What does "up to $20 off" mean for the "Bring your own device" deal?

[MPH1006]

I was just given an iPhone 5 (unlocked) and my Telus contract is now up with my old, dead Samsung, so I am going to get a SIM card for the iPhone and move my service to it. I see that there's a deal for "Bring your own device," and since the minimum plan for an iPhone is now $70, am hoping that the discount will mean my bill will be $50 (+tax). I currently pay $53 including tax. BUT... I just noticed that it says "up to $20 off," which makes me nervous. Has anyone done the BYOD thing recently that can tell me more?

[HouseCat]

Hey, I got service not too long ago on a new plan with my own device , so here's how I see it.

In regards to the Your Choice plans. The price for the plan with your own device is a set amount. It only changes depending upon which one you select.  300 local daytime, unlimited local, or unlimited nationwide. (30/35/40)***

The "savings up to 20" bit is in relation to how much you would save if you got a premium smart phone on contract. A premium phone adds 20 to the base price of the plan. A Non premium smartphone only adds 10 onto the base price of the plan.  

I have the middle of the road one, unlimited local calling, for 35 a month. If I did a premium smartphone on contract, that same plan would be 55. non premium smart phone is 45.

***This is a before data add on price. I got the $30 data plan so i pay 65 a month for phone and data.

[tsizzle]

@HouseCat basically hit the nail on the head. To provide a bit more detail, the implied subsidy in the premium plan is $20, not all devices are subsidized by exactly $480 ($20 x 24 months). Some are more, some are less. If its subsidized less than $20, you could theoretically complain if you took one of those devices but are paying for the full $20 premium device. If its subsidized more and therefore in the customers favor, no legal liability. Hence, "up to $20 off".

[Dimo-X]

Hi MPH1006,

As was mentioned by Katt & tsizzle , the short of it is this; If you choose to utilize the phone you currently have then you are eligible for a BYOD discount off of eligible plans. So in a nutshell, "don't get a new subsidized phone, and you'll get a $20 discount off of the plan with your current phone instead)  🙂

[taim]

If I decide to stay with my premium smart phone(not upgrade) with telus and my 3 year contract ends will I get the $20 removed from my plan, would it act like a byod?

[Nighthawk]

It's up to $20 and you'll have to call them to ensure it's added. Once a contact ends, nothing changes. Getting the BYOD discount should be easy to do with a quick call. Just let them know you do not want a new contract at this time, but want the discount.

When my contract ended a year or two ago, I called and got the BYOD discount which was 10%.

[taim]

Thanks

[xray]

The reason you don't automatically switch to a BYOD plan when your contract us up is because it's considered a new plan. TELUS won't (and shouldn't) change your plan without your consent. Note that the current BYOD plan rate applies not the BYOD plan rate from when you got your original subsidized plan. That is, it's $20 off the current plans not $20 off the plan that just ended. 

[taim]

Ya that's understandable, I was on 300mb data until last month when I noticed I'm able to upgrade to 500mb for free(same price). It be nice if telus notified users about these types of things but not change plans automatically. Now I check my telus account frequently for these things.

Thank you telus for the extra 200mb, I'm loving it. 🙂

[xray]

In a perfect world we would always get the best deal all the time without even trying. In a real world we have to put some effort into it and that's fine by me. It pays to be a smart shopper as you found out.

[nester]

Tried to get the monthly 10% off BYOD discount to my out of contract plan today to no avail, they kept wanting to switch me to a BYOD plan. Did something change?

[ET]

Hi @nester, BOYD is a plan by itself which is $20 less than the same plan with a subsidized device. If you have an older plan, you will have to switch plan to get a BOYD. It's a plan not a monthly credit. I hope it helps.

[taim]

@nester they had to switch me to a BYOD plan.