Loading ...Review of Wind Mobile’s (Globablive) Cell Phone Plans
Wind Mobile’s Cell Phone Plans
After much brouhaha regarding Wind’s license and ability to operate they have finally launched and are available in Toronto as of Dec 16. They will also be rolling out their network in Calgary before year end and will open its doors in Vancouver, Ottawa, and Edmonton in the New Year (2010).
So now that they are in market I’ve had a chance to review their plans. So what do I think? Not many surprises but it’s a good start. We knew that Globalive would be entering the market with unlimited type plans around the $45 price point and they did.
What do I like!
Reviewing Wind Mobile’s plans and features – these are the nuggets that I like:
- No Fees – no system access, no 911 fees, no activation fees
- No contracts – we saw this coming
- No nickel and diming on the minutes – Province Wide calling for $35, Nationwide calling for $45
- No extra charges for incoming text messages for all plans and no extra charges for incoming calls with the $35 and $45 voice plans options
- Nothing extra for Caller ID always included
- Unlimited data even with tethering that’s great
In essence unlimited calling plans are here and we can expect some certainty in billing. Another feature that I like is that the plans are relatively simple, though they could be presented a bit better.
To be fair the flanker brands – Fido, Koodo and Solo are not too far off and are likely to respond with their unlimited calling plans as well.
What don’t I like!
Well given all these great features and nuggets its difficult to find anything not to like – unfortunately I did:
- Must be within your “Home Zone” – we are back to zones already! I understand the need as their coverage areas are limited and they need time to develop the rest of the network. Doesn’t mean I have to like it!
- $450 for the Bold 9700 – expensive. While this device price probably has some subsidy it remains to be seen if Canadians will fork out close to $500 for a new Smartphone. I would have loved to see some older models like the blackberry curve series for around the $100 – $200 price point. Maybe we will soon.
- $70 – $80 for a Smartphone plan – yikes! Yes we do get unlimited data as part of it and “unlimited” calling but I would have loved to see a few options in the $50 – $65 range (I don’t like their $15 dollar plan so don’t even mention that one). The mid to high tier users may find this plan attractive however.
- Limited coverage. I expected more coverage – while the GTA is covered, if you are travelling north of Vaughan and Richmond Hill you will have to pay roaming charges. I didn’t expect the entire province to be covered, but I did expect more coverage north of the City – to around New Market area.
- Voice mail add on – $5. No Voicemail in the plans – it is included in the $45 plan but not the others.
All in all this is a good start by Wind Mobile. We now have another choice in the market and competition will be good for the industry. I believe Wind will be a victim of great expectations and they will not be able to live up to them. With over $1 billion invested – they are a company that has to make money and repay their debts and obligations. So while “saviours” of the wireless industry branding may be a ball and chain – let’s give them an opportunity to execute and grow.
8 responses to “ Review of Wind Mobile’s (Globablive) Cell Phone Plans ”
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in addition to “what don’t I like”
- no “per second billing”. This is a must for value brand. 50-100 min plans go way more miles with lot’s of short but necessary calls, and this is where ‘per second’ comes handy
- no SIM only sales, (or at least yet). You are bound to buy a phone from provider only
- no number portability (yet? or never?). At this stage seems like other providers are not working with Wind to port numbers, will this be resolved soon or at all?
Great inclusive plans though. If they modify the above and expand their network pretty quickly they will force other providers to compete and that would be interesting.
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Just updating the above concerns:
1. per second – I can’t see Wind ever offering it.
2. SIM card sales – now they are available
3. Number porting – done (Telus to follow shortly)Biggest downfall of Wind is coverage. Understandable, but a downfall nevertheless.
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McMike January 28th, 2010 at 15:37
Per minute billing would not be much of an issue to someone taking the unlimited plan (which I intend to do) unless you are out of the “home zone”. For people who live and work in Toronto, this is by far the best deal on the market.
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I got their touchscreen phone and the $45 voice plan and I have to say, I’m pretty happy.
I was a prepaid customer with Fido for years.
I am getting WAY more bang for my buck with WIND.
I don’t really need the data plans as I don’t browse on my cell phone, but I do need to make substantial amounts of phone calls at all hours of the day. Unlimited calling is EXACTLY what I needed. The coverage needs to improve, but they did just start up, so thats to be expected. Haven’t experienced a single dropped call yet, though I have only had the phone for 2 days. I live in Toronto but work in Mississauga, so we will see how well it works once I get to work in the morning! -
joined wind yesterday on prepaid and thus far am pretty happy. Had some problems with the data and the customer service rep fixed it to my liking. I can see that the home and away fluctuates from time to time and that the network is not as consistent as Rogers. Prepaid, is the key word. will be testing them for a week and if it is ot to my satisfaction will be popping in the rogers sim card again.
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Just went to Wind Mobile. Got their phone and it works very well. I took the day off today and drove around the GTA with the phone and talked the whole time to my wife. Didn’t get a single dropped call and the call was pretty clear. I’m very happy. I have the 35 dollar plan that gives you unlimited talk time in Ontario. I bought the cheapest phone they have. The sales guy even paid the tax for me, so i paid no tax. What a deal !!!
Ali December 18th, 2009 at 17:05