7-Eleven Canada Goes Wireless
CANADA -- 7-Eleven Canada Inc. will launch a wireless service in November, offering its own prepaid wireless service using the Rogers and Fido network, reported Cablecastermagazine.com .
The service, 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless, is coming to Canada following last year's rollout in the United States by parent company 7-Eleven Inc. The service will be introduced in the company's chain of convenience stores stretching from British Columbia to Ontario, with a focus on urban markets, a company representative told Cablecastermagazine.com .
According to the Cablecastermagazine.com report, industry statistics show that some 15.6 million Canadians subscribe to wireless services offered by providers such as Bell Mobility Inc., Telus Mobility, along with Rogers and its recently acquired Fido brand.
After the initial launch to 14 U.S. 7-Eleven markets, the Speak Out Wireless program is now being offered through 4,411 7-Eleven company-operated and franchised stores in 38 geographic areas (including the original 14), Cablecastermagazine.com reported.
Kevin Cooper, 7-Eleven stores retail services category manager, told Cablecastermagazine.com , "7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless has enhanced the program features in an expanded rollout of the program -- 365-day airtime balance expiration; GSM network coverage; Instant Messaging; FM radio and Photo IDs. Expected in the near future are downloadable games and polyphonic ring tones. Furthermore, customers' airtime balance is shown on the wireless phone screen after every call for added convenience."
In addition, customers can manage their accounts easily with a bilingual, automated customer-care system that includes automatic balance notification and the ability to easily add airtime, Cablecastermagazine.com reported.
The service will include all the features that today's wireless consumers have come to expect, such as Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling, Instant Messaging (at 10 cents per message) and Two-Way Text Messaging (at 10 cents per message). After purchase, the customer can use the wireless phone right out of the box upon inserting the pre-charged battery because each handset comes with a pre-programmed, local number assigned to each phone, according to Cablecastermagazine.com .
According to the report, the 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless program was structured by Ztar mobile, a mobile virtual network enabler. Ztar mobile provided 7-Eleven with turn-key solutions including airtime, providing logistics, billing and customer care. Ztar mobile uses Cingular Wireless' nationwide network and Nokia wireless phones.
"This is another milestone for 7-Eleven's evolution of the Speak Out Wireless program," Mark Baehr, vice president of Ztar mobile said in Cablecastermagazine.com . "This program expansion solidifies 7-Eleven's leadership in the prepaid wireless industry, and we will continue to forge a customer-focused program for 7-Eleven's prepaid wireless customers.
The service, 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless, is coming to Canada following last year's rollout in the United States by parent company 7-Eleven Inc. The service will be introduced in the company's chain of convenience stores stretching from British Columbia to Ontario, with a focus on urban markets, a company representative told Cablecastermagazine.com .
According to the Cablecastermagazine.com report, industry statistics show that some 15.6 million Canadians subscribe to wireless services offered by providers such as Bell Mobility Inc., Telus Mobility, along with Rogers and its recently acquired Fido brand.
After the initial launch to 14 U.S. 7-Eleven markets, the Speak Out Wireless program is now being offered through 4,411 7-Eleven company-operated and franchised stores in 38 geographic areas (including the original 14), Cablecastermagazine.com reported.
Kevin Cooper, 7-Eleven stores retail services category manager, told Cablecastermagazine.com , "7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless has enhanced the program features in an expanded rollout of the program -- 365-day airtime balance expiration; GSM network coverage; Instant Messaging; FM radio and Photo IDs. Expected in the near future are downloadable games and polyphonic ring tones. Furthermore, customers' airtime balance is shown on the wireless phone screen after every call for added convenience."
In addition, customers can manage their accounts easily with a bilingual, automated customer-care system that includes automatic balance notification and the ability to easily add airtime, Cablecastermagazine.com reported.
The service will include all the features that today's wireless consumers have come to expect, such as Voice Mail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, Three-Way Calling, Instant Messaging (at 10 cents per message) and Two-Way Text Messaging (at 10 cents per message). After purchase, the customer can use the wireless phone right out of the box upon inserting the pre-charged battery because each handset comes with a pre-programmed, local number assigned to each phone, according to Cablecastermagazine.com .
According to the report, the 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless program was structured by Ztar mobile, a mobile virtual network enabler. Ztar mobile provided 7-Eleven with turn-key solutions including airtime, providing logistics, billing and customer care. Ztar mobile uses Cingular Wireless' nationwide network and Nokia wireless phones.
"This is another milestone for 7-Eleven's evolution of the Speak Out Wireless program," Mark Baehr, vice president of Ztar mobile said in Cablecastermagazine.com . "This program expansion solidifies 7-Eleven's leadership in the prepaid wireless industry, and we will continue to forge a customer-focused program for 7-Eleven's prepaid wireless customers.