One of our readers, John, recently sent an email to Bell Mobility asking them to enable GPS on his BlackBerry 8830. Bell Mobility cripples GPS on their BlackBerrys just like Verizon. In their response back to John you can get some insight into just how ass backwards their thinking is. In short, for Bell Mobility it is all about the Benjamins.
Thank you for your recent email.
My name is Alyssa,
Upon full review of your email, I wish to thank you for taking the time to contact us with your feedback. Please be assured that I have read all your comments with great care, and that I completely understand your concerns regarding the functionality of third party applications on your Blackberry, specifically GPS navigation.
I wish to inform you that many reasons exist for which companies like Bell Mobility decide to make one choice rather than another. These may be financial, technical, regarding compatibility issues, exclusivity rights or a combination thereof. These decisions are negotiated between Bell Mobility and its business partners, the details of which belong to our internal business community and are therefore private. I sincerely regret the inconvenience this limitation may cause.
Unfortunately, I will be unable to restore the access of third party GPS software/features on your Blackberry device. Please note that your Terms of Service stipulates that Bell Mobility maintains the right to make such changes to our services and products, in addition to increasing fees to features, or charging additional fees.
We will not increase your basic monthly voice plan charge or out-of-bundle airtime charge during any Committed Service Period, as long as you remain qualified to receive your chosen plan and Services throughout the Committed Service Period.
For your reference, I have included a URL to your Terms of Service, available on our website:
http://www.bell.ca/support/PrsCSrvWls_Bill_ServiceAgreement.page
If you have any other questions or concerns, please reply to this email and we will be happy to assist you.
I appreciate that you took the time to provide us with this valuable information. I thank you, Mr. Moore, for your patience, your understanding, and for choosing Bell as your wireless communications provider. I hope to have addressed your points and welcome your response if you require further clarification.
Kind regards,
Alyssa
Bell Mobility – Online Client Care
Brian Peter Not Registered
Posted: January 6, 2009 at 2:15 PM EST
MTS Mobility in Manitoba is the same. No GPS in the Curve 8330, and when asked, they “plan to offer it as an extra-cost feature sometime in Q1 to Q2-2009”.
I asked them why I should have to pay an extra cost to enable a feature that was originally included with the hardware, but disabled by the service provider. Their response was that the GPS needs network support to function, and that is what I’d have to pay extra for.
Now how they feel justified in charging extra for essentially pushing more data through on a plan that’s advertised as UNLIMITED DATA I’m not sure, but I guess they are marketing wizz’s because I fell for it and signed up for 3 years…
babybug Not Registered
Posted: January 7, 2009 at 12:12 AM EST
All Bell 8830s are sold with GPS enabled. The reply from Bell was about rejection to have access to a 3rd party GPS software.
Simon Sage Not Registered
Posted: January 7, 2009 at 2:01 PM EST
Time to switch to Telus. Probably worth the ETF.