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.