Telus

The battle over the BlackBerry Storm in Canada is sure to heat up now that we’ve been given details outlining a synchronized launch on both Bell and Telus.  With Vodafone UK launching the Storm last Friday and Verizon Wireless in the US launching this Friday, the buzz is building and expectations are at an all-time high.  The good news here is that customers will be the biggest winners when Bell and Telus launch the Storm in December since both companies plan on offering the lowest price and best incentives.

Friday a memo was sent to all bell retail managers revealing that both of the Canadian carriers will ironically be releasing the Storm on the exact same day. All employees must complete mandatory training by December 8th leading many to believe that this is the actual launch date. The leak went on to say he, “received emails stating that our current Bell BlackBerry live demos (currently stores either have the 8130 or 8330) all will be replaced with Storms on or around the 5th of December.  No actual release date, but with demo units shipping the 5th we should see it in Canada by the 10th of December.”

Bell is very exited to add the Storm to their powerful 3G BlackBerry lineup. Testing on the Bell network has already started taking place. The BlackBerry storm will be launching in Canada shortly after the US release on November 21st. Training as outlined in the memo consists of the following:

Training

In preparation for this much-anticipated launch, several training tools will be released for Sales Consultants. These tools will provide Sales Consultants with the ability to:
* Understand what the Blackberry Storm can offer valued clients.
* learn why the Blackberry Storm is better with bell, and
* win the sale!

The Table below outlines the training tools that will be available on the Bell Training site (bell.ca/training) in the ‘What’s New’ section, along with training delivery dates, and completion due dates

1. Job Aid: Getting the Right 3G Blackberry for your Clients
Delivery Date: 11/14/2008
Completion Due Date: 11/21/2008

2. Job Aid: Blackberry Competitive Comparison
Delivery Date: 11/19/2008
Completion Due Date: 11/26/2008

3. Job Aid: Blackberry Storm
Delivery Date: 11/19/2008
Completion Due Date: 11/26/2008

4. Web Based Training: Blackberry Storm Online Training
Delivery Date: 11/21/2008
Completion Due Date: 12/05/2008

5. Video: Blackberry Storm Video
Delivery Date: 12/01/2008
Completion Due Date: 12/08/2008

All Management level

Via BGR

Sprint might have been the first North American carrier to launch the Samsung Rant, but Canadian carrier, Telus, is not far behind.  Instead of being called the Rant, Telus will launch the m540 as the Samsung Slyde, but the full QWERTY keyboard, 2 megapixel camera, GPS, 2.1-inch screen and 130 gram weight will remain unchanged.  The good news for Canadians is that the Samsung Slyde will be available Free on 3-year contracts, $49.99 on 2-year, $179.99 on 1-year or no commitment price of $229.99.

With the launch of Best Buy Mobile Canada there was a bit of confusion with the m540 price and name.  An advertisement released last week showed the Samsung M540 being called ‘TAAG’ with price points of $29.99 on 3-year agreements, $79.99 on 2-year, $179.99 on 1-year or $249.99 no contract.  Now that the device is available on the Telus website, we can end the confusion and continue to refer to the M540 as the Slyde.

Via MobileSyrup

We were previously notified that Canadian retailer, Future Shop, would be launching the Telus HTC Touch Pro for $239.99 today, but apparently HTC is experiencing some shipping delays.  The official word from FutureShop reads, 

Due to vendor’s shipping delay, store will not have Telus HTC Touch Pro on time. To substitute it, please offer following sku to the customers on a new 3 year voice & data plan. 10108904 Telus HTC Touch Diamond $99.99 save $100.

While the Telus Touch Diamond for $99.99 does sound nice, it looks like CDMA Touch Pro delays will be felt all across the board.  Sprint customers you are not alone, now Telus customers can share the pain, ouch.

Via MobileSyrup

VANCOUVER, Oct. 10 /CNW/ - TELUS today announced that it will build a next generation wireless network using the most advanced mobile broadband network technology. Reinforcing TELUS’ leadership in the mobile broadband market and the ability to provide clients with the best selection of wireless services and networks in Canada, TELUS announced its commitment to a full national launch of a next generation wireless service by early 2010 based on the latest version of High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology. This initiative ensures a smoother transition to long term evolution (LTE) technology, the emerging worldwide fourth generation (4G) technology standard, as it becomes available.

“This technology evolution is a win for Canadian consumers. TELUS’ investment in next generation wireless services will give our clients more wireless functionality including; international roaming, fast network speeds and a compelling selection of globally-compatible handsets and devices,” said Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO. “As the next evolution in our multi-network strategy, this initiative will position TELUS to actively participate in the future global LTE eco-system and leverage economies of scale, offer timely access to handsets, and enhance global roaming relationships and revenues.”

This enhancement to the TELUS mobile network offers further choice for its customers. The move complements TELUS’ existing wireless portfolio that includes Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), providing access to Canada’s largest third generation (3G) High Speed wireless (EVDO) network and Mike, its industry leading Push-to-Talk network and business service. TELUS plans to support its CDMA and Mike (iDEN) customers for the foreseeable future, providing TELUS customers the full choice of wireless solutions that best suits their needs.

Via Telus Press Release

TELUS first to bring revolutionary touchscreen BlackBerry® Storm 9530 smartphone to Canada

TELUS is thrilled to announce that it will be the first in Canada to offer consumers the revolutionary BlackBerry Storm 9530 smartphone from Research In Motion. The addition of this world edition smart phone to TELUS’ line-up cements TELUS’ position as Canada’s smartphone leader with the most smartphones on Canada’s largest 3G network.

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Following Bell’s launch of the HTC Touch Dual last month, Canada will now have a second carrier offering the device.  Starting today Telus Canada will offer the HTC Touch Dual for just $99.99 on a 3 year contract via the online store.  After Best Buy Mobile Canada leaked the device a bit early, the fluster is all but gone but this will not stop those of you patiently waiting from some TouchFLO goodness.  Packing 3G connectivity, GPS and a 2.0 megapixel camera, the Touch Dual still offers value for those not willing to lose the keys and opt for a Touch Diamond.

While the Touch Pro has yet to be released, the value pricing of the Touch Dual might be just enough for some to pull the trigger.  However, we would remain calm as the Touch Pro release date is not too far away.

Source

Canadians on the Telus network looking to pick up the HTC Touch Diamond (P3100) have just been given the deal of the month.  Canadian retailer, Future Shop, is currently offering the Telus Touch Diamond for $89.99 on a 3 year voice and data plan.  The one catch is that the item is currently listed as out of stock ‘will ship when available’ for web orders.  If you happen to live near a Future Shop, In-Store pick up might be your best bet for this deal

Keep in mind that the prices are only effective September 19, 2008 - September 25, 2008 so there is not much time to pull the trigger.  A beautiful VGA resolution 2.8 inch screen running TouchFLO 3D awaits you my friends, have at it.

Shop Future Shop for the HTC Touch Diamond

Telus’ AMPS analog services have begun shutting down this week as the digital age has completely overwhelmed the carrier.  With over 70,000 subscribers still running handsets that are only analog capable, Telus has announced that they will be offering digital ones for free.  The reason for the downfall of Telus’ analog network is simple: limited parts and manufacturers willing to produce AMPS analog devices.  The biggest areas of Canada that will be taking a hit from the termination of Analog services will be rural Quebec and Saskatchewan, but remote B.C. cities may suffer the most of all.

The biggest problem with digital networks is that mountainous regions make digital signals difficult to overlap and this is exactly the problem for much of British Columbia.  With the possibility of many regions unable to complete phone calls, especially 911 emergency calls, it will be interesting to see how Telus addresses this issue.

Source: BlackBerry Cool

Canada’s recent radio spectrum auction will give birth to a new wireless carrier for the country.  Globalive Communications, one of the winners in the auction, paid CA$442 million for licenses that would cover all of Canada except Quebec.  The company is currently searching for network infrastructure, but has reached a shortlist of two bidders for the job.  Their intention is simple, launch a new Canadian wireless network in the second half of 2009, starting with a test service for “friendly customers” and followed by a commercial launch a few months later.

The big 3 in Canada, Bell Mobility, Rogers Wireless and Telus have all posted their current subscriber numbers.  Bell Mobility ending the first quarter with 6.25 million customers, Rogers Wireless ended with 7.58 million and Telus finished up with 5.66 million.  Based on population, there is considerable growth potential in the Canadian wireless market (current population: 33 million), but the big question is how many of those remaining 13 million Canadians want to test drive a new network.  Although I am sure most of you will just be glad if the added competition drops the data prices.

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