Globalive hitting us in July 09'

[serans1987]

Well i seen rumours that Globalive will be ready by July 09', don't know how much credit i could give this gossip. But if they do launch this July it would nice and hopefully they get their cards straight and launch with some decent devices.

[kmusky]

Don't hols your breath. The big threee, especially Telus, are doing everything they can to delay the launch, including tying up the tower space issue for as long as possible.

Also, don't expect alot of devices from them. Apparently, the Spectrum bandwidth Globalive purchased is not well loved by manufacturers, so we won't see a whole lot of selection. maybe 10 phones, tops.

Still, plenty will switch if the price is right. I hope that new competition will force some prices down.

[holiday]

^ do you have an idea of that phones they will have?

[nadim]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of SEs and Nokias. Hopefully we will see more HTC and of course I am sure they will have Blackberry.

[pear-i]

Also, don't expect alot of devices from them. Apparently, the Spectrum bandwidth Globalive purchased is not well loved by manufacturers, so we won't see a whole lot of selection. maybe 10 phones, tops.

Wait why would manufacturers not like the spectrum bandwidth they use?
its' still the old GSM 850/900/1800 right? As in when we bring our own phones over to the network if we switch i-- it should still work right?

[dirtyj]

Well i seen rumours that Globalive will be ready by July 09', don't know how much credit i could give this gossip. But if they do launch this July it would nice and hopefully they get their cards straight and launch with some decent devices.

Impossible. They're still hiring basic positions at the company.

[nadim]

They could potentially soft launch in July. With test devices I guess, but we will never know for sure until they update the soapbox which could be anytime soon so we shall just have to wait and see :)

[NateB]

Wait why would manufacturers not like the spectrum bandwidth they use?
its' still the old GSM 850/900/1800 right? As in when we bring our own phones over to the network if we switch i-- it should still work right?

Sorry Pear-i, but that won't work. The spectrum they purchased (along with the other newcomers) is all AWS spectrum (1700mhz), so only phones designed with that spectrum in mind will work with Globalive. It's sad, but there's nothing that can be done about it. The silver lining is that T-Mobile in the states has also recently aquired some AWS spectrum, and with providers in the States also wanting 1700mhz phones, manufacturers will hopefully start to produce more phones compatible with that range.

[ascariss]

according to wiki AWS is:

The AWS band uses microwave frequencies in two segments: from 1710 to 1755 MHz, and from 2110 to 2155 MHz

Am I right to guess that globalive will have to use quadband phones? Or are there triband phones that support AWS?

[DownwithRogers]

Impossible. They're still hiring basic positions at the company.

Launch as in ready to take on customers.. you're probably right, not likely. But the race seems to be on to see who can get ready for Nov-Jan.

I've noticed a unnamed tower in my area broadcasting only by a number.. could be nothing.. could be testing phases.
Either way, I work in the call centre industry, and it always amazes me how FAST a company can turn around and get a product up and running. - July, ya, not likely. Before Dec... I could definately see it.

[ascariss]

according to the company, late 2009 for select markets

http://www.marketnews.ca/LatestNewsHeadlines/GlobalivePlacesFirstSuccessfulTestCallinCanada.htm l

meaning probably toronto and possibly vancouver for the olympics.

The company, which also owns the popular Yak Communications brand of home phone and Internet services, had previously confirmed plans to launch in select markets by the end of the year, followed up with the remaining areas in early 2010.

[kmusky]

Either way, I work in the call centre industry, and it always amazes me how FAST a company can turn around and get a product up and running. - July, ya, not likely. Before Dec... I could definately see it.

That depends on the industry. It's no secret that GL is facing alot of opposition from the big 3. Telus is just doing it openly, with their challenge on GL's foriegn ownership. The other two are working behind the scenes to slow them as much as possible, especially by dragging their feet on the tower space issue.