WIND FAQ's [02/10/10] - ★ The WIND Mobile Sticky FAQ ★
Q: What are the WIND offerings?
A: Go to the FAQ section at the top of this forum. All the voice offerings, data offerings and add-ons are listed. Want more info? Go to shop.windmobile.ca
Q: Can I buy a SIM card and use it in an unlocked phone I already own?
A: As of April 2010, you can purchase a SIM card for $10.00, if your phone is checked by a WIND sales rep and found to be compatible with the network. More information here.
Q: Can I buy a WIND phone and use that SIM card in an unlocked phone that I already own?
A: Yes, but the phone selection is very limited as WIND uses different bands from most existing wireless carriers. The only current exception is T-Mobile in the USA. So, if you have an unlocked phone from *T-Mobile, yes, you should be able to use that phone on the WIND network. *ONLY "3G" phones from T-Mobile will work on WIND.
Q: Is the iPhone available on the WIND network?
No. Apple has not released an AWS iPhone as of yet.
Q: WIND phones are cheap! Can I buy a WIND phone and then use it on another network?
A: WIND phones are locked, even though you are buying them without a contract. Someone with technical know-how should be able to unlock a WIND phone, but it would only* work on the WIND network or T-Mobile in the USA for reasons stated above.
Q: I think that phones from WIND are too expensive! Why can't I sign a contract for 2 or 3 years and get a cheaper phone?
A: Great news! YOU CAN! Just go to your local Bell, Rogers or Telus store (or a subsidiary of one of those three), and get a phone there. They will be more than happy to lock you into a contract and give you a discount on your phone. WIND is for people who don't like contracts and are willing to pay for their phones. The phones are cheaper than a non-contract phone with another carrier, but if that isn't good enough for you, that is your choice and you are free to stick with one of the other carriers.
Q: WIND HOME Zones. Can you explain them to me?
A: WIND uses the term HOME Zone (as opposed to AWAY Zone) to describe areas serviced by WIND's network. If you are close enough to a WIND tower to get WIND service, you are in a HOME Zone. Everywhere else you are in an AWAY Zone. To describe it without their marketing terms, HOME Zone = on WIND network, AWAY Zone = roaming.
If you are roaming you will be charge roaming fees of $0.15 per text (outgoing only, incoming are still free) or $0.25 per minute for phone calls.
Q: Can I port my number to WIND from my current provider?
A: As of December 21st WIND has started to offer number porting from other carriers. We don't have confirmation yet that all carriers are cooperating (i.e. getting your number from Telus *might not work yet), so until it is confirmed please check with WIND directly either at one of their retail locations or by phone at 1-877-809-4631 (1-877-80-WIND-1).
Q: Why doesn't WIND offer a plan that costs me almost nothing and give me a free phone and pay my ECF and DECF fees from my current provider and then build me a house and give me a car and care for me for the rest of my life?
A: Obviously the current WIND offering doesn't appeal to everyone, and a lot of people can't make the switch right now. That's life. If you don't like what they currently offer, or you can't switch due to commitments you have already made, or if you aren't in an area they service (yet), then stay with whoever you're with now. This doesn't mean WIND is a complete failure, it just means that their current offering isn't for you. There is no way any wireless provider can be perfect for everyone, so put away your unrealistic expectations. WIND is a new carrier, and will be getting better as time goes on. Just remember that when you lock yourself into another contract with someone else, and don't come crying to us when you finally want to switch but can't afford the ECFs and the cost of buying an unsubsidized phone from WIND.
***
Ok, what other ones have I missed that keep coming up over and over?
Last edited by OpenWave; 04-28-2010 at 10:27 PM.
Reason: Big thanks to vishalmalik12 for updating this thread.
MOD EDIT: This is DiamondElite's thread.
A lot of people are asking these questions, some not understanding how things are going to work. Please read this as its very helpful and may answer your question.
This also provides a list of current confirmed devices.
Q: What frequency will Wind Mobile's GSM network be?
A: Wind will not be deploying a GSM network, they will however be deploying a UMTS network on the 1700MHz.
Q: Will my phone with 3G on the 2100MHz frequency work with Wind?
A: No, as the frequency Wind Mobile is using for its network is UMTS 1700MHz and not 2100MHz.
Q: Since Wind's network is 1700MHz / 2100MHz why wont my European phone get 3G?
A: Europe actually uses 1900MHz / 2100MHz for their UMTS 2100. Since 1900MHz is already being used, 1700MHz / 2100MHz is being used, also called UMTS 1700.
Q: Wind Mobile announced they will support unlocked phones, does that mean I can use my Blackberry or iPhone on Wind?
A: No, Wind specified that only SUPPORTED PHONES will be allowed on their network, this means if you dont have UMTS 1700MHz on your phone, IT WILL PHYSICALLY NOT WORK ON THE WIND NETWORK. That means your iPhone 3G, Balckberry Bold, and Nokia N95 will NOT WORK with Wind.
Q: What happens if I put my SIM into my unlocked phone from Europe?
A: Nothing, you will be roaming 100% of the time on Rogers, Wind will probably cut off your service since they will not make money off you since they will most likely pay for Roaming on Rogers.
Q: Will the SIM cards be locked to Wind Mobile's phones?
A: At this time it has not been confirmed, but most likely they are not.
Q: What are the current phones that are fully supported on the Wind Network?
You can also check here for compatible phones that could work with WIND.
* Devices that also have a second version that will NOT work on WIND. Only the version that supports 1700 frequency band (AWS) will work on WIND.
Q: What is the speed that Wind will launch their network?
A: Chances are it will launch at 7.2Mbps Down and 2.0Mbps Up, but there is a possibility of faster speeds.
Please PM me with any errors or omissions or if there is anything to add to this.
Last edited by OpenWave; 02-28-2010 at 12:30 PM.
Reason: Big thanks to vishalmalik12 for updating this thread.
Another important correction required in this FAQ:
Originally Posted by ru4real
The only current exception is T-Mobile in the USA. So, if you have an unlocked phone from T-Mo, yes, you should be able to use that phone on the WIND network.
ONLY "3G" phones from T-mobile will work on WIND, as WIND's network is 3G-only.
TELUS, Rogers/Fido, SpeakOut, 3, CSL, China Mobile, au by KDDI, Travel SIM UK
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FAQ1: RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 variants
OpenWave,
I recommend you to include this FAQ as well...
Folks who are still confused,
Besides the Quad-band GSM support, the 3G support of the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 comes into 2 variants...
Model RCM71UW for Rogers/Bell/TELUS: UMTS Band I (2100), II (1900), V (850)
FCC ID: L6ARCM70UW
IC: 2503A-RCM70UW
Model RCN71UW for WIND: UMTS Band I (2100), IV (AWS 1700), VIII (900)
FCC ID: L6ARCN70UW
IC: 2503A–RCN70UW
Rogers/Bell/TELUS uses UMTS Band II (1900), V (850)
WIND uses UMTS Band IV (AWS 1700)
Therefore a RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 from Rogers/Bell/TELUS will NOT work on 3G with WIND and vice-versa, even if you manage to unlock it.
--
HC - NO "i" I am NOT "the" HC, we are TWO different individuals!
"If we amplify everything, we hear nothing!" - Jon Stewart, Comedian
For using a non-wind phone, it should be noted that you can actually use any phone that supports the AWS spectrum, but problems may occur with roaming - http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1601605 (for proof)
*There is an option to opt-out of accessing Away-Zones if you call Customer Service
Buying Wind Phones and unlocking them for use on other networks is possible, but limitations may occur (like not having the ability to use 3G like Wind and T-Mobile currently has)
faq needs to be edited. unlocked wind phones would technically be able to be used around the globe using the supported 2g GSM bands supported by the handset.
this is who they support roaming on their handsets as well since no ones else uses aws 3g spectrum.
faq needs to be edited. unlocked wind phones would technically be able to be used around the globe using the supported 2g GSM bands supported by the handset.
this is who they support roaming on their handsets as well since no ones else uses aws 3g spectrum.
Yea, that's why there was an asterisk in the FAQ. Yes, technically the phones can be used on other networks, but not to their full capabilities. I'm not sure that you would want to pay the WIND price for a phone, unlock it and then use it permanently on another network (or resell to to someone else for that purpose), as you wouldn't get 3G coverage.
Need to update the FAQ. SIM-only activations will be available by the end of next week.
Personally I don't think we should update the FAQ until the service is actually available. It is now noted here in this thread that the service is meant to come next week.
Yea, that's why there was an asterisk in the FAQ. Yes, technically the phones can be used on other networks, but not to their full capabilities. I'm not sure that you would want to pay the WIND price for a phone, unlock it and then use it permanently on another network (or resell to to someone else for that purpose), as you wouldn't get 3G coverage.
what if you plan on going on vacation for a month to visit family and want to use a prepaid sim while your there??? gsm coverage is everywhere. 3g aws is not. and just because you dont get 3g does not mean your phone loses capabilities. it only means your data speeds are slower. you can still get edge on 2g.
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Originally Posted by ru4real
FAQ1: RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 variants
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