Tag: Freedom Mobile

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Freedom Mobile discounts yearly plan with 50GB to $99

This plan is for you if you live in the greater Toronto area or somewhere else with good Freedom mobile coverage and rarely travel.

For $99 per year, you can get 50GB of data annually and unlimited talk and text within Canada. This plan is also pre-paid, meaning it’s a one-time payment. That said, new plans also have a one-time $10 activation fee.

There’s also a cheaper plan with pay-per-use data that costs $89, but at this price, paying the extra $10 for 50GB of data seems worth it to me. Ideally, this plan could be good for family members who don’t leave the city much or who don’t use a phone often but like to have one just in case.

This discount is a Boxing Week offer, so we don’t expect it to last much longer.

Source: Freedom Mobile 

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Mobile Syrup

Here’s what’s next in the Rogers and Shaw saga

Rogers’ first round of approval for its $26 billion merger with Shaw received little pushback.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) held a hearing to discuss the broadcast aspects of the merger in November 2021, providing its approval, with conditions, in March 2022.

The companies also need approval from Innovation and Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the Competition Bureau. That hasn’t been as straightforward.

The Competition Bureau has been a strong voice of opposition, stating the merger will lead to higher wireless bills, among other issues, for Canadians. The sale of Shaw-owned Freedom Mobile to Québecor subsidiary Vidéotron for $2.85 billion did little to appease concerns.

Representatives from the bureau wrapped up a four-week tribunal hearing with lawyers from Rogers, Shaw, and Québecor earlier this month. The bureau argued the tribunal should block the deal in its entirety.

Chief Justice Crampton led a three-member panel that originally hoped to share a decision by Christmas. The tribunal will provide a 24-48 hour notice before issuing the decision.

Rogers and Shaw are on a tight deadline to close the deal by the end of the year. However, they have the option to extend it to January 31st. Anything past that date will see Rogers paying millions to bondholders.

But even if Crampton delivers a win for Rogers and Shaw, the companies will have weeks to get approval from ISED to make their deadline. Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne laid out several conditions that Vidéotron would need to fulfill before its takeover of Freedom Mobile is approved. Québecor’s CEO, Pierre Karl Péladeau, quickly indicated the company would accept the conditions.

Vidéotron can only acquire Freedom if Rogers’ takeover of Shaw receives full approval. It’s unclear if Champagne’s conditions for Vidéotron indicate how he’ll rule on the more significant merger. But if they are, the merger can be expected to close sooner rather than later.

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Mobile Syrup

Freedom Mobile releases its Boxing Week deals: Pixel 7 for $5/month

Freedom Mobile is offering discounts on devices and wireless plans for Boxing Week.

The provider has the following devices available on a 24-month period through TradeUp, their phone return program. Customers must sign up for the $45/month plan that offers 40GB of data to access the deals.

Customers who choose to bring their own devices also have options to save. Freedom is offering $40/month for 40GB, $50/month for 45GB, and $60/month for 50GB. The deals are only available on new lines.

Freedom Mobile is also offering customers deals on prepaid lines. For monthly options, customers can access 13GB (including 10GB per month for a year) for $24/per month.

For yearly options, customers can prepay $89 for a year of unlimited talk and text (saving $10 off the regular price). For $99/year, customers can access unlimited talk, text and 50GB of data for a year.

Source: Freedom Mobile 

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Freedom’s Loyalty Plan offers 30GB for $30

Freedom Mobile is offering a $30/30GB Loyalty Plan to some customers.

As shared by frostyfire22_2 on the r/freedommobile subreddit, they were able to upgrade from a $30/20GB loyalty plan to a new $30/30GB loyalty plan through the Freedom Mobile live chat.

The plan is called Freedom’s Big Gig Unlimited + Talk 30 GB Care, and the loyalty plan includes a $30 permanent discount, totalling to $30 per month.

u/frostyfire22_2 also shared some tips to get the plan. “They have a live chat, Whatsapp chat, or apple iMessage. First, they told me I was not eligible but then after talking about switching over to a different carrier because of black Friday deals, they gave me the loyalty plan.”

The closest regular plan to the Loyalty Plan is a $45/30GB plan.

Find more information about the promotional plan here.

Source: Reddit (frostyfire22_2)

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Mobile Syrup

Shaw’s financial officer says Roger’ merger needed to help it compete

Rogers’ plans to merge with Shaw will offer the latter company a lifeline to compete effectively, the Competition Tribunal’s hearing into the merger was told Monday.

Trevor English, Shaw’s chief financial officer, said the company didn’t see a path forward as a standalone company and consolidating within the telecom sector was something they thought about before, he said.

“We’ve really felt like the best outcome for all constituents was a partnership and a sale to a strategic operator that has the operational scale to effectively compete in the future,” English said during his testimony.

Shaw entered the wireless market through the purchase of Wind Mobile in 2016. The company was later rebranded to Freedom Mobile. English said the company has had difficulty competing with Telus in Western Canada.

The hearing is currently in its third week and will conclude next month. The panel will deliver its decision in January.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Via: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

Freedom Mobile Black Friday: save on Samsung, Pixel and more

Shaw-owned (for now) Freedom Mobile dropped its Black Friday deals, offering up some discounts on smartphones.

  • Samsung Galaxy A03s – $0/mo on a $35/mo plan with 10GB of data (after Digital Discount)
  • Moto G Power – $0/mo on a $35/mo 10GB plan (after Digital Discount)
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – $19/mo on a $55/mo 25GB plan (after Digital Discount)
  • Samsung Galaxy A53 – $10/mo on a $40/mo plan (after Digital Discount)
  • Google Pixel 6a – $5/mo with TradeUp on a $45/mo plan with 30GB of data (after Digital Discount)
  • Google Pixel 7 – $13/mo with TradeUp on a $45/mo plan with 30GB of data (after Digital Discount)
  • (In-stire offer) Activate an eligible Samsung phone on a $40+/mo plan (after Digital Discount) and get a Galaxy Tab A7 Lite with 4GB of data for $0/mo for the first six months ($15/mo after)

The Digital Discount, for those unfamiliar, is a $5/mo discount available to customers who use Freedom’s Auto Pay system. TradeUp is Freedom’s take on a device return program, offering customers an upfront discount if they agree to return the phone after two years.

You can check out all of Freedom’s Black Friday deals here.

For a round-up of all of our Black Friday deals, follow this link. You can find all of the top deals at Canadian retailers here.

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Mobile Syrup

Best Canadian carrier Black Friday 2022 deals so far

Several Canadian carriers and flanker brands have released Black Friday deals with discounts on smartphones, plans and more. There’s a ton going on, so we pulled some of the best Black Friday offers into one place, so it’s easier to keep track of everything.

Below, you’ll find some of the best Black Friday offers split by carrier. Deals are still rolling out, so make sure to check back for updates and new additions.

Rogers

  • iPhone 14 — starts at $0 down, $0/mo financing with Upfront Edge and when you trade in an iPhone 12
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 — $0 down, $15/mo financing with Upfront Edge online (in-store: $360 or $0 with eligible trade-in)
  • Pixel 7 — $0 down, $15/mo device financing with Upfront Edge
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 — $0 down, $0/mo device financing when you trade in a Galaxy S20 in-store

Upfront Edge allows customers to get a discounted monthly financing cost if they agree to return the device after 24 months or pay off the difference.

Along with smartphone discounts, Rogers launched some limited-time plans, including a $60/mo plan with 15GB of data and student plans starting at $55/mo.

Check out all of Rogers’ Black Friday deals here.

Bell

Along with smartphones, Bell is offering customers up to 50 percent on select accessories. Learn more here.

Telus

  • Samsung Galaxy S22 – $0 down, $10/mo financing with Bring-It-Back (Telus claims $1,120 in savings)
  • Pixel 7 – $0 down, $11.67/mo financing with Bring-It-Back
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – $0 down, $15/mo financing with Bring-It-Back plus get the 512GB storage for the price of 128GB ($1,490 in savings)
  • iPhone 14 Pro – $o down, $37.83/mo financing with Bring-It-Back and get three months of free Apple TV+

Telus’ Bring-It-Back program reduces the monthly financing cost of smartphones if customers agree to return the devices at the end of 24 months. Customers can also pay the difference to keep the phone.

Moreover, Telus is offering a $10/mo bill credit for 12 months on its $95/mo 100GB plan.

Check out all Telus deals here.

Fido

Fido also has a plan deal offering 20GB of data for $55/mo, plus customers can save $5/mo for 15 months with promo code ‘YAYFIDO5.’

Check out all of Fido’s deals here.

Virgin Plus

Virgin also has deals on home internet plans, including a $45/mo credit for 12 months on its $90/mo 100Mbps plan. Moreover, the Bell flanker brand had bonus data available on several plans, bumping offers up to $65/25GB, $60/20GB, and $55/10GB.

Check out all of Virgin’s deals here.

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Mobile Syrup

Day one of Rogers-Shaw hearing focuses on Freedom Mobile and competition concerns

Monday marked day one of the long-anticipated hearing between Rogers, Shaw and the Competition Bureau, with the parties arguing what the sale of Freedom Mobile would mean for Canadians.

The Competition Bureau said plans to give up Freedom Mobile would not address anti-competitive issues as Rogers will inherit assets that will impact how Freedom Mobile functions.

“The divestiture will not replace the vigorous, disruptive and growing competitive presence offered by Shaw in the market,” John Tyhurst, a lawyer representing the Competition Bureau, said in his opening statement.

Tyhurst said the Competition Bureau has accepted the proposed acquisition will remove concerns of lessening competition in Ontario, but that still won’t be the case in Alberta and B.C.

Under the current contract, Rogers will acquire 450,000 Shaw Mobile customers who bundle wireless services with cable and internet services. Tyhurst argued Rogers would attain cable and Wi-Fi infrastructure, the mentioned customers, and personnel that support Freedom, impacting how well Vidéotron will be able to compete.

Kent Thomson, a lawyer representing Shaw, said if the transaction for Freedom Mobile to be acquired by Vidéotron is blocked, Canadians will be at a loss.

“If this transaction moves forward, it will not change the number of wireless service providers in Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia. All that will happen is Vidéotron will step into the shoes of Freedom. In doing so, it will be able to compete more effectively and aggressively.”

Thomson argued the proposed transaction wouldn’t shrink competition, “significantly” change market shares, or alter concentration levels. He said Freedom’s market share in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C is below 15 percent.

Vidéotron has no presence in Alberta and B.C. and a “very modest presence” in Ontario, Thomson said. While Rogers will acquire customers from Shaw Mobile in Alberta and B.C, its market share will only increase by five percent if the transaction to sell Freedom is approved.

Jonathan Lisus, a lawyer representing Rogers, took a similar tone. He said the Competition Bureau is making it seem like Vidéotron is a “vulnerable dependent.” Lisus argues that Freedom “will be a much stronger competitor [under Vidéotron] than it was with Shaw.”

The parties presented their arguments to Chief Justice Paul Crampton. During Lisus’ opening statements, Crampton received multiple emails from people saying he should reject Rogers’ takeover of Shaw.

“My email account is getting bombarded by a very, very large number of emails, all with slightly different subject lines along the lines of ‘no to Rogers Shaw,’” Crampton said. “Whoever is organizing these needs to stop. It’s highly improper. I’m not going to open those emails.”

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Judge’s request to reach compromise on Rogers-Shaw deal prior to hearing disregarded

The hearing between Rogers-Shaw and the Competition Bureau over the former’s merger plans will start in a week, and attempts to streamline the process are failing.

Representatives from both sides have been going back and forth in front of Chief Justice Crampton. Crampton asked the two sides if they could reach a compromise. The most recent case management conference between the parties shows that it likely won’t be possible.

In a Tuesday meeting, the Competition Bureau said it wouldn’t accept anything less than entirely blocking the merger. Anything other than that “would not eliminate the substantial prevention and lessening of competition that arises from this transaction,” Derek Leschinsky, a lawyer for the Competition Bureau, said.

The bureau said the acquisition would lead to several problems for Canadians, including less competition in Canada’s wireless market. Rogers and Shaw said they would sell Freedom Mobile to Vidéotron to appease concerns. However, the move hasn’t won the favour of the bureau.

“There is no world in which Rogers will acquire Freedom Mobile,” Kent Thomson, a lawyer representing Shaw, said. “Freedom will be gone, in the hands of an independent company called Vidéotron, before Rogers acquires a single share of Shaw.”

The hearing begins on November 7th and will last four weeks, with a one-week extension if need be.

Via: The Globe and Mail 

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This week in Canadian telecom: Rogers’ takeover of Shaw hits another roadblock [Oct. 22-28]

This past week was a busy one for telecom news in Canada. Government bodies announced high-speed internet projects, companies completed planned network expansions, and the Rogers-Shaw merger dominated headlines.

As a recap, here’s almost everything that happened in Canada’s telecom sector this week.

Business

Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri is confident the company’s deal with Shaw will close. In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Staffieri spoke on selling Freedom Mobile to Québecor’s Vidéotron. “Québecor will have a better cost structure than they would have had on their own.”

Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne laid out conditions that Québecor would need to implement for Champagne to accept Vidéotron’s acquisition of Freedom Mobile. The first is that Vidéotron must hold the acquired wireless licenses for 10 years. The second condition states wireless bills must drop by 20 percent, keeping in line with wireless prices seen in Quebec. In a press release, Québecor’s CEO said the company “intends to accept the conditions.”

In more merger news, the second round of meditative talks between Rogers, Shaw, and the Competition Bureau has failed. The Bureau filed to block the merger between the two companies, stating it would reduce competition. The Bureau also hasn’t reacted favourably to Rogers’ move to sell Freedom Mobile to Québecor. While Rogers says this will address concerns, the Competition Bureau has not gotten on board. The parties will now head to a hearing next month.

SaskTel has expanded its 5G network to several rural communities in Saskatchewan, including Crooked River, Quill Lake, and Cut Knife. Residents and businesses in the area will be able to access speeds up to 1.2Gbps.

Telus has completed PureFibre work in Leduc, Alberta, under a $45 million project. Connecting 13,000 homes and 2,000 businesses, residents will have access to faster upload and download speeds and various other features.

Bell has launched a new program focusing on funding projects that utilize its 5G and fibre networks to deliver new technological solutions. Named Bell Ventures, companies that receive investments under the program can access Bell’s “technological expertise” and use its network for cases.

Rogers has added speed caps to its 5G+ plans. Introduced earlier this year, the plans utilize the 3500 MHz spectrum. While similar plans were presented by Telus and Bell as well, Rogers is the last of the Big Three to add speed caps of 250Mbps or 1Gbps.

Telus and its international faction have acquired U.S. mobile app company WillowTree. The $1.2 billion (USD) deal will see the company absorbing WillowTree’s offices in 13 countries worldwide.

Government

The Governments of Canada and Ontario have invested $56 million in high-speed internet projects for eastern Ontario. Bell and Cogeco have been tasked with projects that will benefit 16,000 homes once completed. The investment is part of a July 2021 partnership between the two governments.

Deals

Koodo has launched ‘Pick Your Perk’ plans, allowing customers to select one free add-on to their plans. There are five options for customers to choose from, including options to roll over data or unlimited international SMS.