Communications services

Getting communications services

To get telephone service, you must contact the telephone companies in your area.

You may also want to set up Internet services. These services are offered by many telephone companies as well as private Internet service providers.

Look for telephone and Internet service providers in the yellow pages of your telephone book or dial 411 and ask for this information.

Rent or buy

You can either rent telephones from your telephone company for a monthly fee or you can buy your telephone. Depending on your needs, you may also choose to buy a mobile (cell) phone instead of or in addition to a traditional telephone.

Local and long-distance calling

The cost of making local calls is covered by your monthly service fee, which is added to the cost of renting the telephone.

Long-distance calls are not covered by this monthly fee. Canada is a very large country, so even when you are calling within the same province or city, long-distance charges may apply.

Telephone cards, which can be used to call anywhere from any telephone, including public telephones, can reduce long-distance charges.

Shop for the best price

Many telephone companies offer special plans that can reduce the cost of long-distance calls. Make sure you ask about long-distance fees before you sign a telephone service contract, as some companies offer better deals than others.

Learn more about:

• Renting
• Buying
• Basic services
• Furnishing your home