The Official "SaskTel network upgrade & when can I get an iPhone thread"

[Blackroc]

Need a clarification on Sasktels new network of UMTS.

If I was to buy a BB Bold 9700 would it only work where the new network is working? I guess what I am asking is the Bold backward compatible to the old network?

Thanks

[mechanic_joe]

Need a clarification on Sasktels new network of UMTS.

If I was to buy a BB Bold 9700 would it only work where the new network is working? I guess what I am asking is the Bold backward compatible to the old network?

Thanks

No, the Bold 9700 is GSM/HSPA/UMTS only, no CDMA support, thus it will NOT be backward compatible to the old network... I'm off to pick one up on Monday as I need a new berry... I'm very apprehensive about how solid the new network is, and how many holes it might have in the reception cloud. Fortuneatly my wife has a Tour, and she's usually with me when we leave Saskatoon.

[jmasterfunk]

No, the Bold 9700 is GSM/HSPA/UMTS only, no CDMA support, thus it will NOT be backward compatible to the old network... I'm off to pick one up on Monday as I need a new berry... I'm very apprehensive about how solid the new network is, and how many holes it might have in the reception cloud. Fortuneatly my wife has a Tour, and she's usually with me when we leave Saskatoon.

Should have coverage on highway 16 and 1. Highway 11 from PA to Estevan. Highway 7 from Alberta to Saskatoon. And then a few random sites everywhere else.

[f14sure]

I think/hope the coverage will be better than people believe on launch or shortly thereafter. I was just in Saskatchewan last weekend and with my Rogers iPhone I could find the Sasktel network all the way from Saskatoon to Swift Current even in places where Rogers does not have coverage such as Elrose to Stewart Valley on the #4 HWY. I know they named certain cities and said that they would have coverage between them but I thought that meant they would have similar coverage to Rogers, but from the looks of things they are gonna be way ahead from the start. Rogers is going to pay for giving up the opportunity to add sites over the last 3 or 4 years and also not upgrade their network to be 3g outside of the major cities.

[Mr. Eader]

Today is the day. If anyone is going to SaskTel today please post and let us know some specifics ... like when is the iPhone really showing up on SaskTels shelves?

[#1RAGE]

Has anyone seen the 3G+ Cellular Rollout Schedule yet?

http://sasktel.com/EndecaUI/controll...Ntt-3g-rollout

[quadracer111]

Screw the iphone, I want the galaxy s.... To bad they dont have it today, or else I would be signing a new 3 year right now before I leave town for 3 days.


Stuck with my broken LG rumour for a bit more I guess

[nellia]

Forgive me if this is a stupid question ...

Could someone not sign a Bell contract and get an Iphone in Alberta and then transfer their account to Sasktel in Saskatchewan?

[Stormcrazy71]

I went it today to just ask about various options for the iphone and Sasktel is clueless. No idea when it might be here, no idea about if the sim card option will work, the only response I got was I could go spend $650 buying a brand new iphone and bring it in a few weeks pay for a sim card and they "might" be able to get it to work. I asked for a discount on my service fees to offset the cost I would have to pay to buy the phone from Apple and they gave me nothing. I figured a $15/month disount would offset the cost of paying full price for the phone and still nothing. Looks like I will have to make the leap to Telus in a few weeks when they other the iphone. It is really too bad the Sasktel did not have the forsight to put some different options together or have a solid timeline. I think this is what upsets me most. The "we don't know when" is a horrible response. They tried to sell me something else and just wait until it comes option and I can upgrade then. Forget it.

[chadp]

Why are you blaming Sasktel and its employee?..as of right, Sasktel is not authorized to sale the iPhone, check this out http://www.apple.com/ca/iphone/buy/

[Stormcrazy71]

chadp,

I was not blaming the employee's, I feel very sorry for them have to probably deal with this for the next while. As far as blaming Sasktel I think that is a fair assesment. It's not like Sasktel management got up this morning and said lets launch a 3g network and oh there is this thingy called an iphone that might work on our system and it might be popluar. Come on. Sasktel should have been working on something to allow for iphone usage at launch. Even if it was a stop gap measure like offering a rebate for customers who go out and buy their own iphone from an authorized seller and hook it up on the Sasktel network. As well it didn't have to even be an iphone 4, how long has the iphone been out? I can understand that Apple is not just going to make Sasktel an authorized seller of Apple products today but not to even have a clue as to time line? I have been a very longtime Sasktel user and customer. Everything from my TV, internet, phone and cell have been with them for sometime but to not have a plan of some sort is a failure. As well Sasktel at my local store had almost nothing available for phones of other types, all said coming soon. On you grand launch wouldn't you want everything ready to go?

[sven_1669]

I went it today to just ask about various options for the iphone and Sasktel is clueless. No idea when it might be here, no idea about if the sim card option will work, the only response I got was I could go spend $650 buying a brand new iphone and bring it in a few weeks pay for a sim card and they "might" be able to get it to work. I asked for a discount on my service fees to offset the cost I would have to pay to buy the phone from Apple and they gave me nothing. I figured a $15/month disount would offset the cost of paying full price for the phone and still nothing. Looks like I will have to make the leap to Telus in a few weeks when they other the iphone. It is really too bad the Sasktel did not have the forsight to put some different options together or have a solid timeline. I think this is what upsets me most. The "we don't know when" is a horrible response. They tried to sell me something else and just wait until it comes option and I can upgrade then. Forget it.

There is no current information provided to employees about the iphone.

As stated you can buy one direct and have it activated and it might have some issues. Why would SaskTel offset the cost when you can up and leave at any time? If you want subsidized costs on the handset then you will have to be a little more patient and then sign a contract as well. The purpose of subsidizing phones is the fact that you are on contract and thus the company can recoup the cost.

[nellia]

I actually agree with Stormcrazy. My contract is up soon and the lack of decent new devices they're offering is actually pushing me towards switching carriers. I don't travel so all I need is something that works within Regina city. Not only that but after talking to Sasktel they said they will not subsidize an upgrade to a 3G phone. I'm eligible for an upgrade but only to a CDMA phone. Do they not want me staying with them??

[Stormcrazy71]

When I talked with Sasktel I was offering to sign a 3 year contract with them to get the discount. I agree why would they give me a discount for not locking me in. I was simply offering them a solution to what I will be able to get else where.

[aarononfire]

had no problems getting my unlocked iphone 3g working on Sasktel's 3G+ network, just bought a sim and such
they don't have apn settings on the website yet so I didn't add data to my account and as they predicted my number doesn't show up on my phone yet (they are apparently pushing them all on saturday)..not that it makes that much difference as my caller ID and texting an everything already work