I really don't understand why these discount carriers aren't more popular. People complain about high cell phone prices, and there are alternatives to the big three but they only make up a small fraction of subscribers. I am betting it has something to do with subsidized phones by the big three. People don't want to give their iPhone up on a 3 year contract.
I bought a nexus 4 from google outright for $250 and took it to Wind and signed up with no contract. Doesn't get more simple or cheaper than that.
I've had zero issues with Wind, only thing to keep in mind is once you are out of the wind zone, it will cost you to make calls and browse the internet. When I go skiing or something, I actually turn my phone to airplane mode. It's not a big deal once you get used to the idea.
http://www.windmobile.ca/en/pages/st...dcoverage.aspx