Hey there! Sorry for going quiet for a while…the delay we’re facing has made for a hectic time as we shift our launch timing while moving forward at the same time. Of course, we can’t share all of the details of what we’ve been working on—and I understand that can be frustrating for those of you who are eagerly waiting for news.
For new members to this community, the quick re-cap is: Globalive Wireless had been preparing to launch the new WIND Mobile wireless service in Toronto and Calgary in mid-November, but a CRTC decision about our ownership structure delayed that plan just a few weeks prior to launch.
So, why did we go so far as building network and stores and plans and hiring people for a service that the CRTC hadn’t approved? Simply because of the overwhelming support from everyday Canadians, businesses and even the Government to promote choice and competition in Canadian wireless. I mean, we were given our license to operate by Industry Canada last March.
In any event, we’re now using this time to ensure that everything we bring to market will be as perfect as it can be. That means we’re investing in more testing and training, and promoting positive change in some “creative” ways. But still very much “WIND.”
On Friday, we hosted graduation ceremonies for the nearly 400 sales and care employees who’ve spent weeks at our Care Academies in Toronto and Calgary. To give them a break from the classroom, we’re sending our new grads out into the fresh air of the communities of Calgary and Toronto. We hired them because they’re excited to bring about change, choice and competition, and while we get ready for their stores to launch, they’ll focus some of that energy bringing positive change to our communities instead. Soon you’ll be seeing WIND teams engaged in what we call “Random Acts of Kindness.” You’ll see and hear what we mean over the next week…
…and in spite of the musings of Rogers and some new entrants struggling to get to market, we’re not about selling out. We’ve always been about being here for the long term, not – like some of the other potential new entrants – about a quick sale to one of the incumbents. We’ve been listening to Canadians for over a year as we’ve built out a network, and stores and services and platforms. Our goal is to be here to stay. Rogers and others should invest their money in adding value back to their own customers, before they look at “buying spectrum.”
That was an absolutely great post Chris! I hope the incumbents see it and quit the spectrum acquisition fear mongering. I'm eagerly looking forward to what Industry Canada will conclude from their investigation and I hope they make the right decision, despite any lobbying that's bound to come from the incumbents. Here's wishing the entire team at WIND all the best as you guys get ready to launch! :)
I hope that the vision you have about bringing choice and competition to the Canadian Wireless market comes to fruition.
Looking forward to hear about the random act of kindness from the WIND team. All the best!
Oh... by right decision I meant allow WIND to launch as-is. :)
Wonderful post Chris! Rogers coverage east of Montréal is pathetic at best. They have virtually no coverage in Newfoundland but a tiny sliver in St. John's, and that's spotty at best. This after they've been a "national carrier" for many years. They truly need to get their own house in order before they start musing about buying others.
Don't forget about the logistics of bringing the Nokia N900 as the flagship...how many times do I have to mention this phone to you guys...
Wind has certainly had the most difficult time launching. Once they do launch, with all the free media attention they are getting, this is going to blow up in the other providers faces.
Somebody's stock is going down... and it ain't Wind's...
Very good to hear, I look forward to the updates and the day things go Live.
It is amazing how much effect WIND is making on the wireless market and has YET to sell 1 phone (no fault of there own). Even some of the prepaids are changing. WIND is doing to wireless what Walmart did to retail - making companies change (albeit not the best comparison but you get the point). By doing things a little bit different and caring about their customers, Walmart changed the face of retail and so followed the other box stores. Whether we want to admit it or not, retail looks to Walmart for their direction (1st Walmart Superstores now Canadian Tire selling food).
WIND, I've been waiting a long time to leave Rogers. A few more weeks won't hurt. Wind will prevail. Bring it on.
Thanks Chris, great post. I hope you and the whole WIND team comes up on top and succeeds as the best Wireless Carrier in Canada i can't wait to make that call to Robbers and cancel. Oh and i'm bringing more than 10 new customers with me on launch day. I can't wait to see what the " Random Acts of Kindness" is all about.
From the very first time I read an article about WIND/Globalive I saw something different. You know what they say about a woman's intuition. BTW always loved the YAK commercials and love the 3 commercials you have posted on this site. Wishing you all the best.
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