HoFo Blog

With Father’s day just around the corner you might be thinking of getting him a new phone but aren’t sure which one you get. Don’t worry, I’m here to help with my top 5 picks for father’s day.
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Just got some info on when and how Bell is going to behave itself now that we have the Wireless Code of Conduct.

First off, they're going to start on Dec 2nd 2013.

To me the most interesting points are that Bell can't charge you a monthly fee, if you device is under warranty repair. While Bell has to unlock your phone after 90 days, you have to pay Bell's fee (which presumably won't be cheap). When you cancel, it now happens immediately, you don't have to give 30 days notice.

When your data usage goes over $50/100 (domestic/roaming) Bell will ask you for permission before they continue to charge you.

Here are the point:

• Roaming data - data is cut off once you hit $100 of overage unless you agree to pay additional charges
• Domestic data - data is cut off at $50 overage unless you agree to pay additional charges
• Unlocking - you can get your device unlocked after 90 days at Bell's rate
• Repairs - no monthly charges while your device is under warranty repair
• Early termination fees - Cancellation fee cannot exceed value of device subsidy. Each month, the device cost/(number of months of contract up to 24 months) is taken off the remainder of your subsidy balance.
• Cancellation - When you want to cancel it happens IMMEDIATELY. No more 30 days notice BS. Now we need a cable and telephone service code of conduct
• End of contract - The contract continues on the same terms after expiry. They have to notify you 30 days before the end of term.
• It looks like larger business accounts are excluded from the rules.

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Apple just announced iOS 7 today. It's for iPhone 4, iPad 2, iPod Touch 4 and iPad Mini or newer. Sorry 3Gs and iPad 1 users. Here are my first impressions of iOS 7 on my iPhone 5:

The new look is a big pretty change but overall they've done a good job with it. So far with regards to the user interface it all feels pretty polished.

Apple has replaced the signal bars with dots (or are they nipples). Anyways, I don't like it but I guess I've already gotten used to it. Maybe it's time to update the HoFo logo with those idiotic dots:

"AT&T: More dots in more places"

"I have full dots of reception" ...

Hey guys, we're having a HoFo meet this Saturday 6PM June 8th at Mr Green Jeans at the Eaton Center.

I'll bring a bunch of HoFo T-Shirts. Hope to see you all there! ...

The looks like the Canadian government isn't going to allow the TELUS purchase of Mobilicity to go through. Also; the license transfer denied, and the 700Mhz spectrum auction is now delayed until January.

What does this mean for Mobilicity and the other incumbents?
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The CRTC has announce new rules to take effect later this year. Is it a good first step?

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12 months ago was a tumultuous time for Blackberry. Back then, many people had written off Blackberry (then RIM). Most of us expected that RIM would be split into two or three companies and sold off. Many figured we’d never actually see BB10. You get the idea.

Anyways, recently I get the feeling that things are starting to turn around. Back in January, Blackberry finally announced the first device powered by their new operating system BB10.

Oddly enough, their first BB10 device, the Z10 is a touch-screen only device. It’s weird because Blackberry once ruled the Smartphone market with their QWERTY phones.

Still it’s very surprising that in the 18 months or so since Blackberry released their last QWERTY flagship the Bold 9900 none of their competitors have really released a serious competitor. Sure there were a couple of QWERTY Android phones but they were mostly low spec’d entry level devices. There’s a bit of a vacuum in the market for this class of device.



So in the ultra-competitive Smartphone market Blackberry managed to catch quite a break. Their first BB10 QWERTY phone, the Q10 comes to market with virtually no competitors. ...

Tracfone Inc. , the largest prepaid mvno, owned by Carlos Slim, one of if not the world's wealthiest men is taking over Page Plus a major independent Verizon mvno. Jobs with the US company will be outsourced overseas.

This is the second major independent mvno (built on the backs of small time mom and pop dealers) that has been bought out in the last two years alone (the other was Simple Mobile, a Tmobile mvno).

Please help to keep further consolidation and potential monopolization in the US prepaid wireless industry in check by signing this petition to bring it to the attention of the White House: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...p-inc/cjQGHVyl

A petition like this helped them to reconsider the recent laws which basically outlawed phone unlocking. We need your consideration and help to try and achieve something similar with this petition.

We have only a short period of time and a lot more signatures are needed.

Thank you all for your support. ...

http://about.telus.com/community/eng...ire-mobilicity


Vancouver, B.C. – TELUS has entered into an agreement with Mobilicity to acquire the company for $380 million. If the deal receives the required approvals, it would ensure continued service to Mobilicity’s 250,000 customers without the risk of disruption.

The agreement between TELUS and the company is subject to conditions including approval by the Competition Bureau, Industry Canada, and Mobilicity’s debtholders. TELUS and Mobilicity have informed the government and regulators and both companies are fully committed to working cooperatively to secure timely approvals for the transaction.

“A concern for our customers and employees led us to approach TELUS, which has a reputation for a strong customer focus, as evidenced by their industry leading client loyalty,” said Stewart Lyons, Mobilicity President. “I am confident TELUS will look after our employees and our customers, mitigating any disruption to their service, while offering the best outcome for all stakeholders.”

William Aziz, Mobilicity Chief Restructuring Officer, continued, “Mobilicity has been losing a significant amount of money every month. The financial strength of TELUS will allow the business to be continued in a way that will benefit customers and employees. An acquisition by TELUS is the best alternative for Mobilicity.”

The entire purchase price will be used to satisfy Mobilicity’s secured and unsecured debt.

“We look forward to serving Mobilicity’s customers and welcoming their employees to the TELUS team,” said David Fuller, TELUS Chief Marketing Officer.

If this transaction is approved, TELUS will retain all 150 Mobilicity employees as it integrates the Mobilicity operation into TELUS over the coming months. The employees would have the opportunity to review and secure permanent, long term roles with TELUS.

TELUS has created 1,700 new jobs in Canada over the last two years alone while bringing 4G wireless coverage to 99 per cent of Canadians coast-to-coast.
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