December 2009 Update: WIND to actually launch, probably within a week. See this article for areas they'll actually be launching in.

WIND Mobile to launched Wednesday December 16th, check out where you can get a phone here.

WIND Mobile looks to have their new cell phone service advertising ready to go in Canada. They're rather funny commercials, of course, it's all too easy to make fun of Rogers, Bell and Telus, they just make such good targets!

They're a new cell phone provider that isn't some worthless MVNO provider. An MVNO provider is one that piggyback's off of one of the major cell phone providers networks, so they don't really call any shots themselves. For example, Koodo operates on the Telus network, so they can offer some discounts, but you won't see them offering anything that would infuriate Telus. They give the appearance of choice and competition, but it's really a facade.

But WIND is building their own network. Yes, they're going to start off small, but I could only expect a large number of Canadians switching to their service.

Even if Rogers, Bell and Telus lower their rates to compete for the first time ever, people have lost their trust and will go with the newer provider.

There is still very little information out there about what WIND Mobile will charge for monthly plans, add-ons, long-distance nor what kind of phones they will have available. Having said that, a good phone provider will let you buy whatever 3G (UMTS, WCDMA or HSPDA) phone you like yourself (off Ebay or the like), and then installing the SIM card.

Public Mobile, another newer entrant but with smaller roll-out intentions is planning an unlimited talk and text plan for $40/month, which should be extremely interesting as a landline replacement and business phone. We don't think they'll be offering any data plans :( Their service will run on "orphan spectrum", which essentially means that you won't have very much selection of phones, they'll have to be custom made for Public Mobile.

WIND Mobile Launch Cities

WIND Mobile will be launching first in Calgary and GTA/Toronto. They're currently hiring store managers and other retail people for these positions. I'm personally hoping for a pre-Christmas launch in these two cities. They're definitely working on their roll-out to other cities as well, look for some major news for 2010. I'd expect them to build-out of the Golden Horseshoe more, and perhaps Vancouver+area.

On some phones, you may even be able to do a network search and "see" WIND/Globalive's network if you see the "302-490" network show up. But this doesn't necessarily mean your phone will be compatible with WIND (seriously!).

WIND Mobile did not win the "spectrum auction" for Quebec, so you won't see them offering service there, even. In fact, it may be considered roaming to use your phone there if you do end up getting coverage.

WIND Mobile Phone Selection

The current CEO of WIND is a Blackberry fan, so you'll probably see them offering the Blackberry Onyx, but really, it would be nice if the cell phone companies could concentrate on running cell phone networks and leave the end-user hardware up to the end-user. You don't get a laptop from Sympatico, do you? Do you buy your car from the gas station too?

WIND Mobile and Cell Phone Contracts

My personal advice, if you are in one of these cities (or nearby), don't sign any contracts with the majors, try to stick to month-to-month, because you'll want to switch as soon as you can. If you're in the sticks, cell phone contracts should still be considered, but be wary of anything that goes for longer than 2 years if you can.

There may be some great "Transfer-of-Agreement" deals with people in Toronto trying to drop out 2 years into a 3 year cell phone contract and you could get a great deal if you negotiate well.

WIND Mobile and Roaming

Public Mobile did sign an agreement with T-Mobile for roaming in the USA. WIND does not appear to have signed any agreements as of yet. There were some provisions with the government that might force Rogers, Bell and/or Telus to provide WIND with some roaming privileges, but details haven't been released. I'm not sure if roaming is over 3G, or a GSM fall-back.