Mobile Phones
Here's my summary:
Technology
GSM
GSM stands for Global System for Mobiles. It is the standard which is used in most of the world, and is the most standardised. All GSM phones use a removable SIM card which makes changing phones very easy. You also can use any unlocked GSM phone on a GSM network, providing it supports the correct frequencies, so you are not limited to the phones offered by the provider. Also, GSM provides world roaming opportunities in which you can travel virtually anywhere in the world and still have the same Canadian phone number. Also, since the GSM market is extremely large, the coolest phones and features, such as Bluetooth for example, are made for GSM first. I personally find the voice quality on GSM to be extremely close to landline. Also, features like GRPS/EDGE data, SMS text messages, Call Divert, Call Hold, Conference Call, Caller ID etc all heavily standardised on the network end, and will all likely work correctly when roaming in the US or abroad. In Canada, both Rogers and Fido use GSM on the 1900 and 850 MHz frequencies.
CDMA
CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. This American standard was developed by Qualcomm, and there is less standardisation in terms of network services. Very few CDMA networks exist outside of North America. Also, the phones on CDMA are customised for the provider so you can only use the phones they provide on their network. Also, CDMA providers have a tendency to lock out certain user customisable options, such as the ability to download your own free ringtones, or upload your cam-phone pictures for free using a data-cable (they force you to pay from $0.25-0.75 per picture upload). The phones on CDMA often lack the latest features because of the small market share. After Bluetooth-capable phones were available on GSM networks like ROGERS and Fido for over a year, Telus finally introduced one (Motorola V710), but most of the bluetooth functionallity was locked out. I personally find the voice quality on CDMA to be quite sub-par to GSM. It sounds digitised and 'robotic/tin-can'. This also heavily depends on the phone. Changing phones is much more problamatic as the provider must change the serial number in their computer, for which there is a charge, and then must re-program the handset, for which there is another charge. Roaming with CDMA in the US will be OK where voice is concerned, but in terms of features such as Caller ID, Call Divert, SMS, and Data etc, they may or may not work properly. In Canada, Bell Mobility (and its partners Aliant, Sasktel, MTS etc) and TELUS Mobility use CDMA.
Providers
Rogers
- GSM network (1900/850)
- Latest phones with ability to use grey-market phones
- Network covers 93% of the Canadian population
- World roaming capabilties
- To change phones, just move the SIM card
- Plans listed on website are not all that's offered
- Deals to be had if you subscribe to Rogers Cable
- Network is reliable and voice quality is excellent
- Customer service (IMO) is on par with what is received with Rogers Cable, and is pretty decent
Fido
- Was acquried by Rogers a few months ago
- GSM network (1900)
- Network will be integrated with the Rogers Wireless network on 1 March 2005, and will provide enhanced in city coverage (1900/850) with access to the full Rogers network available for only $5 per month
- Latest phones with ability to use grey-market phones
- World roaming capabilities
- To change phones, just move the SIM card
- Per-second billing
- Cheap North American long distance - $0.10/min
- Cheap US roaming rates ($0.20/min USD which includes NA long distance)
- Plans are very affordable
- No pressure for a contract - only advantage is a subsidised phone price
- Voice quality is excellent
- Customer service is quite good in my experience
- 15 day no hassle return policy, valid on both the phone and the contract (if one was signed).
- I'm currently using Fido with an import phone and it works perfectly
Bell Mobility
- CDMA network
- Analogue network used as backup in which features such as SMS and Data will not work, and the battery life will be drained
- Limited to the selection of phones offered by Bell
- Voice quality sounds very digitised and robotic IMO
- Huge billing system fiasco in 2004 in which people were over billed, or didn't receive bills for months on end and were billed for services they didn't subscribe to. Most of the issues have been fixed, but some people still experience problems with them
- Very poor customer service, especially during billing fiasco - "Thank you for calling Bell Mobility. We are unable to take your call at this time....."
- Changing phones involves an ESN swap fee which can range from $15-$50 depending on which store/dealer you go to
- Features on phones are locked out - ie. Downloading your own free ringtones, games/applications and transferring pictures you took with the camera to your computer with a data cable
- Deals to be had if you are a Bell ExpressVu customer
TELUS
- CDMA network, with analogue backup
- Same situation as Bell in terms of foreign phones, locked out features and ESN swap fees, although TELUS seems to lock out more and charge more
- Nickels and dimes for every little thing
- I have no experience with their customer service
- Voice quality similar to Bell
- Return policy is valid on the PHONE ONLY, not the contract. Even if you change your mind in a couple of minutes after signing the contract, it's too late to void it without penalty
- High contract termination fee ($20 x number of months remaining with no cap (up to $720 with a three-year term), or $100, which ever is higher)
Overall, it's about what works best for you. If you travel overseas or are a gadget freak, then GSM is a must. I currently use Fido, and have received exceptional service from them. They are also really good value. With their 15 day no hassle return policy, by purchasing a phone with GSM 1900 & 850, you will be able to see what the coverage is like on the Rogers/Fido network in the city after 1 March. I hope this is helpful.
Also, check out
http://www.howardforums.com
Cheers,
-- Dan