As the Wind blows-Abandoning Wind as a carrier

As noted in earlier posts, finding a carrier in Canada is difficult given the plans change constantly. In reaction the explosion of smartphone use, carriers have moved away from a UBB like model for calls and texts to a similar model around data use. Calls and texts are now flat rate plans with unlimited use, and data rates are predatory and capped both in use and expense.

I have been using Wind in Alberta for year and it has been at best a mixed experience. Coverage and network speed (3G) are abysmal and embarrassing. Value and price are exceptional with unlimited data, calls and texts. I was betting on Wind being purchased by a bigger player (Videotron) or a new entrant that would immediately expand infrastructure investment and expansion. 

I bet wrong.

Now I am searching for the least exploitative LTE plan I can Bring My Own Device and not pay and arm and a leg.

Tales from Telus: The Competition - Wind

Wind Mobile is the real unknown in this comparison. There are some massive caveats that are unavoidable with this service, the largest being that there is literally no coverage outside of major cities. Uncertainty with the financial stability of the company combined with spotty customer service make this a more complicated choice given unlimited data plans and low prices.

Tales from Telus: The Competition - Rogers

I hate Rogers. When I used them as a wireless customer and as a cable customer service was uniformly terrible, but that was a long time ago.

However, they might be worth a look.

Tales From Telus: The Competition-Bell

I have not been a Bell customer in decades. As a third party ISP customer Bell has been a thorn in my side for years as they conspire to not provide the legally mandated service levels that is required of them. 

However, they might be worth a look.

Tales from Telus: The home team

Given the disgusting current state of price gouging in Canada's wireless market I needed to make a plan and do some research. I knew what I wanted from a provider:

• Value for money: Call time minutes and texting is meaningless in a world of smartphones. Data would be the only thing that mattered.
• Network reliability
• Customer service
• Ease of use to self manage accounts

I also knew that I would have to eventually buy out of my existing contracts to move my already unlocked phones.

Tales from Telus: a descent into madness

I have been a Telus customer since 1997. I even recently found a rate plan brochure outlining their offerings at a time when the dollar was worth (adjusted for inflation) 36% more than it is today.

Unlimited pros and the one con:Surviving 3rd Party ISP support

The last year has seen unprecedented public visibility regarding 3rd party ISP's such as Teksavvy due to the CRTC's UBB hearings. While public outcry was initially misdirected as a cry against retail UBB, something that had been in place for a year, it shone a spotlight on wholesale UBB and the place of 3rd party ISP's.

UBB has been placed on the CRTC's back-burner as the 4 major ISP's (Bell, Rogers, Telus,Shaw) re-allign their retail offerings to mask or incentivise consumers to place less weight on UBB concerns. Teksavvy, my current ISP, continues to offer unlimited or near unlimited data plans for less than the unbundled services offered by Telus or Shaw. As I learned over the last week, this gain comes at a cost and is likely the hurdle that limits 3rd party ISP's customer base to less than 10% of the market.