WIND Mobile Financier Regrets Entering ‘Protected’ Canadian Mobile Market

[OldDutch]

I always wondered why Wind failed to catch on here. Maybe their flaw was going with AWS technology that the iPhone never supported. Maybe it was a dearth of phone selections until recently. Maybe it was the coverage and home zone model.

Really hope the next guy to try doesn't buy spectrum, but rents off the towers of the Big 3 ala Clearnet. Maybe if the government regulates low rent for these it would work out well. Basically Telus coverage and LTE for half price.

To be clear I don't fault them for the plan Wind chose. Just like T mobile no one could have seen no iPhone and many other killer phone support.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

I always wondered why Wind failed to catch on here. Maybe their flaw was going with AWS technology

Wind had a great promotion going on in December that caught my interest. I was using an unlocked on Telus, and I had no contract, so it was dead simple for me to switch carriers. I went to a Wind store to find out more.

That's when I learned about their AWS system, and how I'd have to buy a new phone to go with them. That was the end of my interest in Wind.

[TurnedTheCorner]

I hope they stay independent of the big three. Sigh.

[FurnaceFace]

Mobilicity big enough to buy them? That might be an attractive customer base for them, I think Wind is about triple the size, and on the same network.

Edit: Wind also does silly things. They have the Nexus 4 listed on their site for 500 when you can get it from Google for 300. Just passed by Mobilicity's site and they have it for the same price as Google.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

Mobilicity big enough to buy them? That might be an attractive customer base for them, I think Wind is about triple the size, and on the same network.

Zero chance.

Mobilicity is trying to secure $75 Mil in loans, and speculation is that is just so they can keep operating.

I know internally they have been cutting back costs on everything.

If Wind is up for sale, I can see Mobilicity filing for chapter 11.

[FurnaceFace]

Well then, I'll be sad cuz I suspect the days of $35 unlimited everything plans are numbered. I really have no desire to spend 60 or 80 a month for what I use 90% of the time as a mobile Internet device.

[Nsd1]

Awesome, once Wind folds the big three can really start the price gouging. Gotta pay for all those guys the Blue Jays got this year.

[Azure]

Regardless of what happens, cell phone contracts still need to be regulated a lot better.

Starting with throwing out the 3 year contract.

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

Edit: Wind also does silly things. They have the Nexus 4 listed on their site for 500 when you can get it from Google for 300. Just passed by Mobilicity's site and they have it for the same price as Google.

Maybe they ordered it expres shipping and they're just trying to recoup the cost?

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

Awesome, once Wind folds the big three can really start the price gouging. Gotta pay for all those guys the Blue Jays got this year.

Ah yes, the protected in this country will commence more gouging. Something really needs to change with this system in Canada.

[jeep991]

WIND Mobile ‏@WINDmobile 52m
Hi everyone, we've heard the chatter and have posted an official response on Facebook (shared here in a screenshot). pic.twitter.com/IiaoZdKwDZ

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by jeep991

WIND Mobile ‏@WINDmobile 52m
Hi everyone, we've heard the chatter and have posted an official response on Facebook (shared here in a screenshot). pic.twitter.com/IiaoZdKwDZ

Translation, we are for sale, but will continue to be cheap until we are bought by a big 3 and folded.

[jschick88]

Hi everyone, the reports are true - the iPhone is becoming compatible with WIND Mobile's network! Stay tuned.

https://twitter.com/WINDmobile

[bubbsy]

If wind can get LTE network support, I think it would be enough to get my wife to move off Rogers....

[Igster]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

If wind can get LTE network support, I think it would be enough to get my wife to move off Rogers....

Sure, but pretty soon, Wind will most likely BE Rogers.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

If wind can get LTE network support, I think it would be enough to get my wife to move off Rogers....

Very curious to know what this would take. T Mobile is in the process of rolling out LTE network on the same band as AT&T. I would think this would take quite an investment for Wind to do as well, and that probably isn't going to happen.

iPhone 5 with 3G I doubt will make much impact. Sure it's cheaper, but why not get a Nexus 4?

I just think they made a bad call on technology from the get go. Not their fault is some ways, but it is what it is. Until they can match Virgin and Fido speeds many will pay that little bit more to get top speeds and coverage.

[Bobblehead]

Could this be the way Shaw jumps into the cellular market?

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Very curious to know what this would take. T Mobile is in the process of rolling out LTE network on the same band as AT&T. I would think this would take quite an investment for Wind to do as well, and that probably isn't going to happen..

The upcoming 700mhz LTE auction that's happening. They have to be players in it. It's happening in November of this year. It's a make or break year for Wind.

Getting the iPhone, regardless of it's current ability to use LTE, is a huge addition for Wind. How many people over the past two years really do no research when looking for a Smart Phone... ask someone about Wind "Do you have the iPhone?" and when the answer is no they move on and never look back.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Could this be the way Shaw jumps into the cellular market?

They sold of their spectrum to Rogers.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I'm wondering if this has something to do with Fongo's bid to buy Wind. I've heard talks internally that Fongo's Voip, which is currently being used by their large iphone subscriber base will compliment nicely to Wind if they pick up the new network that accommodates the iphone.