Bell Mobility
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Mystery 3G network appears in Canada -- tomfoolery from Bell and Telus?
Seems Howardforums user Treatz glimpsed a new MCC / MNC (Mobile Country Code / Mobile Network Code) tuple in Toronto Canada early yesterday, say hello to 302-640. Why should you, and why do we care? Well, each network uses an MCC / MNC, to uniquely identify itself and Fido has 307-370, Rogers 302-720, and Telus 302-86. We hunted down a great reference in the CNA (many thanks to Glenn at Canadian Numbering Administrator) and what do you know, 302-806 is Telus / Bell shared but 302-640 is Bell Canada. So the question is, could this be some late night testing of Bell and Telus' upcoming 3G network by some Bell people? We're not in the Toronto area, but would really dig it if anybody who happens to be up late at night could have a peek and see if this pops up for them -- because if people are seeing this all over, that's nothing but a good thing.[Via Howardforums]
Better late than never: Bell launches Palm Centro
OK, we learned that the Centro was coming to Bell a couple weeks back, we griped and moaned about it in the podcast, and here it is. Pricing's been revealed, specs have been known forever, so there's not much left to get excited about here. Also noteworthy is the absence of any type of "new" signage on the product page -- which is very evident on other recently launched sets on Bell. Don't get us wrong, the Centro was is a fine handset, but is it $49.95 on a 3-year contract good?[Via mobilesyrup]
HTC's Footprints app making tracks to other devices
Look ma, users at XDA-Developers are up to shenanigans again, and this time NFSFAN has posted up a new version of his Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM with some of HTC Touch Cruise's (Iolite) magic in it. The list of goodies added -- this is still Beta -- is long, but high on the list are Footprints, HTC's geotagging app, and some TouchFlo2D. So if you're an HTC Vogue user on Sprint, Alltel, Verizon, Bell, or Telus, get to it (but make sure to stay safe by reading, reading, and reading!) and do let us know how it turns out for you.[Via wmpoweruser]
LG Electronics recalls 45,000 LG 150 phones in Canada
Ruh roh. LG Electronics has just issued a voluntary recall of around 45,000 LG 150 phones in Canada, and for whatever reason, Bell Mobility has agreed to assist in cleaning up the mess. Of course, it probably helps that basically every single one was used by a Bell subscriber, but we digress. Reportedly, LG was "notified by one of the independent bodies responsible for the certification of mobile phones that the LG 150 mobile phone is no longer certified as meeting the Radio Standards Specifications 102 (RSS 102), Radio Frequency Exposure Compliance of Radiocommunication Apparatus," thus LG decided it best to go ahead and make this here move. Users who just so happen to be reading this while yapping on an LG 150 can hit the read link for all the pertinent exchange information, and watch out, 'cause it could implode into a furry ball of molten cuteness at any moment. Just kidding.[Via IntoMobile]
Bell Canada setting the table for Palm's Centro?
Word is that Bell Canada's going to be getting the Palm Centro come February 2nd -- but of course the word is all we have to go on right now. Pricing is rumored to see it launching at $49 on a 3-year special launch price, $199 once that expires, $249 on 2-years, $349 on 1-year,and $399 completely contract-free. We've been all over the Centro in the past on Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and even Rogers. So feel free to peruse any or all to get the important details, mkay?
Bell goes pro with Sanyo Pro 200 and 700
As we'd mentioned in mid-December, Bell's Sanyo PRO-200 and PRO-700 were close to launch and we're now hearing January 12th could be that day. Bell's pricing for the PRO-200 is looking like 3 years for $149, $199 on 2, and $349 if you want to get it off contract. Similar pricing for the PRO-700 with $199 for a 3-year stint, $249 for 2, and contract-free ownership will set you back $399. So there you have it, if rugged flips are your thing, now you know when you can get yourself lined up.[Via mobilesyrup]
Bell reloading its Storm gun for Boxing Day
If you're a Bell customer left out in the cold without the Storm you'd been desperately hoping for, odds are you're not alone -- to call quantities "limited" would be a gross understatement -- but we've got a bit of bright news to close out the year. We've been told that Bell is getting ready to release a bunch of Storm stock to kick off Boxing Day festivities with a bang, and more units will continue to filter in throughout the week. Heads up, though: they're still only at "select" locations and we suspect there won't be enough for everyone that wants one, so we wouldn't get all lackadaisical about running down to the store, you know?
Bell Canada cell tower in Calgary confused, thinks it's in Edmonton
If you live in the 7 Street and 7 Avenue, S.W.,area in Calgary, Alberta, are a Bell Mobility subscriber, and noticed a pile of long distance calls to Edmonton on your current bill, feel free to blame Bell. Apparently a new tower in that area was not set up properly and thought it was in Edmonton, so calls placed through it during October and November could result in long distance charges. Bell has patched up the problem, but the onus is on you, dear subscriber, to find any billing errors and phone them in for a credit. We'd love to hear about your outrageous bills, so if your wallet's hurting this month, or a teenager's in the doghouse because of yet another $300 phone bill -- when it really wasn't their fault, this time -- please drop us a line.[Via HowardChui]
Bell gets in on BlackBerry Storm, one city at a time
Not to be outdone by rival CDMA provider Telus, Bell also saw fit to launch the BlackBerry Storm in Toronto today -- literally, the rest of the Canada will have to wait for tomorrow. The PR only lists $249 on a three-year term with a minimum $45 a month service agreement, though we suspect they'll get their ducks in a row with shorter commitments soon enough. No word on if Bell's stock cupboards are as bare as they are chez Telus but we'll keep our eyes peeled for chanting angry mobs and post back when we can.
HTC Touch Pro graces Bell, gets non-outrageous price
We seriously have no idea how Bell managed to beat Telus out of the gate with this one, but they did -- so, you know, more power to 'em. The HTC Touch Pro has now landed on Bell's airwaves, putting the mighty WinMo set on the path to becoming one of the most widely-launched smartphones in North America in recent history; on that note, Verizon is probably feeling a little sheepish right about now, but with any luck, they'll be fixing that up in short order. Meanwhile, Bell subs can go ahead and hook up a Touch Pro for just $239.95 CAD (about $195) on a three-year contract, so if you can see yourself punching away on the same QWERTY board for thirty six months, get to it.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Bell Mobility's HTC Touch Diamond gets video unboxing
Not that you haven't seen the HTC Touch Diamond unboxed before, but have you seen Bell Mobility's Touch Diamond unboxed on video before? Nah, we reckoned not. If you're anxious to see just how astoundingly different this here WinMo set is on Canada's fav-o-rite CDMA carrier (not that we can authenticate either of those claims or anything), hop on past the break and mash play.
Compact-esque LG Reveal and Shimmer Kit primping for Bell launch
The shock! The horror! We're beginning to see signs of an absolutely impossible trend, one that just cannot be coming to fruition. Merely hours after spotting the compact-like Samsung CLEO comes an obvious rival: the LG Reveal. The chic flip phone is said to boast a full QWERTY keypad (for realz?), a black or purple motif, a 2.0-megapixel camera, built-in Bluetooth and a 2.4-inch display. Also of note, the handset will be offered with an exclusive Swarovski Crystal Bluetooth headset as part of the LG Shimmer Kit, and each one of these packages will lead to a $5 donation to Fashion Cares. Mum's the word on pricing / exact availability, but we'd bet dollars to donuts that yet another makeup compact-turned-flip phone appears before too long. Even if it's just in our nightmares.[Via mobilesyrup]
Sorry, CDMA: Telus, Bell finally fess up to HSPA, LTE aspirations
Capping months of speculation, Canadian CDMA carriers Bell and Telus have both announced that they'll be moving to HSPA to power portions their 3G networks as a stop-gap on their way to an eventual LTE rollout. While both networks will be investing heavily to build out the necessary infrastructure, they'll be sharing the fruits of their collective labor to extend roaming agreements that are already in place between the two -- a logical move, considering they'll be going up against the Rogers juggernaut which has the distinct advantage of already being on the GSM technology roadmap. The carriers are looking at 2010 to flip the switch on HSPA, but don't worry, owners of EV-DO handsets: the CDMA goods will continue to be supported for the foreseeable future while HSPA is getting layered on top. Odds are, anyone using a CDMA handset will be due for new hardware long before the lights finally go out.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Minimalists, drunkards rejoice: LG Wine goes live on Bell
If "function follows form" is your mantra, listen up -- especially if you happen to be in Canada. LG's curiously-named Wine has come to the land of polar bears, maple syrup, and adorable baby seals, offering very little in the way of bells or whistles (seriously, we're talking about a 1.3-megapixel camera and Bluetooth 1.2 here) but keeping the style dial turned to 11 -- and hey, at least it's still got a QVGA main display and GPS packed in there somewhere. It'll run you $79.95 now on a three-year contract in your choice of black or the always tasteful gold.[Via MobileSyrup]
LG Wine gets Bell a little tipsy
We didn't think much of the simple LG Wine when it first launched in Korea -- nor when it went to Europe as the KF300 (pictured) -- but LG must be doing something right here, because it's now been slated for a release on Bell next month. The flip is targeted at folks looking for a simple phone with a premium look, and its feature set certainly fills that bill with a QVGA display, GPS, Bluetooth, 1.3-megapixel camera, and "quick preset keys" for major phone functions. It'll be available in black and gold for $79.99 CAD (about $78) on a three-year contract.[Via MobileSyrup]
Telus and Bell in bidding war over BlackBerry Storm?
The Storm's a lock for Verizon stateside, but we're hearing the battle for the jewel in RIM's crown is far from over north of the border -- which would actually make a whole lot of sense, considering that we haven't yet heard anything definitive from any of the carriers up there. Telus is said to have tried to lock up the deal out of the gate, but Bell jumped in, upped the ante, and currently has the high bid for an exclusive Storm launch. Our tipster says "this won't be over any time soon," so we've got to ask: any Bell or Telus subscribers out there want to kick in some cash to get it on your network?[Thanks, kjb_ninja]
Bell getting Touch Diamond "soon"
Hey, Bell, you can't let Telus hog all the spotlight over there with its shiny (literally) new Touch Diamond, now can you? Nah, 'course not -- we knew we could count on you! All signs are pointing to Bell launching its own version of HTC's hottest CDMA WinMo set this side of a QWERTY keyboard, possibly as soon as October 15 if sales reps are to be believed. Pricing is looking like $149.99 CAD on a three-year plan with a minimum monthly plan of $45, or $449.99 contract-free if that's how you prefer to roll.
Bell, Telus to announce HSPA partnership this week?
Now that literally everyone on the planet except Bell and Telus themselves has accepted that the Canadian carriers are moving away from CDMA, the rumors are really starting to heat up -- and there's a twist this time around. Rather than wait for LTE, the Financial Post is reporting that Canada's two CDMA giants will proceed directly to HSPA posthaste, dropping $1 billion in the process to try to get a network up and running in just one year's time. Furthermore, they won't be trying to outbuild one another; instead, FP's sources report that Bell and Telus will be partnering in an effort to take the Rogers juggernaut head-on. It's starting to look more and more like CDMA is becoming a burden and a competitive disadvantage for the carriers that are still on it -- and if this all goes down, Rogers had better be looking over its shoulder.[Thanks, Justin S.]
Canada's industry boss: don't like incoming text charges? Switch carriers
We're not sure what sort of mind-altering tricks Bell and Telus pulled on him, but Canada's minister of industry, Jim Prentice, is taking an entirely less confrontational tone after meeting with the carriers following their decisions to start charging 15 cents for incoming text messages. He'd originally sounded pretty fired up over the plans -- which involved absolutely zero collusion whatsoever, we're sure -- but now says he "would encourage consumers dissatisfied with existing plans to seek alternatives" after being assured by both Bell and Telus that customers charged for spam texts would be able to get the charges removed. Given everything we know about billing issues and customer service calls, that's... shall we say, not exactly reassuring.[Via MobileSyrup]
Sanyo's Katana Eclipse flip phone lands at Bell Mobility
Merely hours after getting up close and personal with press shots of Sanyo's Katana Eclipse, folks up in Canada can now reach out and grab their own. Bell Mobility is offering said flip phone for $49.95 on a tear-jerking 3-year contract, $99.95 on a 2-year plan, $224.95 on a 1-year plan or $274.95 sans an agreement. Specs wise, you're looking at a 1.3-megapixel camera, 10MB of internal memory, integrated MP3 player, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, a 2-inch internal display (complemented by a 1-inch screen on the outside) and a 2-way speakerphone to boot. So, does simple do it for ya?[Via mobilesyrup]
