Worth switching to Rogers for Andorid (from Bell)

[cruiserhead]

I've been a Bell Mobility customer for almost 10 years now but am pretty interested in the new Android phones from Rogers. My Samsung m610 is dying fast so I'm going to need a new phone before the end of my contract (14 months). I've also wanted to switch to a GSM network for a while. Being tied to Bell-branded phones that won't work in a lot of countries is getting tiresome.

The things holding me back are the ETF with Bell and the fact that the plan I have is actually pretty good (I have the infamous $40 Student Plan from fall of 07.. 250 daytime, unlimited LD, evenings, incoming and mobile browser)

I figure if I can get someone to take over my plan it might be worth it. My questions are:
a)If I transfer my contract so someone else can I still port my number? I am assuming yes but didn't find it worded that way exactly in the postings on here
b)Should I wait until the Bell starts offering GSM? (allegedly Feb 2010)

Either way I need a new phone pretty badly but don't want to resign with Bell just to get a new smartphone (and CDMA to boot)

[hotweiss]

As far as your plan is concerned, I don't know. All I can tell you is that the HTC Magic is awesome.

[mr_raider]

Stick with Bell. The magic isn't worth putting up with Rogers.

[hotweiss]

Stick with Bell. The magic isn't worth putting up with Rogers.

Rogers has the best customer service.

[tep]

Rogers has the best customer service.

hahaha... though that joke is a bit old now.

[MTHead]

Dealing with Rogers is easier then dealing with Bell ... for me anyway.

[Qwavel]

Perhaps you should consider the Bell Storm.

As well as supports Bell's current networks it supports 3G GSM at 2100MHz. This means it will support Bell's future GSM network and GSM networks around the world.

Things have kind'of reversed themselves: if you get a Roger's Android phone you are essentially restricted to North America (because it doesn't have 2100 on its 3G radio), but if you get a Bell Storm you have a real world phone.

If you do buy a Storm, you should expect to pay a bit less then for some of the other smartphones since it isn't quite so new anymore. Don't let Bell charge you full list price for it.

If you want a GSM phone for Rogers that is a real world phone (ie. one that supports both N.A. frequencies and 2100 on its 3G radio) then you could consider the Nokia N97, but it is rather expensive.

[cruiserhead]

Perhaps you should consider the Bell Storm.

As well as supports Bell's current networks it supports 3G GSM at 2100MHz. This means it will support Bell's future GSM network and GSM networks around the world.

Things have kind'of reversed themselves: if you get a Roger's Android phone you are essentially restricted to North America (because it doesn't have 2100 on its 3G radio), but if you get a Bell Storm you have a real world phone.

If you do buy a Storm, you should expect to pay a bit less then for some of the other smartphones since it isn't quite so new anymore. Don't let Bell charge you full list price for it.

If you want a GSM phone for Rogers that is a real world phone (ie. one that supports both N.A. frequencies and 2100 on its 3G radio) then you could consider the Nokia N97, but it is rather expensive.

Cool.. I did not know that, thanks for pointing it out. Maybe I'll track down a Storm in the BST and try it for a while. I hear there are some issues with performance and the like but have heard that the BB is still ahead of the WinMo units. I still need to use this primarily as a PHONE so hopefully BB designed it to be so. A friend of mine has an HTC diamond and says it can take up to two "rings" on the caller end of the phone before the physical device actually starts ringing. Apparently the screen will light up right away, but it takes a couple of seconds to load the 'ring' code.. like WTF! :)

So I've seen a few adds for 'unlocked' Storms that can be used on any network. As long as the PIN is good could I take say a Storm from Verizon or Rogers and use it with Bell? I know that hasn't been the case with the old CDMA-only phones..

[hotweiss]

Perhaps you should consider the Bell Storm.

As well as supports Bell's current networks it supports 3G GSM at 2100MHz. This means it will support Bell's future GSM network and GSM networks around the world.

Things have kind'of reversed themselves: if you get a Roger's Android phone you are essentially restricted to North America (because it doesn't have 2100 on its 3G radio), but if you get a Bell Storm you have a real world phone.

If you do buy a Storm, you should expect to pay a bit less then for some of the other smartphones since it isn't quite so new anymore. Don't let Bell charge you full list price for it.

If you want a GSM phone for Rogers that is a real world phone (ie. one that supports both N.A. frequencies and 2100 on its 3G radio) then you could consider the Nokia N97, but it is rather expensive.

What? The HTC Magic is a world phone. You can do so much more with the Magic in comparison to the storm. Plus the Magic is a lot faster.

[Outsider]

Things have kind'of reversed themselves: if you get a Roger's Android phone you are essentially restricted to North America (because it doesn't have 2100 on its 3G radio), but if you get a Bell Storm you have a real world phone.
...
If you want a GSM phone for Rogers that is a real world phone (ie. one that supports both N.A. frequencies and 2100 on its 3G radio) then you could consider the Nokia N97, but it is rather expensive.
I think what you are trying to say is that the Rogers phones don't work on the 900MHz and 2100MHz frequencies that are used in Europe, for 3G HSPA network.
That by no means renders the phone useless in other parts of the world. The phone will switch to 2G connection (when no 3G is available), and the Android phones does have a quad band 2G radio for the GSM network (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz), so it will work just fine ANYWHERE in the world.

But back to the original posters question, if Bell does have a HSPA 3G network on 2100Mhz, and you really want an android phone, why not pick up a used (or new) Android phone from the US? (they are quite cheap ~$300)
The TMobile network (on which the G1/Magic was first released) works on 2100MHz for the 3G connection.
That way you get an Android phone, and you get to stay with bell.

Someone correct me if what I suggested is not possible.

[hotweiss]

I think what you are trying to say is that the Rogers phones don't work on the 900MHz and 2100MHz frequencies that are used in Europe, for 3G HSPA network.
That by no means renders the phone useless in other parts of the world. The phone will switch to 2G connection (when no 3G is available), and the Android phones does have a quad band 2G radio for the GSM network (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz), so it will work just fine ANYWHERE in the world.

But back to the original posters question, if Bell does have a HSPA 3G network on 2100Mhz, and you really want an android phone, why not pick up a used (or new) Android phone from the US? (they are quite cheap ~$300)
The TMobile network (on which the G1/Magic was first released) works on 2100MHz for the 3G connection.
That way you get an Android phone, and you get to stay with bell.

Someone correct me if what I suggested is not possible.

I think T-Mobile's 3G network runs on the 1700 MHz frequency.

[Qwavel]

I think T-Mobile's 3G network runs on the 1700 MHz frequency.

Correct. T-Mobile in the US is at 1700. Once option would be to buy a European magic. It would not work (for 3G) on Rogers, but it would work on the Bell network when that becomes available.

It is a shame that Rogers didn't make their magic like the Nokia phones: 850, 1900, 2100 on 3G. I assume they nixed the 2100 because they didn't want the phone to work on Bell's new network.

[Evil Baby]

I just did the switch from bell to Rogers for the HTC Dream.

I love the android phone, it's so much fun. If you're not interested in the Palm Pre that should be coming out soon then yes I would make the switch.

Unfortunetly you'll be a new customer to Rogers so you wont get a very good plan.

If you want to give your contract to somebody and port your number you can, but it'll cost you ~$50.

What you have to do is activate a paygo account on Bell. Do a number swap. Then transfer you Bell account over to your friend. When you open your new Rogers account just port the number from the paygo account.

However I would look at the Palm Pre and wait for that to come if you already have a good plan with Bell.

Personally I wouldn't be too concerned with Bell GSM unless you do travel a lot. If you don't, then as long as you plan on keeping your phone for 2+ years there is no real reason to just switch for GSM.

I might actually end up switching back to Bell when the Pre comes out(I just couldn't wait for it) but I'm not sure as I'm loving the Dream right now. I know I'll like it even more if the Roger's Android phones get rooted and we can load on other ROMS

[cruiserhead]

Thanks for the advice guys. Maybe I'll just stick with my current contract until the new providers and phones come out. And in the meantime I'll pickup a BB Storm since it sounds like it will at least be usable most world networks even if I can't get 3G speeds. I'm tempted to wait for the Storm 2 but often catch myself keep saying "I should wait until x comes out' over and over.

My other reason for wanting to switch to Rogers was for tethering. They seem to have the best (or least-worst?) prices for data with that $30/6G thing going on right now. I know the android can't be tethered right now but it shouldn't be very long now..

[Qwavel]

A few clarifications. Some have pointed out that the Rogers's Android phones are world phones. Yes, in the old sense. Their 2G radios will work anywhere in the world. But the Android phones are very much oriented to high speed data access and without 2100 on the 3G radio you are missing high speed data access in all of Europe and a lot of other countries as well. 2100 is the primary frequency for 3G access in the world.

The 850/1900 radio that Rogers has put on their Android phones, and the 1700 radio that T-Mobile USA put on their Android phones are of very limited use outside of N.A.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to put down Android phones in general. Just warning about the limitations of the Rogers and T-Mobile versions of these phones.

So, if you are a world traveller, get a Bell Storm, or one of the many tri-band 3G GSM Nokias (like the N97 or the N86), or wait for an Android better world support.

[Qwavel]

Here's my new suggestion. Get this Android phone:

http://www.selectgsm.com/htc-magic-google-g2-unlocked-phone-mobile-phone-c-249-p-1-pr-16890.html

It supports 1700 & 2100 on its 3G radio. This means it will work well in the rest of the world and in N.A. you can use it on T-Mobile in the US, and in Canada it will work on the new Bell network and on the new Globalive network.

The only drawback will be that you won't be able to use the 3G radio on Rogers, so you won't get any 3G here until either the Bell or Globalive networks get started.

[izzyzz]

Rogers has the best customer service.

Yes, but how can they possibly compete with Bell's Indian tech support?.. :D

[Qwavel]

Here's an important correction.

I wrote that the new Bell/Telus network will support 3G GSM at 2100 MHz. I am told that this is incorrect. They are building the network at the same frequencies that Roger's uses.

So, the Storm is still a 3G world phone, using Bell/Telus/Verizon here and the GSM carriers elsewhere, but it will not be able to use the new Bell/Telus 3G GSM network.

[balance]

I was in the same situation during sept, I too have been a long time bell customer. I need a family plan calling/unlimited incoming. At that time when my contract was about to end with Bell, I seriously tho about going roger for the iphone/GSM but at that time it seems like rogers family prom ended and the best plan deal was with Bell so I stuck with them

I ended up purchasing the HTC TOUCH PRO back then, still using it very please with it but it does have its problems.

I recently flashed with a new rom here (http://balancebox.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/mightyrom5-wm6-5-on-htc-touch-pro-cdma/) Windows mobile OS aint bad

Android OS is awesome of course, but with Bell getting GSM in the future, if you can wait.

BUT most importantly is the plan go with the carrier that can give u the best price plan u need/want

[Gee]

I would switch just to get away from CDMA

[cruiserhead]

So can I get any unlocked Storm (9530) and use it on Bell's Network? I see quite a few for sale posts that say the unlocked Verizon and Rogers Storms can be used on 'any' network. But I want to be 100% sure on this before I go out and get one.

[Gee]

The Storm is a World Phone, it supports both CDMA and GSM.

Bell offers this phone, why not just get the phone from them?

[cruiserhead]

The Storm is a World Phone, it supports both CDMA and GSM.

Bell offers this phone, why not just get the phone from them?

I think their retail is around 700 for it. I'm sure I could talk them down, but how much? I have a $150 HUP credit, but I'm not signing another 3 year contract..

[kai]

My other reason for wanting to switch to Rogers was for tethering. They seem to have the best (or least-worst?) prices for data with that $30/6G thing going on right now. I know the android can't be tethered right now but it shouldn't be very long now..


Yes, you can do tethering with the HTC Magic from Rogers.
Just download PDA Net for Android and install the app (a few minutes for the whole set-up process). After the trial period, and you decide you don't want to pay for the license, you can still use it for http connections just fine.

Speaking from my experience... Oh and HTC Magic is a great phone!

[RiCHC3]

Have to stress that you cannot use unlocked phones on Bell and I'm pretty sure on Telus. So essentially, you're stuck with whatever Bell has available.