Cheapest way to keep my phone number for 1 year?
 

I'm moving to Japan for up to 1 year and I'm debating keeping my Fido mobile number. What is the cheapest way to accomplish this?

I found a VOIP service called Fongo that would be free and costs $25 to port your number to them. The total cost for 1 year would therefore be $25 (plus the cost of porting it to another mobile carrier when I return to Vancouver).

Is there anything cheaper? I think keeping it with Fido on the cheapest retention plan would cost $10/month?

I don't think it gets much cheaper than $25 for the year. Only other option I can think of is Rogers prepaid $100 for the year but of course that costs much more.
Posted via RS Mobile

You won't find anything cheaper than $25 for the year.

You can try 7-11 Speakout, I believe their credits are good for a year but don't quote me on that

It's true and it cost $25 fill up which is good for 1 year

^ but can you port your number over? Thought it was just a prepaid thing that gives you a random number automatically when you sign up
Posted via RS Mobile

I believe you can, I have had a number of friends use Speakout to port in a number they want to keep before ...

Also if you download the 7-11 app on your phone (for me, it was on Android) and check the coupon deals, they might still have the coupon for a free speakout simcard by just showing the coupon from your phone, I was able to do this last month

Can't they put your account on hold? Whenever I'm out of the country for a month or two I let Rogers know and they just extend my contract for that amount of time.

Once through Fido they offered to put me onto a $10/month plan to 'hold' it, as I called in to cancel. Was cancelling my personal line as I was getting a work phone.

I'd call in and see what they'll do for you.

You're better off transferring to Fido Prepaid (or Rogers for their $100 one). Where you'll actually have $120/$100 in credits to use up. As oppose to $10 with no minutes / data / anything...just to 'hold' your number.