Why isn't there an unlimited data plan? Wind offers an unlimited data plan starting at $30.

[nfstonge]

Why isn't there an unlimited data plan? Wind offers an unlimited data plan starting at $30 including calling and texting.

[WongTong · Accepted solution]

Tsizzle is right. Unlimited data would cause high traffic congestion on the network.

[xl · Accepted solution]

I totally agree... you get what you pay for....

Discount carriers...

• offer poor coverage once you leave the downtown core
• likes to charge you roaming fees INSIDE Canada
• don't work indoors or in transit tunnels.
• 2G data speeds... no LTE.  The unlimited data is a SCAM

[xray · Accepted solution]

"They could probably even have unlimited talk and text nation wide with 2GB of data, charge $20 for it and probably still make a profit on that."

Please show us your financial analysis that supports this statement. It's this type of off-the-cuff statement based on wishful thinking that fuels these online debates ad nauseam.

[Nighthawk]

Because the big 3 mobility providers love massive profits. Telus could easily make some form of profit off a plan like that but nothing like the astronomical amount they currently make. Their shareholders won't want to get lower dividends. They could probably even have unlimited talk and text nation wide with 2GB of data, charge $20 for it and probably still make a profit on that.

[xray · Accepted solution]

"They could probably even have unlimited talk and text nation wide with 2GB of data, charge $20 for it and probably still make a profit on that."

Please show us your financial analysis that supports this statement. It's this type of off-the-cuff statement based on wishful thinking that fuels these online debates ad nauseam.

[tsizzle · Accepted solution]

$20 doesn't even cover the monthly subsidy for an iPhone ($719 - $229) / 24 = $20.45

[kea]

"They could probably even have unlimited talk and text nation wide with 2GB of data, charge $20 for it and probably still make a profit on that."

Please show us your financial analysis that supports this statement. It's this type of off-the-cuff statement based on wishful thinking that fuels these online debates ad nauseam.

I don't think the statement is entirely off the cuff or wishful, because Canada & the US are not the only countries in the world, and because we know other places are cheaper.  A lot cheaper.  The only "financial analysis" required is looking at the success of those cell companies; making good profits for their shareholders despite the lower priced plans.  For example, Idea has a plan for the equivalent of $30 Canadian than gives 8gigs data (only on 3G), 10K mins local or roaming talk time, and 1K texts (not very many texts, I know, but overs are only about penny per text, so it doesn't sting too badly.)  

[tsizzle]

That's almost certainly un-subsidized pricing, otherwise they're losing money per subscriber. As I mentioned the basic math to figure out what they would have to charge you not including any costs related to services or G&A:

$20 doesn't even cover the monthly subsidy for an iPhone ($719 - $229) / 24 = $20.45

As for Idea, let's compare the population density of two of the major cities they service:

Toronto - 945.4/km2

Delhi - 11,050/km2

Source: Google.

So just to be clear, you're comparing a telecom that has access to 11x the number of customers per square km in major urban centers and the cost does not increase 11x to support them. So they can afford to sell cheaper plans, because they have the necessary volume to offset the lower margin. 

[xray]

@kea If TELUS operated in India then comparing plans offered by Idea might be valid. You also fail to account for the limited home coverage of Idea and the roaming costs of going outside the coverage.

You comparing a Yugo to a Range Rover and saying they should cost the same when they have completely different capabilities and cost bases.

[kea]

If I'm comparing Canadian telecoms to a Yugo, it's because that's apt.  The Range Rover analogy is South Korea's LTE-A network conversion (speeds up to 300Mbps?!?).  And they are STILL way, way cheaper than Canadian plans... so yeah.  If Canadians can only shop for Yugo quality, it would be nice to have Yugo prices.

[xray]

"If I'm comparing Canadian telecoms to a Yugo, it's because that's apt.  The Range Rover analogy is South Korea's LTE-A network conversion (speeds up to 300Mbps?!?).  And they are STILL way, way cheaper than Canadian plans... so yeah.  If Canadians can only shop for Yugo quality, it would be nice to have Yugo prices."

Wow, you sure are jumping all over the world to make your point. First India and now South Korea. Can't make an argument using a country where you actually want to live? 

SK Telecom has an Unlimited LTE plan for KRW 80,000 which works out to be about $86 CDN. I believe that plan doesn't include a subsidized phone. Better than what's offered in Canada but certainly not "way, way cheaper" as you put it.

South Korea is about 100,000 sq km in size compared to Canada's 10,000,000 sq km. Using only 1/3 of the area of Canada which is actually populated we get a population density of 10.5 people per sq km compared to 498 people per sq km in South Korea. They can service 50 times the number of subscribers with each tower so their cost structure is very different. Yet their prices are not that much cheaper.

BTW, South Koreans pay $1.95/litre for gasoline. Do you want those prices too?

[xl]

I had some seven overseas visitors who needed data service for a couple weeks.  With the international data roaming charge that could be saved.... I set them up with a Wind hotspot to share.... just to see how bad Wind service can be... ugly!

• No coverage between West Vancouver and Whistler
• No coverage between Nanaimo ferry terminal and Victoria.  Running google maps had them lost when there was no coverage.
• 3G in Richmond was 0.3Mbps, compared to Telus's 3G at 10Mbps or Telus LTE at 35Mbps.  No wonder they consumed so little data on that unlimited plan.  It was far to slow to be useable!
• US coverage option... not working in Bellingham and Alaska ports.  Emails to support?  They did NOTHING for me and demanded I make a long distance call to their support centre.  Forget it if they were expecting me to pay cruise ship roaming charges!
• After going through 5 support tech's while in Seattle.... they tell me I had go to the router admin page at http://192.168.1.1 to manually connect EACH time the device was turned on or the battery went dead.  I also cannot use an iOS device to do the login (flash? java?).  I had to use a laptop or blackberry!
• if you want US coverage?  You CANNOT disable roaming in Canada.  If you get charged Canadian roaming... IT'S YOUR FAULT!
• if I don't use my SIM card after 2 months... I need to BUY a new SIM.  What an incentive to stay as a customer?  I call it ransom.  Roam Mobility gives me 12 months!
• the unlimited plan is not unlimited.  Under fair usage policy.... they THROTTLE you DOWN so your service is only good for emails.
• my friends tell me he has NO data coverage for 6 weeks.  The Wind support tech's are USELESS!!!!
• while Telus has this forum.... Wind has SHUT THEIRS DOWN in embarrassment.

I think this customer sponsored website URL summarizes my feelings like other proud loyal Wind users....

http://www.windmobilesucks.com/forum/index.php

While Wind and other competitors work hard to keep customer complaints high.  Telus has reduced theirs.  Do you really want to give your money to incompetence???

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/11/08/what-is-telus-doing-right-users-flocking-to-telco-and-h...

[tsizzle]

The same reason there aren't unlimited data plans at the major US carriers anymore, its not sustainable and ruins network quality. 

[nfstonge]

Hi ho hi ho, off to Wind I go. Been with Telus for 7 years, if they're not willing to change with the times mine as well go with a company that is. 

[WongTong · Accepted solution]

Tsizzle is right. Unlimited data would cause high traffic congestion on the network.

[Kevinedwards]

Go to WIND. See how long you last over there. You should do some serious research on wind and how their roaming works. roaming data, NOT included in unlimited Data. Wind Service areas are in pockets, u will be roaming everywhere.

[xl · Accepted solution]

I totally agree... you get what you pay for....

Discount carriers...

• offer poor coverage once you leave the downtown core
• likes to charge you roaming fees INSIDE Canada
• don't work indoors or in transit tunnels.
• 2G data speeds... no LTE.  The unlimited data is a SCAM