Freedom Mobile to Launch All-New Plans

[Wonder_why]

Freedom Mobile to Launch All-New Plans Oct. 19, Such as $50/10GB and More

Freedom Mobile is set to launch new ‘Big Gig’, ‘Home’ and ‘Everywhere Canada’ plans this week on October 19,
according to internal documents seen by iPhone in Canada. The ‘Big Gig’ plans include plenty
of data within Home networks, while Everywhere Canada plans include U.S. long distance and text.

All ‘Big Gig’ plans have $0.05/minute calling within Canada and the U.S., but there’s bonus data for a limited time. SMS and MMS are unlimited within Canada, U.S. and to International numbers. All the usual extras like Voicemail+, Call Control, etc are included.

Big Gig

$50/month: 12GB data (8GB + 4GB bonus) within Home; 250MB within Away
$70/month: 15GB data (8GB + 7GB bonus) within Home; 500MB within Away
$90/month: 20GB data (12GB + 8GB bonus) within Home; 1GB within Away
‘Everywhere Canada’ plans all include unlimited Canada-wide calling and unlimited calls to the U.S. within Home zones, while 2400 minutes are included in Away zones. Global SMS/MMS is included, as well as the usual extras like Voicemail+, Call Control, etc.

Everywhere Canada

$50/month: 5GB (4GB + 1GB bonus) within Home; 250MB within Away
$60/month: 10GB (6GB + 4GB bonus) within Home; 500MB within Away
$75/month: 12GB (9GB + 3GB bonus) within Home; 1GB within Away
$100/month: 20GB (15GB + 5GB bonus) within Home; 1GB within Away
Meanwhile, ‘Home’ plans include limited talk and data allotments, starting at $25 per month. They have the usual extras like Voicemail+, Call Control, etc. The starter $25 plan does not have an option for data or U.S. long distance and talk and text.

Previous ‘Everywhere’ plans included U.S. data in Away zones, but these new plans don’t.

Home

$25/month: 250 Canada-wide minutes ($0.15/min overages); $0.15/minute U.S. calling; unlimited SMS/MMS in Canada; $0.05/text International, $1.00/MMS International
$30/month: unlimited Canada-wide calling; unlimited SMS/MMS in Canada; $0.05/text International, $1.00/MMS International; 250MB data
$40/month: unlimited Canada-wide calling; $0.05/min calling to U.S.; unlimited global SMS/MMS; 2GB data; Eligible for Better Together Savings
Earlier this afternoon, Freedom Mobile confirmed they will be selling the iPhone, with a launch set for a future date.

What do you think about these new plans coming this week?

http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/shaw/freedom-mobile-new-plans-oct-19/

[MEU_21]

Who knows, maybe it's 5G!! 

[zhadj030]

I tend to agree with everyone here , the new prices are just horrible. Never thought I would see a 100 $ /month plan on freedom. I wonder how many of that will be actually usable . 

[srlawren]

The writing has been on that wall for a long time. If Shaw really wants to build out their network, it's going to cost them. Nobody should be surprised when that cost is passed along to their customers.  I think as their network continues to mature, you will see their plans becoming ever closer to what the big 3 offer at the time.

[koimr1]

These sure seem a bit odd and a step down from their current plans.

The "Big Gig" plans look impressive although you have to pay for calls and the article this came from also says the bonus data is for a limited time.

"Everywhere Canada" has lower roaming data allotment compared to an equivalent current plan.

"Home" is basically for calls and texts; the highest $40 plan is comparable to Big Three plans in features and price but FM's network quality makes this a bad choice.

My guesses are that they either are really confident in their network or they are trying to raise ARPU quickly.

Oh well - zero regrets here after switching from FM to PM. 🙂

[will13am]

Bandwidth is cheap.  This is all about increasing ARPU.  Ramp up the data bucket and give the impression of perceived value.  Given the state of Freedom's network, spending $50+ a month on any of their plans is not worth it in my opinion.  I was paying $25 a month for 5 gigs and I had to leave.  Yes, the bitterness of poor quality has remained, but I have not forgotten about the sweetness of low price.  It's just that there wasn't enough sugar coating to make the bitterness tolerable. 

[Michael77]

@computergeek541,

I agree. I think FM's future plans are not as good as their current plans.

[computergeek541]

I think these new Freedom Mobile plans are terrrible.

With the condition of Freedom's network, I can't picture many willing to pay anywhere close to $90 or $100/month for service.

The new "Home" plan are horredous, at least in my opinion. 

The "Big Gig" plans are just wishful thinking on Freedom's part if you ask me.  At those prices, I believe people will expect phone service to be included as well.

Then, there's the new "Everywhere Canada" plans.  Across the board, new customers lose U.S. roaming that was previously included in all price plans at these price points.  Away roaming data buckets have also been substantially reduced, and the the most expensive plans, are... well, expensive and just more wishful thinking by Freedom. 

The way the new plans are structured, I see it as Freedom going for $50 from new customers.  But this new $50 Everywhere Canada plan is worse the current $50 plan because it not only lacks the U.S. roaming, but also includes less Home network data and Away network data than the old $50 plan.

While perhaps including more options for higher amounts of data, I see this a push by Freedom Mobile to get new customers to pay more than they have in the past.  It could backfire. 

[MoreYummy]

These new plans are better than before.  For those who can work with their network is useful.  Otherwise wait till they have better network like the above suggest.

[Taekgun]

Agreed, there is a lot that is still lacking in the network capability. However, with the aquisition of that spectrum back in June, I think that the Freedom network quality "can" increase substantially.

These new price plans, especially the larger buckets, I think are starting to rattle the cages of the big three.

Example for BYOD w/ Canada-Wide Calling:

Freedom (new pricing) 10GB - $60/month

Rogers (current pricing) 10GB - $145/month

[will13am]

I saw that.  Until the network improves, the large data bucket is meaningless.  It's like going to a bad buffet and being force fed.