Last week was an insane week from all perspectives here at WIND. From the moment Minister Clement gave the 'green light' teams were beavering away to put the final touches on the launch. The events Wednesday in Toronto and Friday in Calgary were important in many ways. One of the most important was that it has allowed us to change the conversation a little - from what you want to see in a mobile operator to how we are delivering on your expectations.
Clearly, this is a journey. We are constantly working to improve our offer. Indeed, even since the launch we have opened more stores and added more coverage. This will continue.
While we were out in Calgary I was asked by several people, "Why Calgary?"
Toronto seemed like a natural choice for a launch city because of its size. But why would Calgary get tapped as a launch locale? Well, there are a variety of practical reasons but the most important reason we did not focus all of our time and resources on the Big Smoke was that we are a national operator and we want to be seen as one.
Many of us are not from Ontario (I grew up in Quebec, Chris is from Edmonton, Larry Austin, VP of Customer Operations, is from New Brunswick, etc.). We appreciate the struggle companies have to not be perceived as Toronto-centric. While our head office happens to be here, we will only be successful if we establish a strong national network under a strong national WIND brand. As such, our plans for expansion involve the east and the west. We have already announced that Ottawa, Edmonton and Vancouver will be 'turned on' early next year. We are also planning further extensions in Southern Ontario, reaching out to Kitchener Waterloo, London and down to Windsor.
In the west, we also have Victoria in our sights and extensions in the lower mainland. Our plan is to be operational in every province over the next few years. We would all like this to be faster but we also need to focus effort on the home zones to ensure we provide greater levels of coverage and service in our current areas.
Thanks to all of you who for being so engaged in this conversation. It has been tremendous. With your insight and feedback we will continue to improve.
Much more to come...Cheers,
Ken
Great to hear there are plans for further extensions in Southern Ontario, but when? It would be nice to have even a very general idea. Check out Public Mobile's coverage map, I think it is done fairly well.
Thanks, Ken, for keeping us in the loop.
We wish you continued success, and wish the Team wisdom to sort through all the "We Want"s and "You need to"s and come up with those improvements which will help your customers, and fit in with a good plan of action.
Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2010!
John
Thanks Ken for this comment. When I logged into the sight this morning and did not see the "Newsroom" tab I was concerned, until I found the comments here in the 'Community-Ideas and Blog'. One of the things that does also separate Wind from the others is the personal comments, contact from the CEO and management team. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
I really am excited to join WIND and my husband and I will hook up very soon...we are just waiting for portable number to take effect.
To all those who can hook up, we really need to do so and keep the market competative by supporting WIND. They may not be able to offer everything we would like, or that we are familiar with right away BUT CLEARLY THEY ARE LISTENING and the changes will come as WIND grows. I encourage all who can to be a part of that growth.
WIND has not promised to be everything to all people, but they have said that they want to hear from us, and the customer service is outstanding. Congrats...
I am very glad to hear that Victoria is mentioned. A lot of people live/work in both Victoria and Vancouver so there is a lot of back and forth between the two.
Also, when traveling by ferry between the two, it is essential to have data access to stay connected.
Nice to see efforts are put to have a national coverage. It is also important as you said to improve on the existing area that you are currently servicing. There are alot of areas that is missing service in GTA/Calgary and surrounding. I cant emphazise enough that these areas has to be expanded if you want to add lots of new sign up!!!
Thanks Ken! Glad to hear Windsor is on the map! Any idea when? I'm anxious to turn in my CountryFido and make the switch!!
I know a startup is never without flaws and I'm glad I've been able to convert my wifes phone, since she calls mostly from downtown TO.
Found some holes in Scarborough and will report next time it happens again.
But I still have to wait for the next(?) Halton tower to be erected, before we can be Bell free.
Hope by that time, I can have an android phone as well!
Keep the fresh Wind blowing!
beside all this rate plan also need to be more attractive...i wish plan of 35$ include all feature and 350 minute day time ,and incoming free 24 hour kind of...
The main reason why they are offering the first month free is so people probably see how much their bill would be when they are not in their home zone........But to tell you the truth they are probably going to have that all corrected in a months time of expanding their network coverage. I think they just wanted to be out and about before christmas and get some users under their belt and see how their network would do. If you ask me it is a smart business move to get some customers and continue to improve their network whiles offering the first months service free.
I'm hoping the towers going online in Calgary on wednesday and thursday fix the service holes the NW of Calgary is experiencing. I still have to go outside to use my phone, as that's the only place I can get a reliable 3G signal. Otherwise, I am loving my phone and my service :D The voice quality is superb :)
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