Posts tagged CDMA
Will Verizon Discontinue Unlimited Data?
Jul 21st
There has been news coming from Engadget regarding Verizon’s switch to “AT&T style” data pricing. For those of you that have forgotten, that’s 2GB for $25, and 200MB’s for $15. Chalk this up in the ‘rumor’ category, since there are no details short of a possible start date of July 29th. But in my personal opinion, expect to see Verizon make the whole “unlimited pricing” idea disappear sooner that you can say ‘Rule the Air’. An informal call to our friends at Verizon customer service got me no where, of course.
Can you hear the disgruntled Verizon customers now? Good.
Follow me on twitter
Solo Mobile To Be Re-Branded?
Jul 12th
When it rains, it pours.
Back before WIND or Mobilicity ever existed, the major players in the Canadian mobile industry scoffed at the idea of “Unlimited” as a branding model. The big three oligopoly was happy with their high-cost, non-inclusive plans.
Now 7 months after WIND’s official launch, and only a few months between Mobilicity and Public Mobile both being launched in the GTA corridor, everyone wants a piece of the “Unlimited” action. Just a few weeks ago buzz started that Rogers was hopping the bandwagon with a new carrier rumored to be called “Chat-r”, which would have the same offerings as its competition, however on the much more stable Rogers wireless 3G network. This led to speculation that Rogers would possibly re-brand its ailing Fido brand, a rumor quickly shot down by Rogers President Rob Bruce.
As we have learned time and time again, when one of the big three makes a decision like this, the rest are more than likely to follow. Now, rumor has it that Bell is planning on re-branding its fledgling Solo Mobile brand, keeping the name, however, with the same contract-free unlimited offerings as chat-r. What this will do to Virgin Mobile no one really knows, but for now, I guess it’s only time before Telus launches their own (third brand) discount service or totally re-brands (again) Koodo Mobile.
[Via Mobile Syrup]
Follow me on twitterHTC Evo or Incredible Being Ported To GSM?
Jul 10th
Everyone knows about the Droid Incredible on Verizon and the HTC Evo on Sprint, and how, because they both run on CDMA-spec networks, they are incompatible with any other network. Contrast this to, for example, a Nexus One, which out of the box comes unlocked and compatible with multiple GSM carriers around the world (in two versions, however) as long as the radio bands are compatible. That means that if one should need to travel overseas, his or her Nexus One (or any other GSM-compatible device; I am just using the N1 as an example) should work to make phone calls and send text messages on a local network, as long as one buys a SIM card.
Up in Canada, we have are in an Android drought. Sure, the HTC Desire is coming to Telus shortly and the HTC Legend was just released on Bell, but it is unlikely that any Evo or Incredible-like devices are going to make their way up north any time soon. Canada’s carriers are phasing out their CDMA infrustructure, and it seems that the two aforementioned CDMA devices are US-exclusive.
So what happens when HTC decides to take those designs and port them over to make them GSM compatible? They could potentially go to a lot more places around the world. Sure, the EVO 4G will likely just be an HSPA device, but the world could use more Android handsets, period. According to Pocket-Lint, one of their tipsters mentioned that an HTC device, code named “Ace,” is going to be released later in the year in the UK, and has a striking similarity to the HTC HD2 (a sexy, Sense-covered Windows Mobile 6.5 device). Whether this is going to be a strict port of the Incredible or EVO, or a unique device altogether, we don’t know, but if it’s released in the UK, a Canadian/South American/European release can’t be too far off.
One has to wonder whether, by the time these ports are completed and released, the high-end specs (1GHZ Snapdragon 512MB RAM, etc.) will seem a bit antiquated. Newer dual-core Snapdragon processors are being released later in the year, and HTC surely has them already planned for devices. Personally, I’d like to see the EVO ported to GSM to run on Bell or Telus’ new HSPA+ network. That would be hot.
This Week In BlackBerry 6/13 – 6/19
Jun 19th
I’m glad to see that some of TheCellularGuru readers and our in-house writer GuruJustin, took advantage of the Verizon free Bold 9650 upgrade! Keep in mind, all BlackBerry devices have a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. As long as you don’t have excessive drop or water damage, you can have your device replaced if there is a hardware issue. It is very rare for a carrier to be out of stock on current replacement devices when they are ALL less than a year old, but lest call this a lucky loophole.
Dealing with tech support is never fun, but to get an upgraded device for free, makes it all worth it. A lot of Tour users have dealt with enough issues that they deserve the Bold 9650 for their troubles. Some people have purchased a Tour in the last couple of months and should not have to wait another year to get an upgrade when their 2 month old Tour is already outdated. I have no idea how much longer you Tour users will be able to take advantage of this, but it doesn’t hurt to try. If you happen to get a free upgrade this weekend, please drop a comment so we know this is still live! Hit the jump to see what else you may have missed this week in BlackBerry.
Verizon Upgrading Plagued Tours To Bold 9650′s For Free! Act Now!
6 New BlackBerry Devices Coming In Q3/Q4 2010?
Rogers Pricing Update Coming For Blackberry Bold 9700
BlackBerry App World 2.0 Coming Soon, What It Should Have Been All Along
Tell RIM How You BBM For A Chance To Win $5,000
Public Mobile Partners With Gateway Newstands
Jun 15th
Mobile phone service is reaching a whole new level of “convenience” in Canada. We first had WIND Mobile announce they would launch in Blockbuster video retail outlets. Rogers then announced plans to start selling within Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies; Telus’ recent acquisition and deployment of cellphones within Black’s photography stores; Bell bought some The Source stores; Mobilicity is almost everywhere; and now Public Mobile is jumping into the cross-marketing idea, but with a different strategy.
They have announced plans to partner with Gateway Newstands (who have 152 outlets across the GTA) and offer customers the ability to buy a phone or pay their bill at any of the locations. This partnership will bring their retail presence in the GTA to over 200 outlets.
I will admit, putting cellphone availability into a convenience store is kind of genius. What was once dominated solely by dime-a-dozen long distance cards, will now house a legitimate cellular carrier as well, offering customers the ability to pay off their phone bill before a commute without really needing to go out of their way.
Read the official press release via Market Wire.
Follow me on twitter
Verizon Bold 9650 Release Date!
May 29th
Our friends over at the Berry Reporter secured a copy of a Verizon email showing an online release date of Thursday June 3rd, and an in store release date of Thursday June 10th for the Bold 9650. This makes perfect sense being that Sprint released the 9650 via web orders a week ahead of their in store release. There’s no need to go over the specs again. You Verizon subscribers know what it is, and you know you want it. I know its been a long wait, but at least you’re no longer left in limbo over the release date. Luckily, in about another week you’ll be able to sleep again. : )
Via: Berry Reporter
This Week In BlackBerry 5/23 – 5/28
May 27th
White 9700′s, Pearl 3G’s, Sprint 9650. RIM really hasn’t been playing around lately. They’re truly gearing up for a nice strong summer. It’s nice to see that both GSM and CDMA devices are being favored this time around. As for you Verizon subscribers, our friends at Berry Reporter just confirmed that Verizon will have the 9650 available via their website on June 3 and in store on June 10th! I know it seemed like the wait has been forever, after watching Sprint announce and release the device, but at least you now have an answer. It looks like we will also be seeing a GSM and possibly CDMA 98xx this summer. And don’t forget about BlackBerry 6. Hit the jump for what you may have missed this week in BlackBerry. Everyone be safe and have a nice weekend!
News
Verizon Training Staff On Bold 9650
Blackberry Pearl 9100 Passes Through FCC, This Time Sporting AWS
Blackberry 9800 Slider Heading To AT&T- Further Confirmation *Updated*
BlackBerry Service Banned in Kuwait and Pakistan
Releases
Rogers Pearl 3G Now Available For Upgrade?
Telus Releases The Pearl 3G in Pink at $4.99 On A Contract?
Apps
Bolt 2.1 Released – Now Out Of Beta
Public Mobile Readies Launch, With New Tricks Up Their Sleeves
May 26th
So, you’re another start-up carrier, launching in an already-saturated cellular market that is the GTA corridor. Offering a mid-range $40 “Unlimited” plan just wont cut it when competing with the incumbents. So what do you do? You undercut the competition and go cheaper. With the launch date finally here Public is offering a new unlimited offering, targeted at the “low-income value conscious” customer. The new plan is as follows:
$24/month for unlimited local calling with call waiting, call forwarding, and conference calling all included. Call display and voice mail can be added together for $8/month.
Public Mobile CEO Alek Krstaji had this to say:
“We want to offer all the value we can in the marketplace. 38-percent of Canadians don’t have a cell phone because of unpredictable prices. We want to make owning a cell phone affordable, and give everybody the chance to talk. Owning a cell phone shouldn’t be a luxury. Thousands of customers signed up early, and on the first day of our network operation, they are able to use their Public Mobile phones”.
In addition to the $24 per month, Public Mobile has stated a few other enticing promotions to come, including unlimited international long distance.
As we know, wireless competition in Canada specifically Toronto is on fire, and for the first time in a long time the Big Three are finally realizing they need to be aggressive to maintain clientèle. Their discount brands have been aggressively trying to stave off any defections: Fido has reintroduced their City Fido plan, allowing 2000 minutes/month for $40 in a larger service area in Toronto than Mobilicity or WIND and Koodo is introducing BlackBerry service soon with their 8530. I’ll be interested to see what happens with the back-to-school hot season.
[Via The Globe and Mail]
Follow me on twitter
Bell Really Wants You to Buy The Palm Pre (Or Have It For Free, and Sign a Contract)
May 17th
Could Bell have a bit too much stock of the Palm Pre? In a final effort to move units the beleaguered phone has been put on the front of the company’s mobile website, priced at an attractive $0.
Only the marketing teams knows for sure, but you will notice where once was the Blackberry Bold 9700 is now the Palm Pre. Hopefully this change will drive sales for the device, though realistically, if someone hasn’t already purchased the aging handset, it’s unlikely this move will affect your decision. I mean, who buys phones online anyway? I have used the Pre as a primary device and being someone who isn’t too reliant on apps, loved the device.
To read more on The Palm Pre or some of the rate plans from Bell, click here.
[Via Mobile Syrup]
Follow me on twitter
Have Verizon and Apple Finally Struck A Deal For A CDMA iPhone?
Apr 27th
You can file this as a rumor, but a solid connect has given us a tad bit of insight in regards to the infamous CDMA iPhone hopefully set to hit Big Red. Supposedly, May 1st is the day that Steve Jobs and Verizon meet in the Octagon, and the only REAL setback to closing this deal is the hit Verizon is willing to take on sales. Apple is infamous for needing control of ALL aspects of sales/marketing and pricing of the iPhone, and AT&T got hit hard when it came to that. I guess only time will tell, will follow up as the story unfolds.
Follow me on twitter
Interact With Us