Switching AWAY from Wind Mobile???

[TigerLilly]

Last year I switched to Wind Mobile during the HMP. I haven't had the best service with them but I figure I'm paying $40/month so that's a pretty good deal and I'm ok with some of the service problems. For example:

-sometimes my conversations are choppy and I or the other person can't hear each other well
-dropped calls
-don't receive texts
-texts don't send
-don't receive calls. My phone doesn't ring and they go straight to voicemail.

But today someone came to surprise visit me at my place and they couldn't get ahold of me. My apartment buzzer wasn't working and they couldn't get ahold of me through my cell because the calls didn't go through and went straight to my voicemail so the person left. I felt really horrible. I didn't even know this because my phone didn't ring. Because of this I'm now seriously thinking of switching away from Wind.

I have the Nokia 5230 so I'm wondering if it's Wind or if it's actually my phone, but I believe it's probably Wind. I just wanted other people's opinion on this and maybe they have a similar experience? If they have the same experience with Wind, then it's definitely not my phone. I switched to Wind initially because of the cheaper rates but because of this I'd rather pay a bit more for better service.

[Gee]

I've been saying this since they introduced the new competition.

It doesn't matter how cheap Mobilicity / Wind is. They can charge $1 per month and I would still not use them.

What's the point if you can't get your calls?

I rely on my phone for work and the poor quality is deal killer regardless of price.

Stick with the big 3. Imagine if you had to call 911 and you couldn't.

[Ten Count]

^^ Maybe so. Although I'm noticing alot of the same issues with a couple of my friends on Chatr. Mind youu they seem very happy with what they're paying and are either defensive or in denial about their abysmal voice serives. But in the last 12 months we have yet have a conversation longer than 8 minutes without their phones disconnecting with a distinctive pop. Every month there are at least a couple of instances where I call them and either their line keeps ringing with no answer or voice mail, or I get a system message telling me to try later. Other times it goes directly to voicemail as if busy, but they swear their line was free the whole time.

I'm about to start using Speakout and I'm already feeling uneasy about it, if that Chatr example is the best Rogers can provide for their own "discount attack dog" , what better can I expect?

[Ten Count]

I have the Nokia 5230 so I'm wondering if it's Wind or if it's actually my phone, but I believe it's probably Wind..

I'd say conventional wisdom would be that for Wind/Mobi customers a Nokia antena is probably their best hope, but there only so much you can expect.

I was talked out of Wind/Mobi by people who seem to know more about the technology thann I do. They basically said that 1700/2100 is 1700/2100, is today, was yesterday, and still will be 12 month from now. It will never be equal.

Then again, I went for many years with an old Nokia phone on Virgin that was supposedly set to only 1900mhz and my reception was totally dependable (if not always sweet sounding) - I think I had 5 or 6 failed text messages (last one being in 2007) and the only time I lost calls was going to a B2 level in underground gagrages and certain parts of the underground PATH (TD Centre elevators, food court under Metro Hall ) so there might also be factors on the back end contributing to Wind customer's erratic service.

[chaos1105]

Stick with the big 3. Imagine if you had to call 911 and you couldn't.

Not relevant. If you dial 911 it will use any carrier to make the call, so even if you don't have a signal from Wind it will roam to Rogers and the 911 call will go through. Same applies for non-active phones. If you dial 911, it will work regardless....it's the law.

My experience with Wind has been pretty good. A few little things here or there, but still I'd never consider paying double or more to Rogers. The HMP is a killer deal and I don't ever see myself switching. I've heard that Blackberries have some of the best antennas. In any case, Wind is always adding new towers. Refer to this feed to stay updated: http://networkupdates.windmobile.ca/

[djino]

I can sgree with most of whats been said.

This most likely is an issue with the network in your area. So, what are your options?

1. Try another phone with Wind

I really doubt you will see much improvement since Nokia is known to have the best antennas.

2. Try using your phone with Mobilicity (test first then port out)

3. Head back to the Big 3

Not the most cost effective solution, but you gotta do what works for you. There is no point in staying with Wind, if service doesnt meet your expectations. You either need to pay more for better service, or lower your expectations of Wind.

The choice is yours. The Wind networks surpasses my expectations, but we dont frequent the same places. So I cant really recommend you stay with Wind. The best I can hope for is people try Wind which you have and then explore your options above if service does not meet ones expectations.

Djino
"let us know what you choose to do"

[TigerLilly]

^^ Maybe so. Although I'm noticing alot of the same issues with a couple of my friends on Chatr. Mind youu they seem very happy with what they're paying and are either defensive or in denial about their abysmal voice serives. But in the last 12 months we have yet have a conversation longer than 8 minutes without their phones disconnecting with a distinctive pop. Every month there are at least a couple of instances where I call them and either their line keeps ringing with no answer or voice mail, or I get a system message telling me to try later. Other times it goes directly to voicemail as if busy, but they swear their line was free the whole time.

This is exactly what happens to me! Randomly it disconnects, i can only hear parts of conversations or people phone and even though the line is free it goes to v/m. Does this happen on provides like Rogers and Telus? B/c if it's happening to everyone then it's not a big deal. Some people say the same thing happens to them with Rogers. I haven't heard about Telus though.

[sexyj]

its your phone, Mississauga got one of the better reception coverage

[gilboman]

Sounds like typical wind experience, they suck. You have to decide if the $10 you are saving a month is worth it to have a paperweight for like 20% of the time or so when your phone won't work

[ed116]

idk what you guys are talking about switched to wind in november and i get amazing service. The only place i dont get service as to fido - my underground garage. I live in North York, and i get avrg 2mb/s internet speed which is not bad for browsing, i dont need 10 mb on my phone. Lol, also calls are good. I do however get that once in a blue moon, where the phone rings and i didnt hear it ringing. But thats about it!

[Winkle]

idk what you guys are talking about switched to wind in november and i get amazing service. The only place i dont get service as to fido - my underground garage. I live in North York, and i get avrg 2mb/s internet speed which is not bad for browsing, i dont need 10 mb on my phone. Lol, also calls are good. I do however get that once in a blue moon, where the phone rings and i didnt hear it ringing. But thats about it!

It's YMMV and based on where you are. I've had the exact opposite experience as OP but if it doesn't work for you then you may as well switch. But if it does work, the HMP is an incredible deal by comparison.

[stunaz]

problem is your phones

I've been using a Nexus One and now a Galaxy Nexus and have 0 problems. Where my GF uses some cheapest phone they had and it never works.

[gilboman]

problem is your phones

I've been using a Nexus One and now a Galaxy Nexus and have 0 problems. Where my GF uses some cheapest phone they had and it never works.

phone of course plays a factor, but on WIND, their network is just horrible regardless of phone

It's a 3rd tier service provider, their price reflects that, as well as their service/reception or lack of

I'm not poor enough to have to resort to using WIND and hoping it works, might as well use a pay phone , atleast it'll always work.

[sexyj]

stop trolling

phone of course plays a factor, but on WIND, their network is just horrible regardless of phone

It's a 3rd tier service provider, their price reflects that, as well as their service/reception or lack of

I'm not poor enough to have to resort to using WIND and hoping it works, might as well use a pay phone , atleast it'll always work.

[flamez1000]

I had the same experience with both Mobi and Wind in Scarborough, so I went back to the big 3 also. I tried a bunch of diff phones, but quality still suffered. Switch back to the big 3 with a retention or corp plan if you can and never worry again.