This site was created to inform Canadians on the different mobile services offered by different companies. We hope to guide you in your purchase and allow you to purchase plans your really needs, maybe without scams like hidden charges.
Here are the companies we cover:
Bell Mobility
Solo Mobile
Rogers Wireless
Fido
Telus
Koodo
Virgin Mobile
There will be some posts on cellular technology or alternatives.We talk for example of the iPhone by Apple, Google Android or BlackBerry by RIM (an Ontario company).
About 3 companies, except Videotron (only in Quebec), should soon be introduced to the number of companies offering mobile services.
Public Mobile
Mobile Wind
Mobilicity (Dave Wireless)
Indeed, the posts will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each mobiles companies. It is important to read our descriptions, but never forget to always read contracts before signing.
To see a comparison of the market share of key models and OS, please click on the graphic above.
iPhone 4G (Apple)
The iPhone is certainly the best known of smartphones. Available first at Rogers / Fido across Canada, it is now also sold by Bell and Telus. This phone was developed by Apple in California and is now the most popular of all mobile phones in the world!
The iPhone is closely connected to the iTunes Store, which can be used to buy songs or to obtain thousands of different applications. However, the iPhone is extremely expensive, both to purchase (199 $ or 299 with a 3 year contract) and monthly (65 or 85 $ / month depending on package)
Advantages:
Prestige linked to the reputation of the phone
Very large quantity of applications (approx. 100 000)
Several accessories compatible
Disadvantages:
Huge cost to purchase
Monthly cost prohibitive
Android (Google)
The biggest difference between Android and the iPhone is how they are created and thought. First, the iPhone is a the telephone and the software that composes the phone itself. Neither can be sold separately, compared to Android.
Indeed, Android, is a software that can be installed on more mobile, just as Windows is on PCs. Google does not develop any phone (except maby the Nexus One), but Android has presented several manufacturers. The advantage is the wider distribution of software through several different cellphones by others companies like Samsung (Omnia or Galaxy), Sony (Xperia) or HTC (Dream, Magic or Diamond).
Android is now available at Rogers, Bell and Telus and is accessible anywhere in Canada where facilities exist.
Google has taken care to optimize its services, including research on Google, GPS powered by Google Maps, GMail, etc. To download various applications, Android connects itself to Android Market, which is the equivalent of the iTunes Store
Advantages:
Great models offers
Easy to use, with good features
Relatively low cost to purchase and plan similar to "normal" cellular
Software that anyone can edit as needed
Disadvantages:
"Only" 20 000 applications
BlackBerry (RIM, Canadian company)
The BlackBerry, created by the Ontario company Research in Motion, is the main model in the business world. According to RIM, in November 2008,the BlackBerry had about 21 million users worldwide. In June 2010, RIM has announced they sold up to 100 millions BlackBerry due to record sales (they sold 11,7 millions BlackBerry in the first trimester).
The leading models are PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), so phones that contain everything a worker in the business may need: email, address book and phone numbers, etc.
Click here for the playlist of their advertising on their official YouTube channel
Advantages:
Many models to suit your needs and your budget
Easy to use, with good features
Relatively low cost to purchase and package similar to cellular "normal"
Disadvantages:
Less customizable than the iPhone or Android, probably cause the BlackBerry are not "toys" (even if they contain some games, they principally contains apps for business workers).
Koodo Mobile is a subsidiary of Telus founded in 2008. Kood was founded to provide cheaper services, per-second billing and no hidden fees. Their target audience are students or people who do not want to spend a fortune on a cellphone as Solo Mobile, Fido or Virgin Mobile.
With Koodo Mobile, you do not sign normal contracts. For more information about this, click here: Koodo Tab.
Since early October, Telus owns, in partnership with Bell, a HSPA network in order to offer the iPhone and other smartphones. For now, nothing indicates that Koodo will offer the iPhone. Recently, Telus told the decision of sharing their HSPA network with their subsidiary wasn't taken yet.
Even if Koodo didn't propose awesome models, Koodo propose, for instance, the LG Shine, the LG KEYBO, the Samsung Slyde and the Samsung Intensity.
Benefits
Per-second billing
No hidden charges (access charges Network + 911)
No activation fee
2 year contract or prepaid cards
Disadvantages
Less professional than Telus or Mike (The Business line of Telus)
Telus Canada is a company based in Burnaby, British Columbia. Founded in 1999 with the merger of Telus Alberta and BC Tel, Telus is now the second largest telecommunications company in Canada after BCE (Bell). Telus create Koodo in 2008.
Since early October, Telus owns, in partnership with Telus, a HSPA network in order to offer the iPhone and other smartphones.
Benefits
Coverage across Canada
Disadvantages
Expenses system access fee ($ 35 more to signing the contract)
Hidden fees (from 7 to 10 dollars more per month than the price proudly displayed)
Charge per-minute (If you talk 10 seconds, you pay for one minute)
Telus Canada is a company based in Burnaby, British Columbia. Founded in 1999 with the merger of Telus Alberta and BC Tel, Telus is now the second largest telecommunications company in Canada after BCE (Bell). Telus create Koodo in 2008.