Even with the turmoil of the US economy that has now spread around the globe, Bell and Telus announced on Friday that they are teaming up to build a shared GSM network. That means both companies are going to invest 1 billion dollars to build up a GSM network to rival Rogers, which has had their network since 2001. We mentioned this rumor in late July, but now it has been confirmed.
Bell and Telus are Establishing a 3G/4G Network
In addition to establishing a 3G network, the latest generation 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard will be included too, for even faster data transfer. The network is set to be ready by 2010 in time for the Winter Olympics and will complement their existing CDMA networks. That means people won’t be forced to switch to GSM, although I’m sure they will since companies usually release their latest cellphones on GSM first, then CDMA afterwards.
When this news was confirmed I was pretty excited to hear it. Why? Well, there are a couple reasons. First, by building their own GSM network for 3G/4G, Bell and Telus will essentially bring the much awaited GSM competition this country has been waiting for. That means ending the monopoly Rogers has had for the past 7 years in the GSM field, not just in carrying hottest cellphones (think iPhone 3G, Blackberry Bold, Nokia N95 etc.). Now maybe we won’t have to deal with these “iPhone killers” anymore.
Darren Entwistle, the CEO of Telus, said during a conference call with analysts and investors that offering two 3G networks side-by-side will help to “future-proof” Telus as the entire wireless industry moves toward a common standard over the next few years. “This will enable a smoother transition to a fourth-generation wireless network,” Entwistle said.
In other words, Bell and Telus don’t want to be left in the dust as Rogers continues to reap the benefits of a GSM monopoly, through cellphone sales and roaming charges from overseas visitors. Maybe they’re trying to cash in on some visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver while they’re roaming? Pay As You Go Bell/Telus GSM cards anyone? LOL!
Of course it’s going to take some time for their network to be fully established by outsourced companies Nokia Siemens Networks and Huawei. Once setup though, in early 2010 we should also see other GSM mobile carriers added to the mix as well. That means once my Rogers 3 year contract (oh please don’t remind me how long it is) is up in 2011, I’ll be able to switch to any GSM carrier of my choosing. Competition is good for the consumer!
GSM Technology Means iPhone Right?
So while the network won’t be completed in time for Bell and Telus to carry the iPhone 3G, there is a possibility that the next generation iPhone 4G (we know it will be here) could be on Bell, Telus, and Rogers all at the same time. However, we know how Apple operates and it is possible that Rogers may retain exclusive rights to the iPhone. However, money talks and we know anything is possible at this point in time.
It is safe to saythe future is friendly and the cellphone market is going to get better. Do you think the iPhone will come to Bell and Telus once their GSM networks are setup?
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Good news I guess… and a lot of money to waste. Although, I would love to go back to Telus! Rogers sux BIG time lol
Who knows by 2010 or 2011 if iPhone 3G/4G etc. will even be around, most likely it will. By that time there will be BETTER phones! Well there better be haha
Has anyone be following the new Blackberry Storm? Touch screen and very fancy 😉
It’ll be interesting to see how these new touchscreen Blackberries are compared to the iPhone. I think the iPhone’s touchscreen has set the bar very high so far.
Here’s the crux. Your contract is up in 2011 and the new network comes online in 2010. How many new iPhone models will be released between now and then…and how many times will you renew for another 3 years to get them? 😉 I’m not laughing at you, as I’m in the same boat.
You’re telling me. We all know new iPhones are on the way…it will be so much fun upgrading every 8 months! 🙂
Yeah, I’m in the same boat too… sadly 😀
no offense but ya quite looking at sites like this one until said time… then it’ll be a surprise upon the end of the contract- I’m stuck on the term “cell phone” as a term
that will be outdated by 2011 and no longer used.. it’ll either be just “phone” or something else entirely.
Or you could use the term “mini computer” too 😉
IMHO… By the time the next best iPhone comes out, all the hoopla about being new to Canada will be gone. I’m guessing Rogers will allow an outright hardware purchase, so those of us with the 3G (who can afford it) will be able to buy the newest “mini iComputer” and simply continue on with our current sentence (oh, I mean contract) 😉
Lets just clarify, Rogers does NOT have exclusivity for the iPhone in Canada! No such deal was ever struck between Apple and Rogers.
Just to clarify some posts I have noticed on this board. Rogers DOEShave an exclusive deal on the Iphone 3G in Canada just as AT&T does in the US. You can verify this information by simply speaking to Apple. This deal does not cover future devices but looking at Apple’s rollout in other countries they usually pick 1 carrier in each of the big country’s to sign these agreements with. You could always use an unlocked Iphone 3G on the new Bell_Telus network when it gets rolled out.
Well, this is certainly exciting news for me. I’ve been with Telus since late 2003 and my current contract with them expires in February 2010, which just happens to be Olympic time here in Vancouver and which also happens to be the time Telus has their GSM network in place.
It would be an absolute dream come true to have the iPhone with Telus…. on a 4G network… drools…. By that time, I’ll have supreme negotiating power on contract terms as well 😉
Well, I won’t hold my breath. I’ve been screwed by Rogers and Telus over the years. I was with Cantel in the 90’s and was screwed by them. The single biggest universal rule in the Canadian Cell Phone Market is…”You’re carrier sucks!” Once they have you, they screw you. There is no way to get treated worse, by a cell provider, than to sign a contract with them. I’m sure that Telus, Bell and Rogers will all collude to put the shaft to us no matter what they do. Anyway…
This is great news. All Canadian providers suck right now. I prefer Rogers to the others but when this happens it will force Rogers to Strengthen and Expand their network to compete!
well it sure would be great to have that, and once they do then rogers will likely bring down some of there prices so that they can compete with bell and telus, but if rogers dose get the rights to the iphone, then apple likely will not be so happy because they will not be making as much money from the iphone in canada, but if rogers dose not get these rights then apple will make more money from the iphone and Canadians will benefit as well. So hopefully apple will not give rogers the exclusive rights to the iphone, and if they realize that it will be there lose then they wont, but until then that is all we can hope for.
you are gay
agreed
I absolutely love Bell and the iPhone, but I hate Rogers with a god damn passion! I cant wait for Bell to be hosting the iPhone.
I would love to see Bell carry the i-phone.
Been with telus and hated them, been with rogers and actually bought out of that contract, been with bell now for 5 years and have had zero complaints, the only complaint i have is not being about to have the i-phone.
Rogers is crap, their service claims to be the best nation wide which is the biggest load of bs i have ever heard, i get cell service in more places than my bf who is with rogers.
Rogers sucks and once telus and bell get the i-phone i am sure people will be switching over.
i would like to start off by saying i hate rogers also…i have been with telus for 6 years. everything is good except for they fact they don't have gsm phones. my contract has been up for 8 months. i have been waiting all this time for the switch. that being said has anyone heard when the three american companies are starting up in canada. didn't they win the bid to expand to canada. my phone is dieing i need to upgrade now!!!
i would like to start off by saying i hate rogers also…i have been with telus for 6 years. everything is good except for they fact they don't have gsm phones. my contract has been up for 8 months. i have been waiting all this time for the switch. that being said has anyone heard when the three american companies are starting up in canada. didn't they win the bid to expand to canada. my phone is dieing i need to upgrade now!!!
Same here I've been with telus since 1997 and my current contract is up middle of 2010 I'm excited to see what phones will be out by then and upgrade to a new phone for cheap! I just broke my Curve so I bought a 8703e to wait out mY contract.
I am in vancouver BC and i connected their HSPA network last week i was unable to make a call but it's there.
Telus plans to release their iPhone in December in Alberta. I recently spoke with a network tower installer at the Telus store while getting my Rogers Blackberry repaired (Rogers wanted to mail it away, Telus fixed a Rogers phone on the spot) and he said the network is going to be active as early as mid October, but primarily for testing.
both bell and telus will be getting the iphone sometime in november, rogers sucks, telus sucks, bell's ok… ive been with all three, my contract unfortunatelly dosnt end till 2011 too so untill then im just gonna either try to wrk something out with bell or but buy it straight out =D… cant wait
n I signed up with them I was told that the iphone would be coming in 6 mths…that was a year and a half ago. That aside here is my suggestion for Bell and Telus. Any one who has a contract that is under a year needs to sign up for a 3 year contract and pay say a price of $299….any one that has 2 years left on their contract keeps the time and does a hardward upgrade for $399…i thik you get where I'm coming from!! By doing this not only are the two company making money but showing the customer that they are trying to keep that they are respecting the choice out there but wants us to stay. I know if this was in place I would resign come the end of my term with them!!! Here is any idea that Bell and Telus should consider.
tell me what you think of this idea!!
Tigger from CALGARY!!
Telus already announced they have the iPhone.
Yeah we know that. Check updated posts on main page.
I like the old analog,digital better i hate the GSM there to much for cards
Thanks man, just what I was looking for. Thanks so much…
can I get back a deleted picture
What I can say is very nice and helpful as well as informative post…really help me very much more!! Thanks..
Iphone will enable a smoother transition to a fourth-generation wireless network
Good news I guess… and a lot of money to waste. Although, I would love to go back to Telus! Rogers sux BIG time lol
Who knows by 2010 or 2011 if iPhone 3G/4G etc. will even be around, most likely it will. By that time there will be BETTER phones! Well there better be haha
Has anyone be following the new Blackberry Storm? Touch screen and very fancy 😉
Good news I guess… and a lot of money to waste. Although, I would love to go back to Telus! Rogers sux BIG time lol
Who knows by 2010 or 2011 if iPhone 3G/4G etc. will even be around, most likely it will. By that time there will be BETTER phones! Well there better be haha
Has anyone be following the new Blackberry Storm? Touch screen and very fancy 😉
Here’s the crux. Your contract is up in 2011 and the new network comes online in 2010. How many new iPhone models will be released between now and then…and how many times will you renew for another 3 years to get them? 😉 I’m not laughing at you, as I’m in the same boat.
Here’s the crux. Your contract is up in 2011 and the new network comes online in 2010. How many new iPhone models will be released between now and then…and how many times will you renew for another 3 years to get them? 😉 I’m not laughing at you, as I’m in the same boat.
Here’s the crux. Your contract is up in 2011 and the new network comes online in 2010. How many new iPhone models will be released between now and then…and how many times will you renew for another 3 years to get them? 😉 I’m not laughing at you, as I’m in the same boat.
no offense but ya quite looking at sites like this one until said time… then it’ll be a surprise upon the end of the contract- I’m stuck on the term “cell phone” as a term
that will be outdated by 2011 and no longer used.. it’ll either be just “phone” or something else entirely.
no offense but ya quite looking at sites like this one until said time… then it’ll be a surprise upon the end of the contract- I’m stuck on the term “cell phone” as a term
that will be outdated by 2011 and no longer used.. it’ll either be just “phone” or something else entirely.
It’ll be interesting to see how these new touchscreen Blackberries are compared to the iPhone. I think the iPhone’s touchscreen has set the bar very high so far.
It’ll be interesting to see how these new touchscreen Blackberries are compared to the iPhone. I think the iPhone’s touchscreen has set the bar very high so far.
You’re telling me. We all know new iPhones are on the way…it will be so much fun upgrading every 8 months! 🙂
You’re telling me. We all know new iPhones are on the way…it will be so much fun upgrading every 8 months! 🙂
Or you could use the term “mini computer” too 😉
Or you could use the term “mini computer” too 😉
Yeah, I’m in the same boat too… sadly 😀
Yeah, I’m in the same boat too… sadly 😀
IMHO… By the time the next best iPhone comes out, all the hoopla about being new to Canada will be gone. I’m guessing Rogers will allow an outright hardware purchase, so those of us with the 3G (who can afford it) will be able to buy the newest “mini iComputer” and simply continue on with our current sentence (oh, I mean contract) 😉
IMHO… By the time the next best iPhone comes out, all the hoopla about being new to Canada will be gone. I’m guessing Rogers will allow an outright hardware purchase, so those of us with the 3G (who can afford it) will be able to buy the newest “mini iComputer” and simply continue on with our current sentence (oh, I mean contract) 😉
Lets just clarify, Rogers does NOT have exclusivity for the iPhone in Canada! No such deal was ever struck between Apple and Rogers.
Lets just clarify, Rogers does NOT have exclusivity for the iPhone in Canada! No such deal was ever struck between Apple and Rogers.
Well, this is certainly exciting news for me. I’ve been with Telus since late 2003 and my current contract with them expires in February 2010, which just happens to be Olympic time here in Vancouver and which also happens to be the time Telus has their GSM network in place.
It would be an absolute dream come true to have the iPhone with Telus…. on a 4G network… drools…. By that time, I’ll have supreme negotiating power on contract terms as well 😉
Well, this is certainly exciting news for me. I’ve been with Telus since late 2003 and my current contract with them expires in February 2010, which just happens to be Olympic time here in Vancouver and which also happens to be the time Telus has their GSM network in place.
It would be an absolute dream come true to have the iPhone with Telus…. on a 4G network… drools…. By that time, I’ll have supreme negotiating power on contract terms as well 😉
Well, I won’t hold my breath. I’ve been screwed by Rogers and Telus over the years. I was with Cantel in the 90’s and was screwed by them. The single biggest universal rule in the Canadian Cell Phone Market is…”You’re carrier sucks!” Once they have you, they screw you. There is no way to get treated worse, by a cell provider, than to sign a contract with them. I’m sure that Telus, Bell and Rogers will all collude to put the shaft to us no matter what they do. Anyway…
Well, I won’t hold my breath. I’ve been screwed by Rogers and Telus over the years. I was with Cantel in the 90’s and was screwed by them. The single biggest universal rule in the Canadian Cell Phone Market is…”You’re carrier sucks!” Once they have you, they screw you. There is no way to get treated worse, by a cell provider, than to sign a contract with them. I’m sure that Telus, Bell and Rogers will all collude to put the shaft to us no matter what they do. Anyway…
Well, I won’t hold my breath. I’ve been screwed by Rogers and Telus over the years. I was with Cantel in the 90’s and was screwed by them. The single biggest universal rule in the Canadian Cell Phone Market is…”You’re carrier sucks!” Once they have you, they screw you. There is no way to get treated worse, by a cell provider, than to sign a contract with them. I’m sure that Telus, Bell and Rogers will all collude to put the shaft to us no matter what they do. Anyway…