Rogers’ HSPA monopoly comes tumbling down as Bell’s HSPA network goes live
We don’t think we need to go over what an insanely huge day today is for Canada, but in case anyone is feeling particularly thick, we’re going to spell it out plan and simple — Rogers is no longer the only HSPA game in Canada. Bell’s 21Mbps HSPA network has at long last gone live. As with any network launch, a few awesome handsets, data cards and a few Canadian-style rip-off plans have come along for the ride. So hit the jump and check out what’s new.
Smartphones
- Apple iPhone 3G – $99.95 / 599.95 (3-year contract / no strings attached)
- Apple iPhone 3GS (16GB) – $199.95 / $699.95
- Apple iPhone 3GS (32GB) – $299.95 / $799.95
- BlackBerry Bold 9700 – $229.95 / $599.95
- BlackBerry Bold 9000 – $249.95 / $599.95
- Samsung Omnia II – $199.95 / $549.95
Non-Smartphones
- LG Xenon – $89.95 / $289.95
- Nokia 2730 – $27.95 / $119.95
- Nokia 6350 – $49.95 / $249.95
- Samsung Impact – $79.95 / $279.95
Data Sticks
- Novatel Wireless U950 – $24.95 / $174.95
- Novatel Wireless U998 – $74.95 / $174.95
- Novatel Wireless X950 – $24.95 / $174.95
SIM Cards
- $0 / $5
As for price plans, not all that much has changed (the $6.95 SAF is staying for now), but Bell did introduce some iPhone specific plans which are as follows:
Combo 45 for iPhone
- 100 anytime local minutes plus 50 bonus local minutes
- Local Fab Five: Unlimited calling & text to and from five local numbers of your choice
- 500 MB of data for personal email, Internet browsing
- Unlimited local nights & weekends (9 p.m. – 7 a.m.)
Combo 55 for iPhone
- 300 anytime local minutes
- Local Fab Five
- 1 GB of data for personal email, Internet browsing
- Unlimited local nights & weekends (9 p.m. – 7 a.m.)
Combo 75 for iPhone
- 400 anytime local minutes
- Nationwide Fab Five: Unlimited calling & text to and from five local numbers of your choice nationwide
- 2 GB of data for personal email, Internet browsing
- Unlimited local nights & weekends (9 p.m. – 7 a.m.)
Combo 95 for iPhone
- 500 anytime local minutes
- Nationwide Fab Five
- 2 GB of data for personal email, Internet browsing
- Unlimited local nights & weekends (9 p.m. – 7 a.m.)
Now to sit and wait for TELUS’ day in the sun to see what, if any, surprises it has in store beyond what we already know.
The CMDA network isn’t going away anytime soon. Telus is launching the Storm 2 this month.
Bell may not. They do have both the Plam Pre, Storm 1 and iPhone.
Basically both Bell and Telus can now have the best of CDMA and HSPA handsets.
That is true. I hope and assume with Telus launching the Storm2, Bell will follow suit. Fingers crossed!!
No Palm Pre for Telus. Exclusive to Bell
Bell Reps are telling me that my BB data plan isnt compatible with the iphone. So I have to change it
Wait until next year when competition arrives. Then we’ll see some changes to rate plans (hopefully!). Bell = teh suck.
Woo
Just wondering did anyone else notice that the BB9000 is for 249 whereas the newer BB9700 is for 229?
Is the Bold 2 cheaper?
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Mississauga Mississauga, ON L5B 1R2, Canada
The 229$ price point for the BB9700 is temporary. I asked the same thing at a Bell store and was told it’s an introductory price and then it’s gonna get raised up to 299$ in a about a month.
@Brad,
I was one of the at$t users who requested you post the speed results. Thank you for actually doing it.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).