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November 28, 2007

Finally Proof that Canadian Cell Phone Service Sucks (or FIPOCACEPONESS for short)


Contained within a report from the CBC about high cell phone rates in Canada is this information:
According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, a typical American uses about 800 voice minutes a month, double that of a typical Canadian. In 2006, the government-mandated Telecommunications Policy Review Panel found this is because of "a persistent and growing gap between the rates between the two countries."

If we look at the average cost of 1 year of service in both countries, about $570 for Canadians and $635 for the US (both in USD) , and factor in that we talk about half as much, we're paying almost twice as much.

And that's only comparing Canada with the US. When we go to Europe things get crazy.

What about oh, I don't know...say, Denmark? In 2006, the average monthly price was $6.10. Six bucks a month! About $73 USD a year. And with 95% saturation, the Danes probably aren't holding back on the airtime (although I couldn't find any data on this). I'm going to assume that Danes are talking lots more than Canadians, and extrapolate that we're paying at least 10 times more on cell phone fees than Denmark.

I hate Telecoms.

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3:21 PM
August 17, 2006

One Reason Bell Canada should Die

I use Bell pay as you go for my cellular service, because I don't want to be locked into contracts. One of the "features" of pay as you go is automatic notification when your account balance gets below $3. For example, I make a call, and AFTER I'm connected, a female voice (I'm sure chosen because of her soothing tone) interrupts and notifies me that my remaining balance is whatever $. Notice this happens after I'm connected.

I also use calling cards for long distance. I have the calling card PIN number programmed into my phone so I can make long distance calls simply. I've programmed it with pauses so that it will enter the PIN at the right time.

So lets say I want to make a long distance call, but I don't know that my account balance is, say, $2. I call the number, and before the programmed pauses are done, before it can enter the PIN, the soothing female voice comes on and tells me my balance. This, of course, screws up the timing of the call, so now I have 2 options. If I have my long distance card with me, I can enter the PIN number manually, or I can go top up my pay as you go account, so that I can try it again, without the convenient interruption by Ms. Bell.

Meanwhile, I've payed the cost of placing another call, or the cost of an extra minute or two, for no reason whatsoever.

Of course, Bell did lower their pay as you go rates from 30 cents a min to 30 cents for the first two minutes and 5 cents a minute thereafter. Luckily for them, that's irrelevant in this case.

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12:13 PM