Some of the latest Canadian Carrier News

Things in the wireless industry in Canada are FINALLY starting to get interesting.  For far too long we have had relatively little choice and horrible data rates ($100 for 100mb?  Are you insane??) but things are actually starting to look up.  One thing our carriers had a problem with was bringing out the latest devices; they always seemed to be behind the rest of the world by 2 years.

An example of this newfound spunk is Telus’ launch of the Blackberry Storm.  Unfortunately, they are already out of devices. Boy, those did NOT last long!

BCE, the parent of Bell Mobility has actually been trying to complete a deal to be bought out, a deal that has now collapsed.  But it sounds like Bell is moving full steam ahead and seems to have a new bounce in their step.  Some of their new plans are actually not as bad as they have been.  Believe me, $70 for 500 minutes, unlimited evenings and weekends, unlimited incoming calls and unlimited data is pretty awesome here!

Bell has even been doing some UI work that seems to be fairly nice.  Brandon at pocketnow.com has a vid of the UI here.  Unfortunately they have had to put back the full rollout of the BB Storm till January which is going to create some sad faces at Christmas time.

Rogers is rolling out some awesomeness in the form of a 3.5G network!  This is going to be one of the fasted wireless networks around assuming they get it right.  There was some major issues with the 3G network with all those new iPhone users, but I think they have things working properly now.

There are also going to be some new faces in Canadian Cellular in 2009, lets just hope all the carriers feel the need to move forward on lowering data charges in Canada!

           

Twitter drops SMS service in Canada

Ouch!  I have recently been getting into Twitter and was using SMS to update my status and receive updates but it looks like Twitter has had to put the brakes on the service.  You can still send messages to Twitter but will not receive updates.

Unexpected changes in our billing have forced us into a difficult situation with our Canadian SMS service. We can’t afford to support this service given our current arrangement with our providers (where costs have been doubling for the past several months.) As a result, effective today we are no longer delivering outbound SMS over our Canadian shortcode (21212).

The ability to update Twitter over SMS will still be supported over 21212. But we know that this is only part of the experience and we want to make Twitter work in the way folks want … regardless of where they live.

There is a realistic, scalable SMS solution for Canada (and the rest of the world.) We’re working on that and will post more details on the Twitter blog as we make progress

My guess (knowing Canadian carriers) is that they sent a WHOMPING bill to Twitter.  They just don’t seem to get the fact that by making "tweeting" accessible and unrestricted they are promoting the need for more expensive texting add-ons. /shrug

If anyone is interested you can follow my tweets here.

Source: twitter status

           

Bell Canada now offers HTC Touch in White

I think this makes it official… Every carrier in North America, CDMA and GSM, seem to have a version of the HTC Touch. Not really, but it seems like it! Today’s “Who’s getting the Touch” post comes from Bell Canada. They are getting a sweet looking white HTC Touch.

Bell has just put online a version of HTC Touch, but this time in white. This is of course, the same version that the HTC Touch blue, which was already on sale at Bell and we offer you a review soon. So for all those who wanted to have a HTC Touch with the WiFi it will be moving at Rogers. It should be noted that the device is only available in English for the time being and for the same price as the HTC Touch already available at Bell.

Source: Mobile In Canada via Jason Langridge

           

Whoa … Go Bell Canada!

When I saw this Engadget Mobile post about the potential of Bell to launch HTC Touch AND include unlimited data for $7, I was blown away!  What a device and what an incredible deal!  The rumored prices are with-in line of what others are offering, but read on folks … there is a sweeter piece of the pie!

While we like the Touch, the more interesting rumor in this news lies in Bell’s apparent decision to consider the Touch a normal cell phone — and not a PDA — thereby enabling it to use a $7 unlimited data plan. Of course, some traffic and usage exceptions will apparently apply, like no tethering, streaming, and the like, but seven bones for unlimited data! This is game changing in Canada’s savagely priced data market and we’re decidedly envious if this really comes to pass. Go Bell, go Canada!

Oh, and BTW … this is one sweet device.  I’ve been using it for two weeks and really like love it!  Simply put, it does it all in an incredibly small form factor.

           

Bell Canada ships the HTC 6800

 Bell Canada has begun shipping the HTC 6800 (aka Sprint PPC 6800, Mogul)

Specs:

• Microsoft� Windows Mobile 6 Professional
• Runs on the high speed mobile network from Bell
• 2.8″, TFT LCD colour touch screen
• Sliding QWERTY keypad with 5-way and thumbwheel navigation
• Outlook� Mobile
• Media Player 10 Mobile
• Windows LiveT Messenger and Windows LiveT Hotmail
• 2.0 megapixel camera and video
• Bluetooth-enabled including stereo Bluetooth profile
• 64 MB SDRAM/256 MB Flash ROM
• Wireless modem
• Text messaging
• Speakerphone
• Calendar, to-do list, alarm clock, calculator
• Dimensions: (H) 110 x (W) 59 x (W) 18.5 mm
• Weight: 165 g
• Languages: English only

The HTC 6800 is available for $199.95 (CAN) when activating an Email, Internet and Voice plan (minimum value of $45 (CAN)/month ) or any voice rate plan (minimum value of $20 (CAN)/month) with an Email & Internet feature (minimum value of $25(CAN)/month) on a 3-year contract

For more information visit Bell Canada

Source: engadgetmobile and Bell Canada