I guess this shouldn't come as a surprise.. what good is 3G and 4G/LTE in Canada if most consumers here aren't willing to pay for the services because they feel it's either unfordable or non-essential?

quote:

Smartphones a hit; pricey features aren't 25% own one, but most cite cost as main reason they won't subscribe to monthly data plan: Survey November 20, 2008 Chris Sorensen Business Reporter Canadians are increasingly gravitating to full-featured wireless devices such as the BlackBerry and iPhone, but are reluctant to sign up for the pricey monthly data plans that normally accompany them. A recent survey of 15,000 Canadian wireless users by J.D. Power and Associates found 25 per cent of respondents currently own a smartphone, devices that combine voice calling with mobile Web browsing and multimedia functions, and that 65 per cent of those customers indicated they were keen on making a smartphone their next device. The study comes during a year in which all-in-one devices were in the spotlight with the Canadian release of Apple Inc.'s popular iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry Bold, both of which run on high-speed wireless networks. But the survey also found the majority of respondents didn't foresee themselves subscribing to monthly data plans that permit activities such as Web browsing or downloads, with roughly one-third of respondents citing cost as the main reason. "Consumers are really fascinated by the functionality and the features of a smartphone, but they're probably not ready to go to the next level given the higher data package cost," said Lubo Li, senior director of J.D. Power in Toronto. "I mean if you look at the options on the market, many of them are quite expensive." While 57 per cent of consumers also cited a lack of need for mobile Internet access, Li noted there are only a handful of devices currently on the market � particularly the iPhone � that offer a compelling mobile Web browsing experience. In general, Li said Canadian wireless subscribers now cite cost as the main factor when deciding between devices and wireless providers, compared with call quality just a few years ago. High wireless prices, particularly for data, were among the reasons the federal government cited when it decided to set aside wireless airwaves for new entrants in a recent auction. The move was designed to boost competition in an industry dominated by Rogers Communications Inc., Bell Canada Inc. and Telus Corp. The rising interest among Canadians in smartphones mirrors global findings that point to the category as a huge growth area for the mobile-phone industry. It's also among the reasons some analysts continue to be bullish on the prospects for Waterloo-based RIM, which has seen its share price plummet more than 60 per cent since July as investors expressed concern about the impact on handset sales of a faltering global economy. "Valuation has rarely been this attractive, the product portfolio has never been as compelling or diverse and finally, and most importantly, carrier support has never been as strong," Gus Papageorgiou, an analyst at Scotia Capital, stated in a recent note to clients. He also cited the upcoming release of the BlackBerry Storm touch-screen device in the United States, Canada and elsewhere as a potential catalyst for sales. "We believe the Storm has the ability to propel the company directly into the heart of the consumer market, and that an increased presence there will more than offset a slowdown in its traditional enterprise market."

source:
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/540077

LOL

Its because you guys are penny pinchers!

It's because anybody with a head on their shoulders isn't going to pay nearly the same amount as they pay for their home computer internet service to use internet on a fucking 2.4" screen. And it's heavily capped, at that.

quote:

Originally posted by dEsidEL I guess this shouldn't come as a surprise.. what good is 3G and 4G/LTE in Canada if most consumers here aren't willing to pay for the services because they feel it's either unfordable or non-essential?

quote:

Originally posted by VERTiG0 It's because anybody with a head on their shoulders isn't going to pay nearly the same amount as they pay for their home computer internet service to use internet on a fucking 2.4" screen. And it's heavily capped, at that.

Yup! I just got a new smart phone (HTC 6800), and was unwilling to get a data plan with it, because the phone had Wifi. If i REALLY want internet, I will find the nearest condo, grab an unsecured connection, get my info, and be on my way. Bell wanted $100/GB on their data plan, just insane!

Now all i have to do is figure out how to disable the data network, because it always wants to use it, just so I do not get charged anything extra.

Any bell customers here? Do you know if they can just disable data from their side?

quote:

Originally posted by Orko Any bell customers here? Do you know if they can just disable data from their side?

Negatory.

quote:

Originally posted by Orko Now all i have to do is figure out how to disable the data network, because it always wants to use it, just so I do not get charged anything extra. Any bell customers here? Do you know if they can just disable data from their side?

http://www.modaco.com/content/pocke...w-free-utility/

Also why can't Bell disable data for your account on their end? Rogers did it for me.

OK. Custom ROM hack it is.

Most likely got faulty firmware units ... just hope the retail ver is not like this.

quote:

Originally posted by VERTiG0 http://www.modaco.com/content/pocke...w-free-utility/ Also why can't Bell disable data for your account on their end? Rogers did it for me.

Make sure you get the TOTAL Data block, there is 3 levels of blocking.

quote:

Originally posted by E2EK1EL Most likely got faulty firmware units ... just hope the retail ver is not like this.

yea old firmware

quote:

Originally posted by VERTiG0 http://www.modaco.com/content/pocke...w-free-utility/ Also why can't Bell disable data for your account on their end? Rogers did it for me.

Thanks, that worked sort of well. The setting toggles it self back on after a reset, so I have to make sure, this is the first app i run on a reboot.

quote:

Originally posted by E2EK1EL Make sure you get the TOTAL Data block, there is 3 levels of blocking.

Three levels, do you have any more info?

quote:

Originally posted by VERTiG0 http://www.modaco.com/content/pocke...w-free-utility/ Also why can't Bell disable data for your account on their end? Rogers did it for me.

Strange... Rogers claimed they couldn't do it for me. One way around it would be to delete all the service books for services that use mobile Data (that's what I did).

quote:

Originally posted by Moral Hazard Strange... Rogers claimed they couldn't do it for me. One way around it would be to delete all the service books for services that use mobile Data (that's what I did).

I know for a fact they are able to.

The CSR you talked to might not have known anything. Usually they don't.

Make sure when you call Rogers you call the Data Department CSR. It's a completely different number and they should know how to do it (though it wouldn't surprise if they didn't even know).