1. Rogers Wireless loses bid to keep ‘most reliable network’ claim

Rogers Communciations lost it’s court bid to continue using its advertising claim “most reliable” mobile network on December 4th, when the B.C. Court of Appeal upheld a previous court decision that ruled that Rogers Wireless could not use their popular claim.

2. Bell Mobility Makes The Samsung OMNIA II Official Olympic Phone

A long-standing tradition for Bell Mobility in Olympic years is to select one Samsung phone as it’s official Olympic Phone. Well, for Vancouver 2010, the Samsung Omnia II will be honoured as Bell Mobility’s official Olympic phone.

3. Bell Mobility to Offer Nokia N97 in Canada

In past years it was Rogers singing the launch of new high-end phones just in time for the holidays. With the Launch of their new HSPA GSM network (and some overtime put in by Bell’s handset acquisition department), Bell Mobility has been busy announcing one exciting new phone after another. The announcement of the high-end smartphone, Nokia N97, is expected to be one of the highly anticipated launches this month.

4. Bell Mobility to get both Blackberry 8530 and 9550 in coming weeks …

In the rumour mill, Bell Mobility to launch the BlackBerry Curve 8530 and the BlackBerry Storm 2 (9550) by December 31. The Curve 8530 is a long awaited, lower-end BlackBerry for sale at a contract-free price around $400!

5. Bell Mobility Launches Android-Based Samsung Galaxy

We talked about this phone possible coming to Bell soon… Well this week Bell announced it’s first official phone operated by Google’s free Android operating system, expect to see it in a store near you this week!

And if you liked this article you can find another summary of “Bell Mobility In the News” next week at http://cellarama.com/articles/ - At http://cellarama.com you’ll also find great contract-free cell phones for Bell Mobility. Written by A. Thompson

Bell Mobility GSM Users Go Without Mobile Serice Across Large Areas of Canada

Bell Mobility users have been eating up new HSPA devices like the iPhone and BlackBerry® BoldTM. But many of Bell’s HSPA early adopters are encountering some significant problems.

One major problem is that Bell’s network does not mirror its existing network coverage. Currently, there are large areas of Canada where users of Bell iPhones and other new Bell Mobility GSM devices will be without network service, even though other Bell devices (non-HSPA) would work.

For Bell, which currently operates three different wireless networks, this issue is not new. At present, Bell users across Canada connect to Bell through their 1xRTT network (first-generation) or EVDO (second-generation) networks. In markets with higher populations, both networks are available on top of each other. In more rural areas, however, only the 1xRTT network is available. This network issue poses no problem for Bell’s existing CDMA users because both the older 1x phones and the newer EVDO phones both have one common denominator: both operate on Bell’s slower 1x network.

But users of today’s HSPA phones do not have the luxury of defaulting to Bell’s 1x standard. So when an iPhone user leaves Bell’s HSPA network, his shiny new iPhone turns into a very attractive paperweight.

So beware: if you are planning to drive across the country with your Bell HSPA device to take in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, expect no phone usage throughout rural Ontario, in 99% of Manitoba, and in all of Saskatchewan. This could mean days and days with no cellular service.

Interesting… The new HSPA devices now allow Bell users to use their phones in over 200 countries worldwide. At home, however, many could experience service issues while on the road.

And if you liked this article you can find more articles and videos for Bell Mobility users at http://cellarama.com/articles/ - At http://cellarama.com you’ll also find great contract-free cell phones for Bell Mobility. Written by A. Thompson

Bell Mobility GSM HSPA Coverage Map

Bell Mobility 1X EVDO Coverage Map

What happens when you need to access the Internet from your laptop and there is no Wi-Fi available?  Until recently, as a Bell customer, you had few options. If you had a compatible phone, you could use your cell phone as a modem for the Internet (this could be very costly) or you could use a Bell laptop card or USB Internet stick.

What if you needed to connect more than one device to the Internet (say, a second laptop or a cellular phone)? Well, until now there was no easy solution.

Enter the MiFiTM, Bell Mobility’s latest portable Internet device.

The MiFi box creates mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing up to five devices to connect to the Internet simultaneously. Worried about having to lug this huge device around with you?  Don’t be. At about three ounces in weight and around the size of a deck of cards, the MiFi will not be an inconvenience to carry.

Formally called the Novatel MiFi 2372, the MiFi offers download speeds up to 7.2 megabits per second. The hotspot generated is up to 30 feet.

With the launch of the MiFi, Bell is the first cellular operator in Canada to offer this service. With the holidays approaching and families on the move, Bell Mobility’s timing could not be better for its launch.

Currently, the MiFi will set you back $199 at your Bell dealer or $99 on a three-year contract.

Google’s Android operating system for cellular phones is fast becoming a popular choice for cell phone users.  In the past few months we’ve seen Android phones moving north into Canada.  Rogers’ Android offering includes the HTC Magic, and Telus recently announced an exclusive deal with Motorola to bring the “Milestone” (think or Verizon’s Droid).

This month Bell has tipped it’s hat into the Android ring with the soon coming Samsung Galaxy.  The Galaxy is no light-weight either, running Android 1.5, it is the slimmest Android device on the market to date, it also has a 3.2 inch touchscreen.  And of course in Android fashion it comes with easy access to all of your familiar Google apps including Google’s new (and free) GPS service.

Currently details on pricing and it’s release date are few.  But we can expect some additional details to follow soon.  Please check back at the Cellarama blog for updates as they arise (http://cellarama.com/articles).

Bell cuts controversial tax

This Summer Rogers dumped it’s monthly SAF charge (oddly enough Rogers customers bills increased), last month Telus followed by ridding their SAF charge.  As early as November 20th Bell Mobility, that last of the big three Canadian carriers with a monthly SAF, will announce the elimination of their SAF.

What is the SAF?  The SAF is short for “System Access Fee”.  All three carriers have positioned the fee as a monthly charge that covers network maintenance and upgrades.

Here’s Bell Mobility’s official explaination:

The System Access Fee is charged monthly by Bell to help recover the costs associated with operating and maintaining a wireless network, including costs for ongoing maintenance, new equipment installations and technology upgrades.

The fee varied by carrier from $6.95 to $8.95 per month plus 911 Fees.

Of course there are still many BIG questions like:

1. How will Bell implement the elimination of the charge? Will they, like Rogers, increase the cost of their package by an amount greater than their current cost of their SAF.  Or will Bell follow Telus’ example and put a couple of bucks back in the pocket of their customers?

2. The second BIG question is will this change apply immediately to all customers on all plans, or will this apply to only new monthly plans forcing customers to upgrade their plans to get the savings?

Ultimately this should be good news for Cellarama customers everywhere.

Let’s wait for the official announcement and see.

To your wireless success,
Alvin