Comments on: Wireless data rip-off's http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wireless-data-rip-offs An outcome-driven leader, proven technology product developer, and marketer with over 20 years of hands-on experience including start-up, small and large business environments, and the board room. This is my blog. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:15:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jason Yeung http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4160 Jason Yeung Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:08:11 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4160 Yes, you do. In my case, I have a location in the US. But if you don't, you can easily get a cheap mail forwarding service to do the job for you. It'll still be cheaper than paying overages. If you travel to the US, you can do it in person at a T-Mobile store...they accepted my Canadian SIN card and Ontario driver's license as proof of ID and I walked out with a new Blackberry. Yes, you do. In my case, I have a location in the US. But if you don’t, you can easily get a cheap mail forwarding service to do the job for you. It’ll still be cheaper than paying overages.

If you travel to the US, you can do it in person at a T-Mobile store…they accepted my Canadian SIN card and Ontario driver’s license as proof of ID and I walked out with a new Blackberry.

]]> By: Martin Dufort http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4159 Martin Dufort Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:50:17 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4159 And for any company that are pushing for more intelligent access to data via smartphones, these overage charges are nothing to help especially in Canada. But Jason, don't you have to supply a US-based address in order to get TMobile service.... Thanks for all the nice info Alec and Jason. Very helpful And for any company that are pushing for more intelligent access to data via smartphones, these overage charges are nothing to help especially in Canada. But Jason, don’t you have to supply a US-based address in order to get TMobile service….

Thanks for all the nice info Alec and Jason. Very helpful

]]> By: Alec http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4158 Alec Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:51:44 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4158 I'll have to investigate that. My bills are horrendous. I’ll have to investigate that. My bills are horrendous.

]]> By: Jason Yeung http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4156 Jason Yeung Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:11:03 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4156 I've heard it works for web browsing for some people who don't use BES - but it doesn't appear to affect me as I use it off of a BES and they apparently can't tell the difference. I’ve heard it works for web browsing for some people who don’t use BES – but it doesn’t appear to affect me as I use it off of a BES and they apparently can’t tell the difference.

]]> By: Frank http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4154 Frank Mon, 18 Dec 2006 05:02:13 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4154 I believe the "Unlimited International Roaming" from T-Mobile only includes e-mail, not web browsing. Frank I believe the “Unlimited International Roaming” from T-Mobile only includes e-mail, not web browsing.

Frank

]]> By: Jason Yeung http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4152 Jason Yeung Mon, 18 Dec 2006 03:09:47 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4152 I've found it a lot cheaper for me to use T-Mobile and roam. Been doing this for approximately 8 months, and not a peep from them. Their unlimited Blackberry plan (if you take a voice plan, and yes, it's truly unlimited) is $19 USD. Otherwise, it's $29. Add on Unlimited International Roaming for another $19. and for $49, you effectively get unlimited Blackberry usage anywhere you want. I’ve found it a lot cheaper for me to use T-Mobile and roam. Been doing this for approximately 8 months, and not a peep from them. Their unlimited Blackberry plan (if you take a voice plan, and yes, it’s truly unlimited) is $19 USD. Otherwise, it’s $29. Add on Unlimited International Roaming for another $19. and for $49, you effectively get unlimited Blackberry usage anywhere you want.

]]> By: Jim Courtney http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4150 Jim Courtney Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:18:34 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4150 Two comments, based on my experience adding Blackberry to my plan: 1. What you have quoted are My Mail data plans for non-Blackberry devices such as Treo and othe Windows Mobile devices; Blackberry devices (probably except for Pearl) can only be used with the Max and Data 100 plans. 2. For consumer devices they also have what is called a "Navigate Mobile Internet" plan that is $5.00 per month for 2 MB and $0.03 per KB for additional usage (yep, $30/MB). Or you can get a "Value Pack" that includes phone features (vm, call display, etc.), 2500 sent text messages and 1,000 sent pictures/video messages (how is that differentiated from other "data"?) for $20 per month. Up until a month ago, this Navigate Mobile Internet was $3 per month for 0.5MB and $.05 per KB for additional; there was a $7 per month option for 1MB also. It's really very confusing to figure out and you have to tallk to a customer service rep to get all the details but the bottom line is they do increase ARPU significantly. Now if we could get Rogers to create a website that actually allows you to figure it out and order on your own, they could actually reduce customer service costs ... (hint -- and maybe data plan costs) but, of course, website usability is not one of Rogers' fortés. Two comments, based on my experience adding Blackberry to my plan:

1. What you have quoted are My Mail data plans for non-Blackberry devices such as Treo and othe Windows Mobile devices; Blackberry devices (probably except for Pearl) can only be used with the Max and Data 100 plans.

2. For consumer devices they also have what is called a “Navigate Mobile Internet” plan that is $5.00 per month for 2 MB and $0.03 per KB for additional usage (yep, $30/MB). Or you can get a “Value Pack” that includes phone features (vm, call display, etc.), 2500 sent text messages and 1,000 sent pictures/video messages (how is that differentiated from other “data”?) for $20 per month. Up until a month ago, this Navigate Mobile Internet was $3 per month for 0.5MB and $.05 per KB for additional; there was a $7 per month option for 1MB also.

It’s really very confusing to figure out and you have to tallk to a customer service rep to get all the details but the bottom line is they do increase ARPU significantly. Now if we could get Rogers to create a website that actually allows you to figure it out and order on your own, they could actually reduce customer service costs … (hint — and maybe data plan costs) but, of course, website usability is not one of Rogers’ fortés.

]]> By: Jason Yeung http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4157 Jason Yeung Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:30:53 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4157 And by the way, Rogers still calls it Unlimited Data in some places. One of my friends got fooled when signing up as on the Rogers site there's the following plan (it's on the checkout screen when you try and buy a BB): $90/mth Unltd Data and 350 Wkday & Unltd Eve & Wknd Min There's no asterisk anywhere to signify limitations to Unltd Data...but I guess they can say Unltd doesn't mean Unlimited. And by the way, Rogers still calls it Unlimited Data in some places. One of my friends got fooled when signing up as on the Rogers site there's the following plan (it's on the checkout screen when you try and buy a BB):

$90/mth Unltd Data and 350 Wkday & Unltd Eve & Wknd Min

There's no asterisk anywhere to signify limitations to Unltd Data…but I guess they can say Unltd doesn't mean Unlimited.

]]> By: Jason Yeung http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4155 Jason Yeung Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:09:27 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4155 Yes - as I have found it to be significantly cheaper. I originally had service with Rogers Wireless, but dropped it after $800 in data overages. Ridiculously high data pricing is really limiting the potential of smartphones and Blackberrys. In the US, I see carriers like Sprint offering TV service or EVDO internet over these devices. In Canada though, I dare not try to tether a Canadian smartphone to my laptop unless I want to receive a huge bill. Yes – as I have found it to be significantly cheaper. I originally had service with Rogers Wireless, but dropped it after $800 in data overages. Ridiculously high data pricing is really limiting the potential of smartphones and Blackberrys. In the US, I see carriers like Sprint offering TV service or EVDO internet over these devices. In Canada though, I dare not try to tether a Canadian smartphone to my laptop unless I want to receive a huge bill.

]]> By: Alec http://www.saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4153 Alec Sun, 17 Dec 2006 23:03:23 +0000 http://saunderslog.com/2006/12/17/wireless-data-rip-offs/#comment-4153 Jason, are you saying that you live in Canada, and have a T-Mobile berry? If so, that's remarkable. Jason, are you saying that you live in Canada, and have a T-Mobile berry? If so, that's remarkable.

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