PCS Cellular Note: These are only business oriented packages 1998/11/06 Annual Monthly Prepaid (Min.) Added Package Access Rate P E W T Airtime Startup Term Handset Type Abbrev. P = Prime varies, but expect 07:00 - 20:00, Mon - Fri E = Evenings W = Weekends 0:00 Sat. - 8:00 Mon. T = Total calls any time, any day equally na = Not Applicable Added Airtime is per minute The information is for general interest only and is not guaranteed to be accurate. Call the various companies yourself before making decisions. Cantel AT&T (1998/10/15) Cantel 100 $48.00 $25.00 na na na 100 $0.25 $25.00 Note 3 Extra TDMA Cantel 150 $48.00 $35.00 na na na Note 1 $0.20 $25.00 Note 3 Extra TDMA Cantel 300 $48.00 $50.00 na na na Note 2 $0.20 $25.00 Note 3 Extra TDMA The above programs are actually called "Cantel AT&T 100", etc. and have been shortened for space. Notes: Pricing is "Ontario." Price plans are the same for analog or digital, except digital has extra features: Call Forwarding, Busy Transfer, Visual Call Waiting & 3-way Calling, . . . Caller ID w/Name Display, Exact pricing, Detailed billing ... (1997/11/13) US Roaming will be $0.50/min in 1998 Can usually change between plans without charge. But sometimes there ... May be a charge "downward" to the lowest plans. The plan may be ... Cancelled in those cases. Handsets: (1998/10/15) Ericsson 618 digital only $169.00 (special price - don't know how long) Nokia 6160 dual mode $349.00 (special price - don't know how long) Options: Voice Mail Basic $4.00 Voice Mail Enhanced $7.00 (1997/11/13) Enhanced Message Package (EMP): adds "Mobile Message" (MM), ... (MM is an "answering machine" service but does not include FAX holding.), and ... Text & Numerical Messaging, $24.90/month (100 msgs., $0.10 ea. additional msg.) Text messages = 150 char. including Name, Subject and message fields. Email Messaging" includes EMP adds EMail (receive only) $28.85/month ... includes 100 messages, $0.10 ea. additional message. Email = 150 char. including Name, Subject and message fields. (1998/10/15) With "150" and "300" plans you can add 1,000 weekend min. $10/month. If needs exceed these plans, there are other "alternatives". Note 1: 150 min + 400 First Incoming Minutes on Digital Note 2: 300 min + 400 First Incoming Minutes on Digital Note 3: Plans can be monthly or 1 year. If monthly then "System Access" . . . Note 3: is paid $4.50/month, if 1 year, then $48/yr. (non-refundable) One Rate (1998/10/15) There are three programs, but I've only included details for the "smallest." $75 ? $75.00 na na na 250 $0.30 ? ? Extra TDMA All calls originating in Canada first deducted from the 250 included minutes. Then "extra" minutes are charged at $0.30/min. But all calls originating in the U.S. are $0.30/min. The "250 included minutes" don't count for calls made from your account while you are roaming in the US. (1997/11/13) This may not be available anyrmore - 1998/10/15 Amigo $19.95 $48.00 $19.95 na na na 100 Note 1 $25.00 Monthly Extra TDMA This plan includes 1st min of incoming LOCAL calls free up to 100 calls ... Caller ID, Exact pricing and "widest digital coverage" (according to Tor Star Ad). This package was first advertised in the Toronto Star on Nov. 12, 1997. Cantel's Amigo is generally aimed at the consumer market but with no limits ... on time of day, this package is useful for some businesses. See Note above for handset models and prices. Note 1: P = $0.40/min, E & W = $0.10/min. Pay-As-You-Go (1998/05/27) $25 Card None None na na na 60 na None Note 1 $150.00 analog This is NOT a Digital PCS service, but may indicate future billing trends. Pay-As-You-Go is based on $25 for 60 min. usable "anytime" and ... anywhere in Canada. All calls within Canada treated as local ($0.42/min). US roaming $1.95 min. Long distance to US $0.75/min. Note 1: Card is only good for 60 days, but if you buy a new card then ... unused time carries forward until you stop buying cards. The handset is Mitsubishi (analog). Charged for connected time only, not for "ring time". Voice mail card not offered at this time. (Updated 1998/10/16) Only useable for outgoing calls. Bell Mobility PCS Plus (Updated 1998/05/17) PCS 100 $48.00 $25.00 na na na 100 Note 1 $35.00 Monthly Extra CDMA PCS 250 $48.00 $50.00 na na na 250 Note 1 $35.00 Monthly Extra CDMA PCS 2000 $48.00 $250.00 na na na 2000 Note 2 $35.00 Monthly Extra CDMA (Updated 1998/05/17) Note 1: Prime $0.25/min, Evenings & Weekends $0.10/min. Note 2: Prime $0.20/min, Evenings & Weekends $0.10/min. call waiting, call forwarding, conference calling, detailed billing, ... incoming LOCAL calls 1st min. free (up to 500), ... Air Miles Points: 1 for each $20.00 (Plus 100) or $15.00 (Plus 250) Long Distance: $0.20/min in Canada, $0.35 Money Back Service Guarantee 30 days. All Plans: Weekend/Weeknight clock 20:00 - 07:00 (Prime 07:00 - 20:00) (Updated 1998/10/16) You don't have to take a 1 year contract, but there are Bonuses Current bonuses are Message Centre Express and Visual Call Waiting. (I don't understand this last - I thought VCW was already included?) Annual Access" can be paid monthly @$4/month. New additional 250 min. weekends & weeknights $10.00 . . . only for PCS 100 and PCS 250 plans. Incoming calls free from other Bell Mobility users (mobile to mobile). After Nov. 1, 1998, Message Centre Express is included free. If sign a 1 year contract, then 1 extra feature free for that year. The following is much older information which is probably wrong: (1998/01/28) Dual mode phones (1.9 Ghz PCS & Analog Cellular) or ... Phones less "credit" for 1 yr. plan. Qualcomm QCP-2700 dual mode ... $269.00 or Sony 3200 dual mode $269.00. Coming soon, single mode ... 1.9 GHz Digital PCS Qualcomm Q-Phone. Q-Phone price not set. Joint Account $10.00/month. Keep your analog phone activated. US Long Distance: $0.35/min. US Roaming: Digital Network $0.50US/min. ($0.25US/min long distance) ... Analog Roaming: $0.99US/min. (long distance varies by city) More Options: Call Display, Caller Pays and VoiceDial $2.95/month each Mr. Rescue 24hr. roadside assistance throughout North America $2.95/month Text Messaging $4.95/month (number of messages?). Message 140 char., (Receive only. Sending text coming in future). Message Centre $4.95/month "voice mail" answering machine service. Up to 25 messages. Includes Message Waiting Indicator on handset. Message Centre FAX $3.95/month. Print, receive and forward FAXes(?) Internet coming 2nd quarter 1998. Details to come. Will probably allow ... use of existing ISP account. There are special packages of options. 24hr. customer service. Old Bell Mobility customers can keep old number. (before 1998/01/28) Modems cannot currently be used in either mode. In January 1998 ... analog modems will be allowed. Around April of 98, digital mode ... modems or adapters will be also be available. There is no charge to change between plans once (up or down). Further changes are $11.00 each. Adding options (up to 3) $11.00. No charge to remove options. (GST applies so actually $11.77). Changes also free at end of contract (renewal time). Clearnet PCS (1998/05/18) PCS Talk Note 1 $20.00 na na na 100 $0.20 $0.00 Monthly Extra Note 2 Talk-a-lot Note 1 $30.00 na na N. 3 100 $0.20 $0.00 Monthly Extra Note 2 Work Note 1 $60.00 na na N. 3 300 $0.20 $0.00 Monthly Extra Note 2 Work-a-lot Note 1 $120.00 na na N. 3 600 $0.15 $0.00 Monthly Extra Note 2 (1998/10/14) Clearnet PCS is 1.9 GHz. See also "Mike" services below. Standard phone is Dual Mode (Sony 1000 $149.99) All plans include per sec. billing, Caller ID, Call Waiting and Voice Mail Voice mail has visual indicator for "message waiting." 30-day money-back guarantee Includes Analog roaming in Canada outside digital service. No extra charge for roaming in Canada. Free local calls on your birthday. No surcharge for switching. (1998/05/18) US roaming w/Sprint. (1998?) Long distance surcharge is $0.20/min within US or Canada Options: Numerical Paging $5.00/month (100 messages, $0.10 each additional) Numerical paging includes 800 worldwide call number incoming messages. Text Messaging $5.00/month (100 msgs., $0.10 ea. additional) Text messages sent via Website or net Email (Next yr. transcription service). Call Forwarding & 3-way Calling (sold together):$3.00/month, ... Forwarding includes 500 forwarded calls ($0.25 each additional call) ... 3-way calling is unlimited. Both "throughout the national service area." Advanced Voice Mail (AVM) include 2 greetings, stores up to 40 ... incoming messages, inter-mailbox messaging allows users to forward ... or broadcast messages to other Clearnet user mailboxes and ... includes FAX $8.00/month air time charges & long distance apply ... retrieving FAXes. Work-a-lot includes AVM. Note 1: Clearnet charges the access fee as $4.50/month instead of $48.00/year. Note 2: Clearnet is IS-95 CDMA. Probably same as Bell Mob. Note 3: Includes free local calls all weekend Work-A-Lot Only: Includes Advanced Voice Mail 1998/05/27 No information about Modem (or equivalent adapter). Microcell (1998/10/13) "$100 plan" $48.00 $100.00 na na na 1000 $0.20 Note 1 Monthly Extra GSM Fido $48.00 $40.00 na na na 400 $0.20 Note 1 Monthly Extra GSM "$20 plan" $48.00 $20.00 na na na 100 $0.20 Note 1 Monthly Extra GSM Fidomatic ? $0.00 na na na 0 $0.35 Note 2 na Extra GSM (1998/10/13) Fido includes Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, ... Conference calling (depending on handset), Detailed billing, . . . Customer Service 7 days/wk, 24 hrs/day. 30-day money-back guarantee Handsets: NOTE: "w/subscription" means you must buy the "microchip card" . . . with it. (What if you already have a card?) New phones: Single Mode (w/subscription): Nokia 2190 EFR $75.00, ... (1998/02/01) Nokia Communicator 9000i, $1,500.00. Used Single Mode (stock varies): (to be updated) (1998/05/27) New Prices: Ericsson 388 $75.00 + $25 SIM card. Nokia 6190 (dual mode) $250.00 + $25 SIM card. (1998/02/01) Note 1: Smart Card costs $25.00. No other startup fees. (1998/10/15) Note 2: Fidomatic is a new prepaid service currently only in Quebec . . . and Ontario. Voucher cards cost $10, $25 or $50. There is a "Minikit" which has a Smart Card & voucher. This implies. . . that you can't use a "regular" Fido smart card. Standard Fidomatic kit $100.00 includes handset (type?) (1998/02/01) Options: Personal Voice Messaging (includes Numerical paging) $2.00/month limited only by airtime used to receive them. FAX Messaging (receive and hold, includes voice messaging) $7.00/month limited only by airtime used to receive them. For Communicator 9000i, Internet access if free but must have own ISP, ... account (not provided by Fido). FAX & Voice messaging (see above). (And yes, the Nokia 9000i really is a single mode handset.) NOTE: The following was NOT checked 1998/02/01 and may not be up to date: Digital Long Distance: $0.15/min in Prov., $0.20/min Can&US, 15% off for others Per-second billing, but 30 sec. minimum per long distance call. Price guarantee for next 2 yrs. Switching plans up to 2 times/yr. free, else $25.00 Roaming is on the Bell Mobility network and costs $0.20/min. extra. 1997/11/11 Fido has announced analog roaming using dual mode Nokia 6190. Can single mode handsets be modified for analog space? (Modems?) (1998/10/13) Long Distance: From PCS coverage area: $0.15/min. within province, $0.20/min to rest of Canada & US, and 15% less than regular "overseas" rates. Analog Long Distance: $0.20/min. (it is not clear whether there are restrictions or other differences like minimums) (1998/02/01) US Roaming: Local calls $0.50(US)/min., per min. billing ... Long distance = local carrier rates + $0..50(US)/min., per min. billing. Global Roaming: Prices according to local GSM carrier rates. Options: Call Display $3.00/month, ... Text Messaging (160 char. messages) $2.00/month (see below) Text Message Centre (transcribing Text Messaging) $0.25/message. unlimited messages (Send from handset. Internet?) Contacts: Bell Mobility: Customer Service, Toronto: 674-2233 Bell Mobility PCS Hotline: (800) 491-4727 Cantel Digital PCS services inquiries: 1 (800) 462-4463 Cantel: User Inquiries, Toronto: 935-5555 Cantel "Pay - As - You - Go" analog service: (888) 692-7410 Clearnet: Sales & Service, (888) 253-2763 Microcell (Fido): Customer Service: (888)482-3436, Toronto: 366-3436 Question: Which has fastest Internet data rates? GSM, CDMA, TDMA? Tester for Cantel didn't like sound quality but might be better now. Clearnet Mike: (1998/09/26) Mike 35 $54.00 $35.00 NA NA NA Note 1 Note 1 ? Monthly Extra iDen Mike Phn 35 $54.00 $35.00 NA NA NA Note 1 Note 1 ? Monthly Extra iDen Mike 50 $54.00 $50.00 NA NA NA Note 1 Note 1 ? Monthly Extra iDen Mike 100 $54.00 $100.00 NA NA NA Note 1 Note 1 ? Monthly Extra iDen Annual access is $4.50/month. Note 1: Clearnet's "Mike" service is PCS, but very different from the others. A "Mike" service allows a mixture of "phone", "Direct Connect" (radio) and . . . Message Mail" (text) services all billed at different rates. Take the highest $100 . . . plan for example: The basic rates are: Phone = $0.15/min, radio = $0.10/min, . . . text = $0.05/mess. The $100 monthly includes $100 worth of service . . . in any proportion. For example, you could use 333 min radio ($50) and . . . 300 min. of radio ($30) and 400 text messages ($20). Extra time is billed . . . At the same "plan" rates. Mike 35 plan: phone = $0.50/min. peak (first 200 min.), $0.20/min peak (over . . . 200 min) $0.15/min off-peak, "radio" = $0.10/min, text = $0.05/mess. Mike 35 Phone plan: phone = $0.20/min., radio = $0.20/min, text = $0.05/message. Mike 50 plan: phone = $0.20/min peak, $0.15/min off-peak, radio = $0.10/min., . . . text = $0.05/message. Mike 100 plan: phone = $0.15/min, radio = $0.10/min, text = $0.05/message. Also included for all plans are voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding and . . . billing by the second. There are corporate airtime rate discounts for over 50 units and "account pooling" that allows extra time used on one account to be deducted . . . from unused time from another account. Extra cost options: Unlimited Evenings and Weekends $15/month, Advanced . . . Voice Mail with FAX (included w/Mike 100 plan) $8/month, Pager Notification . . . $4/month. Mike's Direct Connect is billed to the call initiator. Call forwarding over 100/month is billed $0.50/call and directory assistance is $0.80/use + airtime. Long distance, . . . roaming and taxes are extra. Mike uses only Motorola i370 or i1000 (iDEN) handsets operating in the 800MHz band. More Handset Information: (Following was updated 1998/01/28:) For Bell Mobility PCS Plus: Sony CM-B3200 base price $269.00. (From Jan. 28, 1998) According to Bell Mobility there is no difference in circuitry or capabilities. Ergonomics are the only difference (shape and control arrangement.) (Follwing was updated 1998/05/18) Clearnet will not support any handsets except their current dedicated handset ... but their handset seems to be as good as the Sony CM-B3200 ... which is probably why the Sony and Qualcomm 2700 dropped from ... $500 range prices. The Clearnet handset stores 99 phonebook ... entries and info from the last 10 calls (including incoming and missed calls). Near the end of 1997 Fido introduced the Nokia Communicator 9000i. (Following was updated 1998/01/28) Fido Handsets: Nokia 6190 is Dual Mode. Standard battery gives 5hrs. continuous ... talk time in PCS mode and 11 days standby in PCS mode. Ericsson 388 is GSM only and give 140 min. continuous talk time ... or 28 hrs. standby time on the standard battery.