Cell Number Portability on the horizon!

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I'd be happier if I could also keep the same phone so I don't need to be locked into a contract.

The only way thats possible now is if u buy an unlocked GSM phone from else where, and the only 2 carriers that use GSM here is Rogers and Fido (but they're pretty much the same company anyways.

[Ayrahb]

Originally Posted by FireFly

All is silent on the Telus front. They usually wait for everyone else though. Also, they won't tell us anything until Wednesday anyways to avoid having leaks like me!

I understand these companies to a certain extent--most of them really didn't want the change and now can shoot themselves in the foot making hasty marketing decisions.

Telus probably has a lot to lose with residential customers who can also switch their numbers to wireless. And in defense of Telus, I just noticed that they do have something on their PCS page.

[FanIn80]

Actually... Telus phones are not very good at all. Telus does more to "cripple" their phones than any other carrier in Canada.

If you want a real phone that does what the manufaturer intended it to do (and not what the "provider" intends), just buy a GSM phone from overseas - straight from the manufacturer.

I'm using a RIZR atm (and, no, it's not a RAZR or a KRZR).

I've flashed it and fine-tuned it according to the way I like my phone to behave (louder ear-volume, instant-on, etc etc). I can take my phone anywhere in the world and use a local SIM card to make all my calls local (instead of roaming long distance).

You can take any GSM phone from any manufacturer (remember: carriers lock phones, not manufaturers) in the world and plug your Rogers/Fido SIM card into it, and it is instantly programmed for you, with your contacts and fully live and connected to your carrier's network - all straight out-of-the box.

There's a million reasons to stay away from CDMA... but the only argument the pro-CDMA camp can make is "security." The thing is, unless you work for the CiA, do you really think that someone is trying to listen to your phone calls? Even if they are, is your wife asking you to pick up milk really an issue that requires top-level secrecy?


My phone. My $400. My rules.


Don't be ruled by Telus/Bell imo!

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

If you want a real phone that does what the manufaturer intended it to do (and not what the "provider" intends), just buy a GSM phone from overseas - straight from the manufacturer.

I can take my phone anywhere in the world and use a local SIM card to make all my calls local (instead of roaming long distance).

That is exactly what I do. And what I like about local sim cards from other places is that people can call you from ANYWHERE and it is free of charge for you in most places (Almost all except US and Canada).

I was in England about a month ago and I used a sim card from there... Calling from England to Canada costs 5 pence which is about 11 cents Canadian, thats cheaper than me calling Canada from WITHIN Canada.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

There's a million reasons to stay away from CDMA... but the only argument the pro-CDMA camp can make is "security." The thing is, unless you work for the CiA, do you really think that someone is trying to listen to your phone calls? Even if they are, is your wife asking you to pick up milk really an issue that requires top-level secrecy?

Don't be ruled by Telus/Bell imo!

There are other reasons such as better coverage in Canada and the US where most Canadians use their phone, as well as better customer service (from me! I rock!) but then if what you're most concerned about is how cool your phone is and not whether or not it will actually work, then do whatever....

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Ayrahb

I understand these companies to a certain extent--most of them really didn't want the change and now can shoot themselves in the foot making hasty marketing decisions.

Telus probably has a lot to lose with residential customers who can also switch their numbers to wireless. And in defense of Telus, I just noticed that they do have something on their PCS page.

Ah yes, but nationally Bell has more to worry about as they're the home phone of the East. What we expect is a big jump in churn right away and then it will slow to a trickle. If your contract isn't over right now, you'd end up paying a TLC to move right now, so most people will just wait. It WILL get more competitive but we've been doing all we can to try to stop churn for the last few months so we don't have to worry about it as much. It's the reason for the Future Friendly Promises as well as the Share Plans which are unique in their implementation. It's also the reason we now have In Network National Calling* as well. There are things that Telus has done over the last few months to prepare for an onslaught, but really, there's a reason we have the lowest churn in North America and we don't expect that to change. (Meaning the other companies will lose out worse.)

*For anyone who cares, Telus now has unlimited "In Network" national calling for $15/month. This will give you unlimited Telus to Telus, cell to cell calling across Canada. If that's something you think you might like.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by FireFly

There are other reasons such as better coverage in Canada and the US where most Canadians use their phone, as well as better customer service (from me! I rock!) but then if what you're most concerned about is how cool your phone is and not whether or not it will actually work, then do whatever....

Since it's a GSM (unlocked) phone, it will work quite well anywhere in the world.* It will even do so without an astronomical "roaming" long-distance bill. Something that a CDMA (Telus/Bell) phone is incapable of doing.

I've also had excellent customer service from Fido. They even helped me program all my internet settings into my phone, even after I told them that I didn't even buy it from Fido (I bought it from UK Motorola). Try phoning Telus up and telling them you bought a phone from somewhere else and want them to help you get it onto their network.


*world: also includes all of Canada and the United States

[STeeLy]

Also, almost every carrier in other countries uses GSM except for a select few (I know there is still a CDMA company in Australia). Its not about how phones look, its about being able to use it everywhere u go without a huge bill coming your way. I'm sure that if you use a Telus phone going on pay as you go, u would not be able to roam with it internationally (but please do correct me if I'm wrong). Where as if you get an unlocked (Which means, not Fido NOR Rogers... Unless you can unlock it) GSM phone, u can do a prepaid service with a local carrier, no contract no nothing, pay ahead of time, say a small amount and u don't have to worry about unused credit.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Since it's a GSM (unlocked) phone, it will work quite well anywhere in the world.* It will even do so without an astronomical "roaming" long-distance bill. Something that a CDMA (Telus/Bell) phone is incapable of doing.

I've also had excellent customer service from Fido. They even helped me program all my internet settings into my phone, even after I told them that I didn't even buy it from Fido (I bought it from UK Motorola). Try phoning Telus up and telling them you bought a phone from somewhere else and want them to help you get it onto their network.


*world: also includes all of Canada and the United States

I said better coverage, I didn't say you'd get no coverage. And we have world phones, but thanks for staying up to date!

And I don't have to phone Telus, I am Telus.

I'm not going to suggest that a GSM phone isn't convenient for world travellers if you don't care about keeping the same number while in Europe, sure it is. (You didn't mention that part though... if you want to not have astronomical roaming charges, you actually need to hook your phone up with a carrier in the country you're in.) I'm not going to say there aren't cool GSM phones either, though there really isn't much you can get on GSM (from within Canada) that you can't get on CDMA anyways. All I'm saying is that your CDMA phone will have better coverage in Canada and the US if that's where you do most of your stuff. So really, the only reason to be with a GSM provider is for the phones you're ordering from another country.

[FlamesKickAss]

I recently switched to Rogers from telus and purchased an unlocked ericsson w810i and I am not looking back. I get better coverage in calgary and have not dropped a call since getting the phone. Telus i was dropping calls at least 4 times a week. I will never ever look back and recommend to all people to switch to rogers or fido, sim cards make the difference with the ability to keep your contacts and info on that so that when you do change phones its waaaaaaaaaay easier. TELUS sucks. but thats my $.02. And I used to think the other way before I switched.

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Also, almost every carrier in other countries uses GSM except for a select few (I know there is still a CDMA company in Australia).

You can get automatic roaming in 15 countries internationally with a CDMA phone, or the world phone will go anywhere.

Its not about how phones look, its about being able to use it everywhere u go without a huge bill coming your way. I'm sure that if you use a Telus phone going on pay as you go, u would not be able to roam with it internationally (but please do correct me if I'm wrong).

You're right. If you have a Pay and Talk phone with Telus you can't even use it in the US due to the cost of US roaming. Again though, a monthly billed account and we can just change your rate plan to cover you when you're down there. The question is: how much will you need your phone internationally? It's nice to plan ahead, but if you don't need your phone to work in Indonesia for another 15 years, wouldn't you rather have better coverage now, here, where you are every day?

Where as if you get an unlocked (Which means, not Fido NOR Rogers... Unless you can unlock it) GSM phone, u can do a prepaid service with a local carrier, no contract no nothing, pay ahead of time, say a small amount and u don't have to worry about unused credit.

Absolutely. You could also just get one incase of emergencies anyways.

Beside all that they're trying to combine the technology anyways so in 5 years or so (as the estimate) there will be no difference in any carrier worldwide. They will ALL be both.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I said better coverage, I didn't say you'd get no coverage. And we have world phones, but thanks for staying up to date!

And I don't have to phone Telus, I am Telus. .

I'm well aware of who you work for.

...and the only thing that makes the A840 a "world phone" is that it allows you to use a Telus SIM card to access a global roaming network - chalk-full of global roaming fees. It will not allow any other carrier's SIM card (ie: the very quality that allows someone to use a phone in Europe for local calling rates), which makes it a false in my books.

I do my homework!


Edit: By the way... I do some work for the Stampeders, and the area inside the Amateur Wing (where the press and refs, visiting team, cheerleaders, etc, are) is like a concrete bunker. I was with Telus for 3 years and would always have to go outside in the parking lot to make a call... I can make and receive calls from anywhere inside now, with my GSM on Fido. Elevators, too!

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I'm well aware of who you work for.

...and the only thing that makes the A840 a "world phone" is that it allows you to use a Telus SIM card to access a global roaming network - chalk-full of global roaming fees. It will not allow any other carrier's SIM card (ie: the very quality that allows someone to use a phone in Europe for local calling rates), which makes it a false in my books.

I do my homework imo!

Right, but most of our customers don't want to have to change their number just to get a cheaper rate in Europe as they're going there on business. Some people can't have a new phone number every two weeks just because they're travelling!

[FanIn80]

I will concede that I like the whole corporate image thing that Telus has going on. The animals and colors, etc. It's all very iPod and attractive.

I just wish the phones and the philosophies matched.

Seriously, if Telus were to adopt a GSM network and stop trying to make everyone settle for a phone that has most of its features disabled... I would be one of the first ones to come running back. I just really hate tossing 400 bucks down and getting 1/3 of the phone that I've paid for.

I have to say, though, that I do admire your willingness to defend the company you work for. Employee loyalty is a bit of a dying trait nowadays, unfortunately.

[Incogneto]

I was just thinking about this.....interesting...

[FanIn80]

That reminds me...

One phone to rule them all!

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

That reminds me...

One phone to rule them all!

Good luck when your battery dies. hehe

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

That reminds me...

One phone to rule them all!

Rumour has it that Google is working on a phone, too.

Now that will be an interesting battle. Although the Google phone may as well be named "Beta" (seriously, how much longer will Gmail be Beta?)

[FanIn80]

Haha. No kidding. I remember signing up for a Gmail account like 3 years ago, at least. Still beta!

Interesting about them putting out a phone, though. I'll have to look into that...

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I will concede that I like the whole corporate image thing that Telus has going on. The animals and colors, etc. It's all very iPod and attractive.

I just wish the phones and the philosophies matched.

Seriously, if Telus were to adopt a GSM network and stop trying to make everyone settle for a phone that has most of its features disabled... I would be one of the first ones to come running back. I just really hate tossing 400 bucks down and getting 1/3 of the phone that I've paid for.

I have to say, though, that I do admire your willingness to defend the company you work for. Employee loyalty is a bit of a dying trait nowadays, unfortunately.

I'm nothing if not loyal. That said I do want a new job. If you or anyone you know is looking for someone to do pretty much anything (sexual favours aside unless you're damn hot,) but from Monday to Friday instead of shiftwork, I'm totally down. I can't handle working weekends anymore.