Canadian carrier Mobilicity has just announced that they’ve cut data roaming rates to the U.S. by 70%. Now you only pay $1.50 per MB of data. By comparison, Wind Mobile is charging $0.10/25 KB, which works out to $4.00/MB, while Rogers takes $6.00/MB. Even with a $50 travel pack (which Rogers requires you to keep for 3 months for some reason), you’re paying $2.00/MB. There aren’t any changes in Mobilicity’s voice roaming rates, which are already pretty competitive. In the U.S., they charge $0.20/minute, which skirts under Wind’s $0.25/minute, and is well under Rogers’ $0.35/minute rate which they’ll only give you if you pay $15/month.
As a guy who travels to the U.S. a fair bit, this is an awesome standard to set, and should really push the Big Three to lower their data roaming rates. Of course, a lot of that cost hinges on reaching the right agreement with U.S. carriers, and from what I gather, Mobilicity is fairly friendly with T-Mobile. Maybe with the AT&T merger looming, they can afford to cut a deal to Mobilicity. Whatever the reason, Mobilicity is taking the screws to the rates on the Big Three, but of course, you’ll have to swallow up a bigger initial cost when buying a handset from them off-contract, their selection is limited to AWS-compatible phones, and non-roaming coverage is limited to major urban centres for now.
Still, I like where Mobilicty is headed, and once my Rogers contract is up in August, I’m very likely switching over. What about you? Are these new roaming rates tempting? Hit up Mobilicity for more details on the rates.
P.S.: Those alien dudes up top are their new mascots. Thoughts? They seem a little heavy on the Androidiness.