For those of you who are not following us on Twitter and missed our tweet with WIND Mobile’s response to the CRTC’s decision I provide a few quotes for your reading convenience.
WIND Mobile will be delayed in becoming Canada’s newest competitive wireless operator in over a decade, Globalive Wireless Management Corp. announced today on the heels of a regulatory decision from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
In its decision, the CRTC came to a different conclusion than Industry Canada and has indicated that Globalive Wireless is not in compliance with the Canadian ownership and control requirements set out in the Telecommunications Act.
“Having already received approval from Industry Canada, we are extremely disappointed that the CRTC has come to a different conclusion,” said Anthony Lacavera, Chairman, Globalive Wireless Management Corp. “This is a bad day for Canadian consumers. Canadians deserve competition in wireless and this decision represents a major step backwards.”
“WIND Mobile had planned to launch in the coming weeks. We have pulled together an excellent team of more than 500 people and had built a strong network and operation across the country. We are ready to bring competition to the market.” said Ken Campbell, CEO of WIND Mobile. “We will be evaluating our options on how to proceed.”
Read the complete press release on WIND Mobile’s website. After doing so, be sure to follow us on Twitter so you do not miss another news update.
With the CRTC’s decision today to block WIND Mobile (Globalive Wireless) from launching in Canada at this time, HowardForums member “Windsider” decided it would be safe to leak some plan information.
Three plans were to be available at launch, sorry no monthly pricing was given:
Chat(basic plan)
100 province-wide minutes
Always Talk (mid range plan)
province-wide “local” minutes
Always Shout(high end plan)
province-wide “local” minutes
unlimited texting to Canada and the US
voicemail
All plans were to include: missed call alert, caller id, call waiting, call forwarding, conference calling, Wind-to-Wind Calling (Nationwide).
In addition to the three base calling plans, WIND mobile also planned to launch data and prepaid services. The data plan was to be called “Infinite Internet” featuring unlimited data (tethering, downloading, streaming, etc.). Prepaid service was to be referred to as “Pay Before” which gave the consumer access to the same monthly plans as the “Pay After” (postpaid) service.
The CRTC has finally published the results of the investigation into the ownership of Globalive Wireless, which was to operate under the name of WIND Mobile in Canada. According to the press release published on the CRTC website, it was determined that: “Globalive is controlled in fact by Orascom, a non-Canadian“. As a result, Globalive Wireless (WIND Mobile) is unable to launch in Canada at this time.
In this decision, the Commission sets out its determination in the proceeding initiated by Telecom Notice of Consultation 2009-429, in which it undertook a review of Globalive’s ownership and control. In its review, the Commission considered whether non-Canadians do not own or control Globalive as currently structured. The Commission determines that Globalive does not meet that test. The Commission therefore determines that Globalive has not met the requirements of the ownership and control regime and is therefore not currently eligible to operate as a Canadian telecommunications common carrier.
We will have more on the CRTC’s decision in a future post. In the mean time, head over the the WIND Mobile section of HowardForums to discuss the ruling by the CRTC.
Telus Mobility is gearing up for the launch of their HSPA+ network early next month by teasing us with the new rate plans. Termed “Clear and Simple Pricing” the new plans eliminate the addition costs associated with the System Access Fee (SAF) and 9-1-1 fee by building them into the base plan pricing. As a result the base plan will increase $5/month but will actually save the consumer $2.70 per month in addition to gaining voice mail 3. Please note that the removal of the System Access Fee and 9-1-1 fee is only for the new “Clear and Simple Pricing” plans-existing plans and contract will not have this amount credited.
click on the image for a large view
Follow the “more” link for some FAQs about the “Clear and Simple Pricing” plans.
The Samsung Intensity has officially been launched on Telus’ discount brand-Koodo Mobile. The full QWERTY device retails for $200, or $50 when you max out the Tab.
With a 1.3MP camera, MP3 player, microSD slot (supporting up to 16 GB), and Bluetooth this device has great features and a excellent price tag.
It has been awhile since we last posted something about Solo Mobile, a division of Bell Mobility, so lets give them some press time.
A web page went up late last week with information about three unlimited plans. Of course a truly “unlimited”plan it too good to be true so the following conditions apply:
1) available in Toronto and Montreal only
2) only for use in “City Zone” (just like the “Solo in the City” and “City Fido” plans)
3) prepaid only
Click on the “more” link to see the details on the three unlimited plans.
The big three (Rogers, Bell, Telus) have announced they will be bringing the BlackBerry Bold 9700 to Canada.
The 9700 features a 2.44″ screen, 3.2 MP camera, wifi, and GPS. In addition to the previous mentioned features, the 9700 replaces the roller ball with a track pad.
The Bold 2 will be in the starting lineup for Bell and Telus’ new HSPA network, which should be ready for use in November. The 9700 should be up for sale in November in around the $300 price mark on a 3 year term with data.
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