[cowcow]

WIND mobile phones use the 3G AWS band which most phones today do not support. If you buy a phone that uses that band and is unlocked, you should be able to use it.

[lawleypop]

Jesus, sounds like they'll be wiping out the competition.

Seriously though, I have a strong belief that the big 3 pay into the CRTC to block competition in Canada.

[manaya]

I wouldn't be surprised if Rogers & Bell tried to bribe their way into the government to cause some impediments for Wind ...

[ice8]

plans look pretty good but you still can't use unlocked phones with WIND, so once that happens you should see a lot of customers switch over.

That should get robbers and bell looking at their prices (prolly won't happen till near the end of next year)

[sew12]

People really think these plans are so great?

I'm amazed.

[aaront]

Originally Posted by manaya

I wouldn't be surprised if Rogers & Bell tried to bribe their way into the government to cause some impediments for Wind ...

Well, they did. They filed a request to the CRTC to look into the ownership structure in the first place (I believe it was Telus). the thing that was funny was that Industry Canada had already approved their ownership structure, but the CRTC, once again, went against the wishes of the Canadian consumer.

[cowcow]

Actually, it's not the CRTC's fault this time, they were asked to do this and only reviewed the proposal by WIND and according to canadian law, the company structure had to be at least 50% canadian owned but WIND (globalive) is actually 60% owned by orascom (an egyptian company). This was the reason why WIND was not allowed to start providing telecommunication services to canadians. The only people who had the power to overturn the CRTCs decision is the federal government.

[aaront]

Originally Posted by cowcow

Actually, it's not the CRTC's fault this time, they were asked to do this and only reviewed the proposal by WIND and according to canadian law, the company structure had to be at least 50% canadian owned but WIND (globalive) is actually 60% owned by orascom (an egyptian company). This was the reason why WIND was not allowed to start providing telecommunication services to canadians. The only people who had the power to overturn the CRTCs decision is the federal government.

But, mind you, they were asked to do this under the insistence of the big 3.

And the shares owned by Orascom are non-voting, which is one of the reasons it is able to operate. One could argue our archaic foreign ownership laws, but that would be another thread all together.

But in any case, I think it was a relatively successful day for Wind. Once they get their network more established and more phones, I'm definitely making the switch. If just for the fact that I could call home and friends in Waterloo and vice versa without the constant watching of my watch.

And I realize Wind is not for everyone, but as a person who does not text much, but uses caller ID and makes long distance phone calls, they have some very attractive plans.

Also of note, does anyone ever question our archaic "long-distance" system? I mean it's kind of a scam, especially since it costs no more to call someone in northern ontario than it does to call your neighbour.

[huzaifa47]

Originally Posted by sew12

People really think these plans are so great?

I'm amazed.

It's relative, Not everyone has a 3 year old customer relation with Rogers via their family. Not everyone needs data plans/email for their Blackberry's. The people like Aaron & myself find Wind plans attractive because it suits their need.

[Entropy]

Originally Posted by sew12

People really think these plans are so great?

I'm amazed.

aaront and huzaifa are right. Nowhere else will you be able to pay $15 + tax for 100 minutes, 50 texts, caller ID, and call waiting not to mention a provincial local calling range.

Even with a Rogers retention plan, you probably won't be paying less that $20/month, which is more than what a lot of people need.

[PTGregD]

Originally Posted by sew12

People really think these plans are so great?

I'm amazed.

Some of these plans are better than retention plans with Rogers. I have My-5(10) on my phone, and it costs me $45 a month with rogers. Plus I need to pay extra for texts/caller id + 911 + service access fee = my bill becomes insane.

With Wind, I'd pay $45 for everything I just mentioned, PLUS I would get infinite minutes/texts to anyone in Canada, not just limited to 10 people.

So yes, the plans are that great.

Did I mention that having no contracts already makes them better than Rogers/Bell/Telus?

[feonateresa]

Originally Posted by sew12

People really think these plans are so great?

I'm amazed.

Yeah, take out stupid bs like system access fees, activation fees, and include in-province calling, you've got me sold haha.

[Infinity]

these plans aren't bad. they don't offer much but when you compare it with the big bad providers you aren't paying fee's for nothing like SAF, 911 emergency, incoming texts.. this leaves room for those add ons. Plus there is no contract.

[sew12]

Just curious. Obviously other people have legit reasons for finding these plans attractive, just wondering what they were.

Lack of texts for a reasonable price was the only big issue I saw with them, but obviously not everyone texts heavily, even I don't.

The long distance thing is really stupid, I agree with the above poster. Perhaps something good that will come out of this is more competition and the other companies might have to re-evaluate stupid practices like the extravagant long distance charges.

Wind might not be for me but more competition will could be good.

Let's just hope it doesn't go the other way around and Wind realizes they can get away with the tactics the other companies do and changes their tune.

[cowcow]

If you text heavy, you can add unlimited texting for $5 more per month.