newbi question

ok that will do just few days that I try to understand how it's work but I'm confuse in many points:

I have no phone right now
I think that I will prefer pay as you go phone instead of a contract one...
I live in ontario
so here we go:
-which phone I have to look for?
-what is a sim card?
-is it all phone who require a sim card?
-which provider will be good for me ?
-do i will be able to send / receive sms ?
- all provider will charge in minute or sec?


thank you for all your answer you will be able to give me...

have a great day

1. There are so many different phones out there, it all depends on what you want the phone to do other than talking/SMS/email. Some phone can play MP3/Video/Games/Camera/GPS/Browse the net and more .... It also depends on your person taste on the colour and style of the phone.

2. Here is a quick description I found using google:
SIM card or Subscriber Identity Module is a portable memory chip used in some models of cellular telephones. The SIM card makes it easy to switch to a new phone by simply sliding the SIM out of the old phone and into the new one. The SIM holds personal identity information, cell phone number, phone book, text messages and other data. It can be thought of as a mini hard disk that automatically activates the phone into which it is inserted.

3. No, not all types of cell phones needs a SIM card. I believe only non-CDMA phones needs them, but my personal believe is in the future all phone will be using a SIM card.

4. That is a board question, it all depends on what kind of phone usage pattern you (will) have. There are various different phone plans by various providers that covers a wide range of needs. You need to look into each and see which is best for yourself.

5. Yes, most if not all current generation of phones and providers will allow sending and receiving of SMS messages, but some provider will charge for both send and receive and some only charges on sending.

6. Most provider will charge by the minute, but I have seen TV ads for some provider that will charge by the second.

all providers have their cons and pros...but hands down I would have to say fido...they unlimited incoming for pay as you go