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CTS 2010: WIND Mobile CEO Anthony Lacavera Keynote Speech [Video]
Jun 9th
Simply put, Anthony Lacavera is as strong a speaker as he is a tireless CEO. Since the notorious spectrum auction of 2008 he has maintained confidence and composure in the strong face of wireless adversity that is the Canadian telecom industry. What makes the delivery of this speech so powerful is the fact that WIND has only been live for 6 months (June 11th officially) and to now they have lived up to each promise made on their “conversation” blog (ie. no contracts or any hidden fees), in which he and his marketing team are extremely active.
He declared aggravation with how Canadian customers are still paying 2.2% more than those of our American counterparts; how we as an industry are limited to fewer hardware choices and plans; that we are last in wireless penetration among 30 countries worldwide; and, in his words, “trash talking our national carriers has become as much of a Canadian past time as hockey.”
Of the 15 minute speech, what stuck with me the most (and the portion I am sharing on video) is how he speaks openly on how the Big Three (Rogers, Bell, Telus) have treated WIND as a fly to be swatted and not legitimate competition. Their marketing campaigns have been effective in promoting the misgivings many consumers have with the incumbent providers, while stating confidently that WIND is alive, well, and here for the long haul.
[Click here for mobile friendly viewing]
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North Americans Take Heed: This Is Data Usage At Its Finest
Jun 4th
The big three carriers claim they don’t market “Unlimited” data plans because average mobile data user doesn’t come close to their standard data cap of xxMB, and this is true nine out of ten times. Recently, AT&T, who had an Unlimited package (which glorified new iPad owners) decided they were going to eliminate it it in exchange for a cheaper, capped plan.
With all this talk of data and usage, a good question gets raised: “What is the most mobile data a person has used on a given carrier in a month?” Iain Marlow, of the Globe and Mail, decided to do some research on this with one of the only carriers in Canada offering “Unlimited” data as a market offer, WIND Mobile, and you will be surprised at the findings. Anthony Lacavera, CEO of WIND released the following stats exclusively to The Globe of the heaviest mobile data consumers on their network in the country. The results are as follows:
The Top 10 Heaviest Users of Data on WIND Mobile’s Cellular Network (Measured in Gigabytes Per Month)
- 118.56
- 95.12
- 55.32
- 51.70
- 44.51
- 39.21
- 33.72
- 33.59
- 28.94
- 26.85
For the record, half of those are mobile data sticks and half of them are smart phone tetherers, who are attaching their smart phone to their laptop and using it as a modem. Yes, like most carriers, WIND still has a fair use “throttling” policy in effect for those who eat through data like a buffet, but due to the light user base, WIND’s network is fairly open, leaving plenty of room for these heavy consumers.
In my opinion, to use that much data in a given month is irresponsible, but the user is definitely getting his/her money’s worth. This is an exact reason why the big three would never follow suit. There are too many users on an already-congested Canadian HSPA series of networks.
Read the full story at the Globe and Mail.
Follow me on twitterThe Day Has Arrived, WIND Mobile Launches in Vancouver, BC
Jun 3rd
Following up on what we reported a few days ago, WIND will officially activate its “Home Zone” service in Vancouver, as well as open the doors to its flagship store at 10am to the press and media, with a public opening an hour later at 11am.
The event will be co-hosted by WIND Mobile CEO Ken Campbell. Chairman Anthony Lacavera, and CMO Scott Campbell, and rounds off their originally announced 5 city Canadian launch. With the launch they are also extending their “Everybody WIND’s” promotion through to June 30th, so let’s see how welcoming Vancouverites are to something new.
Read the official press release here
Follow me on twitterWIND Mobile Officially Launching in Vancouver June 3rd
May 31st
West Coasters you are in luck, as announced a few weeks ago, WIND Mobile is officially launching in Vancouver this Thursday, June 3rd 2010, at 10am at their flagship store 116 Davie St, Yaletown, BC.
This launch will round off the carriers 5 city Canadian deployment (Which has already launched in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Calgary). And in conjunction with the launch, WIND is extending their 6 month 50% promotion called “Everybody WINDs” through to June 30th!
If you are in the area check out the festivities and let us know how it is!
To read up more on the post in WIND’s official blog click here
To read up on the plans and services currently offered from WIND Mobile click here
Follow me on twitterWIND Mobile CEO Speaks on Bill 60
May 19th
June 30th, 2010 will be a historic day in the Canadian Wireless sector, not only is it the 25th anniversary of wireless in Canada, but its also the day that Bill 60 comes into effect.
What is Bill 60 you may ask? It is the equivalent to Canadian consumers being able to have the upper hand on overbearing carriers and their “hidden” agenda with getting out of long term contracts. It is finally protection, something that we as consumers have needed for a long time. WIND has prided themselves on no contracts, easy to understand plans, and overall great customer service and so far they have met and exceeded those promises. Today, CEO Tony Lacavera, took to the WIND blogs to speak candidly on his thoughts of the implementation of Bill 60 and what WIND’s thoughts are.
Read the full editorial at WIND.
Follow me on twitterWIND Mobile Blows Away The Competition (For Six Months)
May 6th
On Tuesday, WIND Mobile’s $150 credit for porting over your number expired. Then, yesterday, they revealed three new data packages to suit any customer.
Today they have announced that they are offering 50% off certain voice and data plans for the first 6 months of your non-contract with them. The ones in the picture above are even more competitive, and though the offer does not include the data plans that were unveiled yesterday, I see a sweet spot with the Always Talk for $17.50 and the Charged data plan, totalling $37.50 for something you’d get at Rogers for $50+. Excellent savings.
WIND seems to be offering a very robust infrastructure for people in large urban areas, and since the BlackBerry 9700 is compatible with their network (though not the Rogers/Belus model) I am quite tempted to take a peak and see how it works for me. I mean, nothing to lose, right? No commitment.
Will this sway you more towards the company, that claims to be increasing their service quality and total coverage in all their areas?
Let us know!
(Via Mobile Syrup)
WIND Mobile Introduces Three New Data Plans
May 5th
There has been rumour going around that WIND Mobile was gearing up to launch new data packages for their customers to choose from. They were set to target the people who didn’t need unlimited data usage, but needed more than the basic Social plan.
That glorious day has come! WIND has posted the “Social,” “Charged,” and “Infinite” mobile data plans. Each one is specifically designed for a specific user base, from low data use to unlimited data usage as add-ons to existing plans. These new add-ons will still coincide with the existing Blackberry and “Other” data options already in market.
Scott Campbell, Chief Marketing Officer of WIND Mobile had this to say:
“Many of our customers told us they weren’t heavy users, or light users – and that what they really needed was a mid-range data add-on”.
This introduction couldn’t have come at a better time for WIND. They are proving more and more that they have their ears to the ground and are willing to listen to their customers, implementing changes based on external feedback.
If you are a current WIND customer and don’t already have a data option, would you consider adding one of these new ones on? Let me know.
[Via Mobile Syrup]
Follow me on twitterWIND Mobile to Officially Launch in Vancouver This Summer
Apr 20th
Think back to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver (Woot Team Canada!!! Sorry force of habit). Were you one of the few using WIND Mobile and getting a home icon on your screen, even though WIND hadn’t formally launched yet? Well, “Setusfree” posted this picture in the WIND blogs of a screenshot announcing an official launch this summer. I, along with a lot of my friends, have a WIND line in Toronto and it works very well in the city limits. Congrats to WIND on the growth, looking forward to more as time goes on.
Are you a WIND user? Let us know how you like it!
Follow me on twitterNokia 5230 Available At WIND Mobile for $180
Apr 16th
Well, that didn’t take too long! The new touch device we covered a few days ago is now available at WIND Mobile in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver, for all the (few) subscribers who want to upgrade their new device.
While this isn’t the best phone available to WIND subscribers (that title is still owned by the Blackberry Bold 9700), it is the first Nokia device available, and wow is it cheap! This is non-contract price, people, remember that. Most phones off-contract cost upwards of $500, so while this device may not have the swag and WOW-factor of a Nexus One, it certainly is more affordable.
Let us know if you’re going to pick this up, and head over to WIND’s site to learn more.
(via Mobile Syrup)
WIND Mobile Gets Low-End Nokia 5230 Touchscreen
Apr 13th
According to WIND Mobile’s blog, they will soon be getting a medium-powered and low-end smartphone from Nokia, the 5230.
Quite slim and attractive, the specs are a bit of a letdown, considering WIND has no decent touchscreen phones for sale. There is a 434MHZ ARM processor, 128MB RAM, 2MP Camera and a resistive (not capacitative) 3.2″ touch screen running at a nice 360×640 resolution.
I’ve always liked WIND’s easy approach to phones: buy a phone outright at a decent price, activate a no-contract voice and data plan and use the phone until you no longer want to. Then cancel the plan and sell the phone. The End. No contracts, nothing.
However, the three best phones that run on WIND’s AWS network are not offered in Canada unless you import them: Google’s Nexus One, T-Mobile’s HTC HD2, and the Nokia N900. Luckily, WIND will offer you a free SIM card with any plan activation, and, as the Nexus One already comes unlocked, it’s a pretty easy procedure to get it working.
Especially now that Google has included WIND on their compatibility list for the T-Mobile Nexus One, if the Nokia 5230 comes in at more than $300, I would not recommend purchasing one. But that’s just me. Some people love Symbian. Right?
Ummm…
(via Mobile Syrup)
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