wifitalk.ca » wireless

Shaw Cancels Cellular Network Plans

george — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:18:00 +0000

The CBC is reporting that Shaw has cancelled its plans for a nationwide cellular network, so the hopes of another new entrant into the Canadian wireless market are dashed. Citing $1B in capital expenditures and difficulty in competing with the incumbents, Shaw will forego its plans, and may decide to sell its wireless spectrum to one of the new players Wind, Mobilicity, or Public Mobile.

What’s interesting is Shaw stated that wifi is free and they can more easily set up a wifi network than a cellular network.

“Given that Wi-Fi spectrum is free and there are no device subsidies, we can build extensive Wi-Fi coverage at a substantially lower cost relative to a traditional wireless network and still provide our customers with an excellent broadband wireless experience,” Shaw said.

Maybe this means a city-blanketing wifi network that you can pay to have access to. wifi capable devices such as iPhones and iPod touches can be activated using a VOIP client similar to Shaw’s home phone, and it would work anywhere in the city. Of course getting wifi stations in sparsely populated areas isn’t exactly practical, but for denser regions, a home phone that works in the city might be plenty for most people. Interesting idea.

The other option is that Shaw might choose to buy out one of the new wireless companies, or perhaps even merge. With the lines between mobile and home broadband becoming blurred, it may make sense for a wireless-only and wired-only company to merge in order to more effectively compete with the big three.

One thing is for sure, Shaw’s home broadband plans are second to none in Canada right now, so a buyout of Shaw by Rogers would be a terrible thing for consumers.

Updated: Skype and Verizon Up To Something at CTIA

george — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:59:58 +0000

Just in on Twitter:

Looks like Skype might make another inroad on a US carrier’s phones.

Update: Skype Mobile for Verizon available Thursday

Skype, Verizon Wireless Join Forces

george — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:04:34 +0000

Skype and Verizon Wireless have announced that they are joining forces to provide a cheap integrated mobile VOIP solution starting in March of this year.

Skype CEO Josh Silverman and Russ Shaw, VP and GM of Skype mobile

According to the announcement, several BlackBerry and Android phones will come with Skype pre-installed upon purchase from Verizon. All Skype-to-Skype calls will be free, and Skype’s standard low international long distance calling rates will apply, while standard Skype calls will function over the traditional PSTN network.

Some of the phones available in March will be the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR.

Perhaps the single biggest factor that will ensure this will be a success is the fact that the Skype apps will always be running, ensuring that you never miss a call – no hoping that you get a push notification in time to close the app you’re working in and start up Skype in time to take the call.

With such a heavyweight in the wireless industry taking such an interest in Skype and putting into good phones which will run Skype to the fullest of its potential, this really makes some noise in the mobile VOIP industry.

Canadian providers will probably be slow to adopt Skype, instead preferring to retain their long-distance voice plan revenue.