Once upon a time I had a cell phone that evoked envy from my peers. It was new. It was shiny. It was smart. It was nearly six years ago.
Specs
| Make: | BlackBerry |
| Model: | Curve 8330 |
| Network: | CDMA (think: pre-SIM card) |
| Released: | 2007 |
| Status: | Discontinued, obviously |
| Dimensions: | Thick |
| Weight: | Heavy |
| Strength: | Can be thrown against a wall (multiple times) and survive |
| Camera: | 2 – TWO – megapixels |
| Retail value: | Up north: Smarmy entrepreneurs sell them for upwards of $150 Down south: You can’t even pay somebody to take it |
Since I got my “new” BlackBerry back in 2009, my friends, parents, and even grandparents have upgraded to iPhones. More than once.
I can’t tell you how many times Telus has called to inform me that I’m eligible for an upgrade. I respond by informing them where Nunavut is and where their 3G (let alone 4G/LTE) coverage is not.
I have never been embarrassed of my phone in Nunavut (down south it’s another story – just humiliating). However, ever since 3G arrived in Iqaluit, there has been a massive onslaught of fancy smart phones. I’ve finally come to terms with the fact my phone is obsolete. I’ve been slowly working through the five stages of grief. I am now at acceptance. I need to move on. So this is an ode to my Red Chipped BlackBerry.
What I Will Miss
Well, nothing. But if I haaave to…
- Having the same phone number for the past four years
- Reading some of my favourite text message from years gone by
- Enjoying the camaraderie associated with BBM groups
- Using my awesome peripheral purple phone for any semblance of call quality
- Not having to worry about anyone stealing my phone. Ever.
What I Will Not Miss
- Attempting to navigate the Vancouver transit system using an archaic map, like this:
- Waiting five minutes a lifetime while my phone restarts (unexpectedly, several times a day), like this:
- Experiencing disappointment in my inability to receive picture messages without access to a desktop computer, like this:
- Taking embarrassingly low resolution photos, like this:
I have a strong feeling that many Iqalummiut can relate to this post, and will be upgrading their defunct cell phones over the next several months. So this is a public call-out for all well-loved and well-used cell phones that are being tossed by the wayside for the sake of touch screens, proper apps, and general technological equality with the rest of Canada. I would really like to make a public art installation of some sort…
This is also a reminder that Finding True North has started a weekly Instagram contest! Our very first winner is @teirersias with his very first Instagram photo! Remember to tag your Nunavut photos with #nunagram to share your best shots.
Congratulations – to you and to Iqaluit! Because it means that my iPhone will work there!
Thanks, Dale! It is rather exciting. Right now only Bell and Ice Wireless have service coverage, so after almost 10 years as a Telus customer I had to convert. A bittersweet day…
You can still keep the same number if Bell now has 3G there too, isn’t it what Andrew has? Bell and Telus share the same network.
Technically I could have, but I was previously with Telus and they didn’t have local numbers in Nunavut. So rather than being a burden on peoples’ long distance plans, I converted!
Hi Sara, Someone I know is going to work a short term Loccum at the hospital and would love to simply use her current iphone. She is with Telus wants to know if her iphone 4S will work. We’ve contacted Telus today and they informed us they have coverage in Iqaluit.
Any help would be appreciated!!
Cheers
Hi John! From what I know, Telus phones that require a 3G network or higher (i.e. anything beyond basic CDMA) will not work in Iqaluit. When I upgraded my phone, I tried to stick with Telus. However, they did not yet have a 3G network nor a contract agreement with Bell to use their upgraded towers. This might have changed in the past couple of months, so I would suggest that your friend contact Telus again and be very specific to the type of network required. Please tell her I say good luck!
Pingback: Iqaluit Urban Dictionary - Finding True North
Pingback: Nunavut and Nunatsiavut: Same Same But Different