WIND Mobile handsets and plans detailed

By on Dec 16, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Breaking December 16, 2009

wind-logo

Well, here we go… We’ve received information on what WIND (Canada’s new wireless carrier) will offer, so without further ado, the WIND lineup:

  • BlackBerry 9700
  • Samsung Gravity 2
  • HTC Maple
  • Huawei U759
  • Huawei E181 data stick

You might be wondering about what their rate plans will offer, and while we don’t have specific pricing yet, here are the features and what you can look forward to seeing in the “WIND Mobile experience”:

  • No contracts on services
  • No activation fees
  • No charge for incoming long distance
  • No penalties for changing or canceling a plan
  • Unlimited WIND to WIND calling
  • All plans include caller ID, missed call alerts, call waiting, call hold, call forwarding, unlimited conference calling — no extra charge
  • No charge for incoming text messages, ever
  • No E911 fees

Thoughts?

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41 Comments

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  • Me

    Definitely a win for the folks north of the border, but it should have a positive effect on the U.S. cellular industry as well, now that T-Mobile will finally have another provider to share AWS handsets with. Hopefully this will increase the number of 1700 MHz 3G phones available in North America.

    With luck, some of the features may even spread down here (i.e. – free incoming texts, no activation fees).

  • whowasphone

    I wonder how much all of these will cost in the end… (yes I’ve seen the leak pricing plans)

    Presumably, contracts will continue to exist in some form because I find it hard to believe that many people will dole out $499.99 for a new device.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Drummer85 Ndamukong Suh

    IM IN UR NETWURK MUNCHIN UR MINUTS

    • Lil man

      thank god for unlimited…

  • john

    Not bad letsw see some pricing though

  • maxpayne79

    The “no contract” part bothers me. I may be one of the few people on this planet who’s actually a fan of contracts cause with no contract, u have no security. And with no security ur basically at the mercy of the phone service provider so whatever they say, u have to do. They wanna change plan pricing? They will and u cannot do anything about It aside from finding a new phone provider. Don’t like it. :(

    • Piper975

      Guess you missed that part in your Contract* that states … * We have the right to change your contract at any time we see fit to include what ever additional fees we think you should be paying and you have no option to do anything about it except pay them.

      • Tdot34

        p3wned

      • maxpayne79

        has never happened to me.
        mine’s been the same since ’04

      • maxpayne79

        in fact, no where in my contract does it say that as i just finished reading it. U may be referring to corrupted US contracts but my contract with fido is very simple and to the point. The only thing that may change is that fido may stop offering my plan but only after my contract expires. Meaning they will not let me resign. That’s about it.

      • bing033

        it may not be in your contract but it is in their terms of service.. which is often a separate document.. but they CAN change your contract at any time, it gives you NO protection at all, i have had elements on my contract changed, it is possible it might never happen to you, but that doesn’t mean it cant.. a rep even showed me where it was written.. you are WRONG, contracts only protect the company, and contracts of such type should be outlawed by our government to protect consumers because people like maxpayne79 actually think the contact protects them… WIND having no contracts is the best thing for everyone.. if ignorant people think having a unilateral contract with some company is good, then they can stay with the big 3….

  • maxpayne79

    @john.
    When it comes to handset pricing, roomers are u will have to pay retail for units. Meaning…BB9700 = $550.

  • http://profectio.com Dave Forde

    No contracts +
    No subsidized phone -

    Consumers will have to do the math and compare (x) years on WIND Mobile vs (x) contract years on the other providers and see what is cheaper.

  • http://officeinthecloud.blogspot.com SHuelin

    Wow, I can see why the big three didn’t want Wind to enter the marketplace. I have to pay for texts, incoming messages, incoming long distance, caller id, and if I want to cancel my contract (I have 2 years left), it’s going to cost me $480+tax.

  • Lucifer

    I can’t beleive that the carriers in Canada get away with three year contracts and the insane term fees. It’s no wonder so many canadiens get service stateside with AT&T.

  • joe

    actually, they do have their phones subsidized. i believe the blackberry 9700 is 500 cdn.

  • Allan

    according to http://www.themobileninjas.com. 9700 will be $450. That’s $200 less than TELUS 9700.

  • Y.S

    The Big 3 have a lot to ponder.

  • Dawn

    Also, has anyone even seen a coverage map for this service provider??? In addition, is it possible to port your number from your current provider? And is it possible to bring your device with you? All major comanies will allow these services, but with WIND must you really purchase their device to be a client?

    Thoughts?

    • synwars

      From their FAQ:

      Question
      Do I have to buy a WIND phone at WIND Mobile or can I use my unlocked phone?
      Answer
      Yes, at this time you must buy a WIND phone to access service at WIND Mobile Canada. That may change in the future though, so stay tuned.

      • Stevie

        near future?? Not for years or until there are 1700Mhz handsets avaailable in Canada. Right now there are none, so unless you have a T-Mobile phone you are S O L.
        You’ll have to spend cash on a new phone which is another reason I’m sceptical to leave the big 3, where once I have an HSPA phone I can move between any of the 3 without getting a new phone.

  • Y.S

    One thing I find WIND sort of like MetroPCS in the US, almost everything unlimited and included and its pretty cheap.

  • http://www.gideondante.com Gideon

    Wow sounds great. I’d sign up but I wonder about the coverage map, and the roaming agreements and charges.

    • Travel Boy

      RE: COVERAGE MAP

      I bumped into a GlobeAlive (Wind) person in Edmonton who was setting up cell towers. When questioned about the coverage, he told me that until their towers have sufficient coverage, Wind will be augmenting their network of towers with those owned by Bellus.

      • Stevie

        Wrong!

  • Robrain

    Uh…I commented this same message on WIND’s Facebook page. Maybe Canadian service providers do actually suck badly enough that this is a good deal, but I took one look at WIND’s official details, and wrote this opinion:

    Uh…WOW. I know you’re a bit of a startup and all, but if you’re going to rival any other cell phone company, you’ve got to have…SOME coverage???

    http://care.windmobile.ca/Support/CoverageMap/roaming.aspx

    http://www.windmobile.ca/support/faq/wind-away-zone/

    I’m an American and I was waiting to check out the details for your big unveiling because I know a couple Canadians. Let me be honest, and I hope you don’t censor this…unless I’m missing something regarding the above information, your coverage is absolutely terrible. Not only are the cell phones rather expensive up front due to no contracts (subsidies), but you only have *2* places in the entirety of Canada that you won’t be roaming in – Toronto and Calgary. Unless you live in those cities, WHY would you sign up for WIND, you’d basically be constantly roaming????

    You will not have access to:
    Free Wind to Wind calling
    Canada/U.S. Unlimited text Add-on
    Canada Unlimited long distance
    US Unlimited long distance
    MY COUNTRY International Calling

    Unless you’re smack in the middle of Toronto or Calgary, even if you’re signed up for “unlimited” calling and text, you would have to pay for every minute and every sent text? That’s a crazy terrible definition of “unlimited”.

    I hope you guys can increase your “Home” coverage area….MASSIVELY by the end of 2010…otherwise…wow.

    • MJF

      AND, if you are roaming you’ll have NO 3G because WIND customers roam on Rogers and Rogers is 850/1900 not 1700 MHz that WIND uses. Also, say you buy a shiny new BB 9700 and decide WIND isn’t your thing, you can use it on Rogers, Bell or Telus but no 3G!

      • John

        I can bet that wind isnt trying to target people outside of Toronto and Calgary right now. Most likely after the new year once their network is up and running. It isnt mean for people living outside of the coverage right now. Also the BB9700 of wind will have other 3G frequencies otherwise how can you use your phone in the United States for business or personal use since they have more than just t-mobile as a roaming partner.

      • MJF

        It doesn’t have other North American G frequencies. Check RIM’s website. You use 2G when you’re roaming.

      • Stevie

        Wrong again…Bell and TELUS don’t operate anything but a 3.5G or HSPA network so the 1700mhz hphone won’t work – so you are stuck with a useless phone.

    • synwars

      You have to crawl before you walk. Everyone has to start somewhere… Coverage will come, and so will greater competition in the Canadian market.

  • Matthew

    Can someone please tell me the spectrum WIND operates on for 3G?

  • theslacker

    Must be alot of interest, Phone Product sections is already unavailable.

  • EatMyShorts

    Oh too bad for all the whining cry babies that were opposing a non-Canadian company to operate in Canada and introduce and actual market and competition. Losers.

  • Galen20K

    @Matthew Wind operates on 1700 AWS, the same spectrum as T-Mobile USA 3G.

    • Matthew

      Thanks Galen, so if I’m right, it seems importing the Google Nexus would be fine cause it’s 3g is the same, interesting. I might have to buy out of my contract, however I don’t want to rush into anything. I’ll wait to hear from Dave Wireless and see how Fido/Rogers respond.

  • Adi

    And Quebec still gets the shaft… great :s

    Adi

    • Trevor

      Not by WIND’s choosing.

      Talk to your provincial wireless shops about buying up the spectrum.

  • Weeee

    I think Quebec gets Videotron. But the phones only work if you talk with a funny accent

  • Burgundy

    Okay, so not loving the new BGR mobile. I can’t see ANY of the comments… Grrr.

  • HillBill

    Nokia N900 will work on Wind 3G.

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