I finally joined the crowd!

[ijcy]

Yeah, remember that in 3 months okay? Sadly, the reception woes for many have been as such since the start. It's okay to value one's frustration against an figure of $. Still no reception in half of Vaughan. Still worst spotty areas in Mississauga, and I am wondering what you're doing to get better indoor reception at malls like Vaughan mills, where it won't keep a bar up for more than a second with my phone. Maybe it's my HD7... maybe. But still.

i to find Vaughan mills perfect for reception on my HTC sensation.

[JustinCredible]

Since Wind launched in Vancouver it has been consistently faster and more reliable than my old Fido line in my area. The point is....everyone will have different experiences, and with wireless signals and various devices and other factors, the experience can literally be different on each city block. With any provider.

Simply never expect it to always work, everywhere and anywhere, and just remember that if you have to run to a window to make a call from time to time, it's a hell of a lot better than paying twice or thrice the price just for the privilege of using your phone in the occasional basement or elevator. I consider WIND and Mobilicity wireless to be a home phone service with one giant cord that allows you to leave the house and use it all over the city for roughly the same price. Simply awesome value.

PS: Welcome aboard Syzuie!

[ECBomb]

I consider WIND and Mobilicity wireless to be a home phone service with one giant cord that allows you to leave the house and use it all over the city for roughly the same price. Simply awesome value.

Well said and completely agree.

Sent from my HTC Glacier using HowardForums

[droidacolyte]

Since Wind launched in Vancouver it has been consistently faster and more reliable than my old Fido line in my area. The point is....everyone will have different experiences, and with wireless signals and various devices and other factors, the experience can literally be different on each city block. With any provider.

Simply never expect it to always work, everywhere and anywhere, and just remember that if you have to run to a window to make a call from time to time, it's a hell of a lot better than paying twice or thrice the price just for the privilege of using your phone in the occasional basement or elevator. I consider WIND and Mobilicity wireless to be a home phone service with one giant cord that allows you to leave the house and use it all over the city for roughly the same price. Simply awesome value.

PS: Welcome aboard Syzuie!

WIND and Mobilicity are a lot cheaper if you are a heavy voice and data user. But otherwise, not really to be honest. Say you bought a Blackberry Bold 9900 with Telus on a 3 year contract but you want to upgrade after 2 years instead of waiting the full 3 years. I'd imagine most people don't stick with a phone for the full 3 years right? $150 down. And then there is the plan. A $50/month plan is required for a 3 year contract. So two years of Telus service and you have to pay $1,200 over 2 years. And then there is the early upgrade fee if you want to upgrade after 2 years. That'll be $160 for the Bold 9900. So we're at $1,510 over 2 years. That's about $62.92 a month.

Now say you bought a Bold 9900 on the Windtab+ with Wind. $169 down. And let's say you went on the Super Smart Plan. That's $29/month for the first year ($348 first year) . $45/month for the second year ($540 second year). So that's $888 for two years of WIND service. But then if you want a new phone after 2 years, you gotta settle your tab! The phone has a $400 tab to start with. Minus $88.80 because 10% of your WIND bills goes towards paying off your Tab. So after 2 years you have a $311.20 tab. $169 + $888 + $311.20 = $1368.20. That comes out to $57.01 a month. So you're saving less than $6 a month for service on an inferior network.

For a lot of people, a $50/month Robellus smartphone plan is "good enough" to meet their needs. WIND Mobile is only really a money saver for people that are heavy voice and data users.

I know personally I was drawn to the cheap unlimited plans that WIND/Mobilicity promised. But I have seriously wondered how much of a "bargain" this was considering how little I actually use my phone as a phone and my data usage habits. But since I'm out $495 having bought a Nexus S back in July and the phone has devalued a ton after Mobi and Koodo cut the price to $350 in August, I've already shouldered a huge chunk of the cost so there really is no point for me to quit WIND unless I'm dissatisfied with their service. But if I were to do it again, honestly I would sign a 3 year Robellus contract over a Windtab+ agreement.

Maybe I'd keep a second line on WIND as a cheap $25/month home phone replacement during heavy voice usage months if I find that my Robellus bill is going into $80+/month territory... But the idea of spending an average (include device costs) of $57.01/month for a smartphone on an unreliable network leaves me scratching my head. Three months ago, it made perfect sense because all I saw was "unlimited everything for cheap price". But now I have a little buyer's remorse I have to admit now that I see that I haven't saved any money.

[brownk2j]

^ All good points. I'll only point out that prior to WIND/Mobi's arrival, the voice and data options on the Big 3 were so pitiful that even casual use of your phone would (and with the "Premium" brands still does) cause your $50 bill to come out to $75-$100+

Want to use your phone before 5/6pm? Need to watch your daytime minutes. Texting a lot? make sure you don't go over x amount. $25 for 500 MB of data.

I remember with Fido I'd have to ignore any calls before 5pm for fear of overages, and my dad's Rogers bills were consistently $100+ for a $65 plan, and while he isn't a "power user" he's saving a ton monthly with Wind due to *no* overages.

[mattt33]

^ All good points. I'll only point out that prior to WIND/Mobi's arrival, the voice and data options on the Big 3 were so pitiful that even casual use of your phone would (and with the "Premium" brands still does) cause your $50 bill to come out to $75-$100+

Want to use your phone before 5/6pm? Need to watch your daytime minutes. Texting a lot? make sure you don't go over x amount. $25 for 500 MB of data.

I remember with Fido I'd have to ignore any calls before 5pm for fear of overages, and my dad's Rogers bills were consistently $100+ for a $65 plan, and while he isn't a "power user" he's saving a ton monthly with Wind due to *no* overages.

Absolutely agree. There are some people who feel that the Robelus prices are somewhat comparable as of late to Wind/Mobi's offerings, but I assure you this would not have happened without the new entrants.

Even if the prices across the board were all on par a couple years from now, I would still vouch for Wind (and the new guys) simply out of principle.

[kwandar]

WIND and Mobilicity are a lot cheaper if you are a heavy voice and data user. But otherwise, not really to be honest. Say you bought a Blackberry Bold 9900 with Telus on a 3 year contract but you want to upgrade after 2 years instead of waiting the full 3 years. I'd imagine most people don't stick with a phone for the full 3 years right? $150 down. And then there is the plan. A $50/month plan is required for a 3 year contract. So two years of Telus service and you have to pay $1,200 over 2 years. And then there is the early upgrade fee if you want to upgrade after 2 years. That'll be $160 for the Bold 9900. So we're at $1,510 over 2 years. That's about $62.92 a month.

Now say you bought a Bold 9900 on the Windtab+ with Wind. $169 down. And let's say you went on the Super Smart Plan. That's $29/month for the first year ($348 first year) . $45/month for the second year ($540 second year). So that's $888 for two years of WIND service. But then if you want a new phone after 2 years, you gotta settle your tab! The phone has a $400 tab to start with. Minus $88.80 because 10% of your WIND bills goes towards paying off your Tab. So after 2 years you have a $311.20 tab. $169 + $888 + $311.20 = $1368.20. That comes out to $57.01 a month. So you're saving less than $6 a month for service on an inferior network.

For a lot of people, a $50/month Robellus smartphone plan is "good enough" to meet their needs. WIND Mobile is only really a money saver for people that are heavy voice and data users.

I know personally I was drawn to the cheap unlimited plans that WIND/Mobilicity promised. But I have seriously wondered how much of a "bargain" this was considering how little I actually use my phone as a phone and my data usage habits. But since I'm out $495 having bought a Nexus S back in July and the phone has devalued a ton after Mobi and Koodo cut the price to $350 in August, I've already shouldered a huge chunk of the cost so there really is no point for me to quit WIND unless I'm dissatisfied with their service. But if I were to do it again, honestly I would sign a 3 year Robellus contract over a Windtab+ agreement.

Maybe I'd keep a second line on WIND as a cheap $25/month home phone replacement during heavy voice usage months if I find that my Robellus bill is going into $80+/month territory... But the idea of spending an average (include device costs) of $57.01/month for a smartphone on an unreliable network leaves me scratching my head. Three months ago, it made perfect sense because all I saw was "unlimited everything for cheap price". But now I have a little buyer's remorse I have to admit now that I see that I haven't saved any money.

I'll disagree. Telus's website doesn't tell me, but Bell's website put the facts out. If you take a two year contract instead of 3 years, they charge you ... wait for it ... $550!!! I don't think Telus is that much different - might get a bit off, but if you use the Bell numbers your at $1,750 for two years of Telus, or $73 per month. Not to mention you only get the crappy "Voicemail 3" (ie. can ONLY save 3 messages) from Telus unless you want to pay more $5 per month for 10 messages - or $8 per month for 25 messages. I'd argue that most users want more than 10 messages, so your now at $81 per month!! Plus tax on all that extra monthly payment!

I also think your basic premise that people trade in their phones after 2 years (particularly where they are not heavy data voice users) is flawed. It is the heavier users that would want to trade in.

I just joined Wind (my wife has the $15 plan here) and got the Irresistable 35 plan through retentions by pointing out that both of us would move to Mobilicity $25 plan otherwise. I'm not a particularly heavy user, but $35 including voicemail and call control plus a Blackberry 9900 for $169 (over 3 years) was a bargain when I looked. The ONLY company that came close was Mobilicity but they didn't have coverage in Waterloo where my parents lived.

[droidacolyte]

I'm not talking about a two-year contract. I'm talking about the early device upgrade program. If you were to upgrade after 2 years instead of 3 years, you'd have to pay 1/3 (12 months out of 36) of your device subsidy. So for a Bold 9900 that would be $160 since Telus sells it at $150 down, $630 upfront ($480 device subsidy). Rogers does things a little differently. I haven't looked into Bell's policy.

Three years is a long time in the cell phone world. The T-Mobile G1 was released three years ago. And RIM is going to be coming out with a new OS. I read something about how last years Blackberrys don't have Blackberry OS 7? And the Bold 9900 probably won't have QNX or whatever it's called. If RIM's software support is that bad, that's more reason for me to not sympathize with RIM's woes. I don't think many people are going to hold on to that Bold 9900 for 3 years.

[DireRaven]

I don't change handsets often... I mean so far the only time I have is when i changed carriers. So every time my contract ended i'd usually move after being unsatisfied for whatever reason. I'm leaving Fido because it's expensive for what I get, retention's isn't offering me a better deal, and their reception is pretty much garbage here. I have to be on 2G to send text messages.

I don't expect Wind to have stellar reception, but at least i'll be paying less for a plan that includes much more.

[keyzink]

You can sell your phone if you want to upgrade after a year. So if you bought it outright for $500, a year later it should still fetch you somewhere around $300 depending on its condition.

[el_huevon]

WIND and Mobilicity are a lot cheaper if you are a heavy voice and data user. But otherwise, not really to be honest. Say you bought a Blackberry Bold 9900 with Telus on a 3 year contract but you want to upgrade after 2 years instead of waiting the full 3 years. I'd imagine most people don't stick with a phone for the full 3 years right? $150 down. And then there is the plan. A $50/month plan is required for a 3 year contract. So two years of Telus service and you have to pay $1,200 over 2 years. And then there is the early upgrade fee if you want to upgrade after 2 years. That'll be $160 for the Bold 9900. So we're at $1,510 over 2 years. That's about $62.92 a month.

Now say you bought a Bold 9900 on the Windtab+ with Wind. $169 down. And let's say you went on the Super Smart Plan. That's $29/month for the first year ($348 first year) . $45/month for the second year ($540 second year). So that's $888 for two years of WIND service. But then if you want a new phone after 2 years, you gotta settle your tab! The phone has a $400 tab to start with. Minus $88.80 because 10% of your WIND bills goes towards paying off your Tab. So after 2 years you have a $311.20 tab. $169 + $888 + $311.20 = $1368.20. That comes out to $57.01 a month. So you're saving less than $6 a month for service on an inferior network.

For a lot of people, a $50/month Robellus smartphone plan is "good enough" to meet their needs. WIND Mobile is only really a money saver for people that are heavy voice and data users.

I know personally I was drawn to the cheap unlimited plans that WIND/Mobilicity promised. But I have seriously wondered how much of a "bargain" this was considering how little I actually use my phone as a phone and my data usage habits. But since I'm out $495 having bought a Nexus S back in July and the phone has devalued a ton after Mobi and Koodo cut the price to $350 in August, I've already shouldered a huge chunk of the cost so there really is no point for me to quit WIND unless I'm dissatisfied with their service. But if I were to do it again, honestly I would sign a 3 year Robellus contract over a Windtab+ agreement.

Maybe I'd keep a second line on WIND as a cheap $25/month home phone replacement during heavy voice usage months if I find that my Robellus bill is going into $80+/month territory... But the idea of spending an average (include device costs) of $57.01/month for a smartphone on an unreliable network leaves me scratching my head. Three months ago, it made perfect sense because all I saw was "unlimited everything for cheap price". But now I have a little buyer's remorse I have to admit now that I see that I haven't saved any money.

You leave out 2 important facts. 1, the service with telus is not unlimited anything, and therefore makes you subject to over limit charges, which i'm sure will happen with a supposed $50 plan. 2, There is a huge difference in my eyes when you consider the fact that you have to sign a 3 year contract for a phone subsidy.

Good luck "saving" money with Robelus. Hmmm...I wonder if I'm over my text, talk, data limits with mobi? WAIT, I have no limits!!! I better buy a phone card to call my cousin in California. WAIT!! I have long distance included in my mobi plan. I wonder how much it will cost to get out of my plan early? WAIT!! I don't have a contract!!!

$40 unlimited everything. NO SURPRISE charges. Nexus S phone for 350 purchased 4 months ago. NO contract.

You think telus can top that or come close. no way.

[kwandar]

I'm not talking about a two-year contract. I'm talking about the early device upgrade program. If you were to upgrade after 2 years instead of 3 years, you'd have to pay 1/3 (12 months out of 36) of your device subsidy. So for a Bold 9900 that would be $160 since Telus sells it at $150 down, $630 upfront ($480 device subsidy). Rogers does things a little differently. I haven't looked into Bell's policy.

Three years is a long time in the cell phone world. The T-Mobile G1 was released three years ago. And RIM is going to be coming out with a new OS. I read something about how last years Blackberrys don't have Blackberry OS 7? And the Bold 9900 probably won't have QNX or whatever it's called. If RIM's software support is that bad, that's more reason for me to not sympathize with RIM's woes. I don't think many people are going to hold on to that Bold 9900 for 3 years.

Your premise was that you'd change your phone after 2 years. What exactly is the penalty for getting out of your Telus plan after 2 years on a subsidized phone? You need to factor that in, and you haven't done so, so you are comparing apples and oranges. I just used the Bell 2 year phone cost to calculate penalty, but you might have a real number to use from Telus - they sure as hell don't let you walk away.

You can buy the phone outright from any carrier, but the pricing difference is generally, at most, $20.

There are no circumstance I'm aware of where RoBelus provide better pricing than Wind. None. Robelus may provide better coverage or better phones - but it WILL cost you whether over 2 years, 1 year or 3 years.

[kwandar]

You leave out 2 important facts. 1, the service with telus is not unlimited anything, and therefore makes you subject to over limit charges, which i'm sure will happen with a supposed $50 plan. 2, There is a huge difference in my eyes when you consider the fact that you have to sign a 3 year contract for a phone subsidy.

Good luck "saving" money with Robelus. Hmmm...I wonder if I'm over my text, talk, data limits with mobi? WAIT, I have no limits!!! I better buy a phone card to call my cousin in California. WAIT!! I have long distance included in my mobi plan. I wonder how much it will cost to get out of my plan early? WAIT!! I don't have a contract!!!

$40 unlimited everything. NO SURPRISE charges. Nexus S phone for 350 purchased 4 months ago. NO contract.

You think telus can top that or come close. no way.

Even leaving aside the unlimited aspect, his logic makes no sense. The premise that you'd want to change phones every 2 years is much more relevant to someone who makes a lot of use of phone and to who unlimited would be important.

Not only that, but he failed to include the Telus penalty for changing phones after 2 years, and the cost of voicemail, call control, etc.

[droidacolyte]

Your premise was that you'd change your phone after 2 years. What exactly is the penalty for getting out of your Telus plan after 2 years on a subsidized phone? You need to factor that in, and you haven't done so, so you are comparing apples and oranges. I just used the Bell 2 year phone cost to calculate penalty, but you might have a real number to use from Telus - they sure as hell don't let you walk away.

You can buy the phone outright from any carrier, but the pricing difference is generally, at most, $20.

There are no circumstance I'm aware of where RoBelus provide better pricing than Wind. None. Robelus may provide better coverage or better phones - but it WILL cost you whether over 2 years, 1 year or 3 years.

I already factored that in with the early upgrade fee. You don't pay a ECF when you want to upgrade your device. And if you wanted to cancel it would only be $50 more btw because Telus have reformed their ECF policy to be (device subsidy / 36 months * months remaining on contract) + $50 admin fee.

As for overages, what if you don't need unlimited everything? I haven't exceeded 200 daytime minutes in 3 months.

And tell me this, what good is paying premium dollar for a mobile if you can't make/receive calls and texts or use data in the numerous dead zones within the zones? In WIND/Mobilicity home, if you aren't getting a signal, you're screwed. What good is paying premium dollar for a mobile if you are stuck with 120 kbps speeds outside your home zone and have to pay $4/MB for the privilege?

[kwandar]

I already factored that in with the early upgrade fee. You don't pay a ECF when you want to upgrade your device. And if you wanted to cancel it would only be $50 more btw because Telus have reformed their ECF policy to be (device subsidy / 36 months * months remaining on contract) + $50 admin fee.

As for overages, what if you don't need unlimited everything? I haven't exceeded 200 daytime minutes in 3 months.

And tell me this, what good is paying premium dollar for a mobile if you can't make/receive calls and texts or use data in the numerous dead zones within the zones? In WIND/Mobilicity home, if you aren't getting a signal, you're screwed. What good is paying premium dollar for a mobile if you are stuck with 120 kbps speeds outside your home zone and have to pay $4/MB for the privilege?

I'm not going to argue the zone coverage. If you are covered better by Rogers or Telus/Bell where you need it, then that is a no brainer; you need coverage. Wind covers me where I need it, but I realize it doesn't work for everyone.

Thanks for the info on the Telus ECF. My last fond memory of Telus was 3-4 years ago where I had to wait till the last day to cancel there $^%$#$ service, even though I'd have paid up to the end, just because they hoped I changed my mind, and having retentions on the phone while driving down the QEW, virtually yelling at them that I didn't care what they offered. So much for my love for Telus

You haven't factored in:

a) $8 per month for decent voicemail. Telus tries to hide that from the unsuspecting; and
b) changing the plan in year 2 to Smart $25 plus data add on of $5 (instead of $45 unlimited) which means another $15 per month savings or $180 (less $18 for tab - so $162). When I was last with Telus, they wouldn't let you downgrade plans.

I'm not sure whether you have factored in the cost of cancelling Telus after year 2 either, or just phone upgrade.

In any event, that means it is more like $14 - $23 a month in savings. I'd look at the Mobilicity $25 a month plan too (but I think you have to add $5 for voicemail).

Again, if Wind covers your area(s), you are FAR better off with Wind than Robelus.