TORONTO- Bell Mobility launched its PCS Plus personal communications services network in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City.
Subscribers can use dual-mode analog/digital phones, by Sony Corp. and Qualcomm Inc. The operator deployed Code Division Multiple Access technology on its 1.9 GHz PCS Plus system.
“Clearly we haven’t rushed to market just be the first to launch PCS,” said Bob Ferchat, Bell Mobility’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We waited until we had it right-dual-mode phones, the right technology, the right coverage and the right value for the people who count, our customers.”
Bell Mobility and the other regional Mobility Canada operators each received a 10-megahertz regional PCS license, and Rogers Cantel Inc. received a nationwide 10-megahertz license. As cellular operators, each had to wait to launch 1.9 GHz PCS until new market entrants Microcell Telecommunications Inc. and Clearnet Communications Inc. started offering their 1.9 GHz PCS services. Microcell operates several GSM systems and Clearnet recently launched CDMA service.
Bell Mobility said customers will save between 20 percent and 25 percent by upgrading from analog service to PCS Plus. Three rate plans are being offered, with a flat fee ranging from $30 to $100, and minutes included between 100 and 500.
