Canada has yet another mobile phone provider, as Vidéotron announced the long-awaited launch of its HSPA+ mobile communication network.

The Quebec-based company is offering new wireless telephony and media bundle packages that will be a direct competitor to Bell and other established carriers in the province.

Vidéotron says its mobile Internet service offers speeds of up to 21 mbps over a 3G+ network, and it’s poised to accelerate to 42 mbps, using Dual-Carrier HSPA+ technology.

Some of the most popular new mobile handsets are offered now, including the Google Nexus One (HTC) with the Android 2.2 Froyo operating system (a first in Canada); the Garmin Nuvifone A5, another first, as well as the Motorola XT720 and the entry-level Huawei U3200.

There was also discussion of a new Apple handset (isn’t there always?) that would be compatible with the AWS 1700MHz band, so that wireless providers like illico, Wind and T-Mobile in the US could offer them, as well.

So, Vidéotron is the latest in a line of new Canadian mobile services, but it’s not the last.

Wind, Mobilicity and Public Mobile are recent players on the scene; Chatr, Koodo and Solo are new or re-established brands from the bigger companies Rogers, Telus and Bell.

(Rogers, by the way, says it will launch in new Chatr in Montreal next week.)

Meanwhile, cable company Shaw plans to launch its wireless services next year.

So there’s more to come, and all the talk is not about talk – many of the new players are deep into TV as well, so they will offer bundled packages and exclusive content offerings as a way to set themselves apart from the competition.

Telus, for example, has an exclusive deal with the CFL for live Canadian football games and related content. Bell just announced a similar mobile deal with the NFL (and now, ownership of all of CTV). Rogers, too, makes exclusive content offerings on its wireless network. Shaw is in the process of buying the Global TV network and its many specialty TV channels.

Now, there’s illico mobile – in parts of Quebec.

Vidéotron reports its new mobile network is on in Montreal and Quebec City, but will roll out to the rest of the province gradually, with some areas not getting service in spring of 2011.

Unlimited Local Calling

All plans include free unlimited local and long-distance calls between residential and business customers with the company’s mobile or cable telephone services.

Tiered packages are also available, such as the Infinite Quebec plan, which includes unlimited local and long-distance calling anywhere in the province regardless of the other party’s telephone carrier, starting at $49.95 per month. For $6 more, customers can add unlimited emails and messaging anywhere in Quebec.

Instant messaging and call storage options are available, with pricing depending on volume. You can send up to 500 messages (counting SMS, MMS and emails) for $5.00, 2,500 messages for $10.00 and unlimited messages for $15.00. Extras like voice mail can be added for $4 per month for the first option and $2 for each additional option.

TV to Go

Wireless packages that include unlimited text-and-talk plans are popular, but those with monthly megabyte plans for Internet use and mobile media consumption are seen as the real driving force and profit centre.

For companies like Vidéotron and parent Quebecor, which owns and operates TV, radio and other media outlets already, the bundle is a natural extension of existing services.

So, Quebecor is lending Vidéotron exclusive access to some of its TVA Group Inc. and QMI Agency news content.

Customers will have access to a wide selection of mobile content, particularly for French-language and Quebec content. There are some 1,000 hours of free content, a catalogue of nearly 2,000 television programs and series, 28 television channels, 10 of them live, and 45 Galaxie music channels.

Vidéotron’s mobile shop will carry nearly 30,000 items (music, ringtones, wallpapers, games, etc.) as well.

And, its compatible handsets will provide access to mobile content and remote programming of the customer’s personal video recorder.

“Our new mobile service will quickly become a major platform for the dissemination and promotion of Quebec culture,” Pierre Karl Peladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor Media, defining a new role for the old phone company very succinctly.

It’s not about making a phone call anymore; it’s about building and supporting culture. How’s that for a handset feature?

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So, what’s your tech?

Are you using one of the new mobile services? How do you like it so far?

Is access to TV programming a reason you choose one phone company over another?

Can we even call them phone companies anymore?