I talked a bit about about our plans last week and the response has been great. Of course, by not saying everything, there are still a lot of questions being asked.
The questions tend to fall into a few categories...
Questions where we don’t have confirmed answers. While we have plans, anyone who’s launched something new will tell you it’s a very dynamic environment. Dynamic meaning crazy, nuts, busy, and hectic. There are things that just won’t be certain and signed until very close to launch.
Questions where we have more certain answers but we deliberately want to keep them quiet until we launch. We’re already creating change in the market just by saying that we’re going to launch and that’s great! The industry needs to change and it also needs to be competitive and that will be something new for Canada. The current players would LOVE to get the details (they’re undoubtedly some of the people asking these questions) to try and limit our launch and success and, therefore, competitiveness in Canada. So we’re keeping some things quiet.
Then there are the questions we can answer...
I know that the answers about the phones will mean some customers will chose not to join WIND at launch and that is too bad. But if people clearly know something that they want, and we won’t be delivering it, we need to be clear and open. That’s going to be our approach when we’re in market as well.
Some people are asking “why are you still asking for input as you must already know what you’re launching?" We will always be asking for customer input and adapting, evolving and improving based on that input. Yes, we’ve already made some decisions based on what we have heard and based on our experiences, but that doesn’t stop the need to keep the conversation going. So we will.
Yay! First to comment!
1. I gonna google Steve Job's number and see what comes up... *wink*
2. You din't comment on the blackberries, Is that something you are keeping under wraps?
3. I think that iphone lovers would be happy with other iphone-like devices it they are available.
*Blade*
Up front and honest. That's the way it should be. No sense beating around the bush. I think its great that the company keeping things quiet, only enhances the anticipation of the launch!
Sorry for all my spelling mistakes in my last post... but anyway these are lots of phones that may appeal to the iphone fan-boys and girls like the...
LG DARE
HTC Touch
Samsung instinct
If yall haven't seen them (An I know we all have) check them out below!
http://addicted2fashion.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/samsung_instinct_web.jpg
http://tech4teens.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/lg-vu-and-iphone.jpg
http://www.htc.com/uploadedImages/Common/Shared_Image/Gallery/HTC_Touch_HD/large1.jpg
And there are many others. - Unless of course, they just want the iphone because its and iphone and they are sheep :).
I think with the right pricing though and some good advertising, you will win them over no-problem! Just my two cents tho!
*Blade*
Thanks for the honesty. It is a refreshing change instead of constant PR spin.
I hope this means that if we do have an unlocked phone that's compatible with the AWS band and WIDN's network we are welcomed to join in the fun.
Hopefully Apple will release a quad-band HSPA iPhone next year, but in the mean time there are lots of Android, BlackBerry, WinMobile and many other smart phones that will work.
Does this also mean you guys are going to lock the phones that you release too? (i.e. no using our own mp3 songs as ringtones or as alarms?)
I'm kind of disappointed that Vancouver won't launch this year, but I suppose it'll give me a chance to see some feedback on the devices and service before I make the decision to stay with the current provider or not. As for the iPhone, I never liked that thing due to app store politics anyways. We need more Symbian and Android phones.
This still doesn't answer my question about Québec. Will you be offering service in Gatineau, Québec? You have the spectrum...
We can ignore the obvious astroturfers already replying......
Anyways, they have to go after the market share. How many people REALLY have unlocked phones in Canada? Not too darn many I'll bet.
Sure, the U.S. for example is different, Verizon is 3 months is it not?
Go for the straightforward stuff first and get the ball rolling. Get your plans/pricing/phones out there sooner rather than later.
Most of the tech savvy folks (small market share) like myself will be able to read the lay of the the land in the first 10 minutes after you announce. Dont forget that although relatively small in number, the tech people shape business decisions.
Lets get going!
Vancouver needs a launch. With a higher population and Christmas coming, people are going to be signing new contracts for 3 years with $500+ ECFs. Unless Wind has the funds to be buying out huge contracts, you'll lose more customers by not launching in Vancouver. After all, Vancouver has twice the population of Calgary, so surely you'd want twice the customers?
Personally, I can wait. My Fido contract runs out next December, so I can't really jump ship 'til then (unless you're gonna pay $200+ for my ECF).
Will you be selling phones online before full retail is launched nationwide? IE, this December could I buy a phone and use it in Vancouver, before there are retail outlets to serve me? Will the network be ready for traveling?
opethfan:
Why would they want to buy out your contract? You signed it...deal.
The left coast is FAR secondary to Ontario & Quebec anyway. A distant third at best, again, deal with it.
If the rate plans are cheap enough, then buy your own darn contract out and recoup the money over the next year with the lower WIND rates. Duh.
Next time buy the phone outright, or do you really think the hardware is not being subsidized by the contract term?
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