Away Zone: What it means for Voice and Data VOICE: OK, so we know that while we are in an away zone, we get free incoming minutes, and we have to pay $0.25/minute for outgoing. That rate is all inclusive, there are no additional LD charges on top of that. Without a LD plan, the incumbents would be more expensive. So, in essence, WIND has become a Rogers reseller, and does it at a cheaper rate. They either have negotiated a good rate with Rogers (I doubt this), or are eating the difference (likely). DATA: The charges for away zone data is $0.10 per 25 KB. This is expensive! Also, data on Rogers is not the same as data on WIND. I believe that a WIND 3G phone will default to EDGE speeds (read: slow as molasses) when roaming on the Rogers network. So you will be paying for *slow* data. Not good. Verdict: Voice in away zones is a huge hit. Data is not. Remedy: None until WIND gets their coverage going across Canada. A few questions to which I do not have answers: 1. Will WIND expand to provide their own towers in say the 401 corridor from Windsor to Cornwall, or the Hwy 2 corridor from Lethbridge-Calgary-Edmonton? 2. Does Rogers have 3G networks in these rural corridors at the moment? If not, then the data hit is only in the urban centres for the time it takes WIND to get coverage. If they do, then data gets hit until WIND can cover these rural areas as well. I think that is a tall task, and may never happen.
Well, I am trying to make an informed choice. Data roaming bugs me, as an AWS compatible phone will default to EDGE speeds on the Rogers network. So, I'll be paying for slow data? That is why I wanted to get some answers on the rural areas that are served by Rogers. I do not know if they are 3G networks, or plain-jane ones.
FIDO Ontario coverage:
Looks like 3G network covers most of the 401 corridor and then some.
FIDO Alberta coverage. Again, 3G network covers most of the Hwy 2 corridor, with a uncovered area around Red-Deer (no surprise ;) )
Grrrrrrr - so I will be paying for slow data on Wind.
Usage case: Family is driving on a road trip to Ottawa, and wife/kids want to surf on my Wind phone. Grrrrrr!
wow someone who is thinking more on my level. ive been posting on here for a couple weeks now and instead of having answeres i get flagged for asking them lol
Incoming calls are NOT free in the AWAY zone. Only there is no long distance on incoming calls like Rogers/Bell/Telus. Incoming calls are charged a flat rate of $0.25/minute.
By the way, the AWAY zone rates are better than what Rogers charges its prepaid customers ($0.40/minute and $0.05/KB for voice and data respectively).
Also, Wind plans to be a national carrier, so I would be surprised if they do not even cover the busiest highway corridors in the country.
there not cheaper then rogers ... wind roams off rogers towers so would be the same if not more.... also with wind your roaming in areas of brampton oakville mississauga and toronto,,, ummm thats not roaming with rogers
also people wont see there huge charges on there first bill because they wont charge till 45 days later... which is stupid people cant even see how much this phone is actually costing them till there second bill
interesting point baldguy...i was told also that incoming calls in away zone are free by reps at wind but am thinking it is incorrect.
AWAY=Pay per use
except for incoming text
look under faq its listed there that your charged...thats my whole beef with wind that they dont tell you this... i really feel bad for people who dont know
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