#SaskTel might get the #iPhone at a good time @Kindle_eReader #Canada
by HalfInformed on Oct.11, 2009, under Half Informed
Source Tweet: @Kindle_eReader SaskTel might finally have the iPhone in 2010, but is it already too late? – Canada.com http://bit.ly/TSii7
Source Article: Canada.com
In this article Kevin Blevins examines SaskTel’s wireless upgrades from the technology perspective, how they effect the sales strategies (product versus service area) and also compares the mobile site analytics for LeaderPost.com.
I believe the timing is great. By 2010 a lot of early Rogers iPhone customers will be just getting out of their contracts and will also give SaskTel some time to understand and establish it’s position in the iPhone market while more and more Rogers customers are coming to the ends of their contracts.
When it comes down to the GSM providers having first dibs on the phones Kevin is for sure correct. With the upgrades to HSPA/UMTS to the Telus and Bell systems being ahead of schedule for the rest of Canada (Nov 2009). And new market players coming soon like Shaw, I will be interested to see what RIM will do when everyone and their dog will want the iPhone.
But what Kevin didn’t mention here is that there is a lot of work going on all over northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. And reports from every “Rig Pig” I have ever talked to was that Rogers has the worst service out there, but the Bell and Telus CDMA system works great. Those hard working souls can’t afford to be bothered with a spotty carrier. While GSM is great for speed it’s reliability rating must be fairly low.
So maybe that 13 year old girl in Regina might get the iPhone if her parents don’t mind taking out an iLoan. And the GSM provider will have the most phones. But anyone in Saskatchewan that plans on leaving the city on a regular basis might just have to use the second and third generation phones on CDMA for now.
As for the analytics of the mobile sight. I think those numbers just come down to the fact that the web is a much nicer thing to look at in Safari on an iDevice than on RIM’s disgusting browser. Do the stats report iPod or iPhone? If web browsing on my Blackberry was nearly and rich as on my iPod Touch 3rd Gen then maybe I would surf more on my Blackberry.
At the end of the day the timing is perfect for SaskTel, RIM needs to make a iPhone killer and fast to stay alive, and the Rogers service area in Saskatchewan is still lacking.
October 15th, 2009 on 6:00 am
I searched for \’Iphone Canada\’ at google and found this your post (\’l might get the #iPhone at a good time @Kindle_eReader #Canada – Half Informed\’) in search results. Not very relevant result, but still interesting to read.
October 15th, 2009 on 11:32 am
What a lot of people don’t recognize is SaskTel is expanding their EV-DO high speed network into more rural communities over the next 2 years (optimal for devices like BlackBerry). SaskTel’s competitors do not have EV-DO coverage outside of Saskatoon and Regina.
Keep in mind that SaskTel is a regional carrier. They do not have the buying power or leverage that their competitors do.
RIM is coming out with the touchscreen “Storm 2″ next year. Early reviews indicate it’s much better than its predecessor. Hopefully SaskTel will carry it right away.
To enhance your browsing experience, try “Opera Mini” at m.opera.com from your smartphone. There are other third party browsers out there like “Bolt”. You just need to take the time to look for them and try them out!