Lucky Mobile
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mobile virtual network operator |
| Founded | December 4, 2017 |
Areas served | 19 Canadian metro areas |
| Products | Budget Android smartphones, flip phones, SIM cards |
| Services | 3G data, SMS, mobile calling |
| Parent | BCE Inc. |
| Website | www |
Lucky Mobile is a Canadian prepaid mobile virtual network operator and a subsidiary of BCE Inc. Founded in December 2017, Lucky Mobile operates on the Bell Mobility network alongside fellow subsidiary Virgin Mobile Canada.[1] It targets the same market segment as discount mobile brands Chatr (owned by Rogers Communications) and Public Mobile (owned by Telus).[2]
History
After being announced on December 1, 2017, Lucky Mobile launched on December 4.[3] At launch, the network is available for users in 17 metro areas in Canada. The launch was viewed as a way for BCE to compete with the discount mobile brands Chatr and Public Mobile operated by its competitors Rogers Communications and Telus, respectively.[2] Like Chatr, Lucky Mobile offers a limited selection of low end smartphones for sale outright.[4] In March 2018, the carrier's service area expanded to include Saskatchewan and Manitoba.[5]
Network
Lucky Mobile operates as a mobile virtual network operator offering pre-paid calling, texting, and "3G-like" throttled speed data running on Bell Mobility's 4G network with pre-paid plans in select Canadian markets.[4] In independent speed tests conducted in April 2018, although the Lucky Mobile network shows as 4G on users’ mobile phones, speed tests show maximum download speeds around 3 Mbps which would indicate that speeds on the Lucky Mobile network are indeed throttled.[6]
Phones
Lucky Mobile carries three budget Android smartphones and one flip phone.[7]
Retail presence
Lucky Mobile SIM cards are sold in Visions Electronics , Walmart, Glentel, The Source and Dollarama locations.[4] In addition, customers can also order cards by phone or on the company's website. At launch, the company does not operate any stand-alone locations.
References
- ^ "Lucky Mobile Will Be Bell's New Discount Wireless Brand". HuffPost Canada. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ a b Jackson, Emily (December 4, 2017). "Bell's politically astute Lucky Mobile launch aims to grab market share from low-cost Rogers, Telus brands". Financial Post. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- ^ Ng, Gary (1 December 2017). "Bell to Launch 'Lucky Mobile' Prepaid Wireless Service on Dec. 4". iPhone in Canada. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ a b c Behar, Rose (1 December 2017). "Bell launching new prepaid wireless brand called Lucky Mobile". MobileSyrup. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
- ^ Ylanen, Ayla (12 March 2018). "Lucky Mobile Expands to Saskatchewan and Manitoba". Compare Cellular. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Lucky Mobile - Review on Coverage, LTE, Phones, Plans & More!". Tech Daily. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-04-29.
- ^ Jackson, Emily (1 December 2017). "Bell to launch low-cost wireless carrier called Lucky Mobile — offering $20 plans". Financial Post. Retrieved 3 December 2017.