How do you like Wind? - Shaw Purchases Wind

[Regular_John]

So I've seen Calgary finally has LTE coverage and I'm thinking about making the switch.

I'm an iPhone user on the grandfathered $30/6gb data plan with Fido, data aside my plan is pretty underwhelming.

All in I pay $72/month for 150 minutes, no long distance/Canada wide calling, and due to the grandfathered nature of my plan I'm ineligible for data top-ups or some of the more flexible travel options.

So I'm looking into Freedom's larger plans as it seems like I'd get more for less $. But I'm looking for anyone's hands on experience using a ton of data with an iPhone in the city. Live in the deep south, work in the beltline.

[billybob123]

Not totally sure but Wind LTE won't work on your iPhone. You'd be stuck with the intermittently unreliable '4G' network that I use. I have a coworker with an iphone 6 on wind and he seems happy with it, except outside the city. The price is right is his (and my) justification.

[ken0042]

I'd look into a Koodo plan. Look at the MB/Sask Koodo thread. You can also use the same method to get a Quebec plan with 6 GB of data for $49 per month. If you don't want to do as much of the leg work, cellphoneman will do it for $100. We used him- but if I had to do it again I'd just do it myself.

[FlameOn]

Shaw acquires all the 700Mhz spectrum outside of Quebec from Videotron/Quebecor that was bought at the last spectrum auction. Expect their LTE to improve significantly within the next year and at a frequency that can penetrate concrete extremely well. LTE Band 13 will be what is used so existing phones should work.

Concurrently, Shaw also announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Quebecor Media Inc. (“Quebecor”) to acquire 700 MHz and 2500 MHz wireless spectrum licences for $430 million (the “Spectrum Transaction”). The spectrum licences being acquired comprise the 10 MHz licences of 700 MHz spectrum in each of British Columbia, Alberta, and Southern Ontario, as well as the 20 MHz licences of 2500 MHz spectrum in each of Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto.

“Considering the acquisition of WIND (now Freedom Mobile) in 2016, we now have more synergistic investment opportunities as a leading enhanced connectivity provider within our Canadian footprint,” Mr. Shaw said. “We believe this incremental investment in our wireless business, particularly with the addition of the 700 MHz spectrum, will materially improve our long-term wireless customer experience, and will further enable our ability to offer converged network solutions to our customers.”

“We are excited about our wireless opportunity, and the additional spectrum and network investment will create a compelling wireless experience for our existing and future customers,” Mr. Shaw said. “We are pleased that we have entered into an agreement with Quebecor, and we are excited about putting this spectrum to use for the benefit of Canadians.”

http://newsroom.shaw.ca/materialDeta...lID=6442451998

[FlameOn]

Hm... looks like 700Mhz LTE build out will start in FY2018 which starts in September for Shaw.

"In addition to the spectrum acquisition cost, Shaw estimated that capital expenditures associated with the deployment of the acquired spectrum will be approximately $350 million, and that it expects the majority of the capital related to the network build to be incurred during its fiscal 2018."

https://cartt.ca/article/shaw-buys-s...uthern-ontario

[psyang]

If anyone is looking for a new phone to run on Freedom's new LTE network, the One Plus 5 was just announced this morning, and supports band 66 and band 7. Unfortunately, it doesn't support band 13, Freedom's new 700Mhz spectrum they just acquired.

https://oneplus.net/ca_en/5/specs

[RW99]

Originally Posted by psyang

If anyone is looking for a new phone to run on Freedom's new LTE network, the One Plus 5 was just announced this morning, and supports band 66 and band 7. Unfortunately, it doesn't support band 13, Freedom's new 700Mhz spectrum they just acquired.

https://oneplus.net/ca_en/5/specs

Hmm, I wonder if its time to update my One Plus One.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by RW99

Hmm, I wonder if its time to update my One Plus One.

Probably, if only to support the new bands. LTE for Freedom is band 13/66. Oneplus One supports neither.

[FlameOn]

Spectrum transfer is approved. Now to see how long it takes for them to turn on the band

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) has approved Quebecor’s $430 million CAD sale of seven Videotron spectrum licenses to Shaw’s Freedom Mobile.

The package included three 700MHz licenses for Southern Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia and four 2500MHz licenses covering Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

700MHz is a high-quality wireless frequency that Rogers uses for LTE service, while the majority of the high-frequency 2500MHz spectrum auctioned in 2015 went to Telus.

http://mobilesyrup.com/2017/07/10/is...spectrum-sale/

[Azure]

Wouldn't it require new equipment?

[Badabing]

Does anyone have experience with the LTE network on an S8? I'm told I have the right device / plan, but the phone still says 4G in the notification bar. Is that typical?

[cSpooge]

Originally Posted by Badabing

Does anyone have experience with the LTE network on an S8? I'm told I have the right device / plan, but the phone still says 4G in the notification bar. Is that typical?

Once I got the initial update my S8 was able to connect to the LTE network no problem. Is the phone setup to have LTE as the preference in the settings?

[worth]

I have an A5 and it is working on LTE also.

[CMPunk]

Dumb question, but how can you tell what network your phone is running on?

[ken0042]

Beside the indicator of the number of bars, there should be an icon for 3G, 4G, or LTE. You may have to turn off wifi to be able to see the indicator.

[Badabing]

Thanks - looks like I might have to chat with Wind (Freedom?).

[Sr. Mints]

I've been with Freedom for about six months now. But I'm bailing next week (tomorrow if I can be arsed to go to a shopping mall.) The $37 (x2) I pay is just not worth it.

1.) No data when I'm outside of Calgary. Now I knew that going in, but was surprised I didn't have data in Airdrie or Okotoks, and to a lesser extent Nanton, Strathmore, Banff, Canmore. I didn't think it would bother me, but for the dozen or-so times I've been out of town and not had internet, it's maddening.

2.) Spotty internet downtown, or in a mall. Or sometimes even a Costco. Why? is this a ####ing issue, Shaw?

3.) Constantly disconnected when I'm on the move. Forget surfing the web when you're on the C-train or passenger in a car. Even driving down 16th Ave. where you're going 20km/hr and there's a light every 50 feet: disconnected. Again, maddening.

I've never had a problem with cellular reception, but as my life revolves around the internet these days, Freedom is no good for me.

[Huntingwhale]

My buddy was saying the same thing. He thought he was hot ####, was bragging that he got his 8GB/$65/month plan, and in the end he just ended up getting boned. Had to fork over a downpayment for a new phone, since 'older' phones (even some 2 years old models) don't work with the Freedom network. Then spotty reception all around town. Calls drop repeatedly. Takes minutes to reconnect back to the network. The problems go on and on.

In the end it was too good to be true. We'll just have to accept the fact that if you want reliable cell service in Canada, you are stuck with one of the big 3 at exuberant prices and there's nothing you can do about it.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

I've been with Freedom for about six months now. But I'm bailing next week (tomorrow if I can be arsed to go to a shopping mall.) The $37 (x2) I pay is just not worth it.

1.) No data when I'm outside of Calgary. Now I knew that going in, but was surprised I didn't have data in Airdrie or Okotoks, and to a lesser extent Nanton, Strathmore, Banff, Canmore. I didn't think it would bother me, but for the dozen or-so times I've been out of town and not had internet, it's maddening.

2.) Spotty internet downtown, or in a mall. Or sometimes even a Costco. Why? is this a ####ing issue, Shaw?

3.) Constantly disconnected when I'm on the move. Forget surfing the web when you're on the C-train or passenger in a car. Even driving down 16th Ave. where you're going 20km/hr and there's a light every 50 feet: disconnected. Again, maddening.

I've never had a problem with cellular reception, but as my life revolves around the internet these days, Freedom is no good for me.

Clearly, you didn't do your homework.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

In the end it was too good to be true. We'll just have to accept the fact that if you want reliable cell service in Canada, you are stuck with one of the big 3 at exuberant prices and there's nothing you can do about it.

Koodo, Virgin and Fido are good alternatives. Same coverage as their parent companies for less money.