Public Mobile looks to shake up Canadian price structure

Canadian wireless operator Public Mobile today unveiled new rate plans that provide for unlimited province-wide calling, lower nationwide roaming costs and flat-rate e-mail options.
The recently launched carrier said it now offers unlimited province-wide calling for $15.50 per month at a time when most consumers are still spending more than $30 per month for the same capabilities from a landline phone. The carrier currently provides service covering approximately 8 million people in Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec.
In addition to the new plan, Public Mobile also said it will begin offering nationwide voice roaming for 15 cents per minute and outgoing text messages for 15 cents per message. Incoming messages are free. The carrier claims the voice roaming rates are 5 cents to 10 cents per minute cheaper than rival start-ups.
Public Mobile also said that in connection with the launch of its first wireless data service it will offer unlimited e-mail access for $5 per month.
During Canada’s 2008 AWS spectrum auction, Public Mobile spent $54 million for spectrum licenses covering approximately 19 million pops. Public Mobile is one of a handful of new entrants into the Canadian wireless market looking to take on the encumbent operators Rogers Wireless, Telus Mobility and Bell Canada.