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Canadian Cellphone Market Faces Shakeup

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Link: Cellphone market faces shakeup as new and old players bid $4.25B for spectrum

Well we all knew the Canadian government released a percentage of our bandwith to other companies, here’s the results of yesterday’s auction.

OTTAWA – Canada’s wireless landscape faces a major shakeup over the next year with the potential addition of a national and several regional cellphone providers offering users more services, options and lower charges.

The federal government’s wireless spectrum auction concluded Monday with 15 firms – current and prospective entrants – bidding a surprising $4.25 billion for bandwidth space across the country.

“I think you will see significant changes over the next 12 months,” said Iain Grant of telecommunications consultants the Seaboard Group.

“You will see new players, more choices and for sure lower prices.”

Ok, please please please please please. Pretty please, with sugar on top.

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Posted in Canada | Comments

Fido and I Celebrate our Years Together

Friday, July 18th, 2008

It’s one of those moments you cherish in life, your first kiss, your first car, your 18th birthday, and getting a letter from Fido saying they love you and lets celebrate our years together.

It’s true I’ve been with Fido for awhile, it’s got to be close to 10 years now. I remember that day well that I walked home with my Nokia 5190 (with free silver face plate!) and activated my PAYG account. Ahh the memories.

Sure it’s been a bit of a rocky relationship. There was the time when they accidentally charged me for all my included text messages and I ended up with $300 bill, and the fact that they STILL can’t figure out how to change the name on my account since I got married, and the lack of sensible data. But other then that, it hasn’t been *all* bad.

I knew what this letter contained, it was their discreet way of saying “Your contract is going to expire soon, don’t leave, we beg you, stay with us, please! here’s what we can give you!”

I also knew that if I don’t respond to this one, quite a few more will arrive before my contract expires, but I’m always up for a good offer, so I ripped it open to see what they had.

First of all the generic form letter, (everything from Fido has some sort of dog on it, this one had a golden retriever, in a bow tie, we’re celebrating! Get it!)

“A great offer to celebrate years by your side!”

Awww. Shucks. It almost brought a tear to my eye.

Dear Kristal McMillan,

(see what I mean about not being able to change my name on the account!)

“To celebrate all this time by your side, Fido would like to thank you with an exceptional offer made even more attractive by your FidoDollars!“

I should take a moment to explain FidoDollars, you accumulate them, not sure of the exact rate, but anyway, when it comes time to get a new phone, you can use them to pay for it. You can also buy accessories etc.

Anyway, we continue.

Opt for a new Fido Agreement with this special offer!
> Upgrade to a brand-new phone!
Check out our enclosed brochure for a wide selection of phones and find the one that meets your needs. Plus discover a new experience in mobile technology with Fido’s 3G phones, giving you easy access to content where and when you want it. And don’t forget to use your 9 FidoDollars for an even better deal on your new phone!

07172008280

I took a picture so you all could see I’m not kidding. Ok I know it’s the generic form letter and they just fill in the blanks, but come on now. How SILLY does it look with a little yellow box that says “Get a phone with your FidoDollars! You have 9 Fido Dollars!”

Can someone please find me a phone to buy for $9?

and WOW! NEW 3G technology! What will these inventors come up with next, here I was still using my tin cans and string.

I pulled the aforementioned brochure out of the envelope to see what exciting phones they were offering.

07172008281

Oh dear.

“Select the phone that fits your lifestyle!”

Ummm….

I opened it up anyway, and the following dear readers, is exactly what I found

07172008282

07172008283

07172008284

I know. I know. Pathetic isn’t it? and it doesn’t get any better. (and those are the “after signing the contract” prices) Upon turning page I am introduced to

07172008285

3G! wow.

and then we get into the you know, high class, top of the line stuff.

07172008288

Oooh. Ahhh. Windows Mobile.

07172008289

And wow! 3G! I just can’t contain my excitement.

So really, they can’t offer me a phone that fits my lifestyle. Because what I need is either my N95, or maybe an iPhone (which you notice, they conveniently aren’t offering!) and a sensible data plan.

Oh and not a 3 year contract, (I’m sorry, “Fido Agreement” it sounds nicer.)

I remember back a couple Podcasts ago when Ben and Dan and Jay were talking about how they can’t believe that in Canada they were making people sign up with a 3 year contract to get the iPhone.

Well believe it boys, because you can’t really get less. For anything. If you want to pay a *decent* price for a phone ($0-$100) you’re locked in for 3 years. And sometimes they won’t even offer you the plans without the 36 months as well.

Here’s the proof, for the Razr2 and the JACK (all the other ones were the same, just couldn’t be bothered to take all the pictures)

07172008294

(if you can’t read it, it says “After a $100 credit and a 3-year Fido agreement + Windows Mobile option with a data term for 3 years. $425 without Fido Agreement”)

07172008296

(“After a $100 credit and a 3-year Fido agreement + Surfing option with a data term for 3 years. $500 without Fido Agreement”)

Unfortunately I don’t see very much to celebrate with Fido.

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Posted in Canada | Comments

“Why would you want an iPhone?”

Friday, July 11th, 2008

So I was just sitting here at my “day job”, typing away when one of my colleagues said “why would you even want an iPhone?”

My ears perk up.

“Why do you say that?” I ask.

“Well it’s silly, it’s only 3 gig. iPod’s are more then that, you can’t do much with only 3 gig.”

and I said “No, it’s 8 gig, or 16.”

and got back an “Uhhhh no, it’s not.”

me “yes it is!”

“Ummm no, it says so, right in the name, iPhone 3G.”

Oh dear.

This is the point where I started to bang my head against my desk and then spent the next 15 minutes trying to explain connection speeds, data plans, etc.

It was painful.

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Posted in Canada, iPhone | Comments

Bell & Telus called before Federal Industry Minister

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

There’s a bit of “you better get explaining yourself boys” going on…

Link: thestar.com

OTTAWA—The federal Industry Minister is calling the chiefs of Bell Mobility and Telus to a meeting to explain an “ill-thought out decision” to charge cell phone users for incoming text messages.

Jim Prentice issued a statement saying he doesn’t want to interfere in the operations of two private companies but has “serious concerns” that they will begin charging customers 15 cents for text messages they receive starting next month.

Bell plans to levy the new charge starting Aug. 8. Telus will follow suit Aug. 24.

“I do have a duty as Minister of Industry, when necessary, to protect the interests of the consuming public,” Prentice wrote in a statement. “I believe this was an ill-thought-out decision.”

One of the chief concerns is that cell-phone users, particularly the young, will be charged for spam text messages that they receive.

According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, an average of 45.3-million text messages are sent by Canadians each day.

Spokespeople for the two firms have said that customers can contact them to have charges for spam messages deleted from their bills. Heavy text message users also have the option of signing up for a special plan that could reduce overall costs.

Prentice has sent letters to the chief executives of the two companies asking for a meeting before the new charges come into effect Aug. 8 to explain the decision “with a view to finding a solution that provides the best service to consumers at the best price.”

(Is it wrong that I’m enjoying this? :D

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Posted in Canada | Comments

Rogers caves on iPhone pricing

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

Link: thestar.com – Rogers caves on iPhone pricing

Rogers Communications Inc. has thrown a bone to potential iPhone customers by offering a limited-time promotional data rate plan that should silence complaints about Canadian pricing for the eagerly-anticipated device.

The wireless giant said today it would give iPhone subscribers who sign up before Aug. 31 the option of purchasing a 6-gigabyte data plan for $30 per month in addition to any voice plan.

While that still doesn’t match the unlimited data plans offered in the United States by AT&T Inc., the promotion offers significantly better value than the rate plans Rogers unveiled earlier this month.

Ok getting better! Maybe.

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Posted in Canada, iPhone | Comments

Canadian Apple Stores not selling iPhone

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

After all the cafuffle over the Rogers price plans, and rumours that Apple isn’t happy with Rogers, now comes word that Apple isn’t going to be selling the iPhone in the Apple stores.

Link: Yahoo! – Apple to Rogers on iPhone: you’re on your own

Apple Inc. will not be selling the hotly awaited iPhone in its six Canadian stores when it is released this Friday, leaving Rogers Communications Inc. and its Fido subsidiary to sell the device on their own.

“The iPhone 3G will be available in Canada from Rogers and Fido,” said Simon Atkins, spokesperson for Apple. He declined to elaborate.

They say it’s cause there’s more Rogers store and therefore more accessible…but yeah ok. You can’t sell it in both?

Hmmmm….

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Posted in Canada, iPhone | Comments

Bell & Telus to start charging to receive text messages. – STUPID!

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

RIDICULOUS!

Backwards Canada strikes again, I honestly checked the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st.

Oh my god. I can’t believe it. Things should not be getting worse.

I just heard on the news that Bell & Telus are going to be charging 15 cents to receive a text message.

I CAN’T EVEN TELL YOU HOW LIVID I AM.

This is stupid, beyond stupid, like honestly, I think Fred Flinstone has a better mobile plan than I do. And he has to chisel out his text messages.

I can’t control who sends me a text message, why should I get charged for it?

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

If you happen to have a plan that includes say, 500 text messages a month. The received messages will just eat away at that.

Rogers doesn’t plan on charging to receive messages, honestly I think that’s only because they can’t afford anymore angry customers after the iPhone price plan fiasco.

Their excuse for starting to charge to receive messages? Canadians are sending more now than they used to, so they just can’t afford to keep the current system in place. Canadians sent 369,000 messages when inter-carrier service came to Canada in 2002, and last year they sent 10.1 billion.

DEAR GOD NO! DON’T TELL ME CANADIAN’S ARE USING THIS NEW FANDANGLED TEXT MESSAGING TECHNOLOGY!

I can just see all the mobile providers sat around a table

Mr. Bell
“They’re catching on! We have to figure out how to stop them! I know we’ll charge them more!”

Mr. Rogers “Well we know they’ll pay it! Look at those data plans we’ve had, and our stupid new iPhone plans! They’ll fall for anything!”

Mr. Telus “Tee hee hee”

I’m done, honestly, I’m going to start carrying around two tin cans and a piece of string.

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Posted in Annoying, Canada | Comments

Parental Guidance

Monday, July 7th, 2008

It doesn’t take much for children not to understand their parents. The generation gap is usually more than obvious, especially concerning technology.

I am in that situation. My parents are ok with technology, my Dad can almost program the VCR, and is pretty good with his computer. Mom on the other hand won’t touch it. They don’t understand how people can sit for hours on the Internet.

The thing that baffles me most is their mobile phones. They’re both on PAYG, Mom with Fido and Dad with PC Mobile (our version of Tesco Mobile) but it just doesn’t really make sense to me.

First off, they don’t really need two cell phones. (I know, I know, I’m usually throwing phones at people and yelling at anyone who doesn’t have one, but bear with me)

They are of the “I have my phone in case of an emergency” species, you know the ones. Those who keep the phone in their car/handbag and only ever turn it on if the car breaks down. (Which by the way, annoys the hell out of me every time I try and call my Mom on hers) It made sense for them to have two before, Dad was working 100 km away and in the winter it made sense. But now he’s retired, and they’re down to one car, two cell phones is almost silly, considering they never get used.

Here’s my problem, what I need help with, what I can’t wrap my head around.

Like I said, they’re both on PAYG, Dad buys a $15 refill card from PC mobile. This gets him $15 worth of credit, .20cents a minute, for 30 days. (He could buy a $25 which gives him 60 days, but apparently it makes more sense in the world of parents to be a $15 every 30.)

The problem is, he barely uses the phone. Like I mean barely, once a month if you’re lucky, maybe twice. But every 30 days his credit expires, so, on the 29th day, he has to buy another $15 card.

He currently has $110 worth of credit.

It’s ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. If he misses refilling that account by one day, woooosh! There it all goes. What a waste of money.

Mom isn’t much better, although she uses hers a little more often, but still sits with giant account balances. (Fido only makes you buy a $10 card every 30 days.)

I had this conversation with them the other day when I found out how high their balances were.

(K is me, D is Dad, M is Mom)

K: “So, why don’t you just use it more often, use it up.”

D: “I do, I used it twice last week”

K: “But you still have tons of credit! If you miss refilling that by one day, it’s all gone. GONE! What a waste of money!”

M: “he’s done that before.”

K: “So just use it, like all the time, for every call you make!”

D: “I do use it, I call Mom when she has to come pick me up at the golf course” (which is like once every 2 weeks)

Anyway, at this point I started banging my head against the table and gave up the conversation.

Sure he could use it a lot to use up his credit. But then he’s back in the same boat again after awhile unless he uses it constantly, which he doesn’t.

So what do they do? Is there another option out there for the “emergency”/”occasional” user?

Or are they forever doomed with lots of credit?

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Posted in Annoying, Canada, Mobile | Comments

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