Posts Tagged ‘Telus’

It’s ok, really, Canadians have a choice. We swear!

Friday, August 8th, 2008

I just read this on the Star and seriously almost spit the water I was drinking out.

Today is the first day of Bell charging to receive incoming messages, Telus starts on the 24th. As I’ve reported earlier, both companies were called in front of the Federal Industry minister to explain themselves, which they now have, and the the Minister, Jim Prentice has said the companies have assured him that they’ll reverse the charges for spam messages. Ok fine. Never mind just the unwanted ones your friend Sally sends you, you can’t get out of those.

But anyway,

Here is the absolutely most ridiculous uninformed thing I’ve ever heard out of a Canadian government official (and there has been some doozies in the past)

and I quote:

“I would encourage consumers dissatisfied with existing plans to seek alternatives,” Prentice said in a release.

“The telecommunications market in Canada is dynamic – choice is available.”

Pffffffffffffff. (Imagine water spitting out of mouth at this point) Are you flipping kidding me?

Ok so, you’re on Bell, big mean Bell is charging you now for your text messages. I know! I’ll go to Telus! Ok well, they’re going to start charging to, so they’re out. So with this dynamic telecommunications market, my choice is now…. Rogers.

Yup that’s it friends, you’ve got nothing else.

But what about the others? Sit down dear reader for a brief lesson in the Canadian mobile industry

You have Bell, Telus and Rogers.

“oooh! ooh! but what about Fido Ms. London?”

Well little Timmy, they’re owned by Rogers.

“oooh! but there’s Solo mobile!”

You’re right Susie, but they’re owned by Bell.

“I know I know! There’s the new one! Koodo!”

Ahh yes Bobby, but (as much as they try and keep it quiet) they’re owned by Telus.

True you have Virgin and PC Mobile, and they’re basically PAYG, but both of those use Bell’s infrastructure, so they’re still making some money off it.

I just can’t get over how much choice I have.

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Posted in Canada | Comments

Telus Strikes Again

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

Just got forwarded this by the husband, he got it from his boss.

Guys,

Just went to check my phone plan (I’m pissed at Telus, but that’s another story) and while at it checked to see if we would be charged for text messages once they started charging later in the month - we would be. So, I have had them disable text messaging on all our phones. This will not affect e-mail which is separate.

If disabling text messaging is a problem for you please let me know. However, keep in mind it will cost an extra $30 or so per phone to get it.

As Ewan would say, Ohhh dear.

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Posted in Canada | Comments

Bell, Telus face class action lawsuit

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Link: thestar.com - Bell, Telus face class action over texting fee

Well here’s one for the “You could see that coming a mile away” category…

MONTREAL – Two of Canada’s cellphone giants are being served with another a class action lawsuit in Quebec over plans to charge customers for incoming text messages.

A Montreal law firm has filed its second class action suit in two weeks, this time against both Bell Mobility Inc. (TSX: BCE) and Telus Communications Inc. (TSX: T), on behalf of a Quebec man.

Eric Cormier, a Bell Mobility subscriber for the past decade, initiated the suit saying both companies are acting illegally by unilaterally changing the terms of cellular contracts with their clients.

Both cellphone companies have announced plans to charge customers 15 cents per incoming text message, with Bell introducing the charge on Aug. 8 and Telus on Aug. 24.

The law firm of Saint-Pierre Grenier filed a separate class action lawsuit against Telus on July 14.

Until now, incoming text messages have not been subject to charges.

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Posted in Canada | 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

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

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