Bring back phones.

[tehowennathe]

In the US pre paid phone companies such as NET10 and Straight Talk sell phones at Walmart. Why can't PM do the same. Doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles. Just needs to have minimum for basic users. Thus would attract older users the network or people who don't need a fancy phone.

[xCameron94x]

That could go badly, as this is an online service. What if something goes wrong during the port process, and they dont know how to contact for help, or if they have account issues? There are plenty of "basic" phones such as blu that can be purchased from amazon or small retailers, or even flea markets that come unlocked, with some in the $100 price range. Probably also costs PM something to "sell" these phones at stores, which will only increase plan prices

[tehowennathe]

True but there is a huge amount of people who don't know anything about unlocked phones. People who would join PM and just don't know how to unlocke phone or where to get one. That's why many go on contract because they don't know about unlocked phones.

[jpar]

I don't think this would hurt, as long as people understood the 'online support' model after the fact...

[smp99]

I don't think this is a good idea. If you are unaware of the concept of unlock phones or how to do that, then I don't think PM is for you. You need to figure out a few things for your self here - online support only. However, many people with limited tech skills are on PM, but I suspect many were set up by a friend/relative and refer to them when issues arise.

[tehowennathe]

@jpar I agree it won't hurt. Even if they added entry level phones for customers who need a replacement until they can get the phone they really want. Like me I don't care about bells and whistles. As long as I can check email and Facebook I'm good with that.

[jpar]

@tehowennathe Definitely.

[tehowennathe]

I remember joining PM before they where owned by Telus because they sold phones on a prepaid service. Sure wasn't the most well known model but the smartphone did everything I needed it to do. I liked it because phone came with a sim card. 

[smp99]

You can get replacement phones now. Walmart and others currently sell Telus prepaid and Koodo Prepaid phones. Pop in your PM SIM and you are done. 

[srlawren]

Definitely a bad idea, the support costs would be huge and all our rate plans would go up.  I personally really like the separation of church and state--errr, hardware and service.  

I think awareness of locked/unlocked, as well as access to getting your carrier-locked phone unlocked, is about to go way up:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Discussions/CRTC-bans-locked-phones-and-carrier-unloc...

[xCameron94x]

you can just buy a telus pre-paid or koodo pre-paid. No need for PM to start selling phones