SaveOnCellPhones.ca

Google SMS is another great tool for mobile cell phone users.  It provides you with extensive information in a quick and inexpensive manner.  In contrast to Google 411 Directory Assistance (which was the topic of my last post),  Google SMS is a text message based service that offers more and varied information to you. 

The way Google SMS works is that you send Google a text message requesting a certain set of information, such as the weather for your city.  Google responds, via text message, with the weather forecast as requested.  The great part is that with the text service you get up to date information to your phone and if you have a decent text messaging plan you get this information for free. 

So how do you do it?  Well it is really quite simple.  From your cell phone text your question to 466453 (GOOGLE on most phones) and your answer will be quickly sent back to you via text message.

Here is a video clip that will help to explain how Google SMS works;

Essentially the key is to know the “Legend” of what you need to text to Google SMS and then Google will respond with the relevant information.  Topics for query include weather, sports, flight status, stocks, movies, directions, translations and much, much more. To save you the trouble of figuring out the legend for yourself, I have included a table, directly from Google SMS, that will help you figure out what you need to text.

GOOGLE 411

Have you ever needed to find an address or a phone number and then picked up your mobile phone to dial 411?  Whether you realize it or not, each time you dial “411″ from your phone you incur a $1.50 charge from your carrier.  So if you are calling to find the closest Pizza Place or the phone number for your Dentist these charges can quickly add up.  Now you may be asking, “What is the alternative?”

Well, thanks to the team at Google they have created a FREE 411 service.  Known as Google 411, this service provides all the features of your regular 411 call plus some great added benefits. So how does it work?  Well, when you pick up your phone, instead of dialing 4-1-1, use one of these Google alternatives;

• Call Toll Free: 1-800-GOOG-411 or 1-800-4664-411 (Canada or US)
• Send a Text / SMS to:  466453 (more information next entry)
• Mobile Web Search: mobile.google.com

This free service is a MUST USE!  It is just as user friendly as your regular 411 but packs some added benefits.  When you call Google 411 not only will they give you the best local information but they will also Text / SMS the information to you so you can save it to your phone or have a copy, just incase you missed it while on the line.  With that text they will also provide you a web link to access a map with a location for the store or service that you have queried.

Here is a video clip from their website explaining the basics of the service.  Have a quick view of the video and you will be up and using Google 411 in no time.

For a full review and breakdown of Google 411 you can visit their website which highlights all of features and tutorials on how to use their 411 directory assistance.  Their website can be accessed here:

http://www.google.ca/goog411/index.html

This is one of many cost saving tips that I will share with you over the months to come.  Be sure to program Google 411 into your contacts and add the SMS text number as well.  In my next Blog I will share with you how to Google SMS.

As a Canadian it may seem like you have a variety of choices when it comes to choosing your cell phone carrier.  Currently there are a variety of “options” which include the following list below and a few other smaller regional carriers.

• Rogers Wireless (www.rogers.com)
• Telus Mobility (www.telusmobility.com)
• Bell Mobility (www.bell.ca)
• Virgin Mobile (www.virginmobile.ca)
• Fido (www.fido.ca)
• Koodo Mobile (www.koodomobile.com)
• Solo Mobile (www.solomobile.ca)
• MTS (www.MTS.ca) – Manitoba Only

(If you are looking for a more extensive list of the available Canadian providers, both National and Regional, you can visit Wikipedia for a full listing.  I have provided the link for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Canadian_mobile_phone_companies)

The above list are the main options that you have for wireless cell phone carriers in Canada and these carriers make up about 90% of the 20+ million cell phone users in Canada.  However, it is important to note that although these seem like different options and choices the reality is far from true.

Bell Mobility actually owns Solo Mobile and a majority share of Virgin Mobile (in Canada).  Rogers Wireless is sole owner of Fido and Telus Mobility is the owner of Koodo.  Essentially that leaves us with only the Big Three; Bell, Rogers and Telus as carrier choices.

These other “options” that the Big Three offer are instead pre-paid or low cost options that they provide to the consumer.  The Big Three have created these “options” so the consumer feels like they have choices and alternatives.  However, in reality this isn’t so.  If you have or are getting a new cell phone it is most likely that you business will be going to one of these three organizations.

The challenge with this is that it creates a monopoly on the industry.  Essentially it comes down to two choices for you; GSM or CDMA technology.  Rogers is the only carrier to utilize GSM technology (until later in 2010 when Telus and Bell will as well) and both Bell and Telus share the same CDMA towers across Canada thus providing the same coverage and network.  For now, we as Canadians, are faced with a cellular monopoly where we really do not have that many options or choices and instead are presented with only the option to give our service to one of the Big Three.

Again, this is where it is vitally important to be educated about the industry so that you can find the best deals, the best options and the best ways to save money on your cell phone.  Stay tuned as I will be providing you with a lot more information and cost saving trips in the weeks to come.

As a Canadian, do you feel you are charged an unfair amount for your cell phone compared to other international carriers?  A story published by the CBC in September, 2008 notes that Canadian Carriers have, “the most profitable cell phones around.”  In comparison to global carriers, The Big Three (Rogers, Telus and Bell) have both higher monthly margins and and higher per device revenues. 

The article was based on a report released by Meryl Lynch which evaluated 23 developed nations, and assessed the Canadian Big Three as the most profitable.  In the wireless industry the key measure for profitability is ARPU or Average Revenue per Unit.  Including 53 countries both developed and undeveloped, the ARPU average was $44.24 US.  In comparison Canadian carriers ARPU was noticeably higher at $60.83 US.

Digging further into the report, Canadians paid an average of 11 cents per minute for voice calls third highest of developed nations behind the US and Singapore.  As well they were third highest in voice minutes per month with an average of 438.  Singapore and US almost doubled Canada in average monthly minutes with 812.

Canadian carriers collect the majority of their ARPU through voice minutes.  Only 12.5% of ARPU was based on non-voice usage ranking Canadians second last, only to Greece, in overall monthly data usage for developed countries.

The article by CBC outlines further details about Canadian Carriers and their profitability compared to other developed nations.  You can find the article at:

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/09/04/tech-profit.html

 Although ARPU is the industry measure for profitability of carriers it is a measure that is basically irrelevant for consumers.  The ARPU of your specific cellular device doesn’t give you a clear understanding of the increase or decrease in costs of your phone.  In a future post I will explain CPM or Cost per Minute and how you can measure the real cost of your bill by the monthly difference in this unit.

For now, realize that in Canada we are at a disadvantage in pricing compared to international carriers.  Unfortunately, we don’t have many alternatives besides the Big Three.  However, what we can do is educate ourselves on the options and best features that these carriers have.  This is the reason and basis for this blog.  I will strive to educate and inform you about the Canadian carriers so you can optimize your cell phone plan and identify features that allow you to minimize your bill.

In my next entry I will talk about the choices and alternatives in Canada for wireless carriers and pay as you go services.