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Koodo

Freedom Mobile removes insurance coverage for lost or stolen phones

GeneralEdward Kiledjian

Freedom Mobile's phone protection plan is removing coverage for lost or stolen phones. In exchange, they are reducing the monthly fee by $1 (down to $9). This change was first noticed on Reddit by user Alphalee and you can read messages from upset customers (obviously).

This change will come into effect on August 2nd, 2018. Repair service is now listed at $99 (was unlimited in the past).  It looks like this is an attempt to limit fraud and reduce insurance costs for Freedom Mobile. Their coverage seems to be underwritten by Asurion (same provider used by Telus, Bell, Virgin Mobile and Koodo.

The existing Mobile Freedom coverage still protect's devices from accidental damage (such as a broken screen or liquid damage). 

BlackBerry Z10 drops to $99

technologyEdward Kiledjian

When the Blackberry Z10 launched, it was priced at $149 (Canadian dollar) with a 3 year contract. Many thought that the device wasn’t worth that much and the Canadian carriers have now responded by lowering the price to $99 on a 3-year contract.  

Bell, Rogers, Virgin Mobile. 

Fido sells it for $250 with a 2-year agreement.

Telus sells it for $149 with a 3-year agreement.

Koodo sells it for $400 (using the max $150 tab value)

Samsung Galaxy SIV coming to Canada in Q2

technologyEdward Kiledjian

The minute last week’s Samsung Galaxy SIV announcement finished, Canadians started asking carriers when it would come to the great white Canadian north.  Unofficial discussions with reps from Samsung, Rogers, Fido and Telus indicate that it will hit the streets of Toronto (and Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, etc) by the end of Q2. It seems the phone will come to Rogers, Bell, Telus and their sub-brands (Fido, Koodo, Virgin Mobile).