Bell in Manitoba?

[SteveToms]

Does anyone know if Bell will set up cell service in Manitoba?

[Julio]

I do not believe so...if you try to look for plans and such and say you are form there you'll get a 'this service not available in your province' notice...same for Saskatchewan.

For Manitoba it might be in part at least because Bell owns over 20% of MTS, so why compete with yourself?

[Azure]

I thought Rogers bought MTS?

Either way, I'm not entirely sure, but I think you will get cell service on the prairies through Bell. Maybe even HSPA coverage.

Since Telus is in the process of setting up their HSPA network in Sask and Manitoba, I would imagine Bell will piggyback off of those towers since they already do that everywhere else that Telus has a tower and Bell doesn't.

Dates I heard where July/August/September 2010 for the Telus HSPA network to be completed in Sask/Manitoba.

[SteveToms]

My phone works, I just moved to MB and I would need to get a new phone number, if Bell can't give me one, I either buy out my contract which will cost me a good chunk of coin or never use my cell.

[ken0042]

If you go to Bell.ca and select "Manitoba" they take the mobility option away from the page. So I believe the answer is no- they will not set you up with a phone there.

I also know a number of years when I looked into moving back and had a Telus contract, (this was prior to Telus selling cell in Manitoba) they told me that if I moved back to Winnipeg they would transfer the remainder of my contract to MTS.

[Azure]

Once they get their own network set up, Telus would transfer your contract from Alberta to Manitoba, right?

It would basically mean switching numbers.

[ken0042]

Yes, so unless I had an iPhone and was moving to Brandon, I think now they would just give you a new phone number.

I think the whole Bell not taking customers in Manitoba has a lot to do with them not wanting MTS to do the same thing to them in Toronto. So they are better off not having the few Winnipeg customers that might sign up with them as opposed to having another competator in Toronto.

Plus, Winnipeg has some pretty cheap telecommunications rates. Shaw's $55 landline plan in Calgary costs $40 in Winnipeg; and I'm pretty sure I've seen other "Winnipeg only" Telus plans. So I can see that as another reason for Bell not wanting to offer service if it has to be discounted.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by SteveToms

My phone works, I just moved to MB and I would need to get a new phone number, if Bell can't give me one, I either buy out my contract which will cost me a good chunk of coin or never use my cell.

Go into an MTS with your Bell phone and they will switch you over with no buy out. At least that's how it was 3 years ago when I worked for Bell.

Or just phone Bell and tell them you are in Manitoba and they will give you the options on where to go from here.

edit: Nevermind looks like MTS/Bell agreement is no longer. They stopped doing it at the same time you could start number porting. Looks like you could be SOL but I'd try calling Bell to see.

[Azure]

Bell has service in Manitoba.

HSPA in Winnipeg, and extended coverage everywhere else that there is cell service in the first place. I would ASSUME that means HSPA phones can are compatible with that extended coverage.

Which is better than MTS. I think.