Nine months after investing an initial $33 million into its mobile Internet services development company Microcell i5 Inc., Canadian wireless operator Microcell Solutions Inc. introduced its i.Fido wireless data services to its Fido personal communications services customers.
Microcell’s wireless Internet offering will face stiff competition from its Canadian competitors that rolled out wireless data services last year, including Scarborough, Ontario-based Clearnet Communications Inc.’s flat-rate wireless Internet service and Toronto-based Bell Mobility Inc.’s Mobile Browser service.
Even though it’s a little late to the game, Microcell is confident the i5 services will attract customers.
“The services i5 developed on our behalf will help us convince our customers that Fido is much more than just talking,” said Fulvio Bussandri, president and CEO of Microcell Solutions. “We believe our customers will integrate the Internet-based services in their mobile communications habits.”
In addition to allowing wireless access to Internet content and short messaging services to its customers, Microcell said it will provide a personalized Web page to its customers so they can personalize the content they receive on their wireless device.
“The real challenge was creating uncomplicated services that would be readily available to all clients,” said Francois-Charles Sirois, president and chief operating officer of Montreal-based Microcell i5. “This is key in getting customers to improve their perception of the use and value these services bring, and ensuring the overall success of Internet on mobile devices.”
Microcell said its i.Fido customers will receive an e-mail address corresponding to their Fido number, allowing them to receive text messages on their handsets from other e-mail addresses. Customers also can use their company-supplied Web page to manage their e-mail and send text messages; manage an online address book and an agenda that sends meeting reminders to their handsets; and activate new handsets and services online.
For customers with Fido’s WAP-enabled Motorola Inc. V2282 handsets, information can be requested interactively allowing access to e-mail, address books and agenda items from their My Fido Page and other sites that are compatible with wireless technology.
To help jump-start its entry into the wireless Internet market, Microcell said the i.Fido services would be offered free until March 5. After the free trial, all Fido monthly airtime packages and Fidomatic prepaid service will include 20 free information messages per month, with each additional message costing 10 cents. For frequent users, Fido will offer its postpaid customers a bundle of 100 messages for $5 per month.
The carriers’ Fido Text Messaging service, providing customers with the ability to send messages from their handsets to another Fido handset, will be included with the basic offer and charged on a per-use basis.
“We have succeeded in establishing user-friendly Internet services,” said Sirois. “We want all Fido customers to have immediate access to the advantages offered by the Internet, right from their handsets. While customers familiarize themselves with these preliminary services, we will continue to work with Microcell Solutions on developing services that are even more advanced.”
