TELUS today announced it is targeting September 24th for the launch of the new BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone on Canada’s fastest mobile network*. Designed especially for socially connected consumers and packed with the tools business customers love, the new handset offers elegant styling with top-of-the-line features and functionality. It’s the world’s first smartphone to combine a BlackBerry® keyboard with a full touch screen experience and the first to feature the new BlackBerry® 6.0 operating system.

First to Feature New BlackBerry 6 with Rich WebKit Browser

“Both business and consumer customers will get an incredible mobile experience from the new BlackBerry Torch smartphone,” said Brent Johnston, vice-president of Mobility Solutions at TELUS. “TELUS is pleased to bring the BlackBerry Torch to Canadians, which will allow them to easily stay connected, entertained and informed wherever they are while running on our blazing fast 3G+ network.”

The new BlackBerry Torch redefines what’s exciting about BlackBerry smartphones by combining a large capacitive touch screen and optical trackpad with a 35-key full QWERTY backlit slide-out keyboard, designed to feel optimally balanced when opened for typing. It offers support for high-speed 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) networks around the world, includes the latest generation of Wi-Fi® (b/g/n) connectivity and built-in GPS for location-based applications and geo-tagging. Its 5 MP camera takes exceptional pictures with continuous auto focus, image stabilization, 11 scene modes and zoom, as well as video recording. It also comes with a combined 8 GB of media storage out-of-the-box, including a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that can bring the total storage memory to 36 GB for customers that want more.

The BlackBerry Torch is the first to launch with BlackBerry 6.0, a new operating system for BlackBerry smartphones. It features a redesigned interface, and a new and rich WebKit-based browser that renders HTML web pages (as well as HTML email) quickly and beautifully for a great browsing experience. The browser includes tabs for accessing multiple sites simultaneously, double-tap to zoom that can intelligently wrap text in a column while maintaining the placement of a page’s key elements, and pinch to zoom.

BlackBerry 6 offers expanded messaging capabilities and RSS feeds, which provides integrated access to the popular BlackBerry® Messenger (BBM™) service as well as Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace™ and various instant messaging applications. The enhanced multimedia experience includes a dedicated YouTube app, and BlackBerry Podcasts, allowing users to easily discover, acquire and enjoy audio and video podcasts from leading content providers. A universal search feature, accessible from the Home Screen, allows users to search for content on the smartphone, as well as extend the search to the Internet or to discover applications on BlackBerry App World™, which is included. TELUS is excited to be the first carrier in Canada to offer clients the ability to pay for their BlackBerry App World™ purchases on their mobile phone bill as well as through credit card payment. This ability will be available prior to the BlackBerry Torch launch.

On the heels of celebrating its 100^th day in business, Mobilicity today announced its dealer network has grown by over 30 percent to over 300 points of distribution since opening its doors in the spring – fuelled by growing interest in the new carrier’s unlimited talk, text and data plans by consumers and entrepreneurial dealers alike.

In the last month alone, Mobilicity has added 40 new locations to reinforce its strong community-based retail presence across the Greater Toronto Area, including exclusive Mobilicity stores at:

• 491A Dundas Street West (at Spadina Avenue), Toronto
• 1394 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
• 1 Bartley Bull Parkway, Unit 25, Brampton

Easy access to wireless in communities: A Mobilicity cornerstone
“We’re continuing to enhance our distribution to provide the most convenient customer experience around,” said President and CEO, Dave Dobbin. ”With our extensive and growing network of locations, Mobilicity customers can easily shop for phones, pay their bills and receive customer support near their homes or workplaces.”

Mobilicity recently set a new standard in the country’s wireless market by expanding its call-feature-rich $35 talk-and-text plan to include unlimited province-wide calling and introducing Mobilicity Multi-Minute Long-Distance Add-ons as part of its commitment to make connecting with friends and family across Canada, North America and around the world affordable using mobile phones.

The company’s industry-leading unlimited plans range from its teen and tween-friendly unlimited North American text and picture-messaging plan ($15/month) to its unlimited global text, talk, North American long-distance and data plan for $65/month. Mobilicity customers do not require a contract or credit check – nor do they need to worry about incurring extra, hidden charges.

TELUS’ new wireless network is now available in Saskatchewan. TELUS’ network uses the most advanced 3G+ mobile broadband technology, HSPA+ and offers customers increased wireless data download speeds of up to 21 megabits per second*, access to a world class selection of leading edge mobile devices, and international roaming service to more than 200 countries.

TELUS consumers and businesses in Saskatchewan now have access to the latest devices to stay connected on-the-go including iconic smartphones, lightning-fast Mobile Internet keys, and stylish feature phones. Many are available only from TELUS, such as the award winning HTC Desire, the MOTOROLA CHARM, the INQ CHAT 3G.

“TELUS is excited to bring its new blazing fast 3G+ network, the biggest in Saskatchewan, along with some of the coolest devices on the planet, many available only from TELUS,” said Joe Natale, Chief Commercial Officer, TELUS. “Consumers and businesses in Saskatchewan now have more choice than ever before.”

TELUS is also offering an exclusive 30-day money back guarantee on all its 3G+ devices, giving Saskatchewan customers a chance to upgrade to the latest and greatest smartphones and experience the coverage and speed of the TELUS mobile network.

As the official national wireless provider for the CFL, TELUS is also giving Canadian football fans the chance to enjoy TELUS CFL Mobile. TELUS CFL Mobile offers all Canadian wireless customers access to scoreboards, stats, standings, schedules and news articles. TELUS customers will have access to the application’s advanced features, including live video-streaming of all CFL games and exciting in-game, on-demand features, a special scoreboard experience with live stats and a chance to win a trip to this year’s sold-out 98th Grey Cup in Edmonton. Available now on most BlackBerry smartphones, the TELUS CFL Mobile experience is coming soon on more leading smartphone platforms, including the iPhone and Android.

As part of the company’s investment in 3G+ wireless services this year, TELUS has entered into a enhanced network sharing agreement with SaskTel that builds on arrangements the companies have had in place since 1999. The network sharing agreement facilitates the deployment of next generation wireless voice and data services for TELUS customers in Saskatchewan, optimizes cell-site utilization, and maximizes the potential for operating efficiencies. Saskatchewan will also benefit from enhanced choice for roaming both domestically and internationally and access to new next generation data services and applications.

By leveraging the investment TELUS has already made in its 3G+ network, this launch is consistent with TELUS’ overall capital expenditure guidance for 2010.

Wirefly (www.wirefly.com ), the Internet’s leading retailer of cell phones and cell phone plans, today announced that it is hosting a pre-sale for the highly anticipated Samsung Epic™ 4G, a premium Android-powered smartphone from the award-winning Samsung Galaxy S™ smartphone lineup. Available exclusively from Sprint, Wirefly customers can now pre-order the Samsung Epic 4G on Wirefly.com before it officially hits stores’ shelves later this month – and at a special Wirefly price, backed by a 30 day pre-order price guarantee.

Samsung Epic 4G has the distinction of being the second 4G-capable handset from Sprint and the only 4G Samsung Galaxy S smartphone. In addition to operating on the Sprint 4G network and Sprint 3G network (depending on user location), the Samsung Epic 4G is powered by the Android 2.1 operating system, comes equipped with an ultra-fast 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application processor for faster upload and download times and has built-in mobile hotspot capability that allows up to five Wi-Fi equipped devices to simultaneously connect to either Sprint 3G Network or Sprint 4G Network. The mobile hotspot is an optional charge of $29.99 per month.

The sleek smartphone has a stunning 4″ Super AMOLED™ touchscreen display that gives users a vivid, high-definition-like viewing experience ideal for watching videos, TV, playing games, surfing the web, texting and emailing. The already robust entertainment experience is only going to get better with the impending launch of Samsung Media Hub where Epic 4G users will be able to rent or purchase movies and TV shows directly from their phones.

Samsung Epic 4G is a social networking and messaging powerhouse. It is the only Galaxy S smartphone to offer a slide-out, full QWERTY keyboard in addition to the virtual keyboard and Swype technology, which allows users to input text faster and more intuitively with one continuous finger motion across the virtual keyboard. It also features an advanced 5-megapixel camera/camcorder with 4x digital zoom, autofocus, and power LED flash for HD video recording1 as well as a front-facing VGA camera for video chat. With Samsung’s ALLShare service, users can then wirelessly share their photos and videos with their friends and family on their Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified devices, including HDTVs.

Customers looking to purchase this hot new device and all of the useful accessories that go along with it do not have to wait until its official launch date. Samsung Epic 4G is now available at a special pre-order price on www.wirefly.com for new and upgrade-eligible Sprint customers with a two-year agreement.    Customers can take comfort knowing that the Epic 4G is protected by Wirefly’s 30 Day Pre-Order Price Guarantee. If the price of the device on Wirefly.com drops below the pre-order price within 30 days of the August 31 launch date, Wirefly will automatically refund the difference to customer’s credit card. And, as always, every Wirefly order comes with fast, free FedEx shipping.

Why Wirefly Likes the Samsung Epic 4G from Sprint

• 3G/4G capability
• 4″ Super AMOLED vivid touchscreen display
• Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor supports amazing 3-D graphics, faster upload and download times and the full richness of HD-like multimedia content
• Dual camera: 5 megapixel camera/camcorder with autofucos, power LED flash, and 4x digital zoom for photos and HD video recording as well as a front-facing VGA camera for video chat and more
• 16 GB microSD™ card installed; expandable Memory up to 32GB
• Samsung Epic 4G’s built-in mobile hotspot allows up to five Wi-Fi equipped devices to simultaneously connect to either Sprint’s 3G or 4G network.
• Full QWERTY keyboard and Swype text input for faster communication

Wirefly.com encourages consumers to visit Wirefly Learn (www.wirefly.com/learn ), where they can watch video demos of Samsung Epic 4G, as well as read unbiased reviews, and see side-by-side comparisons to similar devices.

The R201 comes with embedded DLNA software, allowing Vodafone customers to view their digital content, such as music, video and photos, across all DLNA compatible devices, including laptops, netbooks, mobile phones, gaming devices, TVs and radios.

DLNA is a standard used to enable the sharing of digital media between different consumer electronic devices. For example, a DLNA compliant TV can interoperate with a DLNA compliant PC to play music, photos or videos. The specification also includes Digital Rights Management (DRM), to ensure that content is protected from unauthorised copying and use.

The device is particularly attractive to Small and Home Office workers as it can be used to map network drives and share files boosting their collaborative capabilities on the move. Thanks to embedded Samba Software, the device can effectively be used as a mini Linux server once an SD memory card is inserted. The device supports SD memory cards of up to 32GB which can be purchased separately.

The DLNA certified Vodafone Mobile WiFi hotspot acts as a central hub for storing digital content, from pictures, video, music and document files and sharing and displaying them on any other WiFi enabled, DLNA certified device in the home or in the office.

The device will be available in various countries where Vodafone operates during 2010. The device comes with a robust, contemporary industrial design, featuring an onboard display which allows the user to monitor connectivity information, as well as battery strength, signal strength and the number of active connected devices.

“The Vodafone R201 Mobile WiFi device enables our customers to take the WiFi connectivity experience they have at home or in the office everywhere with them, thanks to Vodafone Mobile Broadband,” said Huw Medcraft, Vodafone’s Director of Mobile Broadband. “By adding DLNA compatibility to the device, it becomes much more than a connection to the internet, by enabling users to connect to their other WiFi enabled DLNA devices and wirelessly share and enjoy their digital content, no matter where they are. We know that consumers in particular now have an array of Wi-Fi enabled devices that they use both at home and on the move – the R201 allows them to use them all in a highly convenient way.”

Vodafone has integrated the award winning Twonky Application, developed by PacketVideo. Twonky’s advanced connectivity includes but is not limited to DLNA standards, UpNP and proprietary protocols. It provides a seamless experience for digital media sharing on compatible home and mobile devices. By using Twonky, Vodafone customers can enjoy their media in multiple ways – see it, play it, hear it and share it with ease.

Recycle My Cell, Canada’s free cell phone recycling program, is pleased to announce its participation in the Green Scene sustainable attraction at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) from August 21 to September 6, 2010. Visitors to the Recycle My Cell tent will discover just how simple it is for British Columbians to find out how and where to dispose of their used cell phones, smartphones, pagers, wireless air cards, batteries, chargers, headsets and other accessories. Better still, why not bring your old wireless devices with you to the PNE and deposit them in the recycling bin on site at the Green Scene.

The Web-based Recycle My Cell program – found at www.RecycleMyCell.ca – allows consumers to simply enter their postal code to locate the 10 drop-off locations closest to them where their devices will be accepted, regardless of brand or condition. The number of drop-off locations across Canada has grown to more than 3,700, with more than 550 locations in British Columbia alone. If someone can’t visit one of these drop-off locations in person, the Web site also provides printable postage-paid labels to use for mailing these devices, making recycling a wireless device hassle-free and at no cost to the consumer.

Recycle My Cell is run by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), in conjunction with cell phone carriers and handset manufacturers, who have come together to raise awareness about the importance of cell phone recycling. The goal of this program is to keep handsets from entering Canada’s landfills. And just as important, the proceeds from the recycled devices contribute to some great charities at the same time.

“The success of Recycle My Cell demonstrates that thinking green doesn’t have to be complicated, and the results can have a major impact on protecting the environment and enriching our communities,” said CWTA President & CEO Bernard Lord. “The program is truly a win-win-win formula for consumers, charitable organizations and, of course, our environment.”

Visitors to the Web site will also find some e-waste facts and figures, including links to provincial e-waste management sites. There is also a downloadable brochure and a series of frequently asked questions, as well as information about how consumers can clear their device of all personal data before they drop it off at a recycling site. Site visitors with any additional questions can contact a representative by e-mail at info@recyclemycell.ca, or call the toll-free support number at 1-888-797-1740.

Quick Facts:

• Just since 2006, Canadian wireless companies have collected more than one million wireless devices through various recycling initiatives.

• RecycleMyCell.ca has had 31,000 site visitors since launch.

• A recent survey found that the majority of Canadians keep their old phones in storage. When asked, two-thirds of Canadians with an old phone in storage said they would be willing to recycle it.

• There are more than 23 million cell phone subscribers in Canada.

• Approximately 96 per cent of the materials in an average mobile device are recyclable.

• All of the recyclers involved in the Recycle My Cell program are ISO certified or certified under Electronic Product Stewardship Canada’s Recycling Vendor Qualification Program, so they all have environmental management systems in place that guarantee accountability and knowledge of the environmental impacts associated with recycling.

Verizon Wireless and XATA Turnpike, a division of XATA Corporation (NASDAQ: XATA), today announced the availability of XATA Turnpike’s RouteTracker fleet performance management solution to Verizon Wireless enterprise customers. Customers can streamline business processes with simplified billing as XATA Turnpike subscription fees are added directly to their Verizon Wireless bills.

“Enterprises across the board are looking to streamline fleet operations, both in the truck and in the office, to reduce costs and increase efficiency,” said Benigno Gonzalez, vice president-sales operations for Verizon Wireless. “XATA Turnpike’s solution on the nation’s most reliable wireless network provides our enterprise customers with a robust fleet performance management tool that optimizes operations plus the benefit of a single bill.”

XATA Turnpike’s RouteTracker device transmits Global Positioning System (GPS) and other important vehicle data to a wireless phone and sends the data back to a hosted website. Verizon Wireless customers can easily access XATA Turnpike on their Verizon Wireless handsets, providing fleet efficiencies such as Hours of Service (HOS) tracking and logging. XATA Turnpike offers a flexible computing platform that enables Verizon Wireless customers to integrate fleet and driver data with other third-party applications they are using so the data can be easily collected and analyzed for maximum fleet optimization.

“In today’s economic environment, efficiency is everything,” said Brendan Staub, senior vice president of sales, XATA Turnpike. “Verizon Wireless customers can now take advantage of XATA Turnpike’s low-cost solution to improve fleet operations and remain HOS compliant, all without adding an additional step to their accounting processes.”

For more information about Verizon Wireless’ products and services for business, visit www.verizonwireless.com or call a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

For more information about XATA Turnpike, visit www.xataturnpike.com or call 1-800-790-9018.

Just in time for back to school, Virgin Mobile is throwing some punches and getting super-charged with a new offer that gets Canadians the phones they want right now for less – and without having to sign on for a fixed-term contract.

Designed for those who love the latest phones but don’t want to be locked in for a fixed term, the Virgin Mobile SuperTab™ is a way to get one of Virgin Mobile’s super phones without paying the full retail price or locking in to a three-year contract. With this new way to pay, Members can get up to $500 off the retail price of a Virgin Mobile phone, including the hottest smartphones, and put it on their Virgin Mobile SuperTab.

“The Virgin Mobile SuperTab is all about giving flexibility to our Members. Whether it’s our exclusive Samsung Gravity 3, the hottest new touchscreen phone, or the BlackBerry® Curve™ 3G, now you can get the best price for your phone without committing to a three-year contract,” said Robert Blumenthal, President, Virgin Mobile Canada. “You get to pick how much you want to put on your Virgin Mobile SuperTab, what phone you want and even when you want a brand new one. Plus, just by using your phone, you’re paying off your Virgin Mobile SuperTab balance or earning more for a new phone. It’s win-win.”

New plans deliver phones for less with no fixed-term contracts

Get on the Virgin Mobile SuperTab!

Hooking up to the phone you’ve been longing for is super simple with just four steps:

1. Choose an awesome Virgin Mobile phone and put up to $500 of the price on your Virgin Mobile SuperTab.
2. Choose the jam-packed plan that works best for you, starting from just $15 per month.
3. Every month, we take 10% of your bill and use it to pay off your Virgin Mobile SuperTab balance.
4. Once you’ve paid your balance off, you can keep banking monthly toward a new phone and upgrade anytime!

Also, for a limited time with select smartphones, if you sign up for a Smartphone Combo Plan or a myPlan™ Monthly Plan with a data add-on, you’ll get a 5% bonus towards your Virgin Mobile SuperTab – that’s a super duper total of 15% of your bill each month! For those hitting the books this back to school, combine that with our Student Smartphone Combo plan that delivers unlimited talk and text to 10 friends across the country plus 500 MB of data all for just $50 per month. For more student options, visit www.virginmobile.ca/students.

Plus with Virgin Mobile, Members also get more benefits and special treats, including exclusive access to the hottest events, surprise upgrades and special giveaways like tickets to must-see shows like Virgin Mobile Live presents Brandon Flowers and Virgin Mobile presents the Monster Ball starring Lady Gaga. For more info on how Members can get more from their mobile, check out www.virginmobile.ca/lounge.

Having some Super Fun!

Virgin Mobile is taking it to the streets with a new multi-million dollar ad campaign that captures people as they transition from their work day to planning their big night out to show how Virgin Mobile delivers the best of both worlds – both fun and function. Virgin Mobile’s Super Angels are also in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montréal, Halifax and Winnipeg in August to deliver some super treats to Canadians. To find out where the Super Angels will be, follow Virgin Mobile on Twitter at twitter.com/virginmobilecan.