Telus Corp. is offering new unlimited cellphone service plans — but only people in Red Deer and Kelowna can take advantage.
The two cities have been chosen as test markets for the Vancouver-based company’s new services, which it is offering under its Clearnet brand. Telus acquired wireless phone company Clearnet Communications Inc. in 2000 for $6.6 billion, but has not previously used the name.
Subscribers have two options: a $50-a-month plan that gives them unlimited talk time in Alberta, and a $60-a-month alternative that includes unlimited talk and text time. Both include a basic home phone line at no additional charge.
The plans operate on a month-to-month basis, with subscribers having a choice of three cellphones that range in price from $49.99 to $149.99.
Telus spokesman Shawn Hall described the plans as a “blend of a simple wireless service together with basic home phone service.”
“Telus routinely conducts market trials to test out new concepts,” he said, adding that there’s no guarantee the plans will be offered elsewhere or even continue in Red Deer and Kelowna.
“It’s really premature to speculate on what elements of the trial might be extended into the future.”
Hall said Red Deer was chosen as a test market because Telus has a long history in the city and residents here are “creative and innovative.”
“It seemed like a good community for us to try something new in.”
The talk and text segment of the mobile phone market has been one characterized by intense rivalry. Telus already offers its lower-cost Koodo service, with Rogers competing with its discount Chatr brand and Bell with its Solo brand.
The federal government opened up the domestic cellphone market in 2008 with a spectrum auction that made additional frequencies available to new wireless service providers, such as Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile. The new entrants have been competing with perks like no contract requirements and unlimited plans.
Additional information about the new Clearnet plans can be found online at www.clearnet.com.
With files from The Canadian Press.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com