Chatr

Chatr Mobile (stylized as chatr) is a Canadian mobile virtual network operator owned by Rogers Communications Canada targeting entry-level customers.[1] It is one of three wireless brands owned by Rogers Communications, including Rogers Wireless, and Fido Solutions. The provider launched its service in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Quebec City, and Montreal under the name Chatr Wireless on July 28, 2010.[2] The company re-branded to its current name in 2015.

chatr Mobile
FormerlyChatr Wireless
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryMobile virtual network operator
FoundedJuly 28, 2010
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario, Canada
Key people
Shailendra Gujarati, VP, chatr
ProductsAndroid smartphone and feature phones
ServicesGSM, HSPA (including HSPA+), mobile broadband, SMS, telephony
ParentRogers Communications
WebsiteChatrWireless.com
Chatr at Toronto Pearson Airport

The carrier initially launched by limiting plan features to only specific regions of Rogers' network, dubbed "chatr zones". The company now offers coverage for most urban areas of Canada,[3] and additional plans for certain cities.[4]

Network
See also: Rogers Wireless § Networks

The chatr network includes coverage comparable to other major Canadian wireless carriers.[5] It previously had "local talk zones", calls not made in-zone were billed as roaming calls. It now offers Canada-wide calls from anywhere, no more zones. Only its cheapest plan is not unlimited talk. As 10th March 2020, new customers activating a Chatr line on a Nation-Wide Plan are provisioned to the LTE network. Existing Chatr customers, if eligible, were also migrated over to the LTE network.

Services

Price plans

Chatr offers plans ranging from $15 to $55, most of which include unlimited Canada-wide calling, international SMS texting, and 0.5 GB to 8 GB of data per month.[6]

Sometime after February 2018[7] their Regular Plans briefly offered a $10/month plan (50 minutes/50 texts) from August 2018[8] until March 2019[9] which was discontinued by June 2019,[10] after which the cheapest plan was instead $15 for 100 minutes / unlimited texts.

Account and SIM expiration

Announced 22 May 2019, on 22 June 2019 is a scheduled changed to the terms of service so that inactive accounts (and their sim cards) would expire after 90 days inactivity instead of the previous policy of allowing 180 days inactivity before pruning them. Money on the account less than the amount required to buy a new month of service would be lost, whereas previously the account would not be closed unless $0 remained on it.[11]

Common features

All Chatr plans include unlimited incoming texts and the call display, call waiting, call forwarding and group calling features. Features specific to each plan are listed below:

  • The base plan: $15/month "100 minutes of Outgoing Talk and Unlimited Text" plan includes 100 minutes of outgoing calls and unlimited incoming calls, as well as unlimited incoming and outgoing SMS to Canada, the US, and internationally.
  • The Data and Unlimited Texting Plan: $25/month includes Unlimited Incoming Calls, Unlimited incoming and outgoing SMS to Canada, the US, and internationally and 500MB of Data.
  • The Unlimited Talk and Text Plans: $25/month "Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk and Talk" plan adds unlimited Nation-wide calls and unlimited incoming and outgoing SMS to Canada, the US, and internationally.
  • The Unlimited Talk and Text with Data Plans: $35/month "Unlimited Canada-wide Talk & International Text + 1GB of Data", $40/month "Unlimited Canada-wide Talk & International Text + 4GB of Data", $50/ Month "Unlimited Canada-wide Talk & International Text + 8GB of Data" and $55/month "Unlimited Canada/US Talk & International Text + 8GB"
  • Signing up for Auto Pay gives you an additional 500mb on $25-$55 Plans and 250mb on $15 plans

Services not included in some plans

Extra charges for additional features in each Chatr plan are as follows:

  • A 40¢ per minute voicemail retrieval charge is charged on the $15 plan, which is waived on other all higher plans.
  • A 40¢ per minute voicemail retrieval charge is charged on the data and text only $25 plan, 40¢ per minute for outgoing calls.
  • US calls cost 40¢ per minute on all except the $55 plan.
  • Data Plus can be added to the $35, $40, $50, $55 plans, in denominations of 500MB for $5 when you run out of data to a maximum of 5 times

Products

Phones

When Chatr was launched, it initially only sold feature phones. It began introducing smartphones in conjunction with its launch of mobile data in 2011, although feature phones continue to make up a significant portion of the company's phone offerings. Additionally, Chatr SIM cards allow other GSM-based handsets to be used.

Currently available devices are made by LG, ZTE, Motorola, Alcatel and Nokia.[12] In 2018, Chatr also added devices from Samsung to its line up along with one device from Huawei.[13] Chatr formerly gave each phone a nickname (for example, "The Performer" or "The Steal") until its rebranding in 2015.

SIM cards

SIM cards from Chatr (available in Mini, Micro, and Nano sizes) are compatible with any GSM or HSPA+ device, such as those designed to be used with Rogers Wireless. This includes devices from Rogers itself, plus its mobile virtual network operators such as Fido and 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless. Around June 2017, many retailers stopped advertising Chatr's $10 SIM card, and began offering it for sale online at Chatr's SIM card page.

Controversy

Several controversies regarding Chatr received mainstream media coverage. The company received two accusations of breaching the Competition Act in Canada.

Fighter brand

Chatr has been accused of violating the Competition Act because it is a fighter brand created by Rogers.[14] Some years ago Chatr's pricing policy closely reflects that of Wind Mobile. Mobilicity's former chairman, John Bitove, said that "[Rogers is] leveraging the other parts of their business to kill the competition […] If they succeed in killing us off there's no question they'd kill the Chatr brand off".[15] Moblicity was later purchased by Rogers and incorporated into Chatr.

Advertising claims

Shortly after its launch, Chatr published many advertisements claiming that their network has "fewer dropped calls than new wireless carriers". Following a complaint by wireless carriers Wind Mobile and Mobilicity, the Federal Competition Bureau has asked the Ontario Superior Court of Justice under the Misleading Advertising Provisions of the Competition Act to order Rogers to:

  1. Stop Chatr's advertising campaign
  2. Pay a 10-million dollar penalty
  3. Pay restitution to any customers affected by the misleading claim
  4. Send out a corrective notice to inform the public about the issue

The Bureau has accused Rogers of:

  1. using misleading advertising to promote its talk-and-text service Chatr..."
  2. having "...no evidence support[ing] Chatr's claim that their customers will experience fewer dropped calls than they would with new rival wireless carriers..."
  3. directly breaching Section 78 of Misleading Advertising Provisions relating to "False or Misleading Representations and Deceptive Marketing Practices"

According to the Court documents from the preceding, the bureau found that the on average there is no significant difference between the number of dropped calls on Chatr and new carriers. Furthermore, in the cases of Ottawa and Toronto, new carriers experienced slightly fewer dropped calls than did Chatr.[16]

  • Jul 9, 2010: Mobilicity made several claims against Rogers revolving around the upcoming launch of Chatr. "If Rogers launches Chatr in the manner that's been speculated, it's clear that the Competition Act will be violated," John Bitove told reporters from his Toronto office.[17][18]
  • Nov 19, 2010: The Competition Bureau of Canada is seeking a $10-million penalty, the highest possible penalty from the country's largest wireless player after a two-month investigation into claims that Rogers had been making since late July.[19]
  • Aug 19, 2013: The Court dismissed the misleading advertising portion of the case against Rogers.
  • Feb 21, 2014: Court orders $500,000 administrative monetary penalty in Rogers-Chatr matter.[20][21][22]

Advertising

Chatr Wireless' slogan is "No worries, talk happy." During the Christmas and holiday season, the slogan used instead was "No worries, gift happy." Both resemble the name of the song Don't Worry, Be Happy, and a whistled version of this song is used in Chatr commercials.[23] The slogan is now "Let's Get Going."[24]

In 2017, Chatr was awarded two silver CASSIES advertising awards, in categories for Brand Reawakening and Targeting.[25][26]

Retail presence
A sign of Rogers, Fido and Chatr at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Best Buy, Costco, London Drugs, Tbooth, Walmart, WirelessWave and Wireless Etc. sell Chatr prepaid products and top-up cards, as well as inexpensive SIM cards which allows any unlocked GSM phone with 850/1900 mHZ frequency to be activated on the Chatr network. Additionally, Chatr once ran its own self-branded retail stores, consisting of a network of kiosks from which customers could purchase phones, accessories, plans, top-ups, and more. Almost all of these have either closed or have been converted to WOW! mobile boutique stores which provide services for several carriers including Chatr. Earlier, all seven Chatr kiosks in Montreal were converted to Fido kiosks in May 2012. This did not affect third-party retail presence of Chatr in Montreal.[27] In Fall 2016, Chatr converted 54 Mobilicity stores and kiosks to Chatr-branded locations.[28]

While Shoppers Drug Mart carried only Rogers Wireless prepaid phones at one time, the stores temporarily partnered with the network operator to carry both prepaid and postpaid products and services for Rogers and its two other brands, Fido and Chatr. There was an in-store display, showcasing many of the phones available. As of March 2011, however, Shoppers stores ended their partnership. They only sell prepaid top-up vouchers for these providers.

See also

Other brands owned by Rogers

References
  1. Melanson, Donald (2010-07-02). "Rogers announces plans for budget-minded 'Chatr' wireless brand". Engadget. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  2. Mathieu, Emily (2010-07-28). "Mobilicity to take Rogers to court over new discount service". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  3. Mobile, Chatr. "chatr mobile". www.chatrwireless.com. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  4. Mobile, Chatr. "Cell Phone Plans | Unlimited Talk | chatr mobile". www.chatrwireless.com. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  5. Mobile, Chatr. "chatr mobile". www.chatrwireless.com. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  6. Mobile, Chatr. "Cell Phone Plans | Unlimited Talk | chatr mobile". www.chatrwireless.com. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-02-11. Retrieved 2018-02-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2018-08-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. https://web.archive.org/web/20190313163947/https://www.chatrwireless.com/web/chatr.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PlanBrowse
  10. https://web.archive.org/web/20190601031215/https://www.chatrwireless.com/web/chatr.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PlanBrowse
  11. "Terms of Service". ChatrWireless.com. 22 May 2019. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019. As of June 22, 2019, chatr is changing its policy for inactive accounts. Starting on that date, if your account balance is less than the monthly service fee for your plan and you’ve reached 3 straight months of inactivity, then your account will be deactivated and you will lose the chatr phone number that you’ve been using. Any remaining balance in your account will not be refunded. A new SIM card and new mobile phone number will be required to re-activate services. Currently, deactivation will take place if your account remains at $0 for 6 straight months. Please note that as a result of this change, if your account has been inactive for 3 straight months as of the effective date, then it will be deactivated immediately on the effective date. In order to reflect this change, section 3(e) of your chatr Terms of Service will be amended as of June 22, 2019 and will read as follows
    “e. What if I don’t use my Service on a regular basis?
    If your account balance remains at less than the amount of the monthly service fee for your Plan for 3 consecutive months, then your account will be deactivated and you will lose the mobile phone number assigned to you. Any remaining balance in your account will not be refunded. A new SIM card and new mobile phone number will be required to re-activate Services.”
  12. Mobile, Chatr. "Wireless Phones - Cell Phones - chatr mobile". chatrwireless.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  13. "Chatr Reviews - Will Their 'Zone' Plans Work For Me?". Tech Daily Canada. 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  14. Moretti, Stefania (2010-07-09). "Mobilicity prepared to take legal action over Chatr". Canoe. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  15. Marlow, Iain (2010-07-09). "Mobilicity says Roger's chatr may violate Competition Act". FinancialPost.com. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  16. Marlow, Iain (2010-11-29). "Comparison of dropped-call data weakens Rogers claims". The Globe & Mail. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  17. . Retrieved on May 21, 2017
  18. inc, Canoe. "Mobilicity prepared to take legal action over Chatr". canoe.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-08. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  19. Retrieved on May 21, 2017
  20. Canada, Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Office of the Deputy Minister, Competition Bureau. "Archived — Court orders $500,000 administrative monetary penalty in Rogers-Chatr matter". www.competitionbureau.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  21. Canada, Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Office of the Deputy Minister, Competition Bureau. "Penalties imposed by the courts". www.competitionbureau.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  22. "Rogers fined $500,000 over Chatr ads". CBC News. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  23. "chatr wireless brings worry-free unlimited talk and text plans to Montreal -Offering Montrealers a trusted network that works from day one - About Rogers". About Rogers. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  24. Mobile, Chatr. "Great Phones & Plans with Unlimited Talk | chatr mobile". www.chatrwireless.com. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  25. "Chatr Mobile takes home two Canadian advertising awards". Rogers Wireless. 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  26. "Cassies 2017 Winners". cassies.ca. 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
  27. Hardy, Ian (May 7, 2012). "Rogers re-branding all Chatr Wireless kiosks in Montreal to Fido". Mobile Syrup. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  28. Behar, Rose (2016-07-27). "Mobilicity begins moving customers to Chatr, offers $10 bonus credit". MobileSyrup. Retrieved 2017-07-16.
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