Wirelessnorth.ca

I fumbled across this issue last spring when Google released their “Google Mail” Java application. I eagerly downloaded it to my phone and discovered it would not work. When I emailed Rogers support they told me I needed a “business plan” to use it. Now I’ve seen the same issue with Java games that must link back to their host. They are all blocked.

Consumers are becoming more savvy so forcing them into their “dirt road of Internet access” is not going to cut it for long.

If Bell or Telus did not have this limitation, I would jump ship today.

Unfortunately Rogers is the only GSM provider in this fine country. So, even if Telus or Bell decided to play the role of white knight, all of us 3rd party handset owners (iPhones etc) would still be stuck with Rogers. Boooo :(

Phones are so 2000 anyway. It’s time to add SMS to the iPod Touch, start up a ubiquitous WiFi/SMS network, and be done with all this carrier BS. Of course, Bell has recently earned the right to charge SMS short code owners $500 per month if their short code touches the Bell network. They’re getting you on both ends, as the consumer, and the company pushing data to the consumer.

I guess the main question is, should we be entitled to freedom of communications when we’re traveling on other people’s data lines? Is this too utopian of a demand in our capitalist nation? And, regardless, is it the job of those in the know to do something about it? ie, do enough people care to start up some competition? Or, is the truth that only the nerds are raising their fists and everyone else is oblivious?

Anyway, I’m headed to the Gladstone tomorrow night to deal with copyright freedom. I’ll worry about data freedom after we deal with that.

Peace.
Lee

[...] Did you think it was going to get better? [...]

I caught you at DemoCamp yesterday. I was quite prod to realize that it was a local Torontoian who had published that graph on wireless rates around the world I saw everywhere last summer. I find Canada’s postion a bit ironic given that we were a leader in wireless communication back in the 1950s when were built the cross country microwave network.

I signed up last month and have been using it non stop with my Nokia N95. Upping pics to Facebook and Flikr, vids to youtube, Using the GOS and google maps etc. As long as everything goes through your wap connection it’s fine. End of the month and over 200 meg upped and dloaded and it was $7. Awsome deal if you ask me.

[...] into the arms of the nearest Roger who would have me. Sure, he regularly mistreats me and pulls the same tricks you used to (and a whole bunch you only fantasize about in your wildest dreams), but at least [...]