Late last year Toronto-based Globalive launched it's WIND Mobile brand in Canada. It was hoped that the emergence of new companies would force companies like Bell and Rogers to lower their fees in the face of new competition.
However, earlier this month, the wind stopped blowing in WIND's favour. It has been widely reported that WIND has failed to sign up even 30,000 consumers. Chris Robbins, WIND's popular Chief Customer Officer, also left the struggling company as well.
Now, this latest news may be the final straw.
It was once thought that Google's Nexus One would be available through WIND's network as they were the only one capable of handling Nexus' 3G requirement.
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.
As a first step to fulfilling that mission,...
[more]
We are a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are engaged in wireless voice and data communications services through Wireless,...
[more]
Now celebrating ten years of success, Globalive Communications Corp., based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has grown rapidly to become a leading...
[more]
Simply put, we want to create the most unforgettably positive customer experience in Canada.
How? By speaking with you, not at or over you. By...
[more]
Who really provides the best deal in Canada? When it comes to wireless the debate, in public at least, has been going on for years. Rogers Wireless recently called themseves the MOST relieable network. Telus filed a complaint. Now Rogers is just reliable. Did anything really change. Probably not. You still get the same service and the same rates, right?
However, consumers have always wanted to know where can they get the biggest bang for their buck.
With a little help from some friends, Techvibes has been able to source out how much the average customer pays on Rogers, Bell and Telus. According to the latest data, these are the three biggest wireless carriers in Canada.
Tired of being mis-led through their advertising? Want the truth? Let's get down to the real numbers....
Rogers Wireless:
The average Rogers Wireless customer spent $63.23 a month on wireless services in the fourth quarter of 2009. The average post-paid customer spent $73.42 a month versus just $16.39 per month for pre-paid customers. During the same period, the company had 8,494,000 wireless customers which consisted of 1,515,000 pre-paid customers and 6,979,000 post paid customers.
Bell Mobility:
The average Bell Mobility customer spent $51.08 a month on wireless services in the fourth quarter of 2009. During the same period, the company had 6,833,000 wireless customers which consisted of 1,792,000 pre-paid customers and 5,041,000 post paid customers. The average post-paid customer spent $62.47 a month versus just $18.45 per month for pre-paid customers.
Telus Mobility:
The latest numbers Techvibes was able to obtain were from the first quarter of 2009.
The average customer paid $62.73. This resulted in an average decrease in what a Telus cellphone customer spent in 2008 from 2007 of 83¢. That's a -1.3% "growth" in all of 2008 in the amount of money Telus was able to extract from its wireless customers. The reason? KOODO (their discount carrier) apparently took a lot of Telus business.
Telus Wireless had 6,129,000 customers. 4,922,000 post-paid while 1,270,000 pre-paid. The average Telus Wireless customer used 411 minutes per month and spent 15¢ per minute.
How much did you end up paying and which carrier do you use? Do you think there is a benefit or using a pre-paid plan versus a having a contract? We were unable to obtain numbers from other carriers such as Solo, Fido or even WIND. If you use these carries please tell us about your experience.
A special thank you to Rizwan Kheraj for directing us to this data.
Technology is a key enabler for TELUS and our customers, providing advantage and differentiation in the marketplace. By managing the life cycle of...
[more]
Bell Canada, Canada's national leader in communications, provides connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless...
[more]
We are a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are engaged in wireless voice and data communications services through Wireless,...
[more]
Every year, millions of North American callers jam phone lines of telethon switchboards to contribute to worthy causes. Some enjoy the personal interaction over the phone, but most of us - especially younger generations - would rather not wait on the line.
For the first time in history, viewers will be able to make a real-time donation right off of the TV screen using Mobio. During the 10-hour telethon, a customized Mobio barcode will be displayed on screen to allow iPhone users to scan and donate instantly.
A telethon viewer points their iPhone at the Mobio barcode on the TV screen to activate the system, they enter the payment amount on their screen, press a button and that’s it. The donation is processed and confirmation receipt is emailed instantly back to the viewer.
If donors are unable to watch the telethon, they can visit the Ottawa Hearts or Mobio website and scan the barcode anytime. In addition, barcodes will be distributed in local publications as well as over Twitter, Facebook and email for “anytime” donations before, during and after the event. As an example of the technology, Mobio has provided us with a customized barcode (right) that will allow Techvibes readers to instantly donate to Ottawa Hearts.
It's great to see a little innovation injected into the traditional telethon space as a way to engage younger audiences and appeal to Gen X and Y.
Mobio Identity Systems, Inc. is a Canadian Corporation located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company started its operations in 2007. The...
[more]
In the context of worldwide consumption patterns, females comprise 80% of the decision making behaviours and actions in a household. If this is the case, then we are surely losing a large part of the market share and focus on this portion of the population as a whole. Enter Jill Nykolitan, of Juniper Park. Nykolitan understands this sector of society and the human motivators behind these actions better than most. On March 25th, the creative and strategic force behind the irreverant advertising agency, Juniper Park is set to share her learnings and insights on the careful balance, depth of knowledge and strategic thinking that must be taken into account when marketing to the female.
I had the chance to hear Nykolitan at another industry event this year where she pointed to the fact that in business and in life being a female should never hurt you or hinder you. There must be a neutrality to which you bring your ideas and focus in a business context in order to really understand the crux of of a decision. With this understanding, Nykolitan has built her career on assessing and analyzing the triggers that are inherent to the female psyche and recognizes this demographic as an economic powerhouse.
If you’re interested in delving into to this layered and meaningful discussion, then join The Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) and Ad Women of Toronto in the event: Marketing to the New Economic Powerhouse: Women on Thursday, March 25th 2010 at Toronto’s Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, from 5:00 – 7:30 PM.
For more on Jill Nykolitan:
In three years, Jill and her firm Juniper Park (www.juniperpark.com) have achieved unprecedented growth. Recognized as a finalist for Agency of the Year by Marketing magazine in both 2008 and 2009, Jill was named to Ad Age’s 2009 Women to Watch list, and the company swept the 2010 CASSIES, winning the Grand Prix and two Golds. Juniper Park is an agency that brings the disciplines of strategy, design and advertising together for its enviable North American client roster, which includes Frito Lay US, Quaker US, Virgin Mobile, Chicago Tribune, Astral Media and EOS. Jill’s passion for creating brand platforms was cemented through her work at Kraft Foods as co-creator of Kraft’s award-winning CRM initiative, in addition to other brand management roles. Jill is a graduate of Queen’s Business School.
Toronto based Filemobile just recently launched a new suite of products that is designed to power and harness the growing popularity and use of social media tools.
Many corporations and brands are using social tools like Twitter and Facebook to monitor and sometimes engage with their customers and audience. These companies see a value in joining the online discussions and commentary that surrounds them.
Filemobile hopes to help companies attract this same sort of discussion onto their own internet and mobile properties. Steve Hulford is Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Filemobile:
Companies realize that they can’t build their business exclusively in public social networks. They need to include social networking and rich media on their own web and mobile applications as well as interact with public sites. This empowers companies to manage branding, terms of use, privacy, content, user information and analytics.
With the emphasis on understanding the highly integrated environment that surrounds us, it’s no wonder that during the wide array of anticipated technology and marketing conferences of the year, the decisive notion that the 'future is now' is more relevant than ever.
As far as marketing strategies are understood in a highly digitized environment, it’s no wonder that the discourse around this subject matter is only on the rise. There is an implicit understanding that given the way media consumption patterns have changed from a corporate and consumer vantage point, ideologies, learnings and strategies must then change rapidly, in tandem.
Next: 2010, which will be running from May 26th-27th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is taking a broad overview of the changing online setting and offering what should be a highly influential and timely affair.
The impressive panel of keynote addresses, ranging from comedian and tv personality Howie Mandel, co-host of ET Canada Rick Campanelli, Design Guru Debbie Travis and author and evangelist Avinash Kaushik of Google, is the exact combination of thinking that is intended to serve the marketing and advertising community in better understanding the future of this business.
For more information on this two day affair, check out the event site, and keep in mind, that whether you’re at the top of your career or on the cusp of change, sessions are designed to facilitate a myriad of conversations. So why wait until tomorrow to make changes you desire in your strategies and thinkings? Act now, and act today.
Last week Vancouver's Wavefront invited wireless developers to attend its network test lab launch event featuring Ericsson. The new lab allows developers to test new wireless applications on a carrier grade HSPA+ mobile network connected to Ericsson’s leading edge Montreal Test Facility.
In addition to getting a sneak peak into what Ericsson believes the future mobile ecosystem will look like, attendees learned how to leverage the test facility and were introduced to the Ericsson Developer Program.
A number of videos were take at the event and posted online. Below is a quick tour of the Ericsson facility by Alan Swain, Director of Engineering Operations at Wavefront.
Wavefront is the commercialization centre supporting the growth of British Columbia’s more than 1,000 wireless and new media developer companies....
[more]
Mitch Joel, journalist, publicist, president of Twist Image - a digital marketing agency - and author of the book Six Pixels of Separation, elaborates on the need for marketers to embrace the paradigm-shift afforded by social media tools.
Joel contends that marketing will never be the same again, and that not only do marketers need to learn to experiment with social media tools as channels through which to ply their trade, but to also enrich and augment their traditional methods through them.
You've only got two days left to get your application in for the British Columbia Technology Industry Association's 2010 Technology Impact Awards.
Founded in 1994 by the BCTIA, the Technology Impact Awards celebrate the successes of our industry and the companies, people and innovation that continue to put British Columbia on the map and who serve as role models for others in our province.
As a Finalist or Winner, your company will benefit from the local, national and international exposure the TIAs deliver.
Recognition as a leading technology company that demonstrates excellence and sets you apart from the competition.
Exposure through a variety of media channels, speaking opportunities, and year-round B2B marketing initiatives.
Opportunity to attract investment, new business, and talent.
Click here to view award categories and criteria and be sure to apply by March 17th. This year’s celebration dinner will take place on June 8th.
As the largest and most influential association representing BC's technology industry, BC TIA is dedicated to fostering growth and development in...
[more]
Vancouver Twestival Organizer Rebecca Bollwitt announced today that this year's Vancouver Twestival is on schedule for March 25th and tickets will be available later this week. Bollwitt has assembled a great team of volunteers and sponsors to help out with the event and there is no doubt it will be a huge success again this year.
Vancouver Twestival organizers have a few surprises in the works for the evening's entertainment but have already confirmed that Rob Cottingham will be providing comic relief, independent band Mojave will be performing, and SmartPics will be hosting a "Direct to Twitpic" photobooth.
If you would like to get on board with Twestival in any capacity, contact them at @YVRTwestival or by email at TwestivalVancouver@gmail.com. Tickets will go on sale within 48 hours.