Hell has frozen over: Canadian carriers to let subs walk over contract changes
No More ETF in Canada
A day we thought would never come is upon us as the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, whose members include all of the major Canadian telcos and their subsidiaries (including all new entrants other than DAVE Wireless), have agreed to a code of conduct that benefits not themselves but their customers. Just like in the US, Canadians will now be able to walk away from their contracts penalty free if a carrier makes material changes to the terms of the contract. If the customer doesn’t wish to leave their carrier, he or she will have the option of staying on board at a grandfathered rate. Other new rules state that charges and contracts must be more clearly explained, privacy must be more fiercely protected (remember a few years ago when hundreds of pages of Rogers subscribers’ personal information were found in a dumpster?) and customer service must, well, be of service. All in all the new rules sound amazing, but only time will tell whether or not they actually have an impact on the Canadian wireless market.
E2EK1EL
Snow Leopard ships with old version of Flash - great for hackers, not so much for the rest of us
As we've seen, for many people the migration to Snow Leopard has been eventful (to say the least). Even if you've been spared most of the growing pains, you'll want to make note of this next item: According to the kids at Adobe, the initial release of Mac OS X 10.6 includes an earlier version of Adobe Flash Player (10.0.23.1), necessitating an upgrade to 10.0.32.18 if you want to take advantage of the enhanced security the latter provides. What's more, even if your plug-in was up-to-date, an upgrade to Snow Leopard will downgrade your Flash Player version -- so much for auto-magically downloading the most recent updates when you install the OS, eh? Our feeling is this: if you're including Flash Player in the OS, you'd better update that as well. As Daily Tech points out, Adobe products (especially Flash) are a favorite of hackers and malcontents everywhere, so if you're serious about security you'll want to get your hands on the update ASAP. And as always, the read link is a terrific place to start.
Ravist
quote:
Originally posted by E2EK1EL Nokia N900 Hands On
Definitely want to get this over the n97
E2EK1EL
The Palm Pixi is official, headed to Sprint this holiday season -- we've got hands-on and video!
The Palm Pixi has officially arrived, and if you're an avid reader of Engadget (you'd better be), this device should look a little bit familiar to you. We first broke specs and images of the phone -- codenamed Eos and the alternately-spelled "Pixie" -- back in April, when we nabbed what appeared to be a leak of a new, Centro-esque phone headed to AT&T. Today, Palm has announced that the Pixi -- a tiny, sleek webOS-based handset -- will be coming to Sprint this holiday season. The phone will hit shelves sans-WiFi (EV-DO Rev. A only here), with 8GB of storage onboard (a nice bump up from the rumored 4GB), 2 megapixel camera (with flash), a full QWERTY keyboard, and a minute, 2.63-inch, 320 x 400 capacitive display (guess they didn't get that HTC memo).
Along with the new handset, Palm will offer five artist-designed back covers in the "Palm Pixi Artist Series" -- similar to Zune Originals and Dell's Design Studio laptops -- which can be purchased separately... of course. Touchstone owners take heart: those backs, as well as a separate black backing that you'll also pay extra for, are all compatible with the accessory. In addition to the hardware, Palm will be introducing a native Facebook app when the Pixi hits, as well as new Yahoo! and LinkedIn integration for Synergy. Right now no date for launch has been set, though Palm says the phone will be ready in time for the holidays. The company is also mum on price, but coupled with the news that Sprint will be slimming the Pre's entry point down to $149.99, we have to assume it's going to be in the $99-or-less ballpark. We had a chance to play around with the new phone, so read on after the break for our initial, early impressions.
E2EK1EL
Rogers - "Smartphone Experience Program" began in May
Didn't even realize this ... Long story short, any HUP of any SmartPhone now needs data on the account as of last May. This new HUP Policy is called "Smartphone Experience Program"
If you do a HUP via Call Centre, it's manditory & retail stores will bump the discounted pricing $200 more.
E2EK1EL
Roger's new HSPA+ Network Rolled Out Today
Canadians with a serious need for speed might want to pack their bags and move to one of Canada’s five largest cities — Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal — as today Rogers announced that its 21Mbps HSPA+ network upgrade has gone live and is ripe for the picking. Almost. No current Rogers handsets are capable of reaching such speeds, but if mobile internet is something you’re absolutely smitten with then you should definitely consider pre-ordering the new 21Mbps HSPA+ Mobile Internet Rocket Stick. It starts off at $79.99 on contract (which is $79.99 more than Rogers’ current Rocket Stick offerings), but c’mon; not owning the latest and greatest gear flies straight in the face of what we here at BGR are all about. As for the general benefits for current 3G handset owners, the upgrade also comes with an overhaul of the network’s backend, meaning more people should be able to simultaneously use data without making the network come to a screeching halt.
***************************
Just did a speedtest in the DT Core, now I'm pushing at 3.1mbs ... what's everyone speed? What units you have?
Wonder if the 3GS is pushing at max speed now.
E2EK1EL
Rogers is changing their plans tonight.
You can pick between AorB
A- SAF + 911
B- No SAF No 911 but $5.00 plan increase + whatever is the Government Regulatory Recovery Fee (in your area) & 3 options added for free. WC, CF & CM
(example:Quebec is $2.95)
By Kate O'Brien ⋅ September 21, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment
Rogers has been putting customer service as a key priority over the past few months and it might finally be paying off for some customers.
We’ve been forwarded some upcoming changes to their customer billings. Effective October 5th, 2009 the most beneficial is the exit of the System Access Fee! We are finding out more about this but here is what we can let you know so far is that this being replaces with a “Government Regulatory Recovery Fee?that varies in price depending where you live.
Rogers says that the “The Government Regulatory Recovery Fee is applied per line to help fund fees, costs and other amounts related to federal, provincial and/or municipal mandates, programs and requirements such as provincial 911 fees, spectrum acquisition, licensing charges, and contribution charges to help subsidize telephone service in rural and remote areas.?
We have been told that the “The Government Regulatory Recovery Fee ranges from between $2.52 and $3.49/line/month, depending on whether provincial 911 fees are applicable.?
Here is more of that we’ve been forwarded and some changes you can expect:
“We’re making these changes in response to customer feedback and to provide customers with additional value.
These new plans come into effect on Oct. 5 for new customers. Existing customers can choose if they want to remain on their existing plans or take advantage of the new ones.
There are three main changes:
1) New customers (or existing customers who choose to migrate to the new billing plans) will benefit from three services that will now be included in their plans: Call Forwarding, Call Manager and WhoCalled.
2) The total price that customers on new plans will pay will be about the same. The exact amount of this difference varies depending on where customers live based on government charges in their area. In return, new and eligible customers will receive $11 worth of services with Call Forwarding, Call Manager and WhoCalled included in the total price of their bills.
3) Customers on the new rate plan will not see a System Access Fee on their bills. They will see a Government Regulatory Recovery Fee. This fee will vary based on government fees where customers live. This fee doesn’t represent new charges, but we’re indicating the total costs that go to government in order to make our bills easier to understand.
The three additional features included in new plans are:
- Call Forwarding $3 value Forward your calls to another phone and never miss a call again
- WhoCalled $3 value: Always know when someone has attempted to call you
- Call Manager $5 value (for Shared/Pooled Plans) Provides complete flexibility in setting up control over how the phone is used
Originally posted by E2EK1EL Rogers is changing their plans tonight.
You can pick between AorB
A- SAF + 911
B- No SAF No 911 but $5.00 plan increase + whatever is the Government Regulatory Recovery Fee (in your area) & 3 options added for free. WC, CF & CM
(example:Quebec is $2.95)
By Kate O'Brien ⋅ September 21, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment
Rogers has been putting customer service as a key priority over the past few months and it might finally be paying off for some customers.
We’ve been forwarded some upcoming changes to their customer billings. Effective October 5th, 2009 the most beneficial is the exit of the System Access Fee! We are finding out more about this but here is what we can let you know so far is that this being replaces with a “Government Regulatory Recovery Fee?that varies in price depending where you live.
Rogers says that the “The Government Regulatory Recovery Fee is applied per line to help fund fees, costs and other amounts related to federal, provincial and/or municipal mandates, programs and requirements such as provincial 911 fees, spectrum acquisition, licensing charges, and contribution charges to help subsidize telephone service in rural and remote areas.?
We have been told that the “The Government Regulatory Recovery Fee ranges from between $2.52 and $3.49/line/month, depending on whether provincial 911 fees are applicable.?
Here is more of that we’ve been forwarded and some changes you can expect:
“We’re making these changes in response to customer feedback and to provide customers with additional value.
These new plans come into effect on Oct. 5 for new customers. Existing customers can choose if they want to remain on their existing plans or take advantage of the new ones.
There are three main changes:
1) New customers (or existing customers who choose to migrate to the new billing plans) will benefit from three services that will now be included in their plans: Call Forwarding, Call Manager and WhoCalled.
2) The total price that customers on new plans will pay will be about the same. The exact amount of this difference varies depending on where customers live based on government charges in their area. In return, new and eligible customers will receive $11 worth of services with Call Forwarding, Call Manager and WhoCalled included in the total price of their bills.
3) Customers on the new rate plan will not see a System Access Fee on their bills. They will see a Government Regulatory Recovery Fee. This fee will vary based on government fees where customers live. This fee doesn’t represent new charges, but we’re indicating the total costs that go to government in order to make our bills easier to understand.
The three additional features included in new plans are:
- Call Forwarding $3 value Forward your calls to another phone and never miss a call again
- WhoCalled $3 value: Always know when someone has attempted to call you
- Call Manager $5 value (for Shared/Pooled Plans) Provides complete flexibility in setting up control over how the phone is used
[[ LINK REMOVED ]]
hilarious, it's as if they're purposely calling it a "Recovery" fee to show the consumer how much of their bills account for government mandated fees passed down to the carrier.
Ultimately I don't think consumers care. I just wish everything would get priced into the plan. Whether or not its a government related charge, it's still part of the cost of doing business. They might as well break down every cost from HR, capital expenditures, to the friggin CEO's salary on your invoice.
E2EK1EL
Everyone is taking about this now ... keep w/ the SAF + 911, the other they will raise the price up in a few years
E2EK1EL
As if there weren’t already enough reasons to get excited for the arrival of Bell’s HSPA network and the amazing handsets that it will bring with it, one of our Bell connects stepped up to the mound and delivered us this slider of a tip. It seems that Bell is really serious about having its customers love them, because it is going to issue unlock codes for its branded devices. Of course caveats apply, but they’re not all that out of the ordinary: your account must be active for at least one month, only phones purchased from Bell need apply, you won’t be able to ditch your contract, and you will be charged a fee. We’re not exactly clear on what the feel will be, but we’ve heard it might be as high as $250 dollars per handset. Obviously the cost of the official unlock doesn’t even begin to compete with third-party unlockers, but at least it will keep your warranty in tact. And no, we’re awfully sorry, but we’re not 100% sure Bell will unlock your iPhone. Hit the jump for a larger pic.
P.S. Yes, we did notice that it looks like Bell will be carrying an HSPA-flavored Omnia II.
VDub
quote:
Originally posted by E2EK1EL Nokia N900 Hands On
This is like porn for vertigo...
VDub
quote:
Originally posted by Abercrombie
Will one of our current providers be able to break WIND?
