MobileSyrup.com » Solo Mobile News

Solo Mobile plans to bring back the flip phone by releasing the Samsung S275

Ian Hardy — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:06:21 +0000

On May 17th Bell’s sub-brand Solo Mobile stopped activating customers. This was largely due to competition and to focus on a two-brand strategy with Virgin Mobile. Bell encouraged Solo customers to migrate over, but those who didn’t want to move were still able to have low monthly rates and occasionally upgrade to a new handset. Looks like Solo has not been forgotten, but still stuck in a different era. According to an internal doc we received it shows that Solo will bring on an entry-level phone right from the early 1990′s. The Samsung S275 is “a very affordable voice device, featuring a compact “flip” design and camera.”

The launch date is set for February 21st and the price is $99.95 outright.
(Thanks tipster!)

Samsung Galaxy Ace IIx is also available to Solo Mobile customers

Ian Hardy — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 18:51:40 +0000

Did you forget about Solo Mobile? If you said yes, you’re probably not the only one. Bell decided back in May “we’re super excited to support our existing clients for years to come. However, we’ve decided not to take on any new customers.” For the existing customers who decided to stay on the low-cost carrier there has been a limited number of plans and handsets available.

However, from time-to-time, a new device is released. Bell has offered up a respectable device for Solo customers as the Samsung Galaxy Ace IIx is now available. The price is the same at $250 outright and this Android runs ICS and comes with a 4-inch display (480×800), 1Ghz single-core processor, 5MP camera, Wi-Fi and is 10.5mm thin.

(Thanks tipster!)

Solo Mobile stops taking new subs today, says they’re “super excited to support our existing clients”

Ian Hardy — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:20:04 +0000

A month ago we let you know that Solo Mobile “will no longer be activating new customers.” Today is the day that Solo officially goes dark on new subs. Their website states that “we’ve loved giving wireless service to Canadians since 2005 — and we’re super excited to support our existing clients for years to come. However, we’ve decided not to take on any new customers.” This is a move to bring new customers over to Bell’s prepaid service – who just revamped their prepaid plans today – and potentially increase ARPU. If you’re a current Solo customer you’ll still have active service for “years to come,” and have some new device choices too: Samsung Galaxy W ($59.95 on a 2-year and $249.95); Samsung Galaxy 551 ($9.95 on a 2-year and $199.95 outright); and the Samsung C414 ($19.95 on a 2-year and $119.95 outright).

It was a good 7-year run. Check out Solo here, or the new Bell Prepaid plans here.
(Thanks Alex!)

“Solo Mobile will no longer be activating new customers”

Ian Hardy — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:44:19 +0000

This is an interesting turn of events. Solo Mobile was launched in 2000 and is a sub-brand of Bell Mobility. The entry-level and low cost prepaid player has been overshadowed by competitors such as Fido, Koodo, Chatr, Wind, Mobilicity and even Bell’s other sub-brand, Virgin Mobile. The last time we’ve seen Solo release a new handset was on October 13th with the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Gio. Since then the brand has been dark.

We’ve been tipped that Solo Mobile will officially stop “activating new customers.” According to the internal doc we received it states that “As of May 17, 2012 Solo Mobile will no longer be activating new customers (both postpaid and prepaid). Existing Solo Mobile customers will not be impacted by this change; they will continue to enjoy great rates, amazing Canada-wide coverage and affordable devices.”

There’s no word on how many subscribers Solo has as their number are always combined in with Bell’s quarterly reports. Bell ended 2011 with 7,427,482 subscribers. However, current Solo customers will continue to have access to the same services and monthly rate plans, plus given the option to port over to Bell. If you’re a current Solo customer and want to stay, you’ll be thrilled to know that 3 new handsets are miraculously available to you:

- Samsung Galaxy W ($59.95 on a 2-year and $249.95)
- Samsung Galaxy 551 ($9.95 on a 2-year and $199.95 outright)
- Samsung C414 ($19.95 on a 2-year and $119.95 outright)

There’s no other details about why Bell has decided to cease Solo activations, possibly to put all their focus into two brands (Bell and Virgin), or could be all the new wireless competition has taken its toll financially. Perhaps a 3-brand strategy doesn’t work and Rogers Chatr Wireless will possibly be next – which is what we’re hearing, but still unconfirmed.

We’ll have more info soon!
(Thanks tipster!)

Solo Mobile releases first Android device, Samsung Galaxy Gio now available

Ian Hardy — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:07:42 +0000

Coming out of the woodwork is Solo Mobile with the release of an Android device. Bell’s low-cost carrier has launched the Samsung Galaxy Gio – an Android OS 2.3 Gingerbread with a 3.2-inch touchscreen (480 x 320 resolution), 800 Mhz processor, 3 megapixel camera and Wi-Fi. Good device for Solo, probably their best actually. The no contract price is a bit higher at $250, while parent-company Bell has this available for $200, but the 2-year comes in at $50.

I believe this makes every Canadian carrier now offering at least one Android device in their lineup.

Check it here at Solo
(Thanks Alex!)

Solo Mobile axes 6-month promos and permanently puts Unlimited plans $10 cheaper

Ian Hardy — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:52:34 +0000

It was really just a matter of time before Solo Mobile followed Chatr, Virgin, Koodo and the other new entrants and permanently axed their 6-month discounted rate plan promo. Now a solid part of their plans are the Unlimited Talk plan for $25/month (used to be $35) and the Unlimited Talk and Text for $35/month (used to be $45). These unlimited offerings are available in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver.

Check it here at Solo

Samsung Gravity 3 now available at Solo Mobile

Ian Hardy — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 17:27:35 +0000

Certainly not the biggest news in Canadian wireless but good to know a decent messaging device. Solo Mobile has released the slide-out QWERTY Samsung Gravity 3. This is available for $149.99 on a no-contract basis or $49.99 on a 2-year (FYI: Virgin has this cheaper by $20). Hopefully Solo will step up and release a new low-end Smartphone soon.

Get it here at Solo

Solo Mobile launching Samsung Gravity 3 on March 8th

Ian Hardy — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:36:14 +0000

Another device is coming to Solo Mobile – a solid messaging device and it’s the Samsung Gravity 3. No word on pricing but it’ll be available on March 8th. As for specs the Gravity 3 chas a slide out QWERTY with a 2.4-inch display (resolution of 240 x 320), 2 megapixel camera, MP3 player and can hold up to 32GB with a microSD card.

(Thanks tipster!)

Solo giving customers 100 local minutes for free

Kate O'Brien — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:37:23 +0000

Solo Mobile is feeling the love also this Valentine’s Day. Customers who are with them can walk into their local Bell store and snatch up an extra 100 local minutes for free. You’ll have between February 14th – 28th to claim them.

Source: Bell
(Thanks Marc!)

Solo Mobile drops Unlimited plans by $10 a month

Ian Hardy — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:19:04 +0000

2011 will be the undisputed year of extended carrier promos. We first saw this happen earlier this month with both Mobilicity and Wind giving an extra 2 weeks to their Holiday promos . Then late last week Rogers discount brand Chatr Wireless put a “price freeze” on their $10 discounted Unlimited monthly plans… and now Solo Mobile has come back to the table by dropping their Unlimited $35/month and $45/month plans by $10 to match Chatr.

Reading over the fine print states on that “Available for a limited time only. With new activation. Monthly rate is $25 for months 1 to 6 and then current rate (now $35, subject to change) applies thereafter”… so possibly these prices might stay the firm at the discounted rates as there is no clear expiry date.

Check it here at Solo