Bell and Telus Rumored to be Switching to HSPA as Soon as Next Week

by Jody Mitoma on September 2, 2008 at 1:16 am

News has it Bell Canada and Telus are making the switch over to HSPA as early as next week. The two companies are making the move to the same 3G cellular network type as Rogers Wireless, which is the only network capable of providing contracts to Canadians for the iPhone and iPhone 3G.

It is being said that Bell Canada and Telus are relying on Nokia Siemens Networks to replace their existing network infrastructure, which is estimated to take approximately one full year to complete.

It is said that the switch over will cost the companies over $1 billion in expenses, but would be the smartest move when taking into consideration the recently ended 2GHz wireless auction.

The switch will allow for the two companies (Bell Canada and Telus) to provide a broader range of phones, and would grant them access to high-profile devices that have been previously exclusive to GSM and HSPA, such as the marvelous iPhone 3G.

This might even end up being good news for Rogers customers strictly for competition reasons. Think of it this way. Bell and Telus start providing service for iPhone 3G users in Canada for cheaper rates than those which Rogers are currently providing. Rogers loses customers. Rogers is then forced to lower plan rates, so on and so forth. You get the idea.

(via Electronista)