MobileSyrup.com » Telus Mobility News

TELUS’ first LTE device will be the LG Optimus LTE

Ian Hardy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:14:27 +0000

If you think the first device to rock TELUS’ LTE network will be the Galaxy Note, think again. The Note will be coming out on the 14th of February, but it’s the LG Optimus LTE that will claim to be the carriers first LTE-enabled smartphone. We’re hearing mixed pricing and launch dates, but dummy devices have already started arriving at TELUS locations across Canada. In addition to the Note, Optimus LTE and the Galaxy Tab 8.9, TELUS will also be releasing the Ovation MC679 4G LTE Mobile Internet Key.

In a previous post we let you know that TELUS’ LTE data plans will be the same as their current data plans. The internal doc stated that “TELUS customers on TELUS’ 4G or 4G LTE networks will continue to use existing TELUS data rate plans. TELUS is not introducing a premium 4G LTE-only rate plan. We believe our customers want a simple data rate plan solution that does not charge them more just because they are in a 4G LTE zone or differentiate between types of devices”.

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

TELUS LG Optimus LTE is now “Coming Soon”

Ian Hardy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:32:02 +0000

Well this just about clears up the lingering questions from yesterday. The LG Optimus LTE is officially “coming soon” to TELUS’ LTE lineup. No pricing or launch date is listed, but proudly says that you’ll be able to “Stream HD videos without lag when LTE network is available”. We’ll have more info shortly.

(Thanks tipsters!)

TELUS: “all 3 PlayBooks are End of Life”

Ian Hardy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:57:58 +0000

Yesterday we posted that the 16GB and 32GB BlackBerry PlayBook was price dropped yet again, now hitting a low $149.99 outright. Reading over the doc again gave a bit more insight, specifically noting that “all 3 PlayBooks are End of Life”. This is the first time we’ve seen it so definitive and could mean that RIM is prepping to launch the 3G model soon.

Last week a leaked roadmap surfaced that showed RIM targeting to release a 3G BlackBerry PlayBook sometime in Q2 (42Mbps HSPA+). The overall design is expected to be the same as the Wi-Fi version, but includes a 1.5Ghz TI OMAP 4460 processor and NFC capabilities. The most interesting part of the new PlayBook launch will be witnessing RIM position its pricing. Shifting the public’s perception from a $150 tablet to say a $500 tablet is a tough task… perhaps that’s job #1 for RIM’s new CMO.

(Thanks tipster!)

LG Optimus LTE heading to TELUS

Ian Hardy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:12:56 +0000

TELUS’ LTE plans are coming together very nicely. We already know they’ll go live in the next few weeks and will be launching a few powerful devices: the Samsung Galaxy Note and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE. With the limited number of LTE devices available it’s expected to see some overlap, thus brings us to the LG Optimus LTE. Bell released this 4.5-inch “True HD” dream back in November and it also seems to be heading towards TELUS’ lineup.

The above image is straight from LG Canada’s site which clearly shows TELUS as one of carriers who’ll be selling it. There’s no official word from TELUS yet, and no indication of its availability. The TELUS model number is LG-P935, while Bell’s is LG-P930.

This Android device is currently running OS 2.3 Gingerbread, but will be upgraded to OS 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in Q2. In addition, LG recently announced that the Optimus LTE passed over the one million sales mark. Check out our full review here.

More here at LG
(Thanks Kirill!)

Yes, the BlackBerry PlayBook will be dropped to $149.99 (16GB and 32GB)

Ian Hardy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:21:26 +0000

It was probably a good move if you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting the heavily discounted BlackBerry PlayBook. Over the past few weeks we’ve seen RIM’s tablet hit a low of $199.99, but starting tomorrow, for 1-week only, TELUS locations will be leading the way by selling the 16GB and 32GB PlayBook for a wickedly low $149.99! The 64GB version will stay the same price at $299.99. Bottom line… this is a mind-blowing good deal especially since PlayBook OS 2.0 is coming in a few weeks.

Update: This deal is now live on the TELUS site, hearing various reports that stock is incredibly low. Have fun hunting them down. Check it out here at TELUS

Update #2: We’re getting tips now that the 16GB and 32GB PlayBooks are now sold out across the country.

(Thanks tipster!)

TELUS signs exclusive deal with WagJag, gives customers $10 of credits per month

Ian Hardy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:29:49 +0000

TELUS recently axed their PERKS program, the reason was caused by “declining demand”. It was a good service while it lasted and offered up various discounts on non-related TELUS products. The PERKS program officially ended on January 1st and there was no indication that their 7.2 million wireless subscribers would be seeing something in its place. While competing carriers opted to create their own daily deals site (Rogers has RDeals), TELUS has gone the route of exclusively partnering with Canadian daily deals site WagJag. Every month TELUS will give their customers $10 worth of credits to that they can put towards anything on WagJag. You’ll have to sign up on the WagJag & TELUS site (WagJag.com/TELUS – it’s not live yet) and the credits cannot be rolled into the next month. In addition, as WagJag is not available in Quebec, TELUS stated in the internal doc that “A solution for Quebec is forthcoming”.

Finally, TELUS steps it up by giving a bonus: “As a thank you to our TELUS mobility customers, each month we’re giving them $10 in credits that can be used towards any WagJag purchases in that month. That means on top of the already big discount from WagJag, customers can save another $10 off each and every month.”

Here’s how you’ll eventually be able to sign up:
Step 1: Visit WagJag registration page for TELUS: wagjag.com/telus
Step 2: Sign up for a WagJag account if you’re a new member or sign in to your existing account
Step 3: Enter your TELUS phone number and an SMS will be sent to your device with a promo code
Step 4: An SMS will be sent to the number entered.
Step 5: Enter the promo code to verify the number.
Step 6: Finished. The $10 credit will be in your account

Update: This is available to all TELUS mobility customers with a valid TELUS phone number, including prepaid, postpaid, business, corporate and consumer.

Great move TELUS!
(Thanks tipster!)

TELUS, Bell and Rogers releasing the Galaxy Note February 14th for $249.99 on a 3-year, Best Buy says

Ian Hardy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:44:53 +0000

Well this is very interesting. Must be Galaxy Note day in Canada today. The confirmed carriers to release this Android phone/tablet are TELUS, Bell and Rogers with a “mid-February” availability. First out of the gate with the official release date and pricing is big box retailer Best Buy showing the Note will be available to the masses on Tuesday, February 14th for the 3-year contract price of $249.99. Best Buy also notes the Rogers logo on their info page, but doesn’t have any pricing info. Missing is the no-contract price points but will most likely be around the $600+ mark. If you want to pre-order the Note can walk into a store and lay down a $50 deposit.

Source: Best Buy

“TELUS is not introducing a premium 4G LTE-only rate plan”

Ian Hardy — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:43:26 +0000

TELUS’ LTE network is coming soon, very soon. Employees have just begun training and from an internal doc we’ve received it states that “TELUS’ network evolution to 4G LTE is on track to launch in early 2012″, but most likely it’ll be live within weeks. It’s already known that they’ll be releasing the LTE-capable Samsung Galaxy Note and the Tab 8.9 – plus you’ll also probably see some internet sticks.

There are some interesting tidbits from the training docs. First and probably the most important is TELUS’ stand on LTE rate plans. The doc says that “TELUS customers on TELUS’ 4G or 4G LTE networks will continue to use existing TELUS data rate plans. TELUS is not introducing a premium 4G LTE-only rate plan. We believe our customers want a simple data rate plan solution that does not charge them more just because they are in a 4G LTE zone or differentiate between types of devices”. Very refreshing and will help drive LTE adoption. As for coverage, no specific details on areas but LTE speeds should be rolled out to similar urban areas as Rogers and Bell: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa etc…

Certainly sounds like a great start for TELUS’ LTE plans. More soon!

(Thanks tipster!)

TELUS 72-hour sale has the LG Optimus 7, HTC Surround 7 and Desire for $0 on a 1-year

Ian Hardy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:57:25 +0000

For those looking for a deal you’ll be able to grab the LG Optimus 7, HTC Surround 7, Desire and BlackBerry Torch 9800 for $0 on a 1-year. This is a new 72-hour promo that’s happening on TELUS’s site and it’s for new activations only. Clearly these aren’t the newest phones on the block as all of them are well over a year old by now… but something to think about until all those glorious quad-core devices come out.

More here at TELUS
(Thanks to everyone who sent this in!)

TELUS launching new SIM cards February 1st, compatible “with all upcoming LTE devices”

Ian Hardy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:18:45 +0000

The LTE (Long Term Evolution) race has been active between Rogers and Bell for over 6 months now. Both companies rushed to be “first” in various Canadian provinces. Now, the next major wireless player seems to be prepping to join the LTE party. TELUS announced in a recent press release that they’ll be officially turning on their LTE network “later this quarter”. However, an internal doc that we received might reveal the launch date is actually much closer. New SIM cards (version 3) will be rolled out on February 1st – the doc states that “A V3 SIM is mandatory for use with all upcoming LTE devices. The current V2 SIM will not allow access to TELUS’ 4G LTE network. Only the V3 SIM should be used for LTE devices effective February 1, 2012.”

These new SIM cards will be compatible for both their upcoming LTE network and 4G HSPA+ network. TELUS has already announced that they’ll be releasing the LTE-capable Samsung Galaxy Note (expected mid-February) and the Tab 8.9 LTE… so hopefully an LTE announcement and coverage map is coming soon.

(Thanks tipster!)