NorthwesTel just announced on their Facebook page that Bell will launch its brand new HSPA network on November 4, 2009. NorthwesTel retail stores will carry 12 of the fastest and most powerful phones out there. That includes Apple’s iPhone.
So what does this mean for Yellowknifers. Well for starts we will now be up to speed with the rest of Canada when it comes to cell service and will also be able to use all the features equipped with smartphone. Readers, when the new network launches will you consider upgrading your phone?
UPDATE: Bell has announced the launch date of its new network and the release of the iPhone. Find out when HERE.
Earlier in the day Bell and Telus released a statement proclaiming they will be bringing on Apple’s iPhone. Currently Rogers is the only service provider in Canada that has the iPhone and is not available in Yellowknife. The iPhone is also the phone that most people want. It beats out Blackberry, Plam and all Windows Mobile phone on the market.
What else does this mean for Yellowknife. Well after feeling like we have been left in the dust, Yellowknife will finally have 3G or HSPA (which is just as fast or faster) service.
Northwestel has put in it first order for 1000 iPhone but is not sure of when they will arrive or the pricing yet. Bell has yet to announce the pricing of the phone.
I will also be updating this post with more information as it becomes available. To read more about Bell and the iPhone read this Globe and Mail article.
If you for some reason didn’t notice, this morning cell phone service went down. In this CBC article a NorthwesTel spokesperson said a fiber line owned by Bell was cut just outside of Dawson Creek, BC (which ironically is where I am at the moment). A crew was sent to fix the line but there was no estimate of a time of completion.
I’m sure by now everyone who reads this is aware of the upgrade Northwestel has just done to their Internet Packages. I know I was excited even though I am unable to use it where I currently am. They are now offering faster speeds and high bandwidth caps the same as their old packages, which for a heavy user such as myself wonderful news. No longer will I need to continuously check my usage, always in fear of going over.
So that brings us to today and to the article in the Yellowknifer about how SSi considers what NWTel is doing unfair towards them. You see NWTel owns all the cable transporting Internet in to the Northwest Territories and so what SSi does is purchases bandwidth (Internet) as a wholesaler. Now you would think if your are purchasing it in bulk they would be getting the better deal or a more discounted price so that they can afford to resell it to the public. Well that does not seem to be the case SSi says. They believe they are paying 5 times more than what NWTel is offering their Internet Packages for to the public and small businesses. NWTel stated in their advertisements that the rates for small businesses will be going down by 40% and also says that over the last year they lowered wholesaler rates by 35%.
Now personally I have always used NWTel because of a couple reasons. One being it is easy to bundle with cable and second being they offer higher limits and faster speeds. The one thing I do like about SSi though is that portability of their modems. I would also like to point out that the average user does not need more than what SSi offers therefore still making it a semi level playing field. A suggestion would be if you can not match NWTel’s prices would be to focus strongly on something like customer service.
Now as everyone who reads this most likely uses one or the other I would love to get your take on the matter and which provider you use. I can see pros and cons with both and that is the case with most things, how do they affect you?
Well it seems like I have received enough questions on twitter that I should put up a post about it.
Yellowknife’s Greatest Indoor show will be this weekend. May 9, 10 2009. It is put on by Yellowknife’s Chamber of Commerce. It is Yellowknife’s biggest (possible only) trade show. It will feature businesses from all around town as well as some from Edmonton and the south. It will be held in the Multiplex Arena. On one rink there will be business booths as well as the food court and on the other normally Force One and Chrysler take it over.As the chatter of the show picks up I’m starting to here about all of the great business’s and people that will be there this year. You can find out more on the Chambers Website.
Now I remember maybe not last year but definitely the year before Northwest Tel set up an area with nice big couches and free WiFi and I have yet to find out if they will be doing this again but I think it would be a great add on to the show. Although I do remember last summer as I was often in the arena at the indoor skate-park there being WiFi in there being broadcast by the City. I’m hoping it is still available as it would be nice to blog about this event while there. I plan to try and investigate be for hand.
On the note of Internet I will also be Tweeting what is going on with or without the Internet while I’m there and I thought this might be an excellent opportunity for a very casual first YkTweetUp. Chances are we will all go to the Show sometime over the weekend, so why not coordinate a time so we can all put faces to handles? I plan to be at the show from about 12 noon on Saturday into the afternoon sometime. Use the hashtag #yktweetup so I know who to look for or @the_bushman me.
I hope to see you all there. I plan on taking some photos and making a post either during or after the event.
