Plans and Pricing!

[Matt_25]

The (apparent) lack of an unlimited txt option for the 15$ plan is a deal breaker for me. It's exactly the same as with Fido - a great 15$ plan, but can't add a txt package.

Having to switch up to 35$ just to get txts? That's bad price structure right there.
That may change if they introduce a txt bundle but otherwise... meh.

Exactly. Most people need unlimited texting, so automatically the $45 voice plan would be needed.

I need email/browsing/IM on my BlackBerry, so I would need to pay $35 for unlimited data.

$80 + tax? I don't care if its unlimited. Seriously, a lot of people don't need unlimited everything.

The plan I have with Rogers suits my needs a lot better, and its under $50 including tax.

Pass.

[yeoman84]

For all the hype over these plans there isn't anything blowing my socks off!!! Ur basically paying more for data...... Yes tethering is included but the average consumer isn't gonna hook up their phone to their laptops! Good for a select few but not a selling point for the average consumer. I dunno I guess um the only one who just thinks "Meh" what's the big deal? The biggest thing I would assume is the nation wide calling

[Gordon Gartrell]

I think they need more plans to make more people happy. Something in between "Always Talk" and "Always Shout"

[bobby87]

they most likely will as they mentioned they will launch 2 brands


one for higher end

and lower end


telus- koodo
rogers-fido

[Bubbles]

If this is true, then it's not bad at all.

I'm not a heavy talker. I'm currently on fido pre-paid putting $20/month in at 20 cents/minute and I don't use up all the time. So the chat+voicemail will do for me.

However, what I do like is the possibility of unlimited data with tethering for $35/month.

My data needs at home aren't heavy-duty any more. I could ditch my DSL at home and be quite happy tethering to the house LAN.

This could actually give me a good reason to ditch the land line as well.

Overall, quite doable if it's true.

[Tigger_03]

For all the hype over these plans there isn't anything blowing my socks off!!! Ur basically paying more for data...... Yes tethering is included but the average consumer isn't gonna hook up their phone to their laptops! Good for a select few but not a selling point for the average consumer. I dunno I guess um the only one who just thinks "Meh" what's the big deal? The biggest thing I would assume is the nation wide calling

I'm with you on this one. I think they need a "middle of the road" plan that suits "average" users. These plans are tailored for the "heavy-users" or the "very light user". I'm happy with a "rounded" plan that I get from Rogers (even though it may be retentions). Not to mention that I LOVE the iPhone

Nonetheless, it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out ...

[Jivs]

market trends suggest that consumers, regardless of having 100min or unlimited mins, want text messaging. unless text messaging options are introduced, i really don't see anyone going for the $35 plan.

the $15 is great for prepaid customers (not even for high school kids anymore), it's the best value out of all 3 plans.

the $45 plan is good, but not great. great for users that use over 3000min a month or even business users who use tons of day time minutes.

the market shows that people are moving towards smartphones, so in terms of data not so good. $35 for unlimited, given that it has tethering, still doesn't cut it. most people are willing to dish our $50 a month for high speed internet, this way it's faster and can be shared with the entire family, or split with your room/house mates. tethering is really only for the business or highly mobile users....most consumers have no need for this or won't go through the trouble of hooking their phones up to their laptops.

i understand, and agree with their strategy. simple plans, simple options, easy to understand. but this is also their downfall, as the lack of options makes it difficult to customize. i think wind will be great in attracting new customers, especially ones that have never had a cell phone. but not so much for existing customers who have retention deals.

[albolabris]

Don't want to be a wet blanket. But do we have any way of knowing these are the actual prices?

Do we trust Windsider? How does he know this stuff?

[Matt_25]

For all the hype over these plans there isn't anything blowing my socks off!!! Ur basically paying more for data...... Yes tethering is included but the average consumer isn't gonna hook up their phone to their laptops! Good for a select few but not a selling point for the average consumer. I dunno I guess um the only one who just thinks "Meh" what's the big deal? The biggest thing I would assume is the nation wide calling

I completely agree. I got 1000 Canadian Long Distance minutes for free (others usually pay $5), which is enough.

The whole marketing strategy is their offering of everything to be "unlimited". Like 90% of people don't need unlimited data, or even more than 1 GB. Its nice to have unlimited everything, but at $90 after tax a month, unless you are a business user and actually NEED that, you are over-paying like crazy.

Btw, "unlimited" data will most likely be capped at 5 GB like Verizon, Sprint, etc. So someone show me where it says unlimited won't have a cap on it.

Don't forget, you also have to buy your phone outright.

[icemasta]

I like the Chat as I'm a light user, especially since I'm on prepaid. However, a plan in between the Chat and Always Talk would be ideal. Such as maybe the same features of chat except maybe 200 minutes and unlt texting for 20-25.

The thing I like is no contracts so I can try them out for a month or so and cancel without any problems. A better question is, do they charge an activation fee?

[SteveWhip]

The beauty of these plans is they are perfect for familys or groups of friends. $15 a month to keep your kid in contact with you or if you are really motivated slowly convert your friends over to the Wind network to take advantage of the unlimited W2W feature.... This strategy is pure genius to get people to switch to your network. And if you do not have a family or friends then you need to spend $35 to get the unlimited talk and replace your home phone.... Wind just made Christmas a whole lot more enjoyable.

[James.P]

I have a somewhat technical question someone here is bound to know the answer:

Can you tether to a wireless router instead of a computer? Ie: can an unlimited data connection realistically replace a home broadband internet connection while supplying a wireless network with 4-5 clients connected?

[jesteraver]

Don't forget, you also have to buy your phone outright.

I don't understand the problem people have buying phones?

I just bought an LG Eve, it has to be the least expensive phone I have bought in a while. I am so use to spending $700 to $800 for an unlocked phone. Plus even buying the Eve I am still stuck with Rogers, I just hope that changes soon. I can't stand having multiple phones.

[HoboJ]

I'm certainly curious to see all the details here. Especially what it costs extra for roaming where Wind has no current coverage.

[Matt_25]

I don't understand the problem people have buying phones?

I just bought an LG Eve, it has to be the least expensive phone I have bought in a while. I am so use to spending $700 to $800 for an unlocked phone. Plus even buying the Eve I am still stuck with Rogers, I just hope that changes soon. I can't stand having multiple phones.

Ok, I buy my phones with no contract too. Most people can't afford to spend $500-700 on a smartphone. Which is what they are targeting mainly with the unlimited data + calling.