MobileSyrup.com » Clearnet

CLEARNET, once again, decides to stop activating new clients, existing customers will join TELUS

Ian Hardy — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 23:13:59 +0000

TELUS’ tag line of “The Future is Friendly” was originally from CLEARNET, a company they purchased for $6.6 billion in 2000. The CLEARNET brand slowly faded away and TELUS became a Canadian wireless powerhouse. Then when all the new entrants launched, such as WIND Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile, the Big 3 each decided to put a bit more focus into their sub-brands and give customers an unlimited offering. Rogers launched Chatr Wireless, Bell somewhat did the same with Solo Mobile, and TELUS brought back CLEARNET.

Over the past few months there has been much change. Rogers Chatr still operates in 6 locations (Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver), but the physical Montreal stores have shut down and have been re-branded as Fido. Bell’s Solo Mobile has stopped taking new activations, thus bridging anyone who’s interested to sign up with Bell. Now, according to the CLEARNET site they too have declared “We regret to inform you that we are no longer activating new clients.”

We’ve been informed that for the past 14 months was a trial stage to see how much interest there was in the brand, clearly not much. The focus was in both British Columbia and Alberta and offered Unlimited Talk and Text plans (no data service) for $45/month to $60/month.

There’s no official word yet on how many people signed up, but existing customers will be getting a letter in the mail and a phone call to let them know that they’ll be migrating to TELUS, plus be given a new SIM and a TELUS phone. They will be able to keep their same plan and we’re hearing that if you opted for the cell phone only plan, versus signing up for the cell plan and home phone bundle, you’ll get a price drop of $15/month… so your $45/month unlimited talk and text plan will drop to $30/month.

The end date for the CLEARNET brand, again, is expected to happen by late August or early September. We’ve reached out to TELUS for more info.

Source: CLEARNET
(Thanks Alex!)

CLEARNET reduces Alberta pricing, data-add on launching “within days”

Ian Hardy — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:51:37 +0000

The CLEARNET brand was brought back to life by TELUS in April, only available with limited coverage in British Columbia and Alberta. At the time of launch there were a couple plans: $45 Unlimited Talk B.C. and a $55 Unlimited Talk and Text Canada. The prices jumped $5 for the coverage in Alberta, $50 and $60/month. Now, months have passed and CLEARNET has streamlined the plans to have both provinces at the same rate. No reasons for the Alberta drop, but very welcomed I’m sure.

In addition to this news, we’ve been hearing that their data add-on will be launching soon, actually “within days”. This is unconfirmed, but apparently there will be 2 offerings. First is a “pay per use” option where customers will pay for only what data they consume. Then a “flex” plan where customers will pay a certain monthly amount (possibly $15) for 250MB, then will increase in price depending on how much data is used. Exact data prices are still being worked out.

Currently the Samsung Apollo is their best handset, but we are also getting tips that the LG Optimus Chat might make an appearance on CLEARNET too.

More soon!
(Thanks tipsters!)

CLEARNET releases the Android Samsung Galaxy Apollo

Ian Hardy — Fri, 27 May 2011 12:55:33 +0000

When TELUS resurrected CLEARNET a couple months back they positioned the brand to be a low-cost carrier that offers Unlimited Talk and Text plans in BC and Alberta. TELUS spokesperson Shawn Hall said that “Clearnet is a small market trial running in Kelowna and Red Deer. TELUS routinely conducts market trials to test out new concepts.”

CLEARNET initially launched with monthly price plans that range from $45 – $60 per month (depending what region you selected). The LG GB-255 and the Samsung Evergreen made the cut as their first devices but it now seems CLEARNET has released a 3rd device. The Android 2.1 powered Samsung Galaxy Apollo was always listed on their site as “coming soon” but is now available for $149.99 outright. The Apollo was originally launched by TELUS in September of 2010 for $249.99 no-term so the pricing is somewhat decent… but CLEARNET doesn’t offer a data-add on yet (this feature is “coming soon”). The good news is that the Apollo has Wi-Fi. Other notable specs are the 3.2-inch display (resolution of 240×400), 3 megapixel camera with video capabilities, SWYPE and holds up to 16GB with a microSD card.

More here at CLEARNET

Analyst says TELUS’ Clearnet “appears to be a defensive move in reaction to Chatr and Solo”

Ian Hardy — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:38:09 +0000

With news yesterday that TELUS recently re-launched the Clearnet brand as an unlimited wireless play in the West, one analyst says this is a defensive move against Rogers and Bell flanker brands Chatr Wireless and Solo Mobile.

UBS Analyst Phillip Huang stated in a note to his clients that “While the launch of no-contract talk/text plans appears to be a defensive move in reaction to Chatr and Solo, the Clearnet website also touts it operates on a 4G network and notes “data add-on coming soon”, which is distinct from Chatr and Solo (both currently talk/text only). It remains to be seen how actively Telus will push the Clearnet plans and whether/when it will expand to rest of Canada.”

The Clearnet Unlimited price plans are between $45 and $60 depending if you’re in B.C. or Alberta. 2 phones are available with data possibly “coming soon”. There is no official word from TELUS on why the brand was re-launched or what their future plans are.

Update: TELUS spokesperson Shawn Hall sent us a note about Clearnet and why they launched the service: “Clearnet is a small market trial running in Kelowna and Red Deer. TELUS routinely conducts market trials to test out new concepts.”

(Thanks Phil!)

CLEARNET has been resurrected… offers no-contract Unlimited Talk and Text plans

Ian Hardy — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:30:04 +0000

Get ready for a mind trip. TELUS swooped up and purchased Clearnet Communications for $6.6 billion back in 2000. This buyout immediately gave TELUS a strong foundation for growth and quickly became one of Canada’s largest wireless companies (revenue and spectrum). Much of TELUS brand stems from Clearnet such as the tag line “The Future is Friendly”.

We’re not sure when this actually happened but it now seems that Clearnet has slowly risen from the grave and started to offer Unlimited plans with no-contracts. We’ve reached out to a few of our contacts for more details but checking out their website shows they have set up shop and offer an Unlimited Talk and Text service (plus home phone) in British Columbia and Alberta, with plans to open service in other provinces. There are no physical retail locations and if you’re interested to purchase a device you have to order it online or call customer service. The reason for this set up is apparently to cut out the “middleman” and keep costs down so the savings are passed onto the customer.

These days the CLEARNET business plan is similar to WIND, Chatr and Mobilicity as there are no activation fees or long term contracts. There are 2 available plans: $45 Unlimited Talk B.C. and a $55 Unlimited Talk and Text Canada… and in Alberta it’s $50 and $60/month. These basically include Unlimited calling (or text messaging), call forwarding, call waiting, conference calling and 911 service. For devices, the LG GB-255 ($49.99 no-term) is a basic flip phone while the Samsung Evergreen ($79.99 no-term) is a candy bar style very eco-friendly phone. In a surprise move the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Apollo will be coming soon for $149.99 which means they will have data available too.

We’re told they “operate completely separate to TELUS” but in the service terms it states that “CLEARNET is a business name of TELUS Communications Company”. It’s also evident that Clearnet uses the TELUS network as they brand themselves as a “4G” network. Coverage is available across Canada and roaming is also available. The brand feels very clean, simple and to the point with the logo using all lowercase with a plus sign (+) making the t in Clearnet – making it feel like you’re getting a bit of value.

TELUS now has their own “4G” network, the Mike Network, Koodo Mobile and now this new Clearnet… which means even more competition/consumer choice has surfaced in Canada.

More soon…

Check Clearnet out here
(Thanks Riley!)