Hey IT Nerd? Can I Get A Better Deal When It Comes To Internet Access In Canada?

Since the crapstorm over usage based billing happened here in Canada, I’ve gotten quite a few e-mails from Canadian Internet users asking me if they can get a better deal for Internet access. The answer is that it depends on whom you’re with. If you’re with Rogers, Bell, or Telus, you can get a better deal elsewhere. I’ll use Bell for my example. Lets say that you want a DSL based Internet package that gives you speeds of up to 6 Mbps. No problem. Bell can hook you up for $31.95 a month. But there’s a couple of gotchas. First, this price is only available as part of a bundle. Second, you’re capped at 25GB a month.

Now compare that to DSL based reseller Teksavvy. With them you’ve got two choices. You can pay the same $31.95 a month and you’ll get 5Mbps rather that 6 Mbps, but that’s where the bad news ends. You’re capped at 300GB a month, not 25GB. Sounds much more reasonable to me. But if 300GB isn’t enough for you, there’s always unlimited for $8 more.

A couple of things I should point out :

• You can’t go any faster than 5 Mbps with DSL resellers. I guess that has something to do with the fact that the incumbent telcos won’t play nice with resellers, but who really cares if you get more Internet access for the same money?
• There are other DSL resellers that have their own deals. Acanac for example has their own deals you might want to look at.
• Generally, DSL resellers don’t require you to bundle services to get the best deal.

The bottom line is that there are better deals when it comes to Internet access to be had for Canadians. If you’re with the big three telcos, whip out your bills and compare them to what you could get elsewhere. I’m certain that you will find a better deal.

 

Apple Releases New MacBook Pros…. But That’s Not The Real Story

This week, Apple released new MacBook Pros. The specs are here, and some early benchmarks show they’re screaming fast. But there’s one area that you really need to focus on. That is a new feature on these MacBook Pros called Thunderbolt. What is that you ask? Simple. It’s based on Intel’s Light Peak technology and the technology essentially combines PCI Express and DisplayPort into one protocol, allowing displays and other peripherals to be driven off of the same bus. Want to plug in a monitor? Go ahead. Want two monitors? Go ahead. Want two monitors and a external hard drive? Go ahead. How fast is it? How does 10 Gbps sound? Makes USB 3.0 sound slow doesn’t it? All of this comes via a single DisplayPort connector. Impressive isn’t it? Want stuff to plug into Thunderbolt? Lacie and Promise have committed to make devices that exploit this technology. Expect more to appear shortly.

Now here’s the big news. Apple in my opinion is several months to a year ahead of every other computer manufacturer when it comes to the use of this technology. You’ll have to buy a new Mac (for now) to get one as there are no plans to have any sort of upgrade path for existing Macs or PC for that matter. But that happens when a technology leap like this takes place.

I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

 

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Now Available

Running a Windows 7 computer? You might want to run Windows Update because Service Pack 1 is now available. Now you can download the entire service pack which weighs in at almost 2GB. But I recommend simply running Windows Update which will get you a version that is ailored to your machine (and taking up a lot less space). Now you shouldn’t be expecting anything Earth shattering in this service pack. Besides the usual bug fixes and security fixes, you’ll get two new technologies called Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX. The former is described this way:

An enhancement to Hyper-V R2, Dynamic Memory pools all the memory available on a physical host. Dynamic Memory then dynamically distributes available memory, as it is needed, to virtual machines running on that host. Then with Dynamic Memory Balancing, virtual machines will be able to receive new memory allocations, based on changes in workload, without a service interruption. In short, Dynamic Memory is exactly what it’s named.

The latter is described this way:

RemoteFX is an exciting technology that lets you virtualize the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) on the server side and deliver next-generation rich media and 3D user experiences for VDI. RemoteFX is also enabling new low cost ultra-thin client devices to enter the market. Together, these technologies will drive down the end-point cost and reduce endpoint power consumption to as little as a few watts.

I updated my Windows 7 machine and it much as I expected, nothing Earth shattering here. But that isn’t a bad thing as an update like this going bad would be bad for Microsoft. You might want to wait a few days before updating, but ensure that you have a backup before you do just to be on the safe side.

Acer Liquid mt Now Available At Rogers

My “best friends at Rogers” sent me an e-mail announcing that they another Android phone available on their network. Here’s some of the key specs:

-       Android OS 2.2
-       a large 3.6” touch screen
-       5.0 MP megapixel camera
-       Qualcomm 7230 800MHz processor (based on the “Snapdragon” core) and 512MB RAM (expandable to 32GB)

The device is $49.99 on a three year ball and chain voice and data plan with a minimum monthly service fee of $45.

If you follow this link, you’ll see that this is a sexy looking phone. Rogers users should take a look at this phone if they want a good looking Android phone.

Canadian Government Gets Hacked…. China Denies Involvement

Three of the Canadian government’s key departments including the Finance department, Defence Research and Development, and the Treasury Board got hacked last week:

A cyberattack, apparently from computers based in China, gave hackers access to highly classified information and was first detected in early January.

The attacks forced the government departments that were targeted to disconnect temporarily from the internet.

It appeared at first that only the systems of Canada’s financial nerve centres — the Finance Department and the Treasury Board — were threatened.

But CBC News also learned Thursday of an attack on Defence Research and Development Canada, a civilian agency of the Department of National Defence. Reporters are trying to confirm whether a fourth department also had its computer system penetrated.

Charming. Prime Minster Stephen Harper assured Canadians that the government was doing all it can to make sure that it has defenses in place to stop attacks like these. You’ll excuse me if that statement doesn’t exactly give me the warm fuzzies.

Now the Chinese denies that it was involved in this hack:

The Chinese government is firmly opposed to hacking and other criminal acts, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said at a press conference Thursday. China is also a victim of computer hacking, he said. “The allegation that China supports hacking is groundless,” he said.

The problem is that China has so called patriot hackers which give the Chinese government plausible deniability. So that allows the Chinese to get info from hacks without getting their hands dirty. This should be a wake up call to governments and business. They need to get their cyber defenses in order to stop stuff like this from happening. Otherwise they’ll be just another victim of hackers.

Rogers Responds To Telus With An Announcement About LTE

Telus recently announced that they were rolling out a 4G network in March. I wondered at the time if Rogers would move up their timetable for their LTE trials that they had previously admitted to and turn it into a full blown rollout. Today I got my answer via an e-mail that directed me to a post on Rogers Redboard:

Well today, we took a major step forward with the announcement that we are beginning a multi-year deployment of LTE wireless technology in 2011.

It’s clear that the world’s wireless products and networks are evolving to LTE and we’re pleased to lead in bringing this technology to Canadians.

Interesting. There were very few details as to exact timing, but I would expect to see further announcements shortly. The only thing I have to say is that I hope that the benefits of LTE are not overshadowed by low data caps as that would be totally craptastic.

Canadian Government To Appeal Wind Mobile Court Ruling

I have to admit that I am very happy to see that the Canadian government has decided to appeal the ruling by a Federal Court that stopped them from allowing Wind Mobile to operate in Canada:

Ottawa will appeal a Federal Court ruling on Feb. 4 striking down cabinet’s 2009 decision allowing Globalive to launch its Wind Mobile wireless brand, Industry Minister Tony Clement said Tuesday.

Clement said Globalive — majority-funded by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris’s Orascom empire — does qualify as a Canadian company under the Telecommunications Act, and the government wants to foster consumer choice and competition.

If you read the rest of the story, you’ll see that other telcos (namely Public Mobile) as well as a former CTRC chairman saying that this isn’t fair. My answer to that is that both of them is get a clue. I’ve been saying for ages that what Canada lacks is competition in the telco space. There seems to be no desire for the big three telcos in Canada (being Rogers, Telus, and Bell) to offer their services at a reasonable price. As a result, there are third world countries that have lower cell phone and Internet rates than Canada does.

I for one want this appeal to succeed. If it doesn’t, the Government should change the laws that prevent non-Canadian companies from entering the telco space in Canada. Then let the best telco win. My guess is that under that scenario, it won’t be Rogers, Telus, or Bell as none of those companies would have any clue how to compete against real competition. I guess that’s why they’re secretly hoping that this appeal fails.

Sony And Rogers Announce Xperia Play

I got not one, but two press releases within minutes from both Rogers and Sony. First Sony who announced the Xperia Play:

Xperia^TM PLAY delivers the smartphone functionality that the most serious power users could need, teamed with the immersive gaming experience that any gamer would want.

In portrait mode, the Android smartphone offers all the benefits that users have come to expect from Sony Ericsson’s existing range of Xperia^TM smartphones with best-in-class entertainment experiences, a great 5 megapixel camera, a brilliant 4” multi-touch screen and great social networking features.

However, slide out the gaming control and users enter a new world of immersive mobile gaming. The slide out game pad reveals a digital D pad, two analogue touch pads, two shoulder buttons and the four PlayStation icons: circle, cross, square and triangle. Qualcomm’s optimized Snapdragon processor with a 1Ghz CPU and embedded Adreno GPU graphics processor deliver silky smooth 60fps play-back 3D mobile gaming and Web browsing with minimal power consumption so Xperia PLAY users can enjoy long hours of battery life and game time.

Twenty minutes later, Rogers sent me a press release saying that the phone would be on their network this spring:

“Connecting people to the things they are passionate about is what we do. Whether it’s watching the latest episode of your favourite show or beating your gaming high score, we are always looking for game changers that connect our customers to more of the things that matter to them, when they want, wherever they are,” says Raj Doshi, Vice President, Mobile Product Management, Rogers Communications Inc. “Together with Sony Ericsson, and backed by the amazing power of Android, we believe the Xperia PLAY and Xperia arc are going to revolutionize mobile gaming and entertainment experiences for Canadians and we’re excited our customers will have exclusive access to them.”

I’d love to see one of these phones up close and personal. I wonder if Sony or Rogers can hook me up?

Sony Ericsson Introduces Cedar, A GreenHeart Handset

The title might confuse you, but stick with me. Sony sent me a press release today that announced a new handset that will be available for Fido users:

With Sony Ericsson Cedar™, consumers benefit from key features which they have come to expect from Sony Ericsson. The phone offers users an easy-to-use social networking experience with the Widget Manager 2.0 – an application which allows users access social networking via the stand-by screen. In addition, the phone also features the human curvature design that is now consistent across the Sony Ericsson portfolio of products.

“Sony Ericsson Cedar™ is ideal for consumers who are looking for the perfect balance between a business and social device.” said Peter Farmer, Head of Marketing for North America, Sony Ericsson. “Featuring a port for easy connection to your laptop – the Sony Ericsson Cedar™ is an affordable GreenHeart™ phone which enables consumers to easily connect to their various communities whether it’s for work, fun or play.”

And what about that GreenHeart thing? Here’s what Sony Ericsson said:

In line with the company’s GreenHeart™ commitment, Sony Ericsson Cedar™ features various green credentials such as post consumer recycled plastics, a lower power consumption charger, an e-manual, waterborne paint and compact packaging compared to previous packaging.

That’s cool. But I bet you want the specs. Here they are:

•           Widget Manager 2.0 allows easy access to your favourite social network and applications
•           Social network applications – Facebook™, Twitter™ and MySpace™
•           Keep contacts close – hassle-free phone book transfer and web backup
•           Stay organised with calendar, phone book, email
•           Fast browsing with 3G and direct access to the web browser
•           EAS Push email and modem connectivity
•           Connect your headphones on the 3.5mm jack and enjoy music, video on the go.
•           Capture the moment with the 2MP camera and send it by MMS
•           Human curvature design – fits into the palm of the hand
•           GreenHeart™ – for a greener choice

The price? $10 at Fido with the usual two year ball and chain contract or $110 for the commitment phobic. More details at www.sonyericsson.ca.

Bell Claims “Glitch” Caused It To Overcharge Internet Users…. Oh, And Shaw Wants To Talk To You

I guess all the scrutiny from users who are ticked off about usage based billing must have caught Bell’s attention. That’s because they admitted today that they’ve been overcharging their Internet users because of a software “glitch”:

A Bell spokesperson confirmed the company’s software, which was provided by an outside vendor, has been pulled offline because of glitches. As they test the fix, the service remains offline but could be operational by as early as this week, the spokesperson said. Although Bell is not the only company that leases its networks to smaller Internet service providers (ISPs), as it is mandated to do by the regulator, it has found itself central to the debate since so many companies offer service over its vast network.

Now this isn’t new. Savvy Bell Internet users have been saying for a very long time that their software was faulty. But Bell always dismissed those claims. It’s nice to know that Internet users in Canada were right. Oh, but there’s more. Shaw wants to “consult” with users about usage based billing:

At the same time, Shaw Communications, a cable provider based in Calgary, announced on Tuesday that it would hold public consultations on usage-based billing for its own providers, even though the regulatory shift wouldn’t affect how they sell Internet access. Shaw’s customers have monthly download limits, but are not charged so-called “overage” charges for exceeding their set amounts — relying instead on a tactic used in the United States, where heavy users who go over are contacted about their contract terms. In the U.S., after being notified, customers who exceed the limit again in less than six months can be booted off.

My take?

A whole lot of consumers have been looking at their Bell, Telus, and Rogers Internet bills and comparing them to what they could get from other providers like Teksavvy and Acanac. In the process of doing so, they’re concluding that they can get better deals elsewhere. So the big three have to do whatever they need to to keep customers from defecting. If you want my advice, if you’re an Internet user on Bell, Telus, or Rogers, I would shop around for a better deal. Trust me, there are better deals out there and they’re not with the big three. Now if you’re Bell, Rogers, and Telus, my advice to you guys would be to offer your services at a fair and competitive price. Right now, it really looks like you’re ripping consumers off. That of course may have something to do with the fact that you are given the fact that Internet service from companies like Teksavvy and Acanac are way less than with any of the big three.

So big three, are you going to do the right thing?