Canada has a new national GSM player entering the arena, Toronto-based Harmony Mobile launched earlier today and will be offering free WIFI. The company is looking to provide consumers with the type of single number service that we’ve heard years ago from the telecom industry, one phone for all home, office, and mobile calling needs, by combining the power of Wireless LAN and Harmony’s next generation cellular network.
“After 3 years of research and development and extensive fine-tuning of our system based on feedback from our beta testers, I am pleased to announce the official launch of CityHarmony,†said Jonathan Richards, president and founder of Harmony Mobile. “This service has three major benefits for our customers. In addition to eliminating North American long distance charges and expensive international roaming fees, this service also enhances in-building mobile coverage in places where traditional GSM signals are weak or unavailable, such as conference rooms or basements. Furthermore, we do not lock you into a multi-year service contract to use our service.â€
The CityHarmony service is currently only available to users of HP iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger and Nokia E61/E61i smartphones, but other dual-mode devices will be supported in early 2008. The CityHarmony service uses any broadband Internet service such as DSL or Cable Internet. For a limited time, to kick off the launch the service is $25/ month which includes unlimited local and long distance calling within North America over Wi-Fi and free use of the Harmony-provided wireless router. Basic Harmony GSM voice plans starts at $15.95 a month with no System Access Fee (SAF) and E911 fees.
