As the Wind blows-Abandoning Wind as a carrier

As noted in earlier posts, finding a carrier in Canada is difficult given the plans change constantly. In reaction the explosion of smartphone use, carriers have moved away from a UBB like model for calls and texts to a similar model around data use. Calls and texts are now flat rate plans with unlimited use, and data rates are predatory and capped both in use and expense.

I have been using Wind in Alberta for year and it has been at best a mixed experience. Coverage and network speed (3G) are abysmal and embarrassing. Value and price are exceptional with unlimited data, calls and texts. I was betting on Wind being purchased by a bigger player (Videotron) or a new entrant that would immediately expand infrastructure investment and expansion. 

I bet wrong.

Now I am searching for the least exploitative LTE plan I can Bring My Own Device and not pay and arm and a leg.

The first challenge is ensuring I can find a carrier that is using an LTE band my phone supports. The most common band in Canada is LTE 4 (1700 Mhz) which my phone supports. My phone is also unlocked.

The second challenge is the PRICE. With WIND I have slow but UNLIMITED data that throttles at 5 GB's a month for $43/mth. I often use between 3-5GB of data month which will be enormously expensive with every other carrier.

Let's start with the "value" carriers:

Virgin Mobile Canada BYOD

Virgin has unlimited calling, texting plans and caps out at 5 GB of data per month for $88/mth, 

FIDO BYOD

Fido has unlimited calling, texting plans and caps out at 5 GB of data per month for $85/mth, including Spotify Premium

KOODO BYOD

Koodo has unlimited calling, texting plans and caps out at 5 GB of data per month for $88/mth wiht $5/250MB in overage rates

So far competition seems to be in short supply

TELUS BYOD

Telus has split calling, texting and data plans, called "Your Choice". Texting and calling is a separate charge from the additional Data plan. 

Unlimited CANADA ONLY calling and texting is $40/mth
Data caps out at 8 GB of data per month for an additonal $85/mth but can be shared between family accounts.

This is prohibitively expensive

ROGERS BYOD

Rogers has combined calling, texting and data plans, called "Share Everything". 
Data caps out at 4 GB of data per month for $90/mth but can be shared between family accounts.


BELL BYOD

Bell has split calling, texting and data plans, called "Individual Share". Texting and calling is a separate charge from the additional Data plan. 

Unlimited CANADA ONLY calling and texting is $40/mth
Data caps out at 15 GB of data per month for an additonal $105/mth but can be shared between family accounts.

This is INSANELY expensive


Clearly competition is lacking as ever in Canada.