Bell Mobility

Clever Marketing

The current ad campaign for Bell Mobility involves a pair of stereotypical Canadians... they just happen to be beavers. Billed as a pair of inseparable males in an ambiguous relationship (a la Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street), Frank and Gordon are the mascots for the company, and were first introduced during the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino (Turin), Italy. The CGI-animated duo are involved in a number of humourous commercials on TV, as well as on the radio, in newspapers, and billboards.

Technology and MVNOs

As noted above, the primary service that Bell Mobility provides is that for CDMA cellular phones. They are also noted for their walkie-talkie services over the network (much like that offered through Sprint Nextel), known as Push-to-Talk or PTT for short, as well as the lesser-known AMPS and 1xRTT technologies. Most recently, Bell Mobility jumped into the realm of 3G Mobile Phone Technology when they adopted EV-DO. One of the most notable high-speed data services they provide is Mobile TV.

As well as serving the Canadian public under their own banner, there are no fewer than three MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators, that work on the Bell Mobility network. These are Virgin Mobile, Solo Mobile (owned by Bell), and PC Mobile (sold in Real Canadian Superstore locations). These MVNOs typically don't require a contract and work on a prepaid basis, just like the "lifestyle MVNOs" of the United States, such as Boost Mobile and Amp'd Mobile.

Select Cellular Phones and Other Devices

Bell Mobility has several handset that are not only visually appealing, but come with plenty of high-tech features to keep you at the cutting edge of cell phone technology. Here is but a small sample of what they have to offer:

• Samsung a900: Also known as the "Blade", the slim flip phone is a direct competitor to the Motorola RAZR V3c, which Bell Mobility also carries. Complete with Bluetooth Technology, voice dialling, and an integrated digital camera, the a900 has got a heck of a lot going for it. Compatible with Bell's EV-DO services, the "Blade" allows you to watch streaming video, download music, and share pictures with the best of them.

• Sanyo 8300: Now considered one of the company's more basic handsets, the Sanyo 8300 was one of the first handsets offered through Bell to feature 10-4 walkie talkie service (Push To Talk). It can be had for very cheap these days (less than $30 with a contract), but it's still got enough goodies to keep you interested. It features a built-in camcorder, interchangeable bezels/faceplates, and an integrated media player.

• LG 325: This unique slider phone from LG has a lot going for it, including an affordable price point. While it may appear like a regular bar-style handset, the keypad and navigational buttons can slide down to reveal a large, vibrant color screen. This will easily set you apart from the crowd of standard clamshells and candybars. Key features include Bluetooth, downloadable ringtones, and an integrated camera.

• UTStarcom PPC6700: This phonemaker might not be the biggest name in the industry, and it certainly faces an uphill battle when they aim to compete directly against BlackBerry devices and Palm Treo handhelds, but the PPC6700 from UTStarcom is said to be "like an office in your pocket." Combining the functionality of a cell phone with wireless e-mail, web browsing, a digital camera, video recording, and high-speed data via EV-DO and WiFi, this beefy wireless gadget just about does it all. Better yet, it runs on Windows Mobile for Pocket PC, providing for a very familiar and intuitive user interface.