offering pay as you go

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@fblaine wrote:

Some people, mostly elderly like my mom, have a cell phone to use only if they have an emergency. It makes no sense  to have a monthly plan when they would only use it for a one off emergency purpose. 

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As mentioned in the post above and also several times in this thread, including post 1, Chatr is available and has inexpensive plans for those wanting a prepaid service.  There are other prepaid services from other providers.  Rogers offers extremely inexpensive postpaid service if you call the number in post 1 of this thread.  Starting at $5/month for the least expensive if coming from Rogers prepaid.

One other thing, if the phone is only needed for a real (911) emergency, any (compatible) phone will dial that without a SIM and without any service for $0/month.