The people of Kelowna now have one more choice for cellphone plans with the opening of Freedom Mobile at Orchard Park Shopping Centre on Wednesday.

Special guests came to celebrate the opening of the low-cost provider, including Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick, City of Kelowna Coun. Ryan Donn, Central Okanagan MP Dan Albas and Freedom Mobile乌鸦传媒檚 vice-president of western operations Dean Price.

Shaw Communication乌鸦传媒檚 Freedom Mobile will bring to Kelowna Canada乌鸦传媒檚 most affordable unlimited data plans, the company said.

乌鸦传媒淔or too long, the people of Kelowna have been starved for choice and affordability in their wireless providers乌鸦传媒攁nd that ends today with the arrival of Freedom Mobile,乌鸦传媒� Shaw Communications president Paul McAlesse said.

Price said the turnout to today乌鸦传媒檚 opening was exceptional.

乌鸦传媒淭here were people sitting in camp chairs at 7 a.m. this morning,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淜elowna has been very warm and gracious in their welcoming.乌鸦传媒�

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The opening of not just the store, but the network, wouldn乌鸦传媒檛 have been possible without partnerships with all levels of government, Price said.

乌鸦传媒淲e needed the co-operation of all levels of government,乌鸦传媒� he said, noting the dignitaries were great co-hosts. 乌鸦传媒淭hey were generally excited about what Freedom was bringing to the region and their constituents.乌鸦传媒�

Coun. Ryan Donn said more than 50 people were lined up out the door at the store乌鸦传媒檚 opening event on Wednesday morning.

乌鸦传媒淧eople are saying across the board that life is getting more expensive,乌鸦传媒� Coun. Donn said. 乌鸦传媒淲e hear about rent, we talk about all the costs that are going up, we talk about gas prices.乌鸦传媒�

乌鸦传媒淜elowna seems to be attracting low costs, whether it乌鸦传媒檚 air carriers (West Jet乌鸦传媒檚 Swoop) or cellphone providers,乌鸦传媒� Donn said. 乌鸦传媒淭here is excitement about that. People want to lower their monthly costs.乌鸦传媒�

MP Albas said the launch of Freedom Mobile in the Okanagan is a welcomed opportunity to boost choice in the sector.

乌鸦传媒淐ompetition in the mobile phone sector is essential to make sure Canadians have the choice and lower prices they deserve,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淲e all know that the more companies there are competing for the customer, the better off everyone will be.乌鸦传媒�

Kelownians can sign up at the store in Orchard Park Shopping Centre, Mission Park Shopping Centre, Walmart on Banks Road and Loblaws乌鸦传媒� Mobile Shop on Baron Road. To celebrate the Okanagan launch, residents can get a special introductory offer on .

Coun. Donn said he was surprised by the low-cost plans and said he will be signing his daughter up.

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乌鸦传媒淢y daughter is going into middle school and she乌鸦传媒檚 been pestering me about getting a phone,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淚 was going to do it today, but it was just so busy. I乌鸦传媒檒l have to go back.乌鸦传媒�

Freedom Mobile started with Canada乌鸦传媒檚 main centres and now, as part of their expansion plan, it is opening networks in mid-sized cities, such as Kelowna, Red Deer and Lethbridge, Alta.

乌鸦传媒淏y adding all these new markets, it adds to the footprint coverage,乌鸦传媒� Price said. 乌鸦传媒淚t offers more geographical opportunities to use your Freedom allotment data instead of Nationwide.乌鸦传媒�

He said it乌鸦传媒檚 flattering to see other phone companies following suit and looking to Freedom Mobile for ideas.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 proud and excited for the rest of Canadians because even their carriers are starting to look at the most egregious practices like data overages,乌鸦传媒� he said.

Freedom Mobile乌鸦传媒檚 Kelowna entrance follows its expansion into Victoria earlier this year and its Nanaimo launch last week.

Next up on the Freedom Mobile乌鸦传媒檚 docket: Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops.

Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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