wind mobile business plan

Is Wind Mobile worth it?

Where I live, there are two choices for mobile service: fast but expensive; and slow, but far less expensive. The former category dominated by three companies, Rogers, Bell, and Telus, along with its myriad flanker brands like Fido, Virgin Mobile, and Koodo. The latter is comprised by a single provider — Wind Mobile — on which many Canadians increasingly rest their hopes for a low-cost alternative to the Big Three.

The city is Toronto, and like many large cities across the world it contends with a density problem. Wireless carriers have to deploy thousands of antennas on rooftops and sides of buildings on wireless spectrum that is increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain. The Big Three control some 90 percent of the wireless market share in Canada, but there is a clear understanding between the companies that competition does not extend to downward pressure on price.

That leaves Wind Mobile , a potential bright spot in the Canadian mobile sector, as the last hope for low(er) prices in the five regions it operates. But it also begs a big question, and one that I am asked more often that perhaps any other in this job: Is Wind Mobile worth it?

What is Wind Mobile?

Without getting too caught in the weeds, we need to go back a few years — back to when the Canadian government decided that it wanted to pursue a strategy of allowing smaller wireless carriers, dubbed "new entrants," to compete in the mobile space.

It did so by setting aside a small amount of wireless spectrum in the 2008 AWS auction for these new entrants to bid on. Wind Mobile was one of the successful bidders, alongside Mobilicity, Public Mobile, Eastlink and Videotron. While the latter two remained set on regional dominance, and are still around today as a result, Wind, Mobilicity and Public all set their sights on pseudo-national wireless coverage, offering service in big cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.

Wind's network is built on previous-generation 3G technology, so it's slower than the LTE networks offered by Canada's Big Three.

In the ensuing years, it was Wind Mobile — through its consistent message of unlimited data, generous subsidies through its WindTab program, and a great relationship with all of the Android OEMs, especially Samsung — that generated the most goodwill among consumers. It was also the most steadfast about staying independent, working with external partners (and affecting change in Canada's antiquated corporate foreign ownership rules in the process) to raise money and stay solvent.

As Public Mobile was scooped up in 2013 by Telus, and Mobilicity in mid-2015 by Rogers, Wind Mobile seemed to be the last remaining independent holdout — until a surprise announcement in December of last year when we learned Wind would be purchased by Shaw Communications for $1.6 billion CAD . Now that the deal is closed, Wind Mobile, though still run independently by new CEO Alek Krstajic, is ostensibly the wireless arm of Calgary-based Shaw Communications, destined to be included in bundles alongside home internet and cable television indefinitely.

Be an expert in 5 minutes

Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android

Where does Wind Mobile operate?

Wind Mobile operates in three provinces :

• Mississauga
• Kitchener/Waterloo
• Peterborough
• Whitby / Oshawa

British Columbia

Outside those so-called "Home" zones, Wind users have access to partner networks, where they can make calls, send texts, and use 3G data at per-MB costs. Some plans include Away zone bundles, but they will always be billed separately to Home zone usage.

These Away zones comprise the remaining parts of Canada not covered by Wind's own network, so you won't have to worry about lack of coverage while traveling — just how costly that coverage will be.

How does Wind's network compare to the Big Three?

Wind Mobile's network is 3G-only, based on the HSPA+ standard. It operates on a single frequency, Band 4 (AWS-1), which is optimized for bandwidth over coverage.

In plain speak, here's what it means: Wind's network is built on previous-generation 3G technology, so it doesn't have the spectral efficiency and high potential speed of LTE. While the Big Three's networks increasingly offer download speeds approaching 150Mbps, Wind Mobile's network tops out at a theoretical 42.2Mbps, and is often significantly slower than that.

Moreover, Wind only operates on a single frequency, AWS-1, which is not optimized for coverage. What this means is that signals sent to phones on the Wind network occasionally have trouble penetrating through thick walls, or reaching basements. The company has been doing a lot of work to fill coverage gaps, and things have improved significantly in the past couple of years, but dead spots are still an issue in many parts of the GTA.

Future upgrades

There is good news on the horizon, though: Wind is systematically replacing all of its old network hardware with newer, faster equipment provided by Nokia. Upgrades have already been completed in Vancouver and Calgary, and are moving eastward. These improvements have positively affected coverage, reliability and speed.

Towards LTE

Toward the end of 2016, Wind Mobile plans to launch an LTE network based on AWS-3 spectrum it acquired in one of the government's most recent auctions. Combined with some of the AWS-1 spectrum Wind plans to repurpose for LTE, the company should be in a good place to compete with Rogers, Bell, and Telus in its home markets. However, because the AWS-3 standard is still relatively new, there are no supported devices yet; Wind will have to wait until at least the beginning of 2017 for new products to launch with support for Band 66, which unifies AWS-1 and AWS-3 under a single standard.

How do Wind's prices compare to the Big Three?

This is where things get compelling. Wind Mobile typically charges significantly less for data access than the Big Three.

Rogers, for example, charges $125 per month for unlimited nationwide calling, texting and 9GB of sharable data, as long as you bring your own phone — it's $135 if you buy one on a contract through Rogers.

Wind Mobile offers its so-called Everywhere Plan, which includes 10GB of Home zone data and 1GB of Away zone data (which includes U.S. roaming), along with unlimited Canada- and U.S.-wide calling and texting, for $60 per month.

Wind Mobile typically charges significantly less for data access than the Big Three.

On a sheer price-per-gigabyte scale, nothing touches Wind Mobile in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. In regions like Manitoba and Saskatchewan that have regional incumbents, the Big Three charge significantly less than they do elsewhere, but in the provinces Wind operates, the Big Three don't consider it a big enough threat to warrant lowering their prices.

Should you go with Wind Mobile?

Wind Mobile is a very different beast than the Big Three — or even its flanker brands, such as Fido, Koodo and Virgin Mobile. It doesn't offer LTE, nor are its 3G speeds as fast as Rogers, Telus, or Bell.

What it does offer is decent coverage in certain cities with occasional but frustrating pockets of poor service. Its prices are also significantly cheaper, especially for data, which is an increasingly desirable commodity.

But while you're spending less, you're also getting less for that money — the Big Three have nationwide, ultra-fast LTE networks that are consistently fast throughout the country. Depending on your travel and coverage needs, that may be a deal breaker.

The best candidates for people to move to Wind Mobile are:

• People who tend to stay within their Home zones most of the time
• People who don't require ultra-fast LTE download speeds
• People who tend to do a lot of mobile video streaming (at lower quality)
• People who want to use cellular data to upload a lot of photos and videos in the background

If your usage pattern fits within those margins, you should be fine with Wind Mobile.

What are your experiences with Wind Mobile? Let us know in the comments below!

Daniel Bader was a former Android Central Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor for iMore and Windows Central. 

Motorola's rumored 'Razr 50s' could walk the affordability line

Samsung's One UI 6.1.1 is finally here for these Galaxy phones

These back-to-school SSD deals are still available — act now

Most Popular

• 2 Don't forget what else you need as you head back to school
• 3 News Weekly: Android 15 is coming, new Android features drop, and Honor's very thin foldable
• 4 Nubia’s new gaming tablet crushes the competition with a premium chipset and built-in fan
• 5 Motorola's rumored 'Razr 50s' could walk the affordability line

Freedom Mobile

• Q&A Forum

Popular Plans

Popular Phones

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google Pixel 9

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

What you need to know.

Owned by Shaw Communications, Freedom Mobile (formerly WIND Mobile) is the fourth-largest mobile carrier in Canada.

Though the carrier was once known for its slow speeds and limited coverage, investments by Shaw have led to increased 4G LTE availability and an expanding network offering more coverage around major urban centres.

They offer both postpaid and prepaid plans. Prepaid plans start at $9 with postpaid options starting at $15. Top-tier plans reach as much as $115 per month, per line.

If you need a phone, the MyTab program offers device subsidies in exchange for a two-year Pay After plan agreement.

You can also bring your own device to Freedom Mobile and enjoy service credit on most plans.

What’s Good?

• One of the most affordable carriers
• No-contract plans available
• Bring your own device discounts
• Canada-wide calling on all plans
• Unlimited texting to US and Canadian mobiles
• Generous data packages

What’s Bad?

• Limited coverage outside of major cities
• Most customer service is self-serve or store-based
• Ranked last in Tutela's " Mobile Experience Report " for 2018
• Ranked last in PC Magazine’s “ Fastest Mobile Networks in Canada ” study for 2016.
• Ranked last in network speed in Ookla’s 2016 “ Speedtest Market Report - Canada ”
• Ranked #6 out of 9 in J.D. Power's " Canadian Wireless Customer Care Study (2017) "
• Ranked #7 out of 9 in J.D. Power’s 2016 “ Canadian Wireless Customer Care Study ”
• Ranked last in J.D. Power’s 2016 “ Canadian Wireless Network Quality Study ” for the Ontario region.
• Current F rating with the Better Business Bureau with 393 complaints closed in the past 3 years - most due to coverage complaints.

CONTINUE READING

Notable Features

MyTab: Enjoy a discount of up to $650 on a new device in exchange for a two-year term agreement.

Better Together Savings: Bundling lines and mobile internet packages offers a monthly discount over keeping each service on a separate account.

Bundled International Calling: Many of Freedom Mobile’s upper-tier plans include drastically discounted rates on international calling without the need for add-ons and extra fees.

Awards and Recognitions

Unfortunately, awards and recognition for this carrier are scarce. This might be due to their different approach from many other carriers.

They're not trying to offer the most coverage or fastest speeds.

Their focus is serving the customers in their areas who don't need cutting-edge features but want lower rates.

How is Their Network Coverage and Speed?

According to Freedom Mobile, their network and extended partner networks cover up to 98% of Canadians. However, be sure to note the considerations below.

However, since their purchase by Shaw in early-2016, Freedom Mobile has contracted Nokia to rapidly deploy a new 4G LTE network. 

You can check coverage and network types in your area using their Coverage Map .

Notable considerations include:

• Outside of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Toronto, you’ll be relying on partner networks. Depending on your plan, this could limit how you use your phone or the data available to you.

Ranked last for download speeds in both the 4G and 3G network categories in Tutela's 2018 " Mobile Experience Report ", tests showed an average speed of 10.79Mbits/sec for 4G downloads and 4.70Mbits/sec for 3G downloads. Uploads speeds averaged 6.56Mbits/sec across both 4G and 3G networks.

It should also be noted that while these speeds aren’t ideal from streaming HD video or other bandwidth-intensive tasks--and they are undeniably slower than the rest of Canada’s major carriers--that doesn’t mean that data isn’t usable. It’s simply slower.

Do They Charge Roaming Fees?

As of April 4th, 2019, Freedom Mobile has changed the way they bill calls, texts, and data when outside your local network. While you'll still need to worry about International roaming, use across Canada is now much simpler.

There's no longer per-minute fees for calls and texts in your "Away" area -- now known as the "Nationwide" network. However, you'll still have a separate data allotment for "Nationwide" use.

For extended travel in the US and Mexico, Freedom Mobile offers roaming add-ons to help limit costs. Options range between $10 and $96 depending on the time you plan to be away and how much data you need.

For international travel, you’ll find three different options:

• 1GB Freedom Nationwide + U.S.: For $20 per month, this add-on adds 1GB of data to your plan for use in the U.S.
• Big Gig Roam Extra: Multiple packages make it easy to keep costs in check with options ranging from $5 to $10 per day for unlimited talk and text with extra data to use abroad.
• World Traveller Discount Plan: For $8 per month, you can unlock reduced pay-per-use roaming rates in 60+ destinations around the world.

For more information on international roaming rates and charges, see their International Roaming page .

What About Long Distance Fees?

All Freedom Mobile plans include Canada-wide calling to keep your monthly bills low. 

Calling the US? Unlimited calling is only $5 per month extra.

Looking to call internationally? Freedom Mobile’s Big Gig World Saver Add-on offers substantial savings over per-minute rates to more than 200 destinations for $5 per month.

You can find more about specific calling rates and options on their International Calling page .

Does Freedom Mobile Offer Wi-Fi Calling?

Yes. However, they do not guarantee support for models not purchased from Freedom Mobile.

Current options include a range of phones from Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony, and ZTE.

You can check the exact models supported on their their Wi-Fi Calling page.   

How About Voice over LTE (VoLTE)?

VoLTE is currently available for a range of newer phone models.

For the latest list of supported phones, check their VoLTE support page.

Can I Tether My Mobile?

As long as you have a data plan, Freedom Mobile allows tethering. Instructions for most phone models can be found in your My Account dashboard.

Keep in mind that mobile devices are optimized to use less data than laptops, gaming consoles, and other devices. Monitor your data usage if you plan to tether to avoid any billing worries.

Do They Offer Data Rollover?

No, neither Pay Before or Pay After plans offer data rollover.

Do They Offer Add-ons or Bundles?

Yes! If you need to add features or usage to your plan, add-ons and bundles are a perfect choice!

Popular add-ons include:

• Unlimited U.S.-wide Calling: For only $5 per month, you can call across the border without keeping track of time. 
• 1GB of Full Speed Data: Data bucket running low every month? For $15 you can add 1GB of data to any plan that is good for 30 days.
• Visual Voicemail: Upgrade your voicemail with transcription and increased storage for only $4 per month.

For more information on add-ons and bundles, check their support page .

Do They Offer Bring Your Own Device/Sim-Only Plans?

Yes! Not only do they support bringing your own device, they offer a small monthly discount for doing so.

Freedom Mobile offers an online compatibility checking tool to start the process. However, if you want to bring your number with you to Freedom Mobile, you’ll need to stop by a store to finish things up.

Do They Require a Credit Check?

There are no credit checks for prepaid service. However, monthly service agreements may require a credit check. At the time of writing, this is a "hard" credit check. This means the check will likely appear on your credit report.

Items needed include 1 of the following:

• Canadian Driver's Licence
• Canadian SIN Card or Letter
• Canadian Credit Card

Plus 1 of the following:

• Valid Canadian Driver’s License (Not applicable if used as one of the items above)
• Valid Canadian or Foreign Passport
• Department of Defense ID
• Permanent Resident Card
• Native Indian Status Card
• Valid, Government-Issued Provincial/Territorial Photo ID
• Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)

NOTE: Credit checks from carriers that pull your credit bureau report may impact your credit score. If you're not sure the best options for your credit profile, we suggest contacting the carrier directly before attempting to obtain service.

For more information on credit check requirements and how they might affect your account, consult their Joining Freedom Mobile FAQ page.

What About Activation and SIM Fees?

Freedom Mobile charges a $10 activation fee for all new prepaid accounts and $45 for all postpaid / pay monthly accounts. 

SIM kits are an additional $10 and are available through customer support or at retail locations.

NOTE: Fees often differ between retail stores and websites. Be sure to check both before signing up or adding a line to your account to maximize savings.

Do They Charge an Early Termination Fee?

This will depend on your plan and situation. In their  Terms of Service , Freedom Mobile says:

“You agree to pay to us all charges that you’ve incurred up to the date we stop providing the Services, including for any Services provided or for any equipment that you’ve purchased including any unpaid MyTab balance.”

Can I Port My Number To or From Freedom Mobile?

Yes! However, you must stop by a store to port your number to their service. While specifics aren’t listed on their site, general requirements include:

• The account you’re porting from must be active and in good standing
• Freedom Mobile must offer service in the area from which you’re bringing your number

For help finding a nearby Freedom Mobile location, consult their Find a Store page .

Will They Unlock My Phone?

Yes! According to CRTC Wireless Code regulations effective December 2017, they must unlock your phone free of charge upon request.

Requirements include:

• You must have active service with an account in good standing
• For subsidized devices, you must have had service for at least 90 days

You can find additional information on their Device Unlocking FAQs .

For additional questions about Freedom Mobile pricing, features, and coverage, be sure to check our Freedom Mobile Q&A Forum . It’s filled with questions and answers from people like you looking to get the most out of their mobile service!

If you spot any errors or missing information, please let us know ! It's appreciated and will help make this page better for everyone.

Voice network: UMTS (AWS 1700/2100 MHz), LTE 600 / 700 / 1700 / 2100 / 2600 / 3500 Data network: HSPA+, LTE

Mailing Address: 207 Queens Quay West Suite 710 PO Box 114 Toronto, ON M5J 1A7 Canada

Official Website , Facebook , X , Coverage Maps , Manage Your Account

Digital Home , myCELLmyTERMS , AlphaBeatic , Mobile Syrup , Android Authority , Tech Daily , Bill Crush , iPhone in Canada , Mobile Syrup , Tech Daily , WhistleOut

Use this product?

Help inform others by sharing your experience with Freedom Mobile

Freedom Mobile Question?

Visit the Freedom Mobile Q&A Forum to get answers, ask a question or help others.

'A fresh start': Wind rebranded as Freedom Mobile, promises to free customers from contracts

CEO says the aim is to turn Freedom Mobile into a viable fourth carrier with launch of LTE network so there will be no ‘crazy' discounts

You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.

Article content

TORONTO — Wind Mobile is changing its name to Freedom Mobile in an attempt to ditch lingering baggage associated with its brand before it launches its new LTE network in its biggest markets, Toronto and Vancouver.

'A fresh start': Wind rebranded as Freedom Mobile, promises to free customers from contracts Back to video

The Freedom brand unveiled Monday reflects a shift under Wind’s new owner, Shaw Communications Inc., which has spent millions on network upgrades since it bought the wireless upstart for $1.6 billion almost a year ago.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
• Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
• Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
• National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
• Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
• Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

“It was a chance for a fresh start with fresh new owners and a fresh new network,” CEO Alek Krstajic said in an interview on the new brand, which aims for likeability with a teddy bear mascot named Freddy and an upbeat jingle.

“It’s hard to say, ‘I don’t like Freedom,’” Krstajic joked.

Wind is trying to distance itself from the old Wind branding as it rolls out its LTE network in two markets on Nov. 27, well ahead of schedule, with an expected completion of fall 2017 across its entire footprint.

Poor network quality and customer service problems plagued Wind when it entered the market seven years ago as part of the Conservatives’ push for four competitors in each market. But Shaw gave it a chance to change its reputation by investing $121 million on network upgrades in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta in the first six months after the deal closed. Wind surpassed one million subscribers this summer.

While the Big Three still have network and handset advantages — Wind customers will need new handsets to use Freedom’s LTE network since most phones are not yet compatible with the AWS-3 spectrum band it uses — Krstajic said the upgrades help level the playing field.

Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.

• There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

It was a chance for a fresh start with fresh new owners and a fresh new network

Freedom will continue to push Ottawa for advantages for smaller wireless competitors in the upcoming 600 MHz spectrum auction, Krstajic said.

“The three incumbents have had a big head start, they were given their big tranches of spectrum for free 30 years ago,” he said. “In order for us to be able to survive and have a sustainable offering, we need low band spectrum.”

Shaw plans to launch its own mobile service eventually, Krstajic said, but for now is setting up Freedom as a less expensive flanker brand, similar to Rogers-owned Fido and Telus’ Koodo.

“We’ve been pretty clear there’s going to be a need for two brands,” he said, although he kept silent on the timing.

• Shaw Communications’ annual profit up as company aims for ‘stable’ approach to wireless

Meantime, Freedom will follow Wind’s strategy with plans at an implicit discount to the incumbents. There are no plans for “crazy discounting,” Krstajic said, noting that the new entrants went bankrupt when monthly plans were in the $20 price range.

Freedom’s flagship plan will cost $45 per month for unlimited talk and text and 6 GB of data.

Analysts welcomed the rebranding and the earlier-than-expected LTE launch.

The announcement was a “milestone” that will give the carrier a shot at attracting more profitable customers in time for the holiday shopping season, Scotiabank analyst Jeff Fan wrote in a note to clients. Shaw will also save money on the increasingly costly licensing agreement with former Wind owner Vimpelcom to use the Wind brand, he wrote.

Barclays analyst Phillip Huang noted the decision not to use the Shaw brand for wireless indicates it will take some time to close the network quality gap with the Big Three. “Rebranding to Shaw would dilute the brand for its cable business,” Huang wrote.

The announcement comes just before the federal government is expected to make a decision on whether to approve Bell’s proposed acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services. That could take the number of wireless players in Manitoba down to three.

Huang wrote that Shaw’s investments outside its traditional footprint “may reflect some success with lobbying the government in entering other markets” such as Manitoba.

Financial Post [email protected] Twitter.com/theemilyjackson

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Bank of Canada could cut rates to 2.5% by next year, say economists

Taxing wealthy people’s unrealized capital gains is not closing a 'loophole', borrowers could soon see lowest 5-year fixed rates in more than 2 years, methanex corporation signs definitive agreement to acquire oci global's international methanol business for $2.05 billion, fp answers: i don't have a pension, so how do i determine when i can retire.

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

You've reached the 20 article limit.

You can manage saved articles in your account.

and save up to 100 articles!

Looks like you've reached your saved article limit!

You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.

Wind debuts new price plans and financing options

Wind Mobile will revamp its price plans starting on April 9th, focusing on lower prices with stricter data limits and a revamped tab system that makes it easier to get an expensive phone on any plan.

The carrier plans to lower its most expensive plan from by $10 to $50, offering 10GB of “full speed” data and 1GB of US roaming. The $50 plan will be reduced to $45, reducing maximum data to 5GB and removing US roaming, which goes for $15/month on its own. A $10/month add-on will still be available for an extra 10GB of data, bringing the theoretical maximum to 20GB. While Wind advertises unlimited data, its Fair Use policy throttles users to 256kbps down, 128kbps up after 5GB.

From there, the company will retain its $25/$35/$40 hierarchy, with slight changes to current plans. All plans, including the $25 one, will offer voicemail, for example. The $35 and $40 plans now offer 2GB and 3GB of data, respectively, which further incentivizes heavy data users to purchase the all-in-one $50 plan.

Wind also plans to revamp its tab, giving three options to every customer who wants to finance his or her new phone in different ways. The tab now goes up to $650, which is paid back with $25 instalments over two years; there’s also a $450 option, paid back with $15 instalments; and a $5/month option, to a maximum of $250.

Obviously, these numbers don’t quite add up, so Wind fills in the rest. For example, $25/month over 24 months is $600, not $650; Wind plans to forgive the remaining balance if the phone is paid off over two years.

Update : In response to questions about how Wind fills in the remaining portion of its tab, the company had this to say.

The WINDtab and how the program works remains the same. Every month we’ll apply 10% of the customer’s monthly payments to their WINDtab balance, and we promise to clear any remaining WINDtab balance after two years. Full details are here on our website https://www.windmobile.ca/why-wind/ways-to-save .

This new system is a way customers can boost their WINDtab to save even more on the price of their device at the time of purchase. The WINDtab Boost is completely optional, and customers can choose to add no boost and save $150 off of the price of a new phone or $25/month to save up to $650. It puts the customer in control and allows them to not have to pay extra for a subsidy that they may/may not use – Customers can choose a plan with the features they want, choose the phone they want and choose the price they want to pay for the phone.

The new tab applies equally to customers on any of the $35, $40, $45 and $50 plans, unlike previously where the maximum tab was determined by the plan price. The company is also revamping its overly generous BYOD credit system, lowering it to $150 across the board.

The takeaway here is that Wind is pushing users to higher-cost plans by differentiating between the amount of data one can use, similar to the way it works on other Canadian carriers. Previously, all users were throttled after 5GB regardless of plan, or at 10GB with a $10 Premium Data add-on. Customers on the $50 plan actually get a considerable amount more value with this new strategy.

While Wind has a long way to go before launching an LTE network, it is in the process of upgrading its existing infrastructure to Dual Cell HSPA+ on more towers in its service areas, while improving the density of its existing network.

With Wind launching the Samsung Galaxy S6 on Friday along with nearly every other Canadian carrier, it is using its lower-cost, higher data limit plans to pull in some fresh customers, especially as an increasing number of users begin emerging from two and three-year plans beginning this June.

UPDATE – April 9th: Wind Mobile has gone live with its new plans and new WindTab options.

MobileSyrup may earn a commission from purchases made via our links, which helps fund the journalism we provide free on our website. These links do not influence our editorial content. Support us here .

Related Articles

Big québec city game jam taking place in october, next android auto update may make it easier to play the radio, fido emailing former customers a $34/50gb win-back deal, google launches ai-powered photos search in limited u.s. test, the top technology news, delivered to your inbox every friday..

By submitting your information via this form, you agree to receive electronic communications from MobileSyrup, a division of Blue Ant Media Inc., containing news, updates and promotions regarding MobileSyrup's products. You may withdraw your consent at any time.

• About Us / Tips
• Smartphones
• Tablets & Computers
• Apps & Software
• Accessories
• Buyers’ Guide
• How-to’s
• Security & Privacy
• 5G & Infrastructure
• Tech Effect

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My Portfolio
• Latest News
• Stock Market
• Biden Economy
• Stocks: Most Actives
• Stocks: Gainers
• Stocks: Losers
• Trending Tickers
• World Indices
• US Treasury Bonds Rates
• Top Mutual Funds
• Options: Highest Open Interest
• Options: Highest Implied Volatility
• Basic Materials
• Communication Services
• Consumer Cyclical
• Consumer Defensive
• Financial Services
• Industrials
• Real Estate
• Stock Comparison
• Advanced Chart
• Currency Converter
• Credit Cards
• Balance Transfer Cards
• Cash-back Cards
• Rewards Cards
• Travel Cards
• Credit Card Offers
• Best Free Checking
• Student Loans
• Personal Loans
• Car insurance
• Mortgage Refinancing
• Mortgage Calculator
• Morning Brief
• Market Domination
• Market Domination Overtime
• Asking for a Trend
• Opening Bid
• Stocks in Translation
• Lead This Way
• Good Buy or Goodbye?
• Financial Freestyle
• Capitol Gains
• Living Not So Fabulously
• Decoding Retirement
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Yahoo Finance

Wind mobile introduces a range of new plans to mark its 700,000 subscriber milestone, record q1 sales and continuing growth for wind mobile as it enhances service offerings to add additional value for consumers.

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Apr 3, 2014) -

Editors note: There is a graphic associated with this press release.

Today, WIND Mobile announced a plethora of new unlimited options as part of the company's continued dedication to true mobile freedom in Canada. This announcement comes as WIND continues its success in the Canadian market and as its customer base exceeds the 700,000 active subscriber mark.

A known industry-changer, WIND Mobile's new plans will offer yet more value to address customer's needs, including a new plan that offers real unlimited service in Canada and across the U.S.A. The additional new plans, effective April 7 th , 2014, will be as follows:

• The $25 per month plan featuring Unlimited Canada-wide Talk and Text is perfect for those who don't use much data but want to stay connected Canada-wide.

• The $35 per month plan is the perfect smartphone starter plan, featuring Unlimited Data, Talk and Text plus a $150 handset subsidy, allowing customers access to the latest entry-level smartphones from $0.

• Introducing the $60 per month plan, the first monthly plan to include Unlimited Data, Talk, Text, in Canada and across the U.S.A, Voicemail+, World Saver plus a $500 handset subsidy or service credits .

These new plans join a strong service line-up which includes both the existing WIND40 and WIND50 unlimited plans.

"We have seen great growth across Canada from customers turning to WIND Mobile for contract-free options and fair, transparent pricing," said Pietro Cordova, Chief Operating Officer, WIND Mobile. "Our new plans show that we are continually looking at ways to improve our service offering to better meet the needs of our customers. We know they want more choice, more options and more freedom than ever before. The addition of these new unlimited plans means WIND offers something for every customer's need."

In 2014, WIND Mobile set industry standards by becoming the first Canadian carrier to offer U.S. unlimited roaming for only $15 per month. Today's announcement aims to, once again, shake up the industry by introducing the first Canadian plan to include unlimited data, talk and text in Canada and across the U.S. for only $60 per month. As the wireless industry sees prices continue to rise, WIND Mobile has retained a strong price-point while adding more value for customers. This is a value proposition that is clearly working, as WIND's subscriber base continues growing in strength, assisted by record sales in the first quarter of 2014. As Canada's fourth wireless carrier, WIND recently surpassed the 700,000 subscriber mark; this is just the beginning for the fast-growing mobile company.

"We are a relatively young challenger in wireless but we've already accomplished so much," said Cordova. "Hitting 700,000 subscribers reiterates that Canadians are looking for competition in the wireless industry and consumers trust us to bring them the very best value. Without being required to sign a contract, our customers consistently have access to the newest phones and the best plans in the market. Our 700,000 subscribers prove that Canadians stay with WIND Mobile because they want to, not because they have to."

WIND Mobile continues to offer customers great value plans and the latest mobile devices and is excited to welcome iconic new devices such as the new Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8) later this month. Customers also have the option of bringing their own device, including the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, Nexus 5 and many others, for up to $500 in service credits . See 'Why WIND' for more information on how WIND Mobile is bringing true unlimited plans with no hidden fees to mobile consumers in Canada.

About WIND Mobile

WIND Mobile is dedicated to improving the Canadian wireless experience by offering customers simple and transparent plans, including real unlimited voice/data/text with no-term contracts and no hidden fees. Committed to becoming the country's fourth national carrier, WIND has more than 700,000 happy customers in Canada and is a part of Amsterdam-based VIMPELCOM Ltd., a global company with nearly 220 million customers. Learn more about WIND Mobile at www.windmobile.ca .

To view the graphic associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/windmobilerateplan.jpg .

• LightningPR

Latest News

It world canada fights for survival, only 23 per cent of canadians have a healthy relationship with work; ai can help, says hp, government of canada announces major broadband investments in the west, top news categories, feddev ontario issues grants totaling $6.19 million to five gta businesses, google’s privacy sandbox apis set to roll out in july for all chrome users, zefr and meta brand suitability verification and new advertising control tools now available, cmo talks podcast, a marketing role that could change the course of public health, latest digital transformation news, are federal it systems supporting the targeted service outcomes deloitte examines the future role of the government, charting canada’s ai future: firms must move quick, innovate, panel says, federal government launches new platform to recruit digital talent, retailers at critical juncture due to severe tech gaps: soti study, canadian ceos worried about economic outlook, but expect turnaround with ai: report, global tech spend set to grow a healthy 5.3% in 2024, says forrester, cyber security news, pilot cybersecurity training program for women to recruit third cohort, canada’s anti-money laundering agency hit by a cyber attack, hamilton confirms ransomware is behind cyber attack, cyber security podcasts, cyber security today, may 30, 2022 – canadian and u.s. wireless carriers update their android utilities, a jump seen in clop ransomware victims, and..., hashtag trending, hashtag trending mar.6- facebook goes down; amazon nuclear-powered data centres; public trust in ai sinking, cyber security today, featured event.

Technicity Satellite Series Join us on  March 6, 2024  for an exclusive, interactive virtual experience

Wind Mobile cuts down offerings to just two plans

Wind Mobile is replacing all wireless phone plans with just two plans that both include talk, text and data.

The new plans can be customized with new add-ons like the World Saver International Talk & Text add-on which the company introduced today.  

The new plans include:

• The WIND 25 Plan unlimited local talk, unlimited text and 100 MB of data for $25/month
• The WIND 40 Plan unlimited Canada-wide talk, unlimited text and unlimited data for $40/month

Wind is also updating its prepaid service, Pay Your Way with unlimited incoming calls.

“It’s a mobile world and we want to offer all Canadians the simplicity, transparency and flexibility to manage it,” said Anthony Lacavera, CEO of Wind Mobile. “These plans cater precisely to their needs without breaking the bank.”

Related Stories

– Wind Mobile vs. Public Mobile – Never pay for text messages again – How much data do I need on my cell phone plan?

Wind also introduced World Saver International Talk & Text add-on. It includes unlimited global text and up to 90 per cent off international calling rates for just $8/month. The World Saver add-on can be combined with any monthly plan and there is no need of use calling cards, special numbers or download an application. Some of these rates include (full list of countries on www.windmobile.ca ):

• China for $0.01/min
• Hong Kong for $0.02/min
• India for $0.02/min
• Pakistan for $0.03/min
• South Korea for $0.03/min
• Bangladesh for $0.04/min
• mobile devices
• mobile phones
• mobile plans
• wind mobile

Would you recommend this article?

Featured download.

Featured Story

How the cto can maintain cloud momentum across the enterprise, related tech news, mwc 2024: a wild journey to the future in hall 6, crtc mobile sales practice review reveals accessibility pains, expert says crtc’s data plan proposals for telcos are ‘misguided’, get itbusiness delivered.

Our experienced team of journalists brings you engaging content targeted to IT professionals and line-of-business executives delivered directly to your inbox.

Montreal to host ALL IN 2023, dedicated to Canadian AI

Join us for the 39th anniversary of the annual canadian computer charity..., cio of the year awards presented at this year’s digital transformation conference, featured tech jobs.

• Social Media

PRODUCED BY

• IT World Canada
• Channel Daily News
• Direction Informatique

Wind Mobile launches low-cost unlimited U.S. roaming plan

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Japan's Q2 GDP growth revised down; softer consumption to test BOJ policy

Japan's economy grew at a slightly slower pace than initially reported in the second quarter, hurt by downward revisions in corporate and household spending that point to a bumpier second half for consumption and the central bank's rate-hike plans.

Navigation for News Categories

Can new zealand's solar and wind power boom keep going.

Photo: FREELANCEIMAGES/UNIVERSAL IMAGES

A long list of 147 solar, wind and geothermal projects have been announced by companies eager to find investment for a renewables boom.

Massey University mathematics professor and climate writer Robert McLachlan said if every solar or wind farm that was announced got built, New Zealand would be flush with renewable energy.

The Electricity Authority's generation pipeline said 10,000 gigawatt hours of new supply were being actively pursued out to 2026, equal to between a quarter and a fifth of the country's annual power consumption.

But McLachlan said less than a fifth of that was fully committed or close to committed before the end of next year.

"In the short term there will be more projects approved.

"I don't think there's enough for next year," he said.

Wholesale prices looking forward suggested shortages may happen again next winter, especially if it was another dry one for hydro dams, he said.

"There is an enormous pipeline of possible projects, like stupendously large, the question is, is the market structured so enough of them will actually be built."

After over a decade of very little new generation, a boom since the start of 2023 saw enough renewable electricity added to power 7 per cent of the country's consumption.

This winter's stretched market would have been worse if those new renewable plants were not built, to take some of the pressure off, McLachlan said.

Rooftop solar installation on individual buildings also doubled in the previous year.

"We're just seeing the first solar farms fully built and operating, they are getting bigger and there are new companies coming in, like Lodestar Energy, so that's really good," he said.

"Those projects that got the go-ahead in the early 2020s are just being finished now so we're seeing a huge wave of construction."

The question was whether the boom would keep going at the current pace.

The Mt Cass wind farm looked certain to happen but was now on hold, while the fossil-fuelled Statford gas power station had its life extended until at least the end of this year, until more renewables were ready.

Singapore-owned Ranui Generation has just started building a solar farm south of Kaitāia - Northland's third significant solar farm.

Chief executive Jason Foden said the company had big plans to follow Kaitāia.

"We've got two in Taranaki that are running quite close together, we're expecting to start those in Q2 next year, we have another one in central Hawke's Bay. We expect that would be next the end of year when we would start that one ... we're also interested in developing wind and also may some biomass as well."

Photo: RNZ/Sally Round

But Foden said there were barriers that needed to be cleared, even aside from working out whether the price and demand for electricity were high enough to make a good return.

"We need more lines upgraded and we need more points of entry into the network," he said.

"The other issue is consenting, so communities do need to have their say and particularly we see consenting take a long time for wind farms.

"And then there's investment, like the first project was a $40 million investment. That money's got to come from somewhere, and when it comes from overseas then it has to go through the Overseas Investment Office, because there's land involved."

The government-owned Green Investment Fund plans to help with one of these hurdles.

Having already started a $350 million solar finance fund, chief investment officer Jason Patrick said the next fund would finance the poles, wires, transformers and other kit needed to connect to new renewables to the grid.

The first project was connecting Far North Solar's new solar farm.

"Really in order to attract the big global investors you've got to have something that's more than $100 million, really ideally $200 million dollars," he said.

"Solar finance was just an idea a couple of years ago and now it's a $350 million programme.

"This first connection asset deal with Far North [Solar] was $70-$80 million investment and once we have several of those we will start bringing in those global investors."

Electricity demand is expected to grow with EVs, electrification of industry, and data centres. Grid-scale batteries like a new one at Huntly are being built to store power when the sun and wind are strongest for use on cold evenings, when demand peaks.

Depending on the outlook for electricity prices, it could be worth building smaller batteries at solar farms such as Ranui's one in Northland, Foden said.

But that would depend on the region having an oversupply of electricity during the day, something it did not have currently, he said.

Copyright © 2024 , Radio New Zealand

Related Stories

Power companies 'failed' to plan ahead - economist.

And forestry manufacturers say there's been progress in talks with government over the current energy crisis. Audio

Poorest New Zealanders paying highest power prices

The city with the highest average income has the cheapest electricity, data reveals.

Govt funding a 'big driver' for solar power

A solar power company getting government investment aims to produce 15 percent of the country's daytime electricity. Audio

Building begins on NZ's largest solar farm

It will have about 300,000 solar panels and is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power close to 36,000 homes.

Integrated solar and agricultural farm planned for Rangitīkei

The 40 megawatt-peak farm is expected to generate electricity for about 7800 homes.

• If you pay $750 in rent, why can't you get a mortgage for that amount?
• Inland Revenue giving thousands of taxpayers' details to social media platforms for ad campaigns
• The Energy Task Force's plan to cut power prices

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

Top News stories

• Miss Universe Fiji pageant ‘tainted’ with drama over winner
• Surge in non-disclosure agreements at Health NZ sparks Labour complaint
• Great Barrier Reef already been dealt its death blow - scientist
• David Seymour hits out at church leaders over Treaty Principles Bill

Business RSS

Follow RNZ News

SUPER UNLIMITED +

Exclusive promo.

Why should you choose SUPER UNLIMITED + for your Business?

Super unlimited + hides nothing: you pay exactly the price you see .

ADDITIONAL SERVICES BLOCKED

BUSINESS CONTINUITY

FREE SERVICES INCLUDED

Find out how to enrich super unlimited + .

Offer Info and Details