Even with having a handful of wireless carriers in Canada that now offer the iPhone, it just seems we can’t catch a break. They’ve got us locked in and locked down. From every angle. And now we have more to add to the list. Bell is apparently swinging the iPhone hammer, and placing some restrictions on the purchases of iPhones.
Bell released a document that went into effect yesterday titled “Maximum of 2 iPhones per client unless a security deposit is paid†and goes on to state that a mandatory security deposit of $200 is required if you wish to purchase additional iPhones. One might question why you would need more than 2, and I can only assume that at that point Bell figures you got money burning a hole in your pocket.
The document reads:
“The launch of the Apple iPhone at Bell has generated tremendous interest and activations since its launch. As a high level of iPhone sales activity continues to be anticipated during the holiday season, effective immediately, a maximum of two iPhones per client is permitted (unless a security deposit is paid). Clients who have already activated 2 or more iPhones on a Consumer – Personal type account, and are attempting to activate another iPhone, will have a $0.01 Security Deposit added to their account along with the following special instruction, which will cause the application to “left-turn†to NCS: “All additional iPhone activations require a $200 Security Deposit per unit upon activation. No exceptions.â€
I still continue to dream of a day where Canadian Wireless providers start to compete with each other, and become more open-minded to the idea that if they were to lower rates, upgrade bandwidth capacity, and offer genuine support, in hopes that they might realize that it would actually attract more customers, generate more profit, and see a huge migration of users to smartphones. Of course it will probably never happen. Or by the time it does, some new technology will be used that it will be irrelevant .
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What the hell is this all about?! A security deposit on a product that I would be purchasing?!! Ridiculous. Or is this a security deposit on the contract itself? If so, what is the point?!!
I'm gonna say this again, and I will continue to say it: Just because another company got the iPhone, doesn't mean things are going to get any better. 😉
Rogers/Fido did the same thing in July 2008. It's a way of controlling
their inventory and activation rate
Stupid…
Are you guys serious? You're commenting on something you know NOTHING about. Bell sells iPhones for less than what they pay Apple. Even on 30 day and outright purchases they lose money. People could activate huge amounts of iPhones, unlock them and sell them. @Rory – you cannot buy an iPhone without at least a 30 day contract. They cannot leave the store without being on an account.
Competition may be coming soon…. Globalive gets the ok.
The federal government is giving the green light to a
fourth wireless company in Canada, allowing Globalive Wireless
Management Corp. to start up immediately.
Industry Minister Tony Clement announced this morning that the
cabinet has determined Globalive meets Canadian ownership
requirements under the Industry Canada Act.
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission
had earlier turned down Globalive's attempts to set up shop because
the company is controlled by a foreign firm, Orascom Telecom Holding
of Egypt.
But Clement argues that most of the shareholders are Canadian,
and the wireless company, based in Toronto, should be considered
Canadian.
He says he consulted with provincial governments and industry
players before overturning the CRTC ruling.
The new company would compete with Rogers Communications Inc.,
BCE Inc., and Telus Corp., who have been lobbying heavily to halt
Globalive's advances.
Transonic, can you explain what you mean by 30-day contracts? Is it cheaper that way than buying an iPhone outright? Was gonna buy outright as i have no intention of getting stuck in a 3 yr contract for such a volatile service, but if there's a cheaper 30-day option, I could live with that.
Thanks;
Paul
A 30 day contract is month to month. It's the exact same thing as a “non-contact” phone. Still on a 30 day billing cycle, still need 30 days advance to cancel. Same price as outright purchasing. But Bell still loses money on every iPhone sold. They sell them for LESS than what they buy them for. It's the same for every phone.
Transonic, can you explain what you mean by 30-day contracts? Is it cheaper that way than buying an iPhone outright? Was gonna buy outright as i have no intention of getting stuck in a 3 yr contract for such a volatile service, but if there's a cheaper 30-day option, I could live with that.
Thanks;
Paul
A 30 day contract is month to month. It's the exact same thing as a “non-contact” phone. Still on a 30 day billing cycle, still need 30 days advance to cancel. Same price as outright purchasing. But Bell still loses money on every iPhone sold. They sell them for LESS than what they buy them for. It's the same for every phone.