Bell introduces Lucky Mobile

[tzliu]

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/lucky-mobile-is-canadas-new-low-cost-no-surprises-prepaid-wirel...

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 1, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced the upcoming launch of Lucky Mobile, an easy and low-cost prepaid mobile alternative for budget-conscious Canadians with monthly plans starting at just $20.

Now we have

Bell

   -Virgin Mobile -- Lucky Mobile

Rogers

  - FIDO -- ChatR

TELUS

  - Koodo -- Public Mobile

[David01]

My guess would be it was abandoned due to lack of interest. Solo mobile was rife with poor customer service and legions of very dissatisfied customers. Most posted reviews I've seen about them are quite negative. Lucky is a new way for Bell to tap into the prepaid market, while establishing a new brand customers haven't seen yet. However, with a price point that doesn't give much value for the dollar, i dont think many PM customers will be switching any time soon. 

[Michael77]

Lucky's plans are Yucky plans.

[makkahn28]

Lucky seems to have SOME advantages, NOT Much, but some, especially in International Calling, Zone 1, 2, and on

More than the 18 on Public's list

[stonechucker]

I'm actually amazed that where I live and work, and the places I go, are in the zone coverage.  However, I text more than 100 messages in 30 days, and the data is not enough at the prices to even entice me to switch.

Guess Public Mobile is stuck with me for now 🙂

[Michael77]

http://business.financialpost.com/telecom/bells-politically-astute-lucky-mobile-launch-aims-to-grab-...

“With the government’s ongoing focus on affordable wireless services and politicians preparing their campaigns for the upcoming federal election in 2019, we believe BCE’s launch of Lucky Mobile is well-timed,” Barclays analyst Phillip Huang noted to clients.

• Bell to launch low-cost wireless carrier called Lucky Mobile — offering $20 plans
• BCE’s profit beats expectations as it adds wireless, internet and TV subscribers

The federal Liberals have touted the need for affordable wireless service. In June, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains ordered the telecom regulator to reconsider a decision over whether the wireless operators should be required to open up their networks to resellers. The Big Three providers, including Bell, are vehemently opposed to this. They argue wireless services are already affordable."

This is not competition. We need more providers other than the Big 3.

[zoomzoom87]

Carriers will get away with jacking up prices as long as they're able to get away with. We're truly getting hosed in Canada with telecom. Went to visit Poland for two weeks. Bought a Sim, 10gb internet, sms and calling for 30 days for $9 Cad. 

[jeffster1970]

What worries me is that if Lucky is like Chatr what stops PM from going all out and being like those two?  Crappy throttled 3G speeds and zoned area's...

[jeffster1970]

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@Garry wrote:

Even if Lucky mobile was cheaper.......I'd rather stick my n#ts in a vise a whack'm with a hammer!!!!

Bell is the devil in disguise...

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i'd stick around to see your reaction to when you do this...lol....I agree though, Bell....yuck.

[wetcoaster]

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@mattdxb wrote:
It's crazy to think providers can still get away with zoned plans nowadays

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They don't with me.

Living outside of the GVA, the closest "zone", I would be on "roaming" continuosly / need to sign up for their more expensive "out-of-zone" plans. Not going to happen as long as I can help it - it's the biggest reason for me to be a PM customer.

Freedom, having their own infrastructure, I could potentially somewhat rationalize the concept of their own network (in-zone) vs roaming (using another network if their own is not available).

Rogers' and Bell's flanker brands on the other hand? Pure money grab.

[mattdxb]

It's crazy to think providers can still get away with zoned plans nowadays

[sabbie]

Competition is always good to give consumers more choice. 

I think it will take time for Lucky to gain traction and get in touch with a market that is quite different from the Bell one.

With that said, very happy with PM!

[Michael77]

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@koimr1 wrote:

I know competition is good and all but seeing as these flanker brands have to compete with their siblings and parent company I doubt we are seeing REAL competition at all, I can't see Bell wanting Lucky to cannibalize from its own more-lucrative base and I don't consider FM to yet be viable/large enough to draw from. And there's not much difference between Bell, Telus and Rogers (their flankers, I mean) to really warrant switching, is there?

And although their "3G" is actually throttled LTE (like PM) why are we going back to that AND "zones" again when it's almost 2018?

I'm cranky this morning. 🙂

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I agree. 

[koimr1]

I know competition is good and all but seeing as these flanker brands have to compete with their siblings and parent company I doubt we are seeing REAL competition at all, I can't see Bell wanting Lucky to cannibalize from its own more-lucrative base and I don't consider FM to yet be viable/large enough to draw from. And there's not much difference between Bell, Telus and Rogers (their flankers, I mean) to really warrant switching, is there?

And although their "3G" is actually throttled LTE (like PM) why are we going back to that AND "zones" again when it's almost 2018?

I'm cranky this morning. 🙂

[zhadj030]

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@Acekiller wrote:

More competition the better, although it could really be the same tea from diff cup.

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I tend to agree, This is more like a joke then actual competition. That is just Bell that wants more in the prepaid cake market . Nothing changed, and nothing will .

[Michael77]

Do you want to get Lucky? LOL

The zoned and 3g plans aren't very exciting. 😞

I don't think the prices will be that great either.  It seems like Lucky is copying Chatr. 😞

[Acekiller]

More competition the better, although it could really be the same tea from diff cup.

[kav2001c]

Wind, Freedom, and now Shaw Wireless...

Same thing really

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@paulie wrote:

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And Freedom !    With one name and network.   🙂

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[Luddite]

Pay attention to the fine print on wifi calling. It is often only from selected zones not anywhere you connect to wifi. If you really want universal wifi calling try Fongo, Hangouts, Vyke, or another voip provider.

[paulie]

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@tzliu wrote:

Now we have

Bell

   -Virgin Mobile -- Lucky Mobile

Rogers

  - FIDO -- ChatR

TELUS

  - Koodo -- Public Mobile

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And Freedom !    With one name and network.   🙂

[computergeek541]

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@kav2001c wrote:

Yes we have

https://www.chatrwireless.com/web/chatr.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PlanBrowse

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@smp99 wrote:

Of course, we have not seen the pricing breakdown just yet.

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That's actually a pretty good breakdown of Lucky Mobile's upcoming plans, snce we know that these companies like to copy each other. 

I'm not crazy about Lucky's choice of 3g and of zoned plans. The non-zoned plans are nothing special, pretty much just the same as everyone else.

Lucky Mobile's pricing seems just unorginal.  I'm sure that consumers will become suspcious about yet another competitor/brand being introduced with pretty much identical offerings.  At the very least, it gives customers another choice when it comes to prepaid offerings.

Mobile Syrup appears to have a screenshot  of Lucky Mobile's price plans.  https://mobilesyrup.com/2017/12/01/lucky-mobile-bell-canada-prepaid-wireless-carrier/

Don't be so surprised if you struggle to find differences between Chatr and Lucky. 

[Garry]

Even if Lucky mobile was cheaper.......I'd rather stick my n#ts in a vise a whack'm with a hammer!!!!

Bell is the devil in disguise...

[kav2001c]

Yes we have

https://www.chatrwireless.com/web/chatr.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PlanBrowse

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@smp99 wrote:

Of course, we have not seen the pricing breakdown just yet.

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[kav2001c]

Ok seriously 

We knew they were planning to relaunch value brand but what about poor neglected Solo?

[will13am]

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@smp99 wrote:

Talk and text over Wifi coming in 2018!! That's pretty good. If PM had that it would go along way to deal with the lack of roaming options outside of Cda/US. Of course we don't know if this will be included or an added cost.

Of course, we have not seen the pricing breakdown just yet.

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This wifi calling stuff is a last ditch effort by the carriers to stay relevant.  They know that without this, they will lose out to all the calling and texting app options. 

[smp99]

Talk and text over Wifi coming in 2018!! That's pretty good. If PM had that it would go along way to deal with the lack of roaming options outside of Cda/US. Of course we don't know if this will be included or an added cost.

Of course, we have not seen the pricing breakdown just yet.

[stonechucker]

@will13am, I read the newswire posting as they're going to essentially throttle to 3G speeds like PM is doing.... not just a 3G network.

[stonechucker]

Looks like they're trying to get some of us PM subscribers.  I'd use the WiFi app if it was anything like Rogers' OneNumber was.

Not seeing what the actual offerings are yet, but seeing they're going to be in more (some of the same) retail locations than Public Mobile .... if their service and support function better than this one, I *may* jump.

This is a wak-up call for Public Mobile, and Telus overall.  Get things working, get them working now.  No more reason for delays .. the competition is hot on your heels now.

[KMG]

Public Mobile still wins by having LTE speed and no zones.

[will13am]

I guess Public Mobile has nothing to worry about.  This concept of zoned service is like intentionally going back to the days when the national networks were built a street corner at a time.  Running 3G data when we are in the midst of heading to 5G escapes logic.  When are carriers going to stop pretending that bandwidth is expensive.  I see this being useful for travellers particularly with passes for calling back to the home country.