Verizion customers, input?

[cbrunny]

Interesting. I wonder if Verizon is actually expensive compared to what is available in Canada. Out cell bills are high - getting screwed around by the two/three companies that control basically the entirety of telecoms in Canada. My hope is that if Verizon does come it will add at least a little bit more competitiveness to the current marketplace.

I am a bit concerned about the different phones. I'm far from proficient in understanding the differences, but I have seen "Verizon" phones around the internet.

But, I guess if all I need is a bit more competitiveness in the market I won't need to switch to benefit - just gotta do some negotiating. In two or three years....

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Verizon is the network you get your employer to buy a phone plan on.

Or at least a nice discount

Like my dads 33% discount.

 

[corkyg]

What would be the impact of the CANADIAN RADIO-TELEVISION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CRTC), which regulates radio, television, broadcast distribution undertakings (cable, satellite and IPTV television services) and most telecommunication services, wireless services and Internet service providers (ISPs)?

 

[cbrunny]

What would be the impact of the CANADIAN RADIO-TELEVISION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CRTC), which regulates radio, television, broadcast distribution undertakings (cable, satellite and IPTV television services) and most telecommunication services, wireless services and Internet service providers (ISPs)?

The impact of the CRTC on Verizon? Verizon would be subjected to the same restrictions as all other carriers.

 

[corkyg]

And it would seem that the recent changes by the GOC have opened the door for Verizon. http://telecomreviewna.com/index.ph...ilable-spectrum&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=62

They still must comply with all the recent changes to wireless regulation.

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t14.htm

And, a lawsuit has been filed by Canadian telcoms against the end of the three year contract. There are some muddy waters it seems.

 

[cbrunny]

I don't really know the details of the lawsuit, but my assumption is that it was filed as a way of putting pressure on the CRTC & Government to change policy. A public lobbying tactic as opposed to a legitimate lawsuit. If this is true, odds are good that it will be upheld in the lawsuit.

In Canada, we are seeing all kinds of propaganda flying around about cell phone bills right now, and what is good and what is bad about this deal. It's actually quite entertaining. Our Big 3 are contending that our cell bills are cheaper on average than those in the USA, and somehow Verizon coming would make them more expensive. Both claims are unquestionably false - designed to prey on those among us that are nationalistic in our views of the economy.

 

[Accord99]

Our Big 3 are contending that our cell bills are cheaper on average than those in the USA,

They're probably true, the Big 3's share plans are a bit cheaper in the low to middle end versus the Big 2's share plans, while the Big 3's flanker brands offer better individual plans. The Big 3 also offers modest-to-reasonable BYOD discounts.

 

[cbrunny]

They're probably true, the Big 3's share plans are a bit cheaper in the low to middle end versus the Big 2's share plans, while the Big 3's flanker brands offer better individual plans. The Big 3 also offers modest-to-reasonable BYOD discounts.

Uhh.. in Canada? I think you're mistaken.

Share plans in Canada have zero discount. All it does is combines two plans into one, and the two (or however many) share the minutes & data. It is not cheaper. Not even $1.

What is a Big 3 flanker brand? and what are the Big 2?

I'm pretty much confused by everything you've written here.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

i'd say they are great.

the main issue is its expensive. if that isnt a huge issue for you , then i'd say at the minimum its better than at&t which seems to be just as expensive.

i've had t-mobile before which is good only in certain cities and definitely not say on the freeway between 2 large urban areas (horrible on the drive from LA to SF for example or from LA to las vegas).

i dont like paying $100 a month for verizon vs say $70 for t-mobile and the worse phone selection.

in the US at least whenever voLTE rolls out that should take care of at least the phone issue. i've heard at least where i live that T-mobile isg etting better so im hoping this at least makes verizon have to compete more. they can only command those prices while their competitors are not providing the service/reliability/speed that they can.

T-Mobile is great in our area. I'd say even better than Verizon's now after Verizon got so loaded. Only thing keeping me from switching is that I don't know how T-Mobile would like me using 50gbs a month.

 

[Accord99]

Uhh.. in Canada? I think you're mistaken.

Share plans in Canada have zero discount. All it does is combines two plans into one, and the two (or however many) share the minutes & data. It is not cheaper. Not even $1.

If you bring your own device, Telus reduces the cost by $20/month on their share plans while Rogers and Bell give like 10%.

What is a Big 3 flanker brand? and what are the Big 2?

The flanker brands are Koodo, Virgin and Fido who are owned by Telus, Bell and Rogers respectively. They have access to the same networks and speed but generally offer better plans at the expensive of poorer phone selection.

The Big 2 are Verizon and AT&T.

 

[cbrunny]

I just got off the phone with Bell - they only offer a discount on specific plans if you BYOD. My current plan isn't applicable apparently.

For me then, there is pretty much no incentive to avoid a contract and keep my current plan. I could keep my plan at its current rate and get a subsidized phone for less than the full cost of the phone, or I could keep my plan at its current rate and pay full cost of a phone out of pocket. The only difference is being on a contract.

How much is a contract worth to you, if nothing else actually changes?

 

[Red Storm]

I just got off the phone with Bell - they only offer a discount on specific plans if you BYOD. My current plan isn't applicable apparently.

For me then, there is pretty much no incentive to avoid a contract and keep my current plan. I could keep my plan at its current rate and get a subsidized phone for less than the full cost of the phone, or I could keep my plan at its current rate and pay full cost of a phone out of pocket. The only difference is being on a contract.

How much is a contract worth to you, if nothing else actually changes?

If you're sure about sticking with that carrier for the long haul, then a contract is no big deal, especially if going non-contract has no tangible money saving benefits for you.

 

[Accord99]

I just got off the phone with Bell - they only offer a discount on specific plans if you BYOD. My current plan isn't applicable apparently.

The BYOD discount is on the new high-end share plans which mimic the plans Verizon has.

For me then, there is pretty much no incentive to avoid a contract and keep my current plan. I could keep my plan at its current rate and get a subsidized phone for less than the full cost of the phone, or I could keep my plan at its current rate and pay full cost of a phone out of pocket. The only difference is being on a contract.

How much is a contract worth to you, if nothing else actually changes?

Sure, if they allow you to renew and obtain a full subsidy with a 3-year contract era plan it's probably better financially. Can I ask what plan you have now, in terms of minutes and data?

 

[cbrunny]

I jumped on a limited term plan when the iPhone 5 came out (I have a Galaxy Nexus). Bell was offering 6GB of data, fab 10, unlimited text, 200 local minutes, voicemail, caller id, etc. for $75. Still a really great deal compared with what is out there, especailly with 6GB of data.

The downside is that I commute to a different city, so my house is in a different place than my work. This means that every time I call my voicemail from home I have to pay long distance charges (0.45/minute). Also any long distance calls that aren't part of fab 10 are paid at 45 cents per minute.

 

[Accord99]

I jumped on a limited term plan when the iPhone 5 came out (I have a Galaxy Nexus). Bell was offering 6GB of data, fab 10, unlimited text, 200 local minutes, voicemail, caller id, etc. for $75. Still a really great deal compared with what is out there, especailly with 6GB of data.

Yeah that's a pretty nice plan, if they're willing to let you renew for a two-year term and still get a subsidized new phone, this is what I would go with myself.