new rate plans

[BM GRANT]

FYI:

It probably isn't much use for the heavy users in this forum, but Bell is introducing a new low-end rate plan on 10/15.

MY CALL

$25/mth
50 local calls per month of unlimited length
additional calls @ .50 per call
the usual call waiting, call forwarding, conference call
all the usual term-related subsidies/promos

Looks pretty good for the basic user who doesn't want to worry about call timers, but doesn't need unlimited nights/weekends.
It's easier to manage costs on a per call vs. per minute basis.

This plan's obviously no good for frequent, short calls, or heavy night and weekend users.

[sapporoman]

How do BM justify if the call drops due to network capacity issue? This happens a lot during rush hours.

[Jonavin]

That's an interesting twist. It's only useful if you have a lot of long calls. Most of us make a bunch of short ones.

And although I rarely experience dropped calls, you made a good point there. What is Bell going to do about those?

[Xirc]

Probably nothing. After all as stated in the terms of service Bell does not guaruntee the functionality of its network and/or your phone.

Telus has had plans in the past that tracked on a call basis and dropped calls were not automatically accounted for. However if you were to call in and report the dropped call they would sometimes issue a courtesy credit.

Thats the catch though, you have to call in. The system won't automatically determine that the call was dropped.

[DarrenGuy]

Second new plan

My Biz
For the individual business person

200 anytime minutes
20 free calls of unlimited duration to a key contact
$30/month

option to add expansion bundles at .10
eg. 25/250, 50/500, 100/1000, 200/2000

[Helmsley]

My friend got 7 dropped calls in the same conversation in mississauga, that would have been an expensive call if he had exceded the 50 calls.

Originally posted by BM GRANT
FYI:

It probably isn't much use for the heavy users in this forum, but Bell is introducing a new low-end rate plan on 10/15.

MY CALL

$25/mth
50 local calls per month of unlimited length
additional calls @ .50 per call
the usual call waiting, call forwarding, conference call
all the usual term-related subsidies/promos

Looks pretty good for the basic user who doesn't want to worry about call timers, but doesn't need unlimited nights/weekends.
It's easier to manage costs on a per call vs. per minute basis.

This plan's obviously no good for frequent, short calls, or heavy night and weekend users.

[SuperCM]

Let's do some math... $25 divided by 50 calls makes out each call to be $0.50. Hee hee, which happens to be the same price if you go over, so I guess no savings there.

Real Time 200, $25 divided by 200 minutes works out to $0.13 per minute. $0.50 divided by $0.13...

Let's see here... $25 divided by 50 calls makes out each call to be $0.50. In contrast to normal plans, let's take the $25 RealTime 200. That works out to $0.13 per minute. 3.85.

So, as long as you make your calls more than 4 minutes in length, it seems this new plan is worthwhile. Also, with the other plans you pay $0.25 per minute over your allotment (phew, glad I don't go over), while here it's still just $0.50 a call.

Hrm... Still, I think I'd prefer the Weekender. 100 minutes long-distance comes in handy if I like travel to Toronto, since my number is based in Hamilton then no surprises when Mr. Bill comes along.

[korteks]

this is a weird plan. I figure its for love sick couples that only call each other for long periods of time.

And policy for dropped calls is a 1 min credit for each call dropped. I suspect it'll be a 1 call credit in this case.

[Xirc]

Have you ever tried explaining to a customer why they only get credit for 1 minute of a dropped call? I used to have to do it all the time in customer service for long distance calls that got "cut off"...

Its not easy...lol

[korteks]

Originally posted by Xirc
Have you ever tried explaining to a customer why they only get credit for 1 minute of a dropped call? I used to have to do it all the time in customer service for long distance calls that got "cut off"...

Its not easy...lol

actually yes I have. And no it isn't.

[Dreaderus]

Well if they have a 10 minute call and get dropped and call in and get 1 minute, its the equal of reestablishing the connection, why should they get credit for their other 9 minutes, they were connected at the time.

Dreaderus

[korteks]

Originally posted by Dreaderus
Well if they have a 10 minute call and get dropped and call in and get 1 minute, its the equal of reestablishing the connection, why should they get credit for their other 9 minutes, they were connected at the time.

Dreaderus

I know but the question was about a Long Distance call. Say you're on a call to China and the call drops...that's worth more then just 1 minute of airtime to reestablish the call.

[Jonavin]

Hey, the new MyCall rate is on their website. But read the fine print:

Bell Mobility reserves the right to limit call lengths to a maximum of 30 minutes

EDIT: and this:

Calls to Message Centre Express will be depleted from your 50 included calls.

[sapporoman]

This plan I guess is to mimic the call using a pay phone. Bell will soon jack up the price to $.5 per call. So it cost the same to use your own cell phone to make the call. But 30 mins cut off is stupid. For people who usually make long conversation, being cut off is a big drag.

[DarrenGuy]

They are not just going to cut you off mid call. They are just doing that to cover any legal grounds. So people can not exploit the system.

The message centre express is a drag. Wonder if the same applies to message centre.