' BELL AND TELUS' SUCK

[Happy Customer]

Just my opinion, you are welcome to add your comments:

BELL AND TELUS:
==============

- Don't use Sim Cards (Can only use their phones in USA / Canada and maybe 1
or 2 countries

- 3 Year contracts, No Free Phones till contract is over

- $20 per month to break contract, no cap (so to cancel 2 years, $20 x 24
= $480)

- No Customer Service ... well they have agents, but try to get help LOL

- They charge 10-20% more for the same amount of minutes than Rogers or Fido

- No network expansion in the last 5 years

- No discount if you have a Land Line or Multiple services with them

- Evenings start at 8PM (I'm in bed by then ..... well not really)

- Per Minute Billing only


ROGERS AND FIDO:
================
- Free phones at 50% of Contract (1 or 2 years) I usually get 1 free
phone every year

- If you cancel, it's $20 / month MAX $200

- 24/7 Customer Service (You may have to use their emergency night lines but
they will help you)

- They use SIM Cards (Like the rest of the world) so your phone will work
everywhere on the Planet

- Always first with new features, like Guess that tune, #TAXI, SMS to
Landline, Desktop SMS, Fax Server in the Phone

- FIDO lets you port you Hone Phone Number *or Smartring* so if your phone
number is 416-522-2110
and your Smart Ring is 416-522-2111 FIDO will let you have 522-2111 on
your Mobile

- Network always expanding

- Huge Savings if you have several services with them

- Evenings start at 6PM (That's when I'm stuck in Traffic and need to use my
phone

- Per second billing, First Minute Free (incoming) available

[T.T.]

where can i get info about this "smart ring " service. None is available
from fido web site.

Post by Happy Customer
==============
- Don't use Sim Cards (Can only use their phones in USA / Canada and maybe 1
or 2 countries
- 3 Year contracts, No Free Phones till contract is over
- $20 per month to break contract, no cap (so to cancel 2 years, $20 x 24
= $480)
- No Customer Service ... well they have agents, but try to get help

LOL

Post by Happy Customer
- They charge 10-20% more for the same amount of minutes than Rogers or Fido
- No network expansion in the last 5 years
- No discount if you have a Land Line or Multiple services with them
- Evenings start at 8PM (I'm in bed by then ..... well not really)
- Per Minute Billing only
================
- Free phones at 50% of Contract (1 or 2 years) I usually get 1 free
phone every year
- If you cancel, it's $20 / month MAX $200
- 24/7 Customer Service (You may have to use their emergency night lines but
they will help you)
- They use SIM Cards (Like the rest of the world) so your phone will work
everywhere on the Planet
- Always first with new features, like Guess that tune, #TAXI, SMS to
Landline, Desktop SMS, Fax Server in the Phone
- FIDO lets you port you Hone Phone Number *or Smartring* so if your phone
number is 416-522-2110
and your Smart Ring is 416-522-2111 FIDO will let you have 522-2111 on
your Mobile
- Network always expanding
- Huge Savings if you have several services with them
- Evenings start at 6PM (That's when I'm stuck in Traffic and need to use my
phone
- Per second billing, First Minute Free (incoming) available

[BOYTOYS]

i want to know what is smart ring too.

and the desktop SMS service if any ?

Tks
Daniel

[Happy Customer]

Smart Ring (telus) or Distinctive Ring (bell) is a Different phone number
that rings on your telehpone (Rings differently)

Usually it's used if u run a small business and need to answer differently
or for tenagers so you know who the call is for before you answer.

Fido doesn't specify they can Port Smart Rings but they can port any Local
Number.

More info can be found here:
http://www.fido.ca/portal/cityfido/cityfido.do?lang=en#ovt

Don't confuse this portability with the Cell Carrier to Cell Carrier
Portability coming in about 2 years.

You can also port a 2nd number that can be used as a Fax Line on your Fido.
Fido doesn't advertise it
but it's called Business Messaging with FAX ( you may need to push a
little to get it)

Here are some Fun services (MAY COST YOU MONEY) that you can use with your
FIDO or Rogers Cell.

Desktop TXT

Wacky Wake-up

TXT 2 Landline

TXT A Song

#DJ (Pound DJ)

#TAXI (Pound TAXI)

Saved by the call!
Remind Me!

Post by BOYTOYS
i want to know what is smart ring too.
and the desktop SMS service if any ?
Tks
Daniel

[BOYTOYS]

i want to know what is smart ring too.

and the desktop SMS service if any ?

Tks
Daniel

[Super Dave]

You don't really have a clue do you??

Post by Happy Customer
==============
- Don't use Sim Cards (Can only use their phones in USA / Canada and maybe 1
or 2 countries
- 3 Year contracts, No Free Phones till contract is over
- $20 per month to break contract, no cap (so to cancel 2 years, $20 x 24
= $480)
- No Customer Service ... well they have agents, but try to get help

LOL

Post by Happy Customer
- They charge 10-20% more for the same amount of minutes than Rogers or Fido
- No network expansion in the last 5 years
- No discount if you have a Land Line or Multiple services with them
- Evenings start at 8PM (I'm in bed by then ..... well not really)
- Per Minute Billing only
================
- Free phones at 50% of Contract (1 or 2 years) I usually get 1 free
phone every year
- If you cancel, it's $20 / month MAX $200
- 24/7 Customer Service (You may have to use their emergency night lines but
they will help you)
- They use SIM Cards (Like the rest of the world) so your phone will work
everywhere on the Planet
- Always first with new features, like Guess that tune, #TAXI, SMS to
Landline, Desktop SMS, Fax Server in the Phone
- FIDO lets you port you Hone Phone Number *or Smartring* so if your phone
number is 416-522-2110
and your Smart Ring is 416-522-2111 FIDO will let you have 522-2111 on
your Mobile
- Network always expanding
- Huge Savings if you have several services with them
- Evenings start at 6PM (That's when I'm stuck in Traffic and need to use my
phone
- Per second billing, First Minute Free (incoming) available

[DK]

A few corrections:

-Bell and Telus have Hybrid GSM phones coming to the market which make them
more powerfull and offer more coverage than any standalone GSM phone now.
These new handsets DO take SIM cards.

- There are 1, 2 & 3 Year contracts

- There was network expasion but not as fast as rogers or fido because they
already cover 95% of the popualated canada. They still have more coverage
than Rogers.

- They do offer Landline-Mobile specials

-Evenings can start 6pm, 8pm or 9pm

- Customer service are best in north america.

- Telus beat or ties at the top spot in best North American Wireless
Carriers.

- #TAXI works with everyone, Desktop SMS ... ( works just as well as WEB sms
no? ), Fax service does exist with telus , but on MIKE network.

- Fido monthly only offers per second billing. Everyone else (including
rogers) bills by the minute now.

- Bell and Telus offer packages with All incoming calls free just as Fido
and Rogers does.

As for the rest of your statements, I agree with you.

Cheers,
DK

====
From: "Happy Customer" <***@nospam.com>
Subject: ' BELL AND TELUS' SUCK
Date: Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:56 PM

Just my opinion, you are welcome to add your comments:

BELL AND TELUS:
==============

- Don't use Sim Cards (Can only use their phones in USA / Canada and maybe 1
or 2 countries

- 3 Year contracts, No Free Phones till contract is over

- $20 per month to break contract, no cap (so to cancel 2 years, $20 x 24
= $480)

- No Customer Service ... well they have agents, but try to get help LOL

- They charge 10-20% more for the same amount of minutes than Rogers or Fido

- No network expansion in the last 5 years

- No discount if you have a Land Line or Multiple services with them

- Evenings start at 8PM (I'm in bed by then ..... well not really)

- Per Minute Billing only


ROGERS AND FIDO:
================
- Free phones at 50% of Contract (1 or 2 years) I usually get 1 free
phone every year

- If you cancel, it's $20 / month MAX $200

- 24/7 Customer Service (You may have to use their emergency night lines but
they will help you)

- They use SIM Cards (Like the rest of the world) so your phone will work
everywhere on the Planet

- Always first with new features, like Guess that tune, #TAXI, SMS to
Landline, Desktop SMS, Fax Server in the Phone

- FIDO lets you port you Hone Phone Number *or Smartring* so if your phone
number is 416-522-2110
and your Smart Ring is 416-522-2111 FIDO will let you have 522-2111 on
your Mobile

- Network always expanding

- Huge Savings if you have several services with them

- Evenings start at 6PM (That's when I'm stuck in Traffic and need to use my
phone

- Per second billing, First Minute Free (incoming) available

[Pavel]

"DK" <***@yahoo.ca> wrote in message news:pNHvf.9426$***@wagner.videotron.net...
:A few corrections:
:
: -Bell and Telus have Hybrid GSM phones coming to the market which make
them
: more powerfull and offer more coverage than any standalone GSM phone
now.
: These new handsets DO take SIM cards.

Do you have any more info on this?

[G M]

The phones work on CDMA in North America and use European frequencies for
GSM. From what I've heard the GSM portion is unlocked so you have to option
of using Bell or Telus for European roaming, or pop in a SIM card from the
area you are travelling in, and pay their rates.

G M

Post by Pavel
: -Bell and Telus have Hybrid GSM phones coming to the market which make
them
: more powerfull and offer more coverage than any standalone GSM phone
now.
: These new handsets DO take SIM cards.
Do you have any more info on this?

[Pavel]

Interesting. I wonder what GSM frequencies they are using cuz it can
vary from country to country.

"G M" <***@sympatico.ca> wrote in message news:_bVvf.3691$***@news20.bellglobal.com...
: The phones work on CDMA in North America and use European
frequencies for
: GSM. From what I've heard the GSM portion is unlocked so you have
to option
: of using Bell or Telus for European roaming, or pop in a SIM card
from the
: area you are travelling in, and pay their rates.

[DK]

This model is presently in the market:

Motorola A840
http://direct.motorola.com/ENS/Web_full_specs.asp?Country=CND&language=ENS&productid=30313&strPrimaryOption=FS&lSecondaryOption=-1

Post by Pavel
Interesting. I wonder what GSM frequencies they are using cuz it can
vary from country to country.
: The phones work on CDMA in North America and use European
frequencies for
: GSM. From what I've heard the GSM portion is unlocked so you have
to option
: of using Bell or Telus for European roaming, or pop in a SIM card
from the
: area you are travelling in, and pay their rates.

[Jimbo]

Post by DK
Motorola A840
http://direct.motorola.com/ENS/Web_full_specs.asp?Country=CND&language=ENS&productid=30313&strPrimaryOption=FS&lSecondaryOption=-1

Post by Pavel
Interesting. I wonder what GSM frequencies they are using cuz it can
vary from country to country.
: The phones work on CDMA in North America and use European
frequencies for
: GSM. From what I've heard the GSM portion is unlocked so you have
to option
: of using Bell or Telus for European roaming, or pop in a SIM card
from the
: area you are travelling in, and pay their rates.

If Bell and/or Telus have plans to introduce such phones, then they haven't
told their sales people about them. In the last few weeks, I have spoken to
both and mentioned that my company is planning a move to Rogers/Fido so that
the GSM phones we get can be used in Europe (where our business is
expanding). Both said there was nothing they could do to help other than to
arrange loaners!

[T.T.]

I think the phone is intended for people who travel between canada and
europe. They don't need to arrange for a loaner, just go and have phone
service in Europe. The phone is on bell's web site

Post by Jimbo

Post by DK
Motorola A840

http://direct.motorola.com/ENS/Web_full_specs.asp?Country=CND&language=ENS&p
roductid=30313&strPrimaryOption=FS&lSecondaryOption=-1

Post by Jimbo

Post by DK

Post by Pavel
Interesting. I wonder what GSM frequencies they are using cuz it can
vary from country to country.
: The phones work on CDMA in North America and use European
frequencies for
: GSM. From what I've heard the GSM portion is unlocked so you have
to option
: of using Bell or Telus for European roaming, or pop in a SIM card
from the
: area you are travelling in, and pay their rates.

If Bell and/or Telus have plans to introduce such phones, then they haven't
told their sales people about them. In the last few weeks, I have spoken to
both and mentioned that my company is planning a move to Rogers/Fido so that
the GSM phones we get can be used in Europe (where our business is
expanding). Both said there was nothing they could do to help other than to
arrange loaners!

[JF Mezei]

Post by DK
- There was network expasion but not as fast as rogers or fido because they
already cover 95% of the popualated canada. They still have more coverage
than Rogers.

Has Rogers done any expansion lately ? Isn't it in a mode where it is
very busy merging two networks into one ? Has it begun to dismantle
redundant cell sites so they could be installed elsewhere to increase
coverage ?

Remember that the "big network merge" in 2005 was simply reprogramming
the Microcell towers to emit a Rogers network ID. There is a hell of a
lot more work to be done behind the scenes to truly merge the two
networks into one and remove duplication in phone switching,
interconnects with Bell, network equipment etc. And when you consider
removal of cell sites, you need to recalculate your coverage areas for
each locality to determine which antenna is to be made redundant and how
to adjust individual direxctioanl antennas on the remaining site to fill
the gaop while maintaining the high capacity bo the microcell bankrwith.

Meanwhile, Bell would still be busy out west deploying its own network
because of the Bell-Telus divorce of a few years ago.

[Pavel]

Unfortunately for Fido/Rogers customers Telus has more coverage available
in most rural areas such as Lillooet. My sister has a house up there and
I cant use my Rogers cell at all. :-(

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Happy Customer
- 3 Year contracts, No Free Phones till contract is over

You can request a 1, 2 or 3 year contract.

Post by Happy Customer
- They charge 10-20% more for the same amount of minutes than Rogers or Fido

Depends on the plan -- Rogers is offering me significantly less then my
previous TELUS Mike plan, when you factor in the cost of calling
features and everything else (In other words, the final $ on the bill,
vs my actual usage)

Post by Happy Customer
- No network expansion in the last 5 years

Not true at all. 5 years ago Bell had no network at all in the West,
and TELUS was still tweaking the network after the Clearnet
merger/buyout.

Post by Happy Customer
- No discount if you have a Land Line or Multiple services with them

Not between wireline and cellular, no. However, multiple cellular
services could get you some perks.

Post by Happy Customer
- Evenings start at 8PM (I'm in bed by then ..... well not really)

This depends on your plan -- Rogers too.

Post by Happy Customer
- Per Minute Billing only

Just like Rogers?

[David Watson]

To bad Rogers coverage sucks.

Post by Happy Customer
==============
- Don't use Sim Cards (Can only use their phones in USA / Canada and maybe
1 or 2 countries
- 3 Year contracts, No Free Phones till contract is over
- $20 per month to break contract, no cap (so to cancel 2 years, $20 x
24 = $480)
- No Customer Service ... well they have agents, but try to get help
LOL
- They charge 10-20% more for the same amount of minutes than Rogers or Fido
- No network expansion in the last 5 years
- No discount if you have a Land Line or Multiple services with them
- Evenings start at 8PM (I'm in bed by then ..... well not really)
- Per Minute Billing only
================
- Free phones at 50% of Contract (1 or 2 years) I usually get 1 free
phone every year
- If you cancel, it's $20 / month MAX $200
- 24/7 Customer Service (You may have to use their emergency night lines
but they will help you)
- They use SIM Cards (Like the rest of the world) so your phone will work
everywhere on the Planet
- Always first with new features, like Guess that tune, #TAXI, SMS to
Landline, Desktop SMS, Fax Server in the Phone
- FIDO lets you port you Hone Phone Number *or Smartring* so if your
phone number is 416-522-2110
and your Smart Ring is 416-522-2111 FIDO will let you have 522-2111 on
your Mobile
- Network always expanding
- Huge Savings if you have several services with them
- Evenings start at 6PM (That's when I'm stuck in Traffic and need to use
my phone
- Per second billing, First Minute Free (incoming) available

[Benny Blanco]

Alot of people here are misinformed.

For starters all the cell companies have very similar coverage. I've used
phones from all providers and obtained similar results; certain areas are
provider specific. The difference really isn't in the provider at this point
in time, it's with the phone you are using. It used to be that Telus/Bell
had the best coverage in the ottawa-gatineau area, however after the
rogers/fido merger their network expanded.

It's my recommendation that for regular cell phone use, meaning voice
transmission, Telus and Fido seemed to be the best bang for your buck,
either provider offers a plan 25 per month get's you 100 anytime/1000
evenings(starting at 7pm) and weekends/ unlimited incoming calls.

As for the business professional looking for data transmission, primarily
Bell, however Rogers has opened up to this market. So that means all you
people wanting to email and conduct business outside of the office on
blackberry, palm, hp, utstarcom, as a first choice go for Bell, they have
the most reliable data trans, and best prices. All four providers are now
stocking the EVDO smartphones, so you will be able to do those updates
necessary to synchronise your phones with sharepoint services and install
the latest microsoft communications packages. The UTSTARCOM model is only
sold through telus right now but rogers has the IPAQ, Bell has the audiovox
and the treo solutions, and fido has the razr v3c which unfortunately for
all intents and purposes isn't a smartphone.

I'm currently with fido. I'm using the Sony Ericsson Z520a. It's a quadband
phone, with bluetooth, IR, camera, and a bunch of other features. probably
the best bang for your buck as far as world phones go. The reception on this
phone is really quite superb, as is the sound quality. It comes with a
headset, and two interchangeable faceplates with matching battery doors.
Future shop has a limited sale for just 29 bucks, and they throw in the SE
bluetooth headset.

anyways...

Post by Happy Customer
==============
- Don't use Sim Cards (Can only use their phones in USA / Canada and maybe 1
or 2 countries
- 3 Year contracts, No Free Phones till contract is over
- $20 per month to break contract, no cap (so to cancel 2 years, $20 x 24
= $480)
- No Customer Service ... well they have agents, but try to get help

LOL

Post by Happy Customer
- They charge 10-20% more for the same amount of minutes than Rogers or Fido
- No network expansion in the last 5 years
- No discount if you have a Land Line or Multiple services with them
- Evenings start at 8PM (I'm in bed by then ..... well not really)
- Per Minute Billing only
================
- Free phones at 50% of Contract (1 or 2 years) I usually get 1 free
phone every year
- If you cancel, it's $20 / month MAX $200
- 24/7 Customer Service (You may have to use their emergency night lines but
they will help you)
- They use SIM Cards (Like the rest of the world) so your phone will work
everywhere on the Planet
- Always first with new features, like Guess that tune, #TAXI, SMS to
Landline, Desktop SMS, Fax Server in the Phone
- FIDO lets you port you Hone Phone Number *or Smartring* so if your phone
number is 416-522-2110
and your Smart Ring is 416-522-2111 FIDO will let you have 522-2111 on
your Mobile
- Network always expanding
- Huge Savings if you have several services with them
- Evenings start at 6PM (That's when I'm stuck in Traffic and need to use my
phone
- Per second billing, First Minute Free (incoming) available

[Super Dave]

Post by Benny Blanco
Alot of people here are misinformed.

Actually you are misinformed. Only Bell and Telus offer EVDO, Rogers
currently offers EDGE for data transmission.

[Hum Sup Low]

Fido offer EDGE too, but only on special arrangement.

Post by Super Dave

Post by Benny Blanco
Alot of people here are misinformed.

Actually you are misinformed. Only Bell and Telus offer EVDO, Rogers
currently offers EDGE for data transmission.

[JF Mezei]

Post by Hum Sup Low
Fido offer EDGE too, but only on special arrangement.

Is this a feature that is separate from GRPS ?

I had thought that an EDGE equippe phone would automatically use EDGE
when available ? Isn't EDGE just a glorified GPRS ?

Or are there separate subscription flags with a customer having to be
authorized specifically for edge ?

[Cash Flow]

It depends what sort of data card you are using.

At first I was using the G100 by Novatel, then Fido upgraded me to G301 for
the new network on Rogers, then when take didn't work, Fido give me an
unlock CG83 Sony-Erickson card with EDGE in it.

Now I have no problems since I am on the Rogers EDGE network, compare to the
Fido GPRS and my data rates are 4 times faster at the old $50/month
unlimited.

I am still using my Fido SIM card on Rogers' EDGE card for free.

Fido didn't want back the G100 and the two G301 anymore.

The G301 were brand new.

Post by JF Mezei

Post by Hum Sup Low
Fido offer EDGE too, but only on special arrangement.

Is this a feature that is separate from GRPS ?
I had thought that an EDGE equippe phone would automatically use EDGE
when available ? Isn't EDGE just a glorified GPRS ?
Or are there separate subscription flags with a customer having to be
authorized specifically for edge ?

[David Watson]

Rogers will offer HSDPA shortly, however, currently Bell (and Telus trailing
not to far behind) is the only provider to offer 1X-EVDO which is
approximately 5 times faster than Rogers by using advertised speeds at
400-700kbps. Peak speed of 1X-EVDO can potentially reach 2.4Mbps

Post by Hum Sup Low
Fido offer EDGE too, but only on special arrangement.

Post by Super Dave

Post by Benny Blanco
Alot of people here are misinformed.

Actually you are misinformed. Only Bell and Telus offer EVDO, Rogers
currently offers EDGE for data transmission.

[DevilsPGD]

Post by Benny Blanco
It's my recommendation that for regular cell phone use, meaning voice
transmission, Telus and Fido seemed to be the best bang for your buck,
either provider offers a plan 25 per month get's you 100 anytime/1000
evenings(starting at 7pm) and weekends/ unlimited incoming calls.

Wow, swing and a miss... Rogers' version of that plan is only $20/month,
and includes 100 LD minutes (plus the 100 anytime, and other goodies)

Post by Benny Blanco
All four providers are now
stocking the EVDO smartphones, so you will be able to do those updates
necessary to synchronise your phones with sharepoint services and install
the latest microsoft communications packages.

Really? Can you point out a single Rogers/Fido EVDO-capable phone? I
can find a number of EDGE phones, but not a single EVDO capable one.