CDMA-based Canadian carriers Telus and Bell are really going after Rogers this holiday season with a FREE BlackBerry Pearl 8130 promotion.
The catch? You need to be a new customer and commit to a 3-year plan of $45 or more per month before they hand you over the new phone. As Robb puts it, free in this case really means $1620 (at least) over the course of the next 36 months.
It's good to see some competition in Canada heating up for all of us BlackBerry users. Telus is offering a $15 email, web and IM only BlackBerry plan on the 8130 and Canada's GSM Monopoly Rogers followed suit with a similar offer for Pearl 8100 users. What would I like to see in 2008? Unlimited data in Canada for under $50 $40 $30 per month. I'm a Rogers user now, but the carrier that offers me unlimited data for a reasonable price is the one I will switch to. It's wishful thinking, but a Canadian BlackBerry Addict can dream, can't he?
Bla1ze Dec 10, 2007 at 7:11 am
Telus includes unlimited web browsing as well with that $15 plan, it's just buying out my Rogers contracts that holds me back, but hopefully if these promos are a sign of things to come it shouldn't be that much longer and we will see something like AT&T's $29.99 BIS Plan with Unlim data, plus where none of the carriers are allowed to bid on the upcoming auction that will be opening the doors for more competition by that time my contracts will be long up and will be able to say see ya later to Robbers for good!
jacob Dec 10, 2007 at 3:37 pm
hey, i work for bell, was floored by the unlimited internet claim, totally untrue though... so dont go jumpin ship from wherever yet. lol.
jacob, SO SORRY Dec 10, 2007 at 3:41 pm
sorry about that, he's right unlimited internet!! WOW! go for that.
Pat4444 Dec 10, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Yeah I work for Telus and the 15$ data plan includes
Unlimited web browsing
Unlimited IM (BB messenger only)
Unlimited E-mail (BIS only)
They also offer the same package on the HTC touch and HTC S720, however on those phones the IM is windows messenger.
With the Pearl,Touch and S720 at 0$, it's great.
Also, FYI in Canada, to get any "data" device at the "cheap" price, it is ALWAYS with a 3 year contract+45$ minimum per month. Not just for the pearl at 0$ but for ANY smart phone.
Remik Szul Dec 10, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Hey Pat, I have a question since you work for Telus. I went out and purchased the 8130 the first week it was out. I paid the full $499 price. I'm not a new Telus Customer as I've been on my plan for almost 3 years now, but the 8130 was my first Berry. Can I still get the $15 plan? Or does this apply to new customers only? I called Telus and they said new customers only, but this wouldnt be the first time I was missinformed by telus employees.
Anonymous Dec 10, 2007 at 7:59 pm
so, basically, is all your data stuff you do on your phone is free?
Pat4444 Dec 10, 2007 at 4:00 pm
the 15$ data plan is for NEW and EXISTING customers. HOWEVER it needs to be coupled with a 30$ voice plan minimum. That is for the 45$ (voice+data)...
I've given the 15$ unlimited data plan to existing customers already... The person you spoke to was most likely misinformed. Now the only question I have is, are u currently under contract? Because, and I'm not 100% sure about this, you may need to be "in" a contract to get that plan (i.e. no month to month customers), I'll have to inquire about that.
Remik Szul Dec 10, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I am on contract, my 3 years expire July 08. Although I am on the Talk 15 Plan. So I pay $15 for my plan, plus $10 for unlimited text messaging/voicemail etc. So its $25+ Taxes/Extra Fees which ends up about $35 monthly. So I'm not sure if that counts as a 30$ voice plan minimum? Eitherway I never even got that far with customer service they said its for new customers only. Pat4444 is this something you can hook me up with? Is there a email or ph# I can reach you at for you to set this up for me?
Anonymous Dec 10, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Telus says 45$ per month, but in actuality you can do 40 or even 35$ a month as long as you go to an indepndant dealer and not a corporate store, I manage an indepandant dealer store in newbrunswick and got and email that you can use the unlimited email and im 15 plan with the talkalot 20 and talkalot 25, equaling 35 or 40$ a month, and still get your free bb.
but ONLY at independant dealers and not corporate stores.
Anonymous Dec 10, 2007 at 11:03 pm
The TELUS Email 15 add-on is for unlimited data. Browser, Email, Attatchmens all included. The one draw back, you can't use your BB as a modem.
Pat4444 Dec 10, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Unfortunately it has to be 30$ voice plan BEFORE features.
So you are currently on a 15$ voice plan. You need to bring that up to 30, but like the guy below me said, apparently independent retailers can work around this somehow. I work for corporate telus :)
NicciJ Dec 11, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Can someone provide a link to the information on the $15 plan? We're due to renew, and I have to take advantage ;)
All I keep seeing is the $15 email/IM plan, but no mention of web :(
Pat4444 Dec 12, 2007 at 12:16 am
Yes it does only say "Unlimited email and IM" but it DOES include web browsing. It's not advertised tho ;). Secret weapon :)
Anonymous Dec 12, 2007 at 12:19 am
$15 gets you unlimited web browsing, email and IM on the Blackberry pearl for Telus.
Merry Christmas