Do not buy the phone before confirming at a Wind Store if it will work on their network or not.
It's too bad - a phone which is built to run on a network identical to Wind's, yet will have to be obtained through alternative channels. Stranger still when Wind already has access to part of the Samsung line. But that's just how these agreements generally work out. If Wind had this phone you could have used the WindTab+ and put over 350+ dollars into your tab and paid it off monthly by paying 10% of your phone bill every month towards your tab. I think it is better than spending 700 bucks upfront.
The choice of carrier depends on your cellphone usage. If you are a heavy user you should go for Wind but IF you are just a light user you can go with Bell.
So lets do the maths. On bell you get the phone for 170 dollars with a 3 year contract on a minimum $50pm {200min+500meg, choice of one feature (visit www.bell.ca for details), Unlimited local nights (9 p.m. - 7 a.m.) and weekends (9 p.m. Fri - 7 a.m. Mon), Tethering, Unlimited social networking, Call Waiting and Conference Calling, Unlimited Wi-Fi at over 1,600 Bell hotspots, including Starbucks and McDonald's, no call display, no voicemail} plan. 170+(36*50)=$1970. Just to let you know Call display is 7 bucks extra which makes 252 bucks extra.
And with Wind, 700+(35*36)=1960 plus you get unlimited calling, texting, call features and voicemail.
There is not much difference if you stick to the basic plan on Bell, but you'll have to stay with them for 3 years. And if you want Call display and Voicemail, it will make a big difference. On wind you are free to change your provider anytime and get a better value for money. You can leave Wind after a year or two or whenever you desire and sell the phone on ebay.
Wind does not run on 4G network yet and it doesnt really make a difference as what do you expect to do with 500megs? On 4G you can use this much data in less than a minute.
The only thing that will matter in choosing Wind is the reception in area. Wind has been known to have reception issues in some areas. Before buying a phone with Wind just check reception in your home, your area and your frequently visited places by using a friend's Wind phone.
And just an FYI, Wind currently has a $29 promotion going on which offers unlimited WtoW, unlimited local calling, unlimited CA/US texting,international texting, voicemail, call display, call waiting, forwarding, 3-way calling and UNLIMITED DATA. yes unlimited data
I know this plan is unbelievable but it is still available until 31st I guess so you should check it out. The catch is that it changes to $45 pm after 12 months which still is a good deal.
PS I dont work for Wind or Bell or for any other phone company and the above views are my own opinion.
And yeah sorry for the novel, I was free today