Follow Us:
Solo Mobile to be re-launched as “Solo Unlimited”?
Wireless competition is a fierce game in Canada these days. We’ve got the new entrants looking to gain the trust and loyalty. Then we’ve got the incumbents Rogers, Bell and TELUS starting to offer customers lower handset prices and cheaper monthly rate plans. Then there are the sub-brands like Koodo Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Fido, Solo and Chatr all fighting for market share.
It was officially declared yesterday during the Bell Q2 conference call that Solo Mobile will re-launch sometime this month and offer unlimited talk and text plans. No official word on what cities but most likely it’ll be where Mobilicity, Chatr and Wind Mobile are located: Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and Ottawa.
I checked out the recorded conference call and found the actual clip of CEO George Cope discussing the Solo strategy. He stated that “On Chatr, obviously it’s a significant competitive development. We will respond to that. Solo Unlimited will launch. It will launch in August. It’ll be competitive with Chatr and it’ll cost us no capital at all because it will go on our CDMA network where we’ve been moving clients off of CDMA to HSPA. So for us the unlimited won’t cost our shareholders any capital. It’s a development in the marketplace and we’ll, as we said defend our 3rd of the Postpaid market. And so we’ll be in the marketplace this quarter with Solo Unlimited. No surprise to anyone because we’ve said that since the beginning we’re always going to remain competitive and our pricing will competitive”.
So prepare to see Solo Unlimited hitting over 500 of The Source locations soon.
Discussion
54 comments for “Solo Mobile to be re-launched as “Solo Unlimited”?”
Post a comment
- CES 2012
- Mobile News
- Airtel Wireless
- Bell Mobility News
- Chatr
- Clearnet
- Eastlink
- Fido News
- Globalive News
- Koodo Mobile News
- Mobilicity
- MTS
- NorthernTel
- PC Mobile News
- Petro-Canada Mobility
- Primus Wireless News
- Public Mobile
- Rogers Wireless News
- SaskTel News
- Shaw
- Solo Mobile News
- Speak Out Wireless News
- tbaytel
- Telus Mobility News
- Vidéotron News
- Virgin Mobile News
- WIND Mobile
- Reviews – Carrier
- Reviews – Manufacturer
- Various News
“It’ll be competitive with Chatr and it’ll cost us no capital at all because it will go on our CDMA network where we’ve been moving clients off of CDMA to HSPA. So for us the unlimited won’t cost our shareholders any capital.”
So plans should be cheaper than Chatr… right?
Like or Dislike:
10 
1
Wow, thanks for admitting, Solo/Bell, that you don’t do that for your customers. At least that is clear (like we had any doubt).
Like or Dislike:
14 
0
So what’ll happen to existing Solo HSPA customers? Will they stop issuing Solo SIM cards?
Like or Dislike:
8 
0
Chatr Wireless will still be better in a sense that they will offer their services on the Rogers GSM network, whereas Solo “Unlimited” will use CDMA.
Like or Dislike:
7 
11
That is just stupid. Why put ppl back in the dark ages with CDMA?
Like or Dislike:
12 
4
you people want cheaper unlimited plans you have to get a CDMA phone deal with it stop complaining you can’t get everything!!!! solo’s doing a good thing. and to @Don I wouldn’t hold your breath to see if Solo’s gonna be cheaper than chatr it’ll be the same price to stay competitive.
Like or Dislike:
9 
14
If they make it nation wide, they will be a serious threat. If they only target Wind areas, then they will not be a threat at all.
Like or Dislike:
11 
2
What’s wrong with CDMA, it was built for voice. It’s a much better voice network than Roger’s GSM EVER was, much more coverage and better call quality. I loved my CDMA Virgin phone for voice, it’s just the data isn’t quick on it compared to the new HSPA+ network Bell/Telus has (can’t even count Roger’s…their 3G blows)
Like or Dislike:
17 
8
@Don – No, by competitive, they just mean it will be the same.
Like or Dislike:
6 
0
Rogers 3G network actually has one of the fastest speeds in Canada, if you did your reading. Also, CDMA doesn’t let you roam anywhere in the world pretty much! I need a sim card, and I need a smart phone. CDMA is not good for any of those things. If you are looking for chat in Canada/us only, then SOLO will be fine, otherwise it will suck.
Like or Dislike:
9 
7
Just re-read the article where it says the big 3 offering cheaper monthly rates. Not even close. Just checked Roger’s website and the plan I have is currently $70 which I paid $45 for just early this year… sickening would be understatement to describe how I feel…
Like or Dislike:
5 
0
@ Canadianman20 I totally agree. They’ve already said that they’ve got the CDMA network so there’s no capital costs. Competing in places like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto etc where there are already too many discount brands (Chatr, Wind, etc) is a losing strategy. Just piecemeal the country and make local ‘zones’. They’d be the first into the smaller markets and such get the lions share. But of course that won’t happen and the venture will fail horribly.
Like or Dislike:
3 
1
guys if you dont want a local calling area same as the cheap guys(chatr, wind,mobli) go get a koodo
Like or Dislike:
5 
6
I agree with Steven/Gussy,why go backwards to CDMA at the basic same rate with Solo when you can go with Chat-R to stay on GSM with eventual data which will also probably be offered in time…doesn’t really make sense and it’s questionable how successful this will be.
Like or Dislike:
7 
5
Let’s see how competitive solo really is by rates. Sorry, but solo customer service SUCKS!!! Look at their customer service hours compared to CHATR to start with. More importantly, I tried calling asking today and i had ot talk to activations department to ask about sim cards because customer service was in the Phillipines, where they did not understand what I was saying (I called twice). I mentioned this to a good rep in activations and she told me if you call customer service ask for french instead because they speak english too. Kepe it in Canada and give people some jobs instead of outsourcing to people who can’t speak english.
CDMA=garbage when they have gs. My experience as of today.
Thanks.
Like or Dislike:
6 
3
p.s. sorry for my typos, in a hurry. Honestly, solo customer service sucks, activations was fine. Solo customer service is a bad joke, and I have nothing wrong with people from Philippines, all I asked is do you sell sim cards and they said “oh no only for blackberries” and had no idea how much it cost. I’m like that makes no sense and that’s not what I was told called back and asked about sim cards and they had no idea what it was and didn’t understand ” I don’t understand what you are saying” was one response. I called activations department (whom you cannot call for customer service if you have billing issues,etc) and she told me right away, oh yes you can and it’s $5.00. SCARY!!!
Like or Dislike:
5 
2
sorry FYI about KOODO (TELUS). Koodo Telus will NOT be laucnhign any unlimited plans (doing nothing for thier customers). Looks like CHATR (Rogers) and solo (bell) are the only ones who are doing anything. (not surprised as all cell phone companies in my opinion are evil but telus one of the worst).
Just found this…
“Satisfied with its lead in new wireless subscribers, Telus doesn’t expect to launch another discount brand or get involved in the chase for more low-end cellphone users.
Chief financial officer Robert McFarlane called it a limited coverage, discount market that can attract the “credit challenged” and doesn’t sell iPhones or “fancy” smartphones.
Continued Below
“It doesn’t make sense to us to be reactive,” McFarlane said Friday from Vancouver.”
http://www.macleans.ca/business/wire/article.jsp?content=b4141984
Like or Dislike:
3 
3
@JAWG:
Solo is targeting low-income customers, and usually, those customers are very sensitive to price and do not care what technology the carrier is using. Also, they only have basic needs for cell phone and do not need a data plan. As long as Solo undercut Chat-r in pricing, Solo will be successful. Since Cope already mentioned it is using the existing CDMA network and no capital expenditure is required, its cost can be very very low. Therefore, Solo is SO LOW in cost.
Like or Dislike:
6 
0
@breeze:
True,however that’s “if” the prices will be lower significantly and the coverage is good,it may appeal to that niche and I’m not saying people won’t join Solo since they have low start-up cost which is good for investors also…still if Chat-R can compete on rates/eventually offer better phones/possibly include data in the future/etc I think they have more of a chance to be successful and steal customers from not only Solo but also Mobilicity/Wind/even Rogers/Fido.Plus depending on the prices since not everyone wants data I can see Solo stealing some customers from Mobilicity/wind also,but I think the majority will go with Chat-R and as Rogers progresses with the brand more will turn to them…the bottom line is that they will both remove numbers from the Newbies and for that reason I don’t expect numbers to grow for them like a wild fire.With Rogers/Bell/Telus posting significant gain it points to big troubles for the Newbies and goes against what Fanboys claims that Canadians are against the Big Three or hate them.
Like or Dislike:
1 
6
Harry, just to let you know, Koodo has no intentions of competing, Koodo (Telus) doesn’t care about their customers at all and I quote ”
“Satisfied with its lead in new wireless subscribers, Telus doesn’t expect to launch another discount brand or get involved in the chase for more low-end cellphone users.
Chief financial officer Robert McFarlane called it a limited coverage, discount market that can attract the “credit challenged” and doesn’t sell iPhones or “fancy” smartphones.
Continued Below
“It doesn’t make sense to us to be reactive,” McFarlane said Friday from Vancouver.”
Like or Dislike:
1 
3
@Luke
makes sense. That end of the market is way too crowded right now. Why spend money and time trying to reach a market that is likely very close to it’s saturation point?
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
thanks for your comment Kmusky. True, but Solo & Rogers Chatr seem to have no problems competing, kinda sucks for koodo customers who get nothing.
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
I’m glad Koodo will be sticking with national coverage, for now at least. With a mobile phone, I don’t want to be limited to certain areas. Telus already has a winner with Koodo and the tab, there’s no need to compete against Chatr, Solo, Wind, etc.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Good point Taylor, be great if they had both options, see at least withrogers, you could choose fido , or bell you coudl choose solo or Virgin. Telus or Koodo….that’s all folks!
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
I agree that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to offer unlimited plans, but you have to respect them for not targeting the new entrants as blatantly as Bell and Rogers are.
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
I really can’t understand why a few individuals are claiming that certain members of the Big Three are targeting the Newbies,did you actually expect them to sit back quietly and do nothing or make new brands that won’t interfere with them…PLEASE…if anything the Newbies don’t want to compete and are using every excuse not to.
Wind/Mobilicity/PM are not your saviors so get that through your heads unless you’re an Android also,in fact they will use you even more than the Big Three to make a buck and even if the rates seem cheaper with the Newbies what use are they if they don’t start building good networks or keeping their promises…so far in my opinion I feel the Newbies are a complete joke filled with liars and for that I’m supporting the Big Three.Yes,it could have been better if the CRTC/Government would have planned this better and allowed new companies in that truly had some integrity to perform with honesty…however this is what we got and all I can see is that the Big Three are trying to compete with significant growth and the Newbies are only whining or using hype that angers new customers even more.
Like or Dislike:
3 
7
@Jawg: A response would be to lower prices or something along those lines. That would have been a good way to fight back against Wind and the other new entrants. Blatantly targeting the exact same places is a cheap, half-assed approach.
Two out of three of the new companies have welcomed the competition. There haven’t been excuses for the most part.
I’m also not sure why you’re so upset that other companies are challenging the big three. It seems like you don’t want to accept competition… I just don’t understand why it’s a bad thing.
And to make things clear, I’m not currently a Wind, Mobilicity, or Public Mobile customer. Hell, they don’t even have service in my area yet.
Like or Dislike:
2 
1
@Taylor:
I don’t agree,the Big Three’s main networks are far more superior than all the Newbies put together and their customer levels are increasing significantly…so it does make sense on a corporate level to introduce a new brand like Chat-R or renew their brand like Solo with again a much superior network where they don’t really have to readjust their main brands yet and in short this does compete with the Newbies.
For this reason Mobilicity in my opinion is actually not competing by pushing a ridiculous law-suit simply by whining and Wind is going along with everything just because any further investigations would kill them,I’m not upset and if anything I would truly like to see the Newbies truly compete…however by their attitude/performance/style/dishonesty/etc they are not and having tried both Wind/Mobilicity which to me were complete garbage which really has nothing to do with being new and more to do with their actual integrity level.PM really isn’t an issue and they themselves have already indicated they may be bought out in the future.
So far the Chat-R service is almost perfect for what they offer and from all the people I know who left Mobilicity/Wind so far I definitely prefer the Big Three like the majority.
Like or Dislike:
1 
6
Rogers Bell or Telus can get directly compete with the new companies without creating so many new sub-brands. all they have to do is take off their “evil-thinking caps” and think straight forward for once. if, for example, Rogers Bell Telus offered some decent price plans.. then im sure ppl will flock to them even with their 3 year contracts. for example. wind mobile has the unlimited north american plan for 45 bucks and anotother 35 bucks for their data.. end of the day thats a 70 dollar plan.
im sure that rogers can design a plan where you can text north america unlimited, get unlimited incoming, unlimited network calling, unlimited evenings at 5 pm with 800 day minutes with 2 gb of data with call display and vm for 80 bucks a month and ppl will without a doubt will go for it. same goes to bell and telus.
Like or Dislike:
3 
1
I hear what you are saying JAWG, curious though why you didn’t like mobilicity (besides them making you pay a BS fee of $3.00 if you pay in the store)….how was coverage? what didn’t you like, curious. I was there right with you at wind, I returned the phone even after a $140 credit, if I can’t make a call, I can’t use it (yes, I know they are new). I tried on more than one occasion. Remember posts being deleted on wind just for real feedback on service? I was there.
I hope chatr competes with solo for pricing, I think the $35 plan is fine, they just need to get rid of the .25 cent a min fee to check your voicemail (since it’s supposed to be province wide unlimited). Had 1 call form landline that did not come through,and incorrectly charged billing on first day with chatr, other than that things have been very good, of course reception, no problems at all.
also they need ot create a 4 digit password for when you call customer service as right now they have none! SO WEIRD!
Like or Dislike:
1 
2
@Luke:
I gave Mobilicity a try with a good phone and was willing to hang on,yet the worse part is that they lied instead of just admitting their mistakes and kept changing facts…reception was poor in most areas/connections dropped instantly many times/CS people were even worse that Wind with no technical skills/no one ever called back on issued tickets and people kept telling me they called with no rings coming through.Plus just like you I thought the $3 bogus fee was hilarious,VM is choppy and the one store I went once to at Leslie/Highway 7 had no clue what they were doing…it was just a horrible experience and not worth the money.
Chat-R so far had only one dropped call in a building,reception is perfect and everything basically works fine…I just hope they add data eventually and offer better phones for those that want it.Plus all my friends are happy also and would never return to the Newbies.Funny thing…a few stayed with PM and are ironically happy with it.
Like or Dislike:
1 
3
JAWG, I hate to tell you this but rogers chatr i am now having SERIOUS problems. I thought not receiving 1 call on friday is bad but fine (they got fast busy signal for over 3 hours and tried calling me on it with full bars beside me and same problem), now it’s happening JUST LIKE WIND!!! My brother JUST called me form work (toronto dt), because his manager is pissed off at him because he gets the same thing, a fast busy signal when being called from some landlines!! He wants me to call customer service on his behalf, which I am going to do. I am calling CHATR in 5 mins. I don’t understand why this is happening on rogers network, on Fido I have had NO PROBLEMS WITH GETTING CALLS like this at all. NO WORRIES they say on their website, YA RIGHT! I really wish I wasn’t saying this.I don’t know if I should stay with them now.
hope this helps someone! THIS SUCKS!
Like or Dislike:
4 
1
Hey everyone,
CHATR UPDATE* being told known issue receiving calls from landlines is known issue form ALL LANDLINE PHONES, bell telus and rogers, no idea when it will be fixed. Thought people should know in case you use it for business or emergencies.
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
i dont see the point in re branding if they already have some unlimited plans if they are going to re brand they better get a whole new line up of phones because they have some real s@*t phones!!
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Julian, you are SO RIGHT! I am curious to see which phones and their plans even though I hate bell and their call center for solo is in Phillipines, but if this chatr problem of sometimes you receive a land line call, sometimes you don’t, might be worth it to also give solo unlimited a try. Be interesting to see if it works and is cheaper, I don’t like any of their phones they have now at all and would like to use unlocked phone, but if only using cdma, that would not be an option.
We shall see.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@Luke:
Neither my friends or I have the same problems with Chat-r,actually everything is running smooth and we noticed no interferences whatsoever…I went pass the home zone today north of Newmarket and it still worked ok with no dropped calla.
As for Solo I’m really not big on them and without better phones they may not go far.
Like or Dislike:
1 
3
I agree with you JAWG, but just so you know, there is indeed landline calling issues. I am waiting for them to call me back once it is resolved or I am supopsed ot keep calling and ask when it is resolved (no joke). I demanded a credit for this garbage of paying for a service but not being able to use it, you may want to call *611 to ask, apprently it’s on “white board of known problems”.
Btw, supervisor named ricardo in Newfoundland call center is beyond unhelpful and sucks! Customer service rep was more helpful.
Call center manger in quebec, is very professional and helpful.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
sorry to clarify it only happens with some landline phones, from all landline phone providers. no eta when will be resolved.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
@Luke:
Hey Bro,that’s funny…where do you live approximately…my friend is at Lawrence/Yonge and he had a bit of a problem calling a Bell land-line.The Rep said there’s no issue on the Chat-r side,however some connections are rejected by Bell when they’re not for Rogers…he said it could be anything but this is normal for new providers/brands and hopefully it will be resolved soon.Nothing compared to Mobilicity/Wind especially and for now the problems seem very minor.
Funny that the Quebec Rep was better…the worse for me was the ones at Wind who just basically all lied by being insincerely polite with no knowledge of anything and that was the worse part.
Like or Dislike:
1 
2
@Luke:
Sorry…I forgot…that was today!
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
Called in was told apparently resolved now? “emergency correction but may have some issues with call forwarding”If so, that is very good. I don’t use call forwarding, but if you do , you may have issue,otherwise resolved, if this is true what a difference compared to wind when I had exact same problem that never resolved.
Still curious for pricing of Solo.
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
HarryL: “@Don I wouldn’t hold your breath to see if Solo’s gonna be cheaper than chatr it’ll be the same price to stay competitive.”
Lololol. Harry has no sense of economics.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Me too,although I’m not high on Solo I am curious…will wait.I heard from someone at Chat-r that they may add VM to the $35 plan and include better phones in the future…if this is true that will be great and for now I’ll stick with them.
Chat-r is definitely much better and happy so far!!!
Like or Dislike:
1 
2
I used cdma for a very long time and just switched to wind for 45+35 unlimited talk and data. Its useless to have there data plan since they are reseting the connection every 5 min,port blocking and coverage problems. I have to run out of a store and wait for coverage to call someone. I tried to stick it out with wind until the coverage is fixed but their double talking and fine print is outragious.
I’d love to use a phone to text and talk on. I want reliability, and long battery life with a qwerty keyboard. I dont care about the latest and greatest phones. Give me that and Ill sign a 5 year contract!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
A carrier that will advertise canadian own and operated, meaning no outsourcing would get my business. If solo does this, Im willing to pay the same rates as wind and chatr. Good customer service wins over the new technology.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I’m not loyal to any of these friggers anymore. The best price/service wins my business.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Shiva, they outsource to the Phillipines, can up customer service and ask them, they will tell you it’s true, if curious.
I hear what you are saying Zeake!
I hope you are right JAWG, call up and as for it, mention compete with mobilicity and solo, that’s what I have done and encouraging others to. The more who speak up, the more of a chance they will do it?
Good discussion everyone!
I live downtown Toronto with full bars. apparently it is fixed now, my brother is going to make sure be getting some1 to call again and make sure gets call this time.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Please don’t buy into Bell’s Solo Unlimited or Roger’s Chatr. The big 3 providers are only interested in shutting down the smaller players. Once the threat of competition is gon they will just raise all the prices back up.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Big red rogers balls is what I suck on every day and night.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
JAWG still having calling issues on chatr, did nto receive a call just now WARNING CHATR HAS CALLING ISSUES on “reliable rogers network. I never had this problem on fido for over 3 years, which is rogers.
you may want to call them, im on hold right now asi tpe this and am less than happy, in fact im pissed. paying for a service i can’t use.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
calling issue apparently now resolved, but dislike the fact they do not have any top-up amounts that actually pay for your $35 or $45 plan.
“chatr top-ups are available in $10, $40 & $50 denominations”
meaning unless you pay with a credit card (which they has miiscommuniated ot me a rep and supervisor that my CC payment did not go through when it did). than YOU ARE PAYING MORE MONEY THAN YOUR PLAN COSTS!!! Rogers did this on purpose.
I really hope solo mobile has top-ups available t for actual cost of plan, not trying to rip you off like chatr who has chosen not to have a $35 or $45 top up (both plan options).
also weird is they have no 4 digit password for your account, NOPE!!! Secure? I don’t think so.
Also don’t like the .25 cent min voicemail retrieval fee, thought I’d give it a go and so far hating it, not fair it’s supposed to be unlimited calling all the time, NOBODY else charges you to check your voicemail during your “unlimited” period.
Open to feedback and ideas, I’ve tried telling chatr and so far nothing has happened.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
2250 and 4250 minutes is not “unlimited”.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i just purchased my very first cellphone (( SOLO )) LG RUMOR2 and i am quite happy with the quality of service, i was in ney york on the weekend and the phone worked very well. i am not sure what the fur or is but if you can save money and it works than go for it, ps any bellworld store will do the very same for you maybe even more than the callcenter in manilla phillipines
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
So which one is best for unlimited plans solomobile or Chatr? I only need talking and texting. Don’t really care for internet browsing. I’m a student and I use my cell as my only phone. With Solo they offered me a 2-year contract at 32$, so 37.40$ with tax included for unlimited calls and text in local area ONLY though.But the new phone comes cheaper since I’ve been with them for a bit over 2 years now. But for 35$ + taxes, so around 40$ prepaid(so no contract) with chatr I can get unlimited talk and text all over Canada for a few dollars more. All I need really is unlimited talk for all of Quebec with voice-mail included and unlimited local text. Solo’s phones seem a bit more up to date(more hih-tech) but I don’t really need web-browsing and music and a camera, etc. Just want a phone with that does the job of a phone and a qwerty sliding keyboard for text messaging. Can anyone guide in my choice?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0