Last week I appeared on BNN chatting about WIND’s unlimited data options. One of the biggest wireless myths out there is that a Canadian carrier can’t thrive with an unlimited data add-on. This is clearly false; WIND Mobile IS in the market with unlimited data; our Infinite laptop plan and mobile add-ons continue to be a successful anchor for our business.
WIND is committed to providing true unlimited data for all to enjoy. And that is why we have a fair access policy in place and may need to throttle heavy users from time to time. What does throttling mean exactly? For customers who use more than their fair share of data in a month (5GB) WIND may need to slow down or throttle bandwidth speed in order to ensure fair access to the network for all customers.
However, I want to reiterate for customers who download over 5GB of data while in a WIND Zone, you should not be charged extra and your data usage will not be capped. But I would like to remind all of you data lovers to make sure you do your downloading while in a WIND Zone to avoid being billed extra for data usage while in an Away Zone. It makes all the difference.
Since we started this forum we’ve spent a lot of time chatting about data. In fact we’re continuing to have frequent data-related discussions and with good reason; this Financial Post story from the weekend details the coming “data tsunami”. While tsunami is perhaps a bit hyperbolic I do agree that we’re only going to see increased mobile data usage. As data becomes a must have, creating desirable data packages continues to be important for WIND and our customers.
And in non-data-related news, check out Mobile Syrup's Poll: Which Canadian wireless carrier is “the best”? WIND is currently number #1. Thank you for your votes and if you haven't, go vote (for WIND of course)!
When are we going to get new phones! We've been asking for MONTHS! We want Android phones - embrace this growing smartphone industry!
Man, I honestly thought you were gonna say something like data blocks have been removed. This is a BIG disappointment!
Especially since they are "committed to providing true unlimited data" :)
Unfortunately unlimited data is currently a lie at Wind. Even though we can download as much as we want, the data connection is still artificially crippled by port blocking.
Look, I like Wind a lot for the most part. Currently I'm paying far less than I did with my last provider and I'm getting far more (for voice). But I would love to give Wind even more money! I would gladly pay for the Infinite Mobile if port blocking were removed.
So far the "conversation" about port blocking has been a farce. I hope Wind is able to address this properly, because it's currently the main problem I have with the company. I'm sure it'll go away shortly because of the CRTC ruling, but it would look a lot better for Wind if they dealt with this properly before the regulators get involved.
Hi Tony, with competition imminent from Chat-r and solo, they are going to try to shut you down before you grow. You are really going to have to push data. Once someone has used a data phone, they don't wanna go back to just talk and text. This is the big advantage you have over Robellus, as they are not going to want to harm their data cash cow with Solo or Char-r.
My Suggestions:
1. You do need to offer better phones - at least couple high end ones.
2. include some free data with the $ 35 and $ 45 plans - to get people
accustomed to using data on the go. Maybe include 50mb with the $ 35
plan and 75mb with the $ 45 plan.
3. Maybe launch YAK pay as u go, without data or very limited data - euro
style. Free incoming 20 cents for outgoing calls. 60 day top up
vouchers. 90 days for higher demominations.
4. Prepaid data of some sort. Once you run out, you have to buy another
data block.
DON'T LET ROBELLUS WALK ALL OVER YOU ! Yes I know you're a business and
I know you can't throw money away but the ideas suggested above are not
money loosing ideas.
Contracts - I know you want to stay away from them however if you have
Chat-r and Solo to contend with, you "might" want to look into the option
of free high end phones on contract. So people have the option. But if not at least get some high end phones in.....please
tonysingh ... why would WIND start looking at contracts now when it sounds like CHATR will not require contracts???
I do agree that they need some decent Androids. Maybe they are waiting for the Back To School sales where they will have to have compete with something new.
You can be sure that August will be a time for incredible promos. Could be make or break time for some of the new entrants (PM & Mobilicity).
I think Wind has a good mix. I hope current customers no better than to leave to save a dollar on a "Chatt-r" that will close or double its rates the day Wind is gone.
I do think Wind could "life time" our rate for existing customers as insurance against random continuous "provider" switching.
I think Wind has a good phone mix...If you want another compatible phone, who is stopping you? Go get your Droid or whatever, and then all you need is a ten dollar Wind sim card! All wind phones except Blackberry come with data packages, just sign on the internet and pay about 10 cents; it comes with every wind Phone Now!
"They" can say whatever "they" want, I/we have 4 Wind phones (3 Samsung 1 BB) and 1 Robbers (Bold); The Wind network is better and I/we have never dropped a single call; Robbers is not even close...
To fight off the "predatory pricers"; guarantee rates to the loyal, extend your last special or a variation of it...
Then, to keep new Wind customers: If you stay with Wind two years you get the "lifetime rate" will not change...Now that is a "predatory" buster.
If you use my suggestions a BB9700 would be appreciated…
@cp9700 Chat-r and solo are going to try to hit where it hurts. So Wind could retaliate by offering more data options and "possibly" offer higher end devices on contract. This will hurt Robellus true core business.
As far as buying a high end device and getting a sim, I know that but a lot of people dont and just want to buy the phone from the carrier. When they see wind only has limited phones they move on.
I know what to do, Im gonna stick with Wind but this isn't about me, its about business stragegy for Wind. Most people in the general public won't know Chat-r is part of robbers
Unlimited with only a 5GB cap ... nice way of redefining unlimited. Might as well sell a cheaper 5GB plan. Also the entire point is removing the barriers to access. A unlimited plan "in name only" really doesn't do much in removing these barriers, mostly being the price point. With an "All-IP" network, it is actually quite cheap for Wind to deliver lower cost, or more data for your buck (increasing the price density) than the incumbents especially Rogers. Seeing the data is comparable to the incumbents doesn't say much about how Wind positions itself to compete in this segment. All I see is a company not in a hurry to replace the voice minute model with a data/ video model where someone with a smartphone can only buy data and use data based services like Skype or SIP for the voice component.
Wind can definitely do better when it comes to data. But then again this is something that would be good for the consumer ... a huge business gamble for Wind although.
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