Bell Mobility vs MTS in Manitoba (split from MTS thread)

[gordon1111]

it has been said MTS is the leader in the Manitoba market you fail to explain why Bell wants to be part of the Manitoba market!

[Mozza]

As far as increasing or removing the caps on the turbo hub, buddy well in the works. Once it is done the $90 triple play, or even $115 bundle with internet, tv, home phone and cell will take a huge hit on MTS in it's own back yard, and MTS cannot respond in the East to counter it.

Yes - I'm sure that will happen right after Apple decides to block MTS from having the new iPhone...

[TorontoColin]

Originally Posted by CP3Bell

As far as increasing or removing the caps on the turbo hub, buddy well in the works. Once it is done the $90 triple play, or even $115 bundle with internet, tv, home phone and cell will take a huge hit on MTS in it's own back yard, and MTS cannot respond in the East to counter it.

I doubt it. As I mentioned, even if they remove the caps (which I seriously doubt) Bell simply doesn't have the spectrum to offer a level of service competitive with MTS' landline services. In fact, I'm skeptical that they even have the spectrum to offer uncapped mobile internet at all! Certainly not in a denser area like Winnipeg with a significant number of subscribers.

Bell only offers urban cellular coverage, and anyone who has had even a 5 Mbps DSL line is very unlikely to be satisfied with the speed, consistency, or reliability of Bell's HSPA turbo hub. Just look at all the people on our forums here who live in rural areas who have no end of difficulty with their HSPA service. Most of them would kill for a reliable 5 Mbps DSL line.

You're also suggesting that Bell will offer competitive cellular, TV, (uncapped HSPA) internet, and home phone service for $115/month? If that is their regular price, they will be losing money on that deal. And if it's a promotional price it's irrelevant, because MTS can match a promo price.

Do the math. Bell sells an iPhone 5 for $180. Make no mistake, they pay Apple the full difference ($500). That means $14/month already goes to Apple. Now you're down to $100/customer. Are they getting a free turbo hub or satellite receiver? Because that needs to be factored in as well. How much does Bell pay for channel rights? You have to take that off too. They need to pay money for the bandwidth people are going to be using, and seriously invest in upgraded data centres to handle the load of uncapped HSPA. Don't forget the need to beef up customer support, since HSPA internet users typically have way more problems than landline users, as well as expanding localized distribution and warranty centres. And the substantial advertising campaign they'll need to launch won't be cheap either.

In Ontario, the cheapest Bell bundle is $100/month, and that doesn't include any wireless service. You are suggesting that Bell will throw in cellular service for essentially nothing (once you take Apple's cut) and still make money somehow? Not to mention that the bundle in question in Ontario is one that Bell cripples so badly that almost nobody will ever take it (no caller ID, ultra-basic channel lineup).

Now if you're saying that this $115 bundle is just for the ultra-basic services, well with MTS you can get all the same services (including a smartphone/plan) for $122, regular price. So Bell is undercutting them by $7/month (assuming that is the regular price) and you think that will kill MTS?

And on top of all of this, even if Bell can take 250,000 customers in a province of 1.2 million (which would be a real coup for them) they make only 25 million in revenue. So again I ask, why are they bothering?

[CP3Bell]

TorontoColin, $115 is normal bundled pricing on these basic products. Yes free receivers for tv and free turbo hub, which I can get any new customer in Canada right now.

Yes I do think customers will switch to save money.

As far as why are they entering the MB market, basic answer is that it is a cheap market to enter, Telus is building the network and maintaining it.

[Mozza]

...which I can get any new customer in Canada right now.

... Let's just say at some point I worked for Bell, and at some point I have been contracted by Bell, neither of which I am right this moment...

CP3Bell - which is it?

Also - that is special pricing at $115 and you know it.

[CP3Bell]

I can get you free Bell equipment right now, I can also get you free Roger's, Shaw or Telus equipment.

$115 is the bundled offer for the services right now in Western Canada.

[Mozza]

For Basic TV/Lite Speed Internet/Mobile?

[TorontoColin]

Originally Posted by CP3Bell

Telus is building the network and maintaining it.

And Telus is comfortable with them bogging down the network with unlimited turbo hub plans? Even though in BC and Alberta, where Telus also built and maintains the network, Bell's best turbo hub plan maxes out at 15 GB? Not to mention that 15 GB will run you $90/month alone, and the cheapest you can get the turbo hub itself is $99 on a three-year contract.

That $115 for Western Canada customers includes what, 3 GB of bandwidth, ultra basic TV, and a cell plan of 200 minutes, 1 GB of data, and no SMS? And, in BC/Alberta at least, that doesn't actually include the turbo hub, just the subsidized smartphone and 1 satellite receiver rental.

This is supposed to be the dagger in MTS' heart? And honestly, is that even sufficient for the needs of 10% of the population? Or are you saying that Bell will not only start throwing in the turbo hub, but also raise the bandwidth caps, and still charge the same rate, despite their apparent unwillingness to do that in BC or Alberta. And then we're still talking about services that are generally inferior (less reliable internet and home phone, less cellular coverage, less advanced TV service) and are barely cheaper than MTS' superior offerings to begin with.

This just seems incredibly far-fetched.

[Mozza]

Looks like MTS is one-upping Bell again by giving free home-alarm monitoring ($19.50/month value) as part of a 4-service bundle.

[mbhydro]

Where did you see that, I can't find it any where.

Both the MTS and AAA alarms web pages say its only a $2 savings as part of the bundle. I have had that $2 discount for a few years now.

[Mozza]

I received a mail-out on Friday.

[mbhydro]

Are you existing AAA and have $2 included in the bundle discount?

Just asking because I am and did not receive anything from MTS about the AAA discount changing. I'd not be happy to see it as a subscription come on for new AAA customers only.

When you said mail out I am thinking one of MTS's bulk emails, if its through Canada Post I may see it Monday or Tuesday.

[Mozza]

I am an existing AAA customer. The mailout (flyer) doesn't say anything about being a new or existing customer, but it is a limited time offer, etc.

[Mozza]

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/art...177853841.html

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. generated growth from its wireless, high-speed Internet and TV services, but its quarterly revenue was eroded by declines in traditional phone use and other services with older technologies.

The Winnipeg-based telecom company (TSX:MBT) said Thursday it had a net profit of $40.8 million in its third fiscal quarter, up from $37 million a year earlier.

...

MTS said its wireless subscriber base as of Sept. 30 was 494,000, of which 400,000 were post-paid customers. Postpaid customers are usually on lucrative three-year smartphone contracts.

[Mozza]

Bell's launch didn't go as well as they hoped, so now they are taking a loss on the iPhone 5:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bre...182496551.html