WIND Mobile | Public Profile

I just absolutely love that Rogers, Telus, etc are going to have actual competition now. Until this spectrum acution and all the squabbling about your corporate structure, I never realized the barriers to entry that were put up in Canada in the telecommunications industry and always wondered why Vodaphone and Verizon, etc never came to Canada. But now I know why. It makes me a little upset at our government for allowing the current players to operate without real competition and, in the end, hurt customers. Anyways, switching to something more positive, my Rogers contract just ended and I now ...

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I wish Vancouver would get service before christmas. Oh what a christmas present that would have been. The joy of leaving rogers, the joy of making them listen the only way they know how, on their balance sheets. one can always dream... one can dream...

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Wouldn't it be more effective to just all send 1 letter to our MP asking for the dissolution of the CRTC, then also linking them to the site?

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I'm so on edge about wind even though i know i'll have to wait a little more till you guys reach vancouver but it still feels like christmas eve when you're 5 and your parents make you wait till christmas to open your presents...

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well the fact that they're going coast to coast (sans Quebec), the fact that they seem to actually be trying to give customers what we want (a nice change from the big 3), the aggressive launch schedule and, their willingness to communicate I think definitely gives them a bigger footprint than the other entrants, most of whom i haven't heard anything about since the spectrum auction.

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about that comment to make a call to Jim Balsille... I wonder if he actually would become an investor It would be interesting to see a major phone maker become a major carrier as well. But the only thing I can say is, why can the CRTC overturn Industry Canada's ruling? I just love some of the stuff on the CRTC website "The CRTC does not regulate the rates, quality of service or business practices of wireless service providers because the market for wireless services is sufficiently competitive." from http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/t1021.htm If you don't do that then what's your purpose? to ...

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I'm not gonna lie, the CRTC decision yesterday hurt. All evening I was unable to do any of my homework from university because I was feeling, quite literally, sick to my stomach and unable to concentrate. However after some physical activity to "vent" and a night's sleep I'm pretty clear headed and normal now (or at least as close to normal as I ever get these days). As for suggestions, I'm not really sure there's anything else globalive can legally go other than push through a federal review. One thing you might do, I'm not sure but it might be ...

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I read the article in the National Post with Mr. Laceverra outlining the situation. It's downright dirty. The part that made me most upset was when they wrote about there being no timeline for a decision to be made and it possibly taking up to a year. That's just plain bad. so basically, because of the CRTC and their "concerns" (and I say that in the most cynical and sarcastic way possible) about the debt financing of the company they'll deprive around 800 people (according to the article) of jobs and continue to let wireless consumers suffer. How is this ...

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In response to outwiththeold's comment about stopping interviews, I think that's the wrong thing to do. I think you should try to get on CBC or something and get more and more coverage on this issue and get more Canadians disgusted by the CRTC decision. I mean, lets face it, unless you're really following globalive's progress, a few articles in the national post and a blurb or two in the globe and mail and news papers aren't going to get Canadians angry at the CRTC. As for focusing on getting to market, well, there comes a time when you might ...

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Yeah, That's a horrible argument. It's like comparing a whale to a minnow. We need another NATIONAL carrier. regional carriers are swell, but will never have the same impact as a new national carrier.

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My MP hasn't responded to me :'( I think I'll send her (and the PM office and Mr Clement) another email on Monday.

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it's damn near impossible to organize anything as a University student without a cellphone since that's really the only guaranteed way to contact people moving about campus. Plus, it's a security thing, especially since My School is basically on top of a mountain, if I'm ever stranded by snow or any thing else I need to be able to contact someone (it's not very nice if I just disappear for 2 or 3 days without contacting anyone). I mean it's not like I would literally be unable to function without a cellphone, I'll just be severely handicapped and inconvenienced.

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If I could afford the airfare and the time missed from classes, I would fly to Ottawa if there was a rally/protest/whatever. Sadly, I'm just a poor university student who currently can't afford a smartphone due to the plan rates (hopefully that will change, and soon). Out west here in BC a few people I know are pissed off about the CRTC decision but I'm still the only one I know who has actively tried to communicate with my MP, Mr. Clement (who I share a name with and hope he will not disappoint me), Mr Harper and opposition leader ...

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The problem with the other entrants is that of scale. They're regional carriers whilst Globalive is a national carrier (sans Quebec). Wasn't there something about Videotron or something in one of the newspapers or online? Also, as a consumer I kinda don't have control of corporate deals/mergers/whatever, so I'm just trying to cause a change where I can, by influencing politicians who, if they're really for the people, should listen to their constituents' wishes.

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Isn't it kinda ironic that to advance change in the Canadian telecommunications industry, we resort to snail mail? If I wasn't so upset about the issue I'd be laughing right now.

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Plus, 2 new carriers in Toronto does bupkis for people out west or the rest of Canada. People out west (and east too but I'm out west so this is mainly about myself and those around me) want change just as much as Ontarians (I don't know what you guys are called). Also, just the nature of the company (national carrier, massive financial backing) makes me, at least, feel that Wind won't just get bought out by the big 3 later on like what may happen to these smaller regional carriers and that they might actually do enough to "change ...

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^^^ now that's putting your money where your mouth is. I'm so happy I'm out of contract on month to month now so I didn't have to do that...

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I never thought I'd ever hear the phrase "Diddly Squat" said in parliament. Libby Davies, hmmm... She's the east Vancouver MP, If anyone is in her riding, it'd probably be far more effective if you send her letters that it would be for people outside her riding to send her letters.

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And this is why they can't be considered true competition for the incumbents and why Wind must be allowed to launch...

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Oh yeah, anything is better than silence. Especially given how badly we want you guys to succeed, waiting in silence is just killing me...

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wow, this thread makes me feel slightly less crazy, I only check about 5times a day

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Well, I'm thinking it might just be a formality, because the 18th is basically a week away, so I'm guessing he just giving them a small window to voice any possible further challenges to Wind's viability and if they fail to do so he'll be able to say you "should've said something when I gave you the chance" especially if he can overturn the call himself (I don't see why he would need the entire cabinet's approval to do so), this could actually be resolved before parliament breaks for winter. either that, or I'm way too optimistic and my opinion ...

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hmmm, is it just me or is anyone else in a west coast riding that wasn't close last election not being responded to? I wonder if they'd respond if I'd said I was in Waterloo (the univ riding that was won by 17 votes, where I was during the last election)? oh well, I'll just continue filling inboxes.

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As much as we'd like wind to immediately do something like that to both expand their network and to satisfy some of the foreign ownership/control/whatever the CRTC is complaining about on any given day, even if they were in the process of doing something like that, it'd be kept pretty close under wraps until it's completed and it'll take time to come to agreeable terms. I'm pretty sure a merger/acquisition won't happen within what? like 3 weeks of the CRTC ruling?

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if you show up early you can probably just use one of the in store self service interfaces (they said they'd have em right?) and just I guess punch a plan and just keep saying yes and you might get #1 :P At the very lest I hope this doesn't delay their west coast launch. Call me self centered, but as long as I get me some WindMobile, I'll be happy

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Thanks for the update buys, even though it's really just a more of the same message, we appreciate your efforts to keep us "in the loop". Anyways, I hope the relatively short deadline for the incumbents to lodge more complaints is a sign that Mr Clement wants to get things going quickly to resolve this issue and allow Wind to launch soon.

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1 gb of data... Eh, nowhere near what I want...

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I think the Gov't will intervene to at least grant Globalive some provisionary licence to operate with a plan to reduce thr foreign equity or debt or something.

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I'd love to see how fast the ro-bell-us empire would crumble with open spectrum and a revamped take on foreign ownership

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well in the policy making and regulatory institutions chapter it says "In practice, however, the Commission has been allowed to act with relative independence. The policy direction power has never been used by the government since it was introduced in 1993, when the Telecommunications Act was proclaimed into force. The Cabinet review power has been used on a number of occasions. It is frequently called for by parties who are dissatisfied with CRTC decisions. However, the government has seldom granted such requests, and the Cabinet review power has never been used by the government on its own initiative." so Minister ...

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There's a lot of stuff in here about "policy direction power" so like basically telling the CRTC which side to favor. And since that direction has been towards more competition and becoming more lenient on foreign investment. In this case, mr Von Finklestein decided he wanted to flex the CRTC's muscles going against the direction which Industry Canada wants them to

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there's actually a recommendation to repeal the cabinet review process. but this is just the reccomendations, it's not the actual telecomm act so... I dunno what that means. I believe this is one of the few recommendations that the CRTC wants to implement (along with the ability to fine companies etc)... "The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act should be amended to reduce the number of CRTC commissioners from 13 to 5. The five commissioners should deal with both telecommunications and broadcasting matters. Any additional commissioners who might be appointed for broadcasting regulation purposes should not deal with telecommunications matters." ...

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do you guys know where I can find a copy of the actual telecom act?

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this stuff is directly from the Afterword about foreign ownership, Pg 337 - 350 in the report if you guys want to read for yourselves. if you want the short just read the conclusions and proposals 348-350 "The Panel’s approach to considering the ownership and control rules in the telecommunications sector is based on the same principles that have guided it in approaching other telecommunications regulatory issues within its mandate. The Panel believes, at this stage in the evolution of the telecommunications sector, Canada should rely primarily on market forces to achieve its telecommunications policy objectives. Where they are necessary, ...

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Mccan's question's been bugging me since yesterday and I finally got the inertia going ao I'm deciding to find it out now :D

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"Consultation (2) The Minister shall consult the Commission with respect to an order proposed to be made under section 8 before it is published or laid under this section and shall consult the Commission again with respect to the order in its definitive form before it is made. Transmittal and tabling of exemption orders (3) The Commission shall send to the Minister an order proposed to be made under section 9 and the Minister shall have the order laid before each House of Parliament. Reference to committees (4) A proposed order laid before a House of Parliament stands referred to ...

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There's some stuff under "Telecommunications Apparatus" about teh minister's and the governor in council\s powers but it seems to be more along the lines of technical stuff and it seems to be about revoking a licence rather than granting one or forcing a change in regulations or granting exemptions...

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PART V INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT Inquiries Appointment by Commission 70. (1) The Commission may appoint any person to inquire into and report to the Commission on any matter (a) pending before the Commission or within the Commission’s jurisdiction under this Act or any special Act; or (b) on which the Commission is required to report under section 14. Appointment by Minister (2) The Minister may, with the approval of the Governor in Council, appoint any person to inquire into and report to the Minister on any matter in respect of which this Act or any special Act applies, and a ...

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Oh man... I feel so bad for Pam. This is one of the reasons why the CRTC MUST let Wind launch. They're creating jobs and promoting competition in the Telecom industry. TBH, do I care if they have massive foreign debt? NO. All they should be caring about is Canadian consumers, the economy and the Globalive employees.

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ummm... this doesn't really tell us anything special...

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what will I love?

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I like the song, I just don't like that you're getting an iPhone... I'm severely anti-apple so, yeah...

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I don't think the dragons want to shell out a couple hundred million... Although I don't see how it can possibly be a bad investment...

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I'd love the HTC Hero... although doesn't Telus have an exclusivity thing with the Hero?

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Wait, Alex Krstajic is an ex rogers exec isn't he? so far the stuff I've seen about public mobile seems to be that it's flat rate, 1 plan basic services and something about not trying to take robellus customers and instead trying for the people currently without cellphones They seem to be coming from a different angle than globalive. yeah.. pretty much what Tammy said above.

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the first half or so is, to me, not as interesting. the part I'm concerned with is the last 4 or 5 sentences regarding what the cabinet can do and the 1 year limit. so... no real news or anything, just thought I'd post the email.

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is the globalive spectrum part of the spectrum reserved for new entrants and isn't there a "can't be sold to an incumbent withing a certain time and can only be merged with another new carrier or something?

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I got that same email too. I just posted it as a separate topic in the community thingy... and @Pam, can you contact your boss or whoever hired you or anything? I think if you have a phone number or something of someone actually in the company it's be a far better way to get an answer than this site.

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they really should be paying you, Tammy...

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NP, why wouldn't they be afraid? it's the potential erosion of their revenue stream and their margins. If I were the head of one of the incumbents I'd be doing the exact same thing. even delaying the launch of some of these carriers by a couple month could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue that would've been lost if they'd had to slash prices to match globalive's prices.

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if we were to have shared spectrum like some euro countries have would that make reception better since you know... they can share towers and like increase tower density since the costs are shared? or am I way off base with this?

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he addresses the spectrum stuff later closer to the end

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it depends on how fast Tony Clement finishes his cabinet review of the CRTC decision and the outcome of those reviews... The maximum time frame is about a year from nowish but I think if they're going to overturn it, it'll be reasonably quick (for politicians). As in a couple months at the most... but that's just me and my relentless optimism over this situation.

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and plus, I'm sure they did have internal meetings in which all possible outcomes were discussed. but for their public face you have to remain 100% confident and never let anything phase you, which is why I lone Tony. when you listen or watch any of his interviews it's like he's on a holy war against the incumbents. as for not communicating with the "partners", what else can they say? right now the only course of action is to try and secure funding privately, which is done not by telling every facet of discussions to people outside the company, and ...

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I still don't understand why people love the droid, it's so... bleh. I'd rather have the HTC Eris/Hero. but that's just me and my already anti Apple opinion.

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If they have plans close to t-mobile I'm sold... actually I'm pretty much sold now anyways with how pissed off I am at rogers...

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they're called tradeoffs, you can't have a $99 iphone without contract and you'd be crazy to pay full price for an unlocked phone and still sign a contract. you have to make a choice and either go with a cheapo handset or fork up some dough upfront to save some money in the future.

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Everyone wants more for free, but eventually we realize that we won't get it so we get the best value for our money. There's nothing wrong with wanting more for less. it's what drives innovation and what keeps us moving forward.

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To be honest, I don't have a problem with contracts as they allow carriers to subsidize handsets. Something that bugs me is the locking of the phones functions (like disabling mp3 ringtones to try to force you to buy their ring tones and the locking to the carrier despite the fact that I'm already on a 3 year contract with a brutal severance fee). All I care about is ridiculous plan pricing which has nothing to do with recovering the costs on handsets and the addition of random "governmental recovery" and system access fees and what not. I personally don't ...

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yup, like everyone's been saying, it depends on when IC does what they're going to do. I mean, the deadline for the incumbents to add further "concerns" is Nov 18th. so anytime after that the ruling could come down. but I'm thinking it'll at least be about a month after Nov 18th that the ruling could come down at the fastest, and by then parliament would've been dismissed for Christmas or about to be so I think it'll be early in 2010 that it gets addressed. It'd be nice if Tony Clement came out on the 19th and greenlighted Wind ...

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I don't mean to sound crass and anti charity or to make little the impact cancer has on people and the importance of supporting cancer research and the like, but from a business stand point I think Globalive has a little more pressing matter to try and resolve before they try to do these things... Please don't flame me to a crisp for this but I think this is probably closer to a tertiary or quatinary objective, or something not quite pressing enough to consider just yet, but maybe later after launch when things have settled down a little...

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seeing as how wind is going in the contract free direction, I think they'd be insane to foot part of the bill to buy out your robellus contracts. maybe something like 1 month free would be the maximum I'd offer if i was Wind... in fact I'd probably not offer anything and let the product stand for itself. why spend that money to attract customers who are that frustrated and wouldn't sign on again with robellus again anyways? I mean to buy out a contract with these crazy fees you'd have to already be pissed off enough to never want ...

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That's actually pretty impressive. 14% of revenues are profits. For Wind is pretty damn impressive especially with those much lower ARPUs I'm just looking at the public figures for Rogers (just for their wireless segment) just for a reference point, in 08 revenues were ~$4.7B to ~$4.9B in 09 and operating profits (adjusted according to Canadian GAAP) were $2.167B in 08 and $2.298B in 09... that's like 46-47% I know that this is a really simple analysis but I think it deserves a little WTF. and the have the nuts to claim that they're not driving prices up through the ...

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the problem with the north is that there's very low population density... just from a business perspective, if I didn't have to, I probably wouldn't offer much up there too...

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unless they're forced to or get grants or something... I don't see there being much of a push to the northern market, I'm sorry but there's too little population density. would you rather build a tower up north where it'll service maybe say 1000 people or once in southern Ontario? I'm not sure about you but I'd go Ontario every time.

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also.. it's in the conditions of the auction they can't sell it to the incumbents for a time period of a few years... they can only consolidate by merging with or acquiring a new carrier...

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Thanks for the quick recap. I was just about to post that I wanted more feedback before I saw this post :P I don't want to look selfish but I just hope your Vancouver launch date won't be badly affected. I cannot wait to get on Wind

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I'd rather the worked on getting Tony Clement to reverse the CRTC decision. But I guess the ball is in cabinet's court so, yeah... but it is a good way to give back and has the potential to raise a lot of money for charities. even if it's something simple like raising the final bill up to the closest .00 to give a nice even round number every month. It all adds up to a heck of a lot.

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that's a nice email. it seems pretty personalized and addresses quite a few concerns.

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I'll breakdown with tears of joy if we get a positive decision for Wind. If they chicken out and let the incumbents rule I'll cry tears of sorrow. Either way, I'll be crying...

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good ole rumor mill, anyways Tony Clement will issue the cabinet's take on the CRTC decision soon...

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so you guys think that that thing about issuing a statement about the CRTC decision thing soon will just basically be Tony Clement saying "yes, we'll take it into cabinet review"?

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O.o I didn't realize they'd brought it up on the floor. although to me it seems like the liberals just trying to heap blame on the Harper Gov't... but anyways, what ever it takes to get Globalive going, I'm happy it's opened up for discussion because that means that at least the MPs know Canada wants competition.

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I don't mean to be a downer, but, it's kind of upsetting how holding doors for people is considered a random act of kindness... I'm sorry but I still consider that basic manners and get very upset when I see someone not hold a door and leave a mother with a stroller with two kids to try to open it and get the stroller through without waking up the kids.

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Love it :P

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I love the part when you're scrolling down, it got a chuckle out of me :P and the "don't let wind blow away" parts

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@Tom Foolery, if only the CRTC was impartial, non-biased and not composed of ex robellus execs :P Anywhoo... GO WIND!!!

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the problem with this analysis is that Industry Canada (using the same criteria as the CRTC) gave Globalive the go ahead, so... yeah... they should've been allowed to launch or never been allowed to go to auction in the first place.... so basically now that they've spent the 442 mil, they have to let wind launch because it'll be real ugly if they don't and they continue propping up the Robellus monopoly.

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those were the days before the big 3 entrenchment and CRTC cowardice... good times... oh what a christmas present it will be for Wind to launch before the new year... except it'll be belated for me since I'm in Vancouver :'(

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well, for most things other than the telecomm industry, the customer is usually right, no matter how wrong they are. and if you don't understand what I just said there, think selling clothes to people with very little fashion sense... or people who add way too much salt to your perfectly cooked meals...

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Actually, i read that post too and was thinking the same thing... if it is as we interpreted it, does that mean that since cabinet has a year from the time the ruling goes under review would that mean that Wind basically has a year to drum up some Canadian capital? becasue if so, I think wind is well on it's way...

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you have to understand that they way the market is currently run they basically have us consumers by the nuts and there's nothing we can do but fork over the dough. The chance for real change doesn't come often and we're trying to seize that chance now and I think the Tony's, (Clement and Lacavera) understand that. and besides, If wind is even half as good as what we hope they'll be, they'll make a pretty penny too, and probably be one of the ones buying out some of the smaller carriers.

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I still don't see why there's so much resistance to foreign investment. As long as the corporate structure works, as it does with Globalive who cares where the money that built the network comes from? As long as I get better deals and services, I know I don't.

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paying for people's bus fare and free lunch, now that's an act of kindness that'll get people to like you guys :P

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Wait till this CRTC situation is cleared up. It's not to Globalive's benefit to just release all the info now and basically give the incumbents a chance to respond before Wind ever launches

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the plan is to get going before Christmas in Toronto and Calgary but nothing can be said right now due to the CRTC ruling that's under review. Vancouver and other some other places I think was supposed to be early 2010 and nothing in Quebec since they didn't get any spectrum there... that's pretty much all there is to it...

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I don't even know what the person is trying to ask...

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I'd so wear a wind tuque and scarf around everywhere if I could :P

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the people who'll be most effected by Wind right away is the other new startups. so it's no wonder why he wants the CRTC ruling upheld

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that's priceless. I just wish a store rep would say that to me in one of the stores so I could grill em lol

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is it just me or does this look kinda half baked... just look at the plans page, what exactly is "unlimited 50 Megs of data" it's just so random... also, the pricing just doesn't seem that impressive to me...

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eh.. you must not be as big of a jerk as I am :P

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oh man I know what you mean... My cell phone budget is more than my food budget...

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oh baby have we been sending the emails lol in fact, this is the first time I've actually gotten responses from politicians, or at least their offices.

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that's why you take their money then let them set up network infrastructure then allow a fairly redundant regulatory agency stop them from launching. Sorry, I'm feeling pretty cynical right now.

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I don't think the foreign ownership should be completely revoked right now, they just need to have clauses that allow massive foreign investment. Lets face it, you need massive foreign investment to launch a national cell phone carrier in Canada... So to say they'd be competing directly with t-mo, at&t and verizon is slightly off... although if that means that we get T-mo's plans in Canada, I'd be so so so so so happy.

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reading the whole article Mr Krstajic sounds a lot more reasonable. the original quoted phrase here put him in a very very bad light...

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wait wha? would the HTC Hero work on Wind? because when I look at the specs I can't find anything about the 1700 band and it's not on T-mo's 3g phones list but I keeps finding stuff saying it'll work on T-mo's 3g network... Do I have to find a new device to become infatuated with? I'm so confused now... maybe it's because it's been a long rainy windy day.

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or am I just really confused because there's an American version and a European version that use different bands?

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Are those white WIND mobile jackets?!?!?! I WANT ONE!!!

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damn Tammy, nice letter. I hope Minister Clement comes out with some good news soon...

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you know.. that waould be interesting.. if they brought all their employees in the GTA and went to parliament... although, I'm not sure how well it would work, but it probably would get national attention on the news at the least...

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As it's been stated many time on this site, please wait till after the CRCT decision thing has been resolved and Wind actually launches because it's not in their best interests to reveal their plans and phone lineups as it would give the incumbents a chance to respond to Wind's plane and stuff without wind even launching. the only thing I know so far is that planned launch is early December, and any unlocked phones on the 1700 band should work with wind. As for plans, if you're currently with one of the incumbents, I think you'll like Wind's plans.

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oh yeah.. do that too, and to Tony Clement too

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that store is absolutely beautiful... Is that big hole in the table going to be a touch surface thing? and I'm assuming the little holes would be like where the phones are displayed? but what ever it is, that store is gorgeous.

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that's a brutal way to end a relationship, ouch. also, @b&dhowden that's an interesting way of finding a relative :P

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ahhh, good times with rogers customer service, I can't wait till I can say goodbye. And also, Come on, even the apple hating me knows that you can't remove the iPhone battery.

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I'm assuming you're looking for a big subsidy on the retail price since you're talking about a 3 year commitment... in that case ummm let see, how do I put this... those binding contracts are how they can afford to lop off $400 from the retail price of the phone, you gotta pay more to if you're going contract free, which I'm pretty sure still caves you more in the long run plus you can take advantage of any new offers that are better.

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yet again proving there's different ways to show you're a Canadian company, such as actually helping and hiring Canadians

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if there was real competition in Canada, the big 3 would be out of business by now considering how widespread this deep running hatred of them is...

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O.o I remember watching these when I first started really follow what was going on... Tony is the man and this company is the only way to truly bring change to the Canadian wireless industry.

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ME TOO!!! those are so sexy!!!

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I know this is just vanity speaking, but if I could be customer #1 I'd start lining up now :P

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also, there's a reason why it's not very focused yet. They need to keep their plans and what not close to the vest lest ro-bell-us and the new carriers get a jump on Wind and effectively cut them off before the even reach market. only after Tony Clement's decision can things become more solid...

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Wind will be a national carrier, sans Quebec.(just not 100% national at launch... I think...) but as for roaming agreements in the interim or in Quebec, I've got no clue.

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I thought DAVE was a regional carrier? Would they expand to the west coast and when? anywhoo... While he maybe partially correct about new entrants offering competition, none of the are doing so with the scope and on the scale that Wind is seeming to do it. DAVE seems a little behind. And I still think we should be concerned that the CRTC even listened to the big 3 and let them have a say. If it was strictly about Globalive's ownership, why do you need the big 3 to say anything? There should be absolutely no reason to listen ...

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I thought public mobile was aiming for the lower cost segment (basic phones and stable plans) not higher end smart phone and heavy users... wasn't there a video or something where the head guy (Alex kr-something) said he was aiming for blue-collar people, little concern for roaming as there should be little travel? something about how growing up his family had stay-cations or something?

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man... I'm jonesing for news right now... all because IC said they'd issue a statement "soon" last week, I check this site like 20 times a day. also, I completely missed the fact that they left that out of the article. also, I understand the concerns about obliterating foreign ownership rules and all t hat, but can't IC just kinda allow foreign investment as long as structurally, it meets their pre-existing criteria? or am i hoping for too simple a solution? that's get rid of this real cloudy and convoluted "de-facto" control or whatever it's called argument.

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@Damean any phone that works on the 1700 band should work on Wind (I believe from previous posts that any 3G phone that T-mobile in the states offers should work). but as of now there's no news on exactly what models Wind will be selling in store since they're keeping things under wraps until this CRTC ruling is resolved

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If Wind doesn't open I'm not going to sign up with one of the other new carriers either... unless they basically offer me a gold plated phone and chests of sunken pirate treasure. Wind is the only carrier I believe will last

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If only this programming included an update from IC right about now... :P

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no.. to catch students at university you need to capture their parents before the kids get sent away... although to be fair, it's not teh same now since almost all HS kids have cells now.

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Wind really should pay you as their ambassador to parliament or something. Great letter

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I do believe I read that before and I think it's been posted, and I'd just like to say, BULL S**T. The industry is not super competitive. if it was they wouldn't be giving us less and charging us more. look at data and mobile browsing prices since the iphone first came out. remember when they had $15 unlimited plans (i believe telus had them)? and I think rogers used to have $30 for 6gb of data (one of my friends has it). now look at the prices of the data addons at rogers. Sure there was no tethering but, ...

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well I don't think it'll be UK low.. but even if it "only" at US low... even then that's a huge difference from up here in the Great White North (or in the case of Vancouver, Great Grey North, yeah it's raining here and I'm bored of the weather).

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I don't think we can think in terms of "Decades of steady revenue" from individuals especially in an industry as fickle as cell phones. how many people have switched carriers just to get an exclusive phone? or because you'd save about $3 a month? I know I have. I Wind's case, I think what they have to do, especially operating without contracts, is to always always always be the easiest most pleasant company to deal with. And, since they won't have to subsidize phones they have to take advantage of that lower cost of acquiring customers and some how pass ...

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the part I love best is how the writer defines robelus as a pejorative word :P that was funny when I read it the first time :P

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You don't even have to cross the pond to find more value than we get here. Just fly south for the winter and look at T-mobile, Sprint, Verizon and AT&T. I love T-Mo's plans in particular. They have different pricing based on whether you subsidize the phone purchase or not. all I want for Christmas is T-Mo's plans. I'd gladly sign 3 year contracts for those plans right now in Canada.

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a nice little "hold on patiently, We're still working" would be nice... but I guess there's not much news (that can be public released that is) to tell... on an unrelated note, the song "Fell Right Into You" by Jessie Farrell pretty much states how I feel about this situation and badly I want Wind to get a green light. Yeah.. I'm trying to do some work but I'm just procrastinating and distracting myself now...

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according to the Wiki article WIND italy phased it out so... I dunno what that means but it can't be positive for this is an orascom subsidiary already tried it and gave up on it and several more european carriers are phasing it out... and based on the wiki article (which may or may not be biased, in fact it probably is biased) it seems like it's now something that would be worth pursuing and it seems like there might not be much North American content since it looks like the sites have to be I-Mode specific and it doesn't ...

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I don't like the reply. I don't like the part about upholding the ruling and giving Globalive a period to become compliant. Even if that does happen, is it the cRTC that judges compliance? if it is, the Globalive may always be under "De facto" Control of Orascom because it is nothing but an opinion. According to my reading, this seems like a typical NDP response of protectionism. They're basically saying set up a couple more overseers and leave things be. what needs to be done is to full allow foreign investment. They can maintain the legal standards, but they ...

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I'll just copy my response form Haki's post. I don't like the reply. I don't like the part about upholding the ruling and giving Globalive a period to become compliant. Even if that does happen, is it the CRTC that judges compliance? if it is, the Globalive may always be under "De facto" Control of Orascom because it is nothing but an opinion. According to my reading, this seems like a typical NDP response of protectionism. They're basically saying set up a couple more overseers and leave things be. what needs to be done is to full allow foreign investment. ...

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can't help it, don't want anyone who just happens to read these without much background info to be influenced without at least a small rebuttle to illustrate the other points of view...

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"I wish i could write as WELL as you" I'm sorry, I couldn't help it.

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I'm pretty sure the iPhone doesn't run on the 1700 band. outta luck buddy...

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the reply looks like an NDP excuse to set up another regulatory committee. so it'll be 3 approvals you need now.

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beautiful letter. I'd try and knock up their idea for an ombudsman a little more and offer the solution of liberalizing the foreign financing restrictions and possibly striking the clauses from the telecom act regarding de facto control... but that's just my opinion and what I'd want done

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"even the cRTC agrees the structure is sound and they should have been allowed to operate." that cam out wrong. it should be the crtc agrees they are structurally sound. they should be allowed to operate.

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they have restructured. even the CRTC agrees their structure is compliant. The CRTC just went into a shade unverifiable ares of "de facto" control to deny WIND a licence.

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BULL S**T. just appealing to a warped version of fairness. it is completely fair since they knew wind was doing it and it was approved by IC using the same criteria and even the cRTC agrees the structure is sound and they should have been allowed to operate. I find the part about market uncertainty more than a little ironic. the best way to remove market uncertainty would be to force the CRTC to follow and implement the changes that IC wants instead of acting on the whims of the incumbents.

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@rockjock I'm just responding to the parts I find most objectionable. Yes they all knew there was a CRTC review using the same criteria that IC used. Given IC's goal of bringing in new competition and the fact that they approved Globalive's structure as legally sound and found that their reliance on foreign debt was acceptable, the CRTC should have come to the same conclusion. actually, the CRTC did agree that Globalive is legally under Canadian control. As to your statement that Globalive did not work to meet the standards, they did. they restructured to meet the requirements for legal ...

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why do you keep saying the criteria for IC and for the CRTC is different? they're both reading from the same telecom act, and IC is supposed to be the guiding force directing the way the CRTC acts, so shouldn't what IC says be correct? if their criteria and standards are different then we have a problem and should IMO defer to the elected party which is supposed to be the higher power anyways. and there's no simple solution like giving orascom their money back. in addition to the money spent on the spectrum they also spent money building their ...

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this has been one of the longest weeks of my life so far... I thought "soon" would mean before December but I guess parliamentary soon means something different than everyday soon.

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umm if the contract ended just ask them to put you on month to month.. then when you want to switch just ringem up and say you're switching...

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also you fail to take into account the ridiculous margins being made by the incumbents, go have a look at the financial statements for their wireless divisions. it's something like 40-50% profits, then look at European companies it's under half that margin. it's pretty obvious that it's price gouging. and another thing about the "huge landmass" most of it is pretty flat, meaning signals go a decent distance and towers can be relatively sparsely placed from Alberta eastwards(not like here on the west coast with the bloody Rockies)

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While I do think legal action may be necessary, I don't think they should press that until at least like early march. no point pissing off cabinet and such since the courts will likely take just as long or longer... I'm not quite sure how fast it'd go through the courts but It might not actually be faster.

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JudiP first of all, that's pretty drastic and well, not very realistic. just really it makes no sense. in order to make a statement you'd have to cancel and switch to another provider. that means hefty ECFs and even for the month to month people it's really annoying. plus, people with decent grandfathered plans will have to give up those plans. you're asking way too much. A completely unrealistic thing. it's not like a simple boycott where you don't go to a certain store or buy a certain product. in this case users are locked in and it's a real ...

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That's a pretty weak article. He takes no sides and offers no insight. That's just my opinion, it's almost like someone told him he had to write something so he just cobbled together something that won't get him in trouble or too much attention.

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I love the "it's time for change, not short change" part of teh ads

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I LOVE IT! Same as Blade, I wish you'd done this right from the start.

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I don't think I can wait that long... It'll be a sad sad day if I get a new phone from the big 3

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What else can we do that we haven't already been doing? Most of us here would do everything within our power to get the WIND blowing.

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Okay, that's a sweet name for a kid :P much better than my name :'( although to be fair, I've never ever met another person with my name, so at lease that's good :P There may be other Clements but I've never found another with Clement as a first name, and when I do , I hightly doubt they'd have my same last name too :D I feel bad for all the Jon Smiths and stuff like that, some times.

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hemeams drumming up local financing in the quantities needed to do large national scale project is difficult. and, yes, the big 3 are afraid, because the earlier WIND launches the sooner they'll have to lower their rate plans to compensate and the fewer people they'll be able to lock up in this round of ridiculous contracts. every day that wind is delayed is extra revenue for the incumbents.

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it's amazing how you lose track of time with university exams 2 weeks away :D and work on Saturdays and Sundays. I'm so looking forward to the Christmas break where I can just pick up more work days and just try to fill up my mostly depleted bank account again :P and hopefully not have to send any more money to the incumbents next year.

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