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Rogers releases iPhone pricing

JACK KAPICA

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 8:30 PM EST 27/06/08

Three-year voice, data plans range from $60 to $115 ...Read the full article

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  1. Rain Couver from Canada writes: Not cheap. Not worth getting it especially if I can do the same thing with my iPod (minus the cell phone thing) in the plenty of wi-fi hotspots all over the place.
  2. Alex Ferrini from Canada writes: So a text email is 2kB according to Rogers. What they don't mention is that there is easily 3-4x that in overhead, all of which you pay for!
  3. David Gehring from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada writes: Too expensive, I think I'll stick with a Palm Treo.
  4. Winston Smith from Canada writes: 3 year lock-in is communist! Only in Canada where the government allow monopolies to rein free.
  5. Jay Sherman from Ottawa, Canada writes: In the US, AT&T has an unlimited data plan for $35/month. Here in the land of the screwed, we can't even get one for $115/month. Technology in this country is a joke as long as this pathetic oligopoly exists.

    Open up the airwaves to only new entrants! No new bandwidth should be sold to Bell/Rogers/Telus! That and their pathetic system access fee which makes it sounds like it's gov't mandated or something. Pathetic!
  6. Candid J from Canada writes: Disgusting. Looks like I won't be getting an iPhone after all.
  7. Aloha Eric from Toronto, Canada writes: Rogers has the dubious distinction of having the longest lock-up in the world at 3 years. We also have the dubious System Access Fee, which is an extra non-government charge yet somehow is always excluded from the advertised price. And now, with these plans, likely the most expensive iphone data plan in the world.

    I'm sticking with my unlocked 1st gen iphone with no data plan.
  8. C C from Canada writes: 'high-value price packages to meet the needs of Canadian iPhone aficionados'

    More like high-value return for Rogers shareholders.
  9. Jay Sherman from Ottawa, Canada writes: Rogers says that 400MB equates to 3,100 webpages. Interesting, given that the G&M homepage is about 1MB.

    So, on the that basis you could load about 400 pages a month, or 13 a day. What's the point of the iphone data features if you can't use them? Anything less than an unlimited data plan is useless. Nobody is buying this to send text messages.
  10. G B from Calgary, Canada writes: Yikes, that's a little steep! I'm not sure why I'm surprised though.
  11. that guy from Canada writes: Hahahaha. rogers.

    echoing some of the sentiments expressed here, i think i'll just stick with my itouch which gives me my wifi wherever i can get it. These data plans are ridiculous. I was almost certainly going to buy an iphone come July 11, but frankly, based on this pricing, i'm going to pass.
  12. Daniel Lisi from Toronto, Canada writes: I agree that the rates aren't great. It does include unlimited access to Rogers and Fido wi-fi hotspots, though.
  13. Jean-Pierre De Montigny from Montreal, Canada writes: What's the point of a 3-year plan? Are they giving away the phone? It is those multi-year plans that makes the Canadian market uncompetitive as it keeps users from switching providers. and way too expensive; no value here.
  14. Andrew Ion from Toronto, Canada writes: Let's think about this with numbers:

    $60.00 - Price plan
    $00.50 - 911 Access fee
    $06.95 - System Access fee
    $15.00 - Caller ID

    $82.45 - Sub Total

    $04.13 - GST (it's actually $4.1225, but we'll round up)
    $06.60 - PST (it's actually $6.596, but we'll round up)

    $10.73 - Total Taxes

    $93.18 - Complete Monthly Total. For 3 years.

    And good luck not bursting through 400MB with YouTube, Google Maps using GSM, the App Store, and web browsing (given that most pages are 1~5MB each these days) all the other things that make the iPhone desirable.

    Hey Rogers? Next time try harder not to embarrass us as a nation.
  15. N J from Canada writes: It is a total rip off. Roger's $ 60 plan as compared to AT & T $ 30 plan. I will sign up with Roger's when hell freezes over. I will just use one of similar touch screen cellphone offered by Bell or Telus.
  16. L C from Toronto, Canada writes: Just when you think it could not get any worse.
    Rogers had an chance to prove they were not the company everyone knows them to be. Greed eventually catches up to you, no matter if it is a person or corporation. I had $337 dollars ( $299 plus taxes) ready for the 16 gig.. Ready to sign up for 3 years.. There is no way I would EVER think about it now..as well as all my techie friends and all their friends etc etc. They really blew it this time. Only an arrogant monopolist could ever think to get away with this type of pricing ( SAF included ) Why can the citizens of the US get 450 minutes of talk time with unlimited data for $69 from At&t and Rogers feels high value for Canadians is $75 for 300 minutes and 1 gig of data.. just incredible..They truly deserve the nickname 'Robbers'. What are all those exec there thinking? no long term vision? Do they think about economies of scale and how they can make more money being fair with pricing? Do they think we live in a vaccum and cannot see other, less developed countries getting better deals then us? Is it really worht the backlash that WILL come from this? shameful and sad.
  17. P B from Calgary, Canada writes: I first used an iPhone in San Francisco last summer. I was very much looking forward to having the product in Canada. As a long-time Rogers customer, I was scheduled for a phone upgrade and had marked July 11 on my calendar.

    But, since Rogers has somehow managed to avoid offering an unlimited data plan, even at any price, I guess I'll be dropping by the Telus store, switching my number, and picking up the Blackberry Bold. Thanks, Rogers, for making the decision so easy for me.
  18. Don B. from Canada writes: I surf heavily on my Nokia N95, and don't usually use more than 100mb/mo. Even an above-average user won't go anywhere near 400mb. It's true AT&T does unlimited @ 35, but that's not including any voice or text. An AT&T iPhone user will still pay on average $70 bucks a month. We will pay about $90, and that's after SAF/911 and one of the value packs. It's not as good, but frankly, it's really not that bad either, so quit your whining.

    It seems like everyone wants unlimited everything for $20/mo. Get over yourselves. If you want something so bad, pay for it. And frankly, the data rates in Canada (not just on Rogers: see Bell & Telus unlimited plans) have improved drastically over the course of a year (last year, $25 for 0.5mb BIS, this year $30 for 300mb BIS). And they'll continue to evolve, in the right direction at that.

    Anyway, I pay $70 a month after tax/SAF/911 for a very good voice plan with unlimited surfing (as I mentioned, I use 100 mb a month). Anything like YouTube or streaming, I use with my wifi. And frankly, my N95 has better specs than the iPhone anyway. I get more, and pay less. So I don't have a pretty touchscreen, I think I can deal. =)
  19. John Galt from Canada writes: Candid J from Canada writes: Disgusting. Looks like I won't be getting an iPhone after all.

    that guy from Canada writes: frankly, based on this pricing, i'm going to pass.

    ______________

    I, like others, have eagerly been waiting for the iphone in Canada. I held out some hope that we would get a reasonable data/voice plan. Suffice it to say - this does not hit the mark. You can tack on $7.00 for access fee, the BS 911 fee, $10 for BASIC services such as voicemail and caller ID etc. So all in, the basic plan will cost closer to $77 gross... or over $85 after tax. For somebody who wants to casually use their cell phone for emails and traditional voice... this is an absolute joke.
  20. Canadian MP from Aboriginal reserve, Canada writes: this is so ridiculous, 'high-value price packages to meet the needs of Canadian iPhone aficionados'

    (60 6.95 .25 ) * 1.13 = 75.94 minimum. Rogers is milking Canadians like there's no tomorrow. I will stop looking at iPhone.
  21. Don B. from Canada writes: @ PB: Wouldn't that be great if you could swing by your local Telus store and pick up a Bold? Gee, if only Telus were carrying the Bold. If you didn't know, the Bold is a GSM device, and there have been no announcements as to a CDMA launch; if it's anything like the Curve, expect the Bold to launch on Bellus in about a year. Looks like your 'easy decision' isn't going to be so easy after all.

    Frankly, the Bold is a better choice than the iPhone anyway.

    @ Winston Smith: If only you understood the irony of your statement.
  22. sonny l from toronto, Canada writes: And one year later, my call waiting still doesn't work.

    Way to go Rogers!
  23. Evan Hildreth from Ottawa, Canada writes: A complete rip-off compared to AT&T in the U.S.
  24. dan leo from guelph, Canada writes: Poor business move Rogers. Four (overprice) price plans and none are unlimited. You could have persuaded or enticed more people with $60/mth unlimited plan. Good luck meeting the sales quota imposed by Apple.
  25. Harry Nads from Ottawa, Canada writes: Kudos for Rogers for being the first Canadian telecommunications company to take advantage of the 'intelligent' iPhone aficionados. I can't stand those who insist of yaking away on their cell phone 24/7, especially when they're in a public place. They should pay for their crimes and now Rogers is punishing them by charging them a ridiculous amount of money for a sub par serice.

    Good job, Ted. Now, I can almost forgive you for now firing J. P. Ricciardi.
  26. P B from Calgary, Canada writes: Don B., thanks for the clarification. You're right.

    Since the Bold isn't available anywhere yet and since Telus is planning to go GSM by the end of the year, I was suggesting that I won't be buying anything on July 11. I can wait. That's less than the three years Rogers wants me to be tied in for.
  27. andy c from Canada writes: Andrew Ion: multiply your number by 36 months then tack on the price of an iphone tax and the total cost excluding roaming or going over your data comes in OVER $3500. even with today's gas prices it's cheaper to fly to Italy and buy an iphone there. you can get 3G iphones pay as you go in italy
  28. Koolest Cat from Vancouver, Canada writes: Telus or Bell has to introduce the Samsung Instinct and they will do some damage to Rogers IPhone.

    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2317475,00.asp
  29. P B from Calgary, Canada writes: Obviously, Don, with 'unlimited surfing', you're not on Rogers. Otherwise, as the only person here who seems to think that Rogers is offering a good deal, I'd suspect you were a Rogers troll.

    To be clear, having used an iPhone, I think that it is a great product. Excellent screen, simple interface, great functionality ... My complaint is with Rogers who see their (temporary) iPhone monopoly as a short-term way to make some cash, while irritating customers and, in the long-term, driving us to other suppliers.
  30. Mike Brock from Toronto, Canada writes: Consumers should avoid getting an iPhone at these prices. Mainly because they will be trapped into perpetually high overage costs. This is a DATA INTENSIVE device. Everything on the phone uses data, including the GPS Google Maps (the maps download from the internet as they are used). Just doing a quick search for directions is going to cost you several megabytes of data.

    Not to mention that most iPhone applications are internet-based applications, and once again... require the use of data.

    Make no mistake: the iPhone is a mobile-internet device and it uses data liberally. These prices are horrible.

    Telus has recently unveiled an unlimited 3G data plan for $30/month on Blackberrys that do not use Blackberry Enterprise Server, which is actually quite comparable pricing to the US. And I have just recently switched to that plan, and I'm now paying about $80/month to get FAR more than Rogers is offering here.

    I was actually planning on canceling my Telus contract and going to Rogers to get the iPhone3G as I absolutely fawn over it, but the fact is: it's a bad deal.

    1. Three year mandatory lock-in
    2. Highest 3G Data Rates of all three major carriers
    3. Coverage and roaming plans worse than both Telus and Bell

    Rogers has attained it's market position by not requiring credit checks and deposits for people without perfect credit like Telus and Bell require. They haven't attained it because they're actually cheaper, or have better coverage.

    Don't be fooled. They are using the iPhone as a bait-and-switch tactic. You WILL be stuck in overage charges constantly!
  31. Andrew Ion from Toronto, Canada writes: andy c - Getting the phone isn't the hard part. Myself and many others in Toronto already have unlocked iPhones from the US. The problem is that there's nobody other than Rogers/Fido who can service you - and even if I showed up with an unlocked iPhone3G, Rogers isn't interested in allowing you to apply an iPhone plan to that phone since I didn't buy from them (which really makes no sense). And even if they were, their plans just aren't worth it...

    A better way to think about it is that Rogers has now made me $3500 richer, since that money is now staying in my wallet :)
  32. T. K. from Fredericton, Canada writes: This plan is just absolute bull. Like everyone is saying AT&T is offering infinitly better plans for alot less. And no unlimited data plans even for $115?!?!? Rogers needs some good competition to keep it in check. All in all these plans are quite frankly insulting.
    Thanks alot Rogers
  33. A Mitchell from Canada writes: What a waste, I think I will stick with my blackberry that does just about everything that the iphone does. Its not that I don't like the iphone, its that I refuse to give those cash pirates over at Rogers another hard-earned penny. I'd rather burn the $115/MO excess usage than see them with another customer. We have been getting royally screwed by the telcos in canada for years now. If people won't pay it, prices will go down. But then again, most of the people who will shell out that kind of money for something that doesn't make them money have never lived through a recession and had to move in with their parrents.
  34. Peter V from Calgary, Canada writes: Brutal. Makes me glad I decided to stay with Telus and pick up their unlimited surfing/text bundle instead of switching to Rogers and getting the iPhone.

    It's too bad. I was really considering paying Rogers for years to come. Their loss, not mine.
  35. James S from Mississauga, Canada writes: Note to the techno sheep! PLEASE boycot this launch.
  36. snow lander from Edmonton, Canada writes: darn - i was hoping for a better plan. i wonder how many people sign up?

    at least my mind is made up - i will get an ipod touch at the next upgrade.
  37. Shayne Paddock from Canada writes: Are these plans going to apply to other smart phones such as the HTC TyTn 2 which I hope they sell soon, or the original TyTn for that matter?

    -Shayne
  38. Adam Jones from Sechelt, Canada writes: 400 MB data is 10 YouTube videos.

    150 minutes phone time?

    $100/month?

    iPhone is awesome, but Rogers ruined a good thing.
  39. A K from Calgary, Canada writes: Add me to the list of people who WERE (past tense) excited about buying an iPhone. I'm not going to get one now.

    Three cheers (years?) for monopolies.
  40. K Kennedy from Toronto, Canada writes: The thing Rogers has failed to realize here is that the iPhone is unlike any other kind of cellphone on the market, Blackberry included. This is truly a data-intensive unit and outside of web browsing, the various applications that one can download and use on this unit would easily suck up the data limits they have set for many versus others who may just want the thing more for status. As far as a business tool goes, it will be sometime under this pricing scheme before that happens even though this new iPhone is geared towards that market now in competition with Blackberry. Bottom line is that had Rogers offered the $100 with unlimited data it would be more compelling and not necessarily on a contract. Many would be willing to pay the full price of the iPhone for the flexibility in other options. Then again, I've never liked Rogers or their product offerings and have always felt they are the most expensive carrier by far to deal with in this country. Like others, I think I'll stick to my iPod touch which offers the same without limitations on data use.
  41. Mike van Lammeren from Kitchener, Canada writes: I think I'll stick with my iPod Touch. A couple hundred down and nothing a month. For phone calls, I can always put my Virgin Mobile pay-as-you-go phone in my other pocket.
  42. Henry Egan from Cyberland, Canada writes: .
    Whoever said that being fashionable was cheap?

    Reminder to self: Buy Rogers shares before the gravy train starts.
  43. Matt The Good from Canada writes: what an embarrassment.
  44. Martin Fedgrass from Canada writes: I am definitely going to wait for the BB Bold. It wil lbe a superior device and the plan will far outshine what is being offered by the Skydome-renamers!

    Besides, I will always support the Canadian product, all things being equal and, in the case, the BB device an doffering will be far better than equal!
  45. 5and man from Toronto, Canada writes: $93.18 - Complete Monthly Total For 3 years.

    Again, we are the laughing stock of the world of data plans!

    DON'T WORRY ROGERS .. IF I GO FOR THE iPHONE PLAN ... I'LL CANCEL MY ROGERS HOME PHONE TO COMPENSATE.
  46. andy c from Canada writes: Andrew Ion; i'm just making a point that it's cheaper to fly to another country to get a legit iphone then to get a legit one from rogers
  47. L C from Toronto, Canada writes:
    I agree with the above poster. The prices are insulting. I hope there is BIG coverage by the media on how outraged most people about this ongoing, systematic campaign from Rogers to take advantage of the government given posistion of being a GSM monopoly. Telus and Bell being CDMA competitors are actually offering unlimited data plans for $30..which is what is what most people are willing to pay and which is a fair price considering all the other hidden fees that they put over the typical customer.

    What ever happened to Apple? Did they agree to this type of deal? what benefit is there for the customer and Apple's overall goal? None
  48. Mike M from Toronto, Canada writes: I agree entirely with the comments noting that we will expect nothing better in Canada until the ridiculous regulations preventing competition are lifted.

    But hey - there is a very simple sollution. Don't sign up with Rogers.
  49. Gareth Hitchings from Ottawa, Canada writes: It's more evident than ever before that Canada sorely needs some fresh competition. Rogers should be ashamed of itself for trying to fleece us like this.

    Ours will probably be the most expensive iPhone plan in the world and the only one that doesn't offer unlimited Data. Disgusting!
  50. Martin Fedgrass from Canada writes: The best protest you can make is to buy a Blackberry (and you actually win too!)
  51. CallofDuty . from Toronto, Canada writes: LOL....you know there is a crack for the iphone to allow for free access?
  52. David C from a constant traveler from, Canada writes: I am getting a US iphone through a US branch of our company. Rogers is going for the massive cash grab because of the apple maniacs that will pay anything for this piece of technology. What a joke the Canadian cell phone and data market is... Bend over and enjoy Rogers and Fido.. Lame
  53. Bruce Wayne from Canada writes: The Joy of Government License, Government Priviledge and Private Greed.
  54. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes:

    anyone who craves the iphone will gladly throw those bucks... rogers did their homework and their gouging continues unabated... welll hey... they have to pay for that overbloated apple corp licence fee thingypoo...

    now why would anyone want to do internet stuff on such a crummy ergonomically incapacitated device?
  55. H B from Ottawa, Canada writes: Good lord. Hey, Rogers, you almost had me. When my contract with Telus for my wireless runs out in September, I was going to bring you two wireless accounts, TV, Internet and a landline, all of which are with different companies right now. I was thinking of boosting my high-speed from the 2 Mbps I have now to one of your higher rate plans. All because my kid wants VOD and I really, really want an iPhone. At those prices, though, forget it. I'll look at a little higher speed from Bell, and wait for Apple to increase the content on its the Apple TV I bought a few weeks ago. You almost had me...you almost had me. Give me an unlimited data plan and unlimited domestic calling for around $75-80 a month (actual price - not before voice mail, system access fee, caller ID, etc.), and I'll come running.
  56. Kenneth Malec from Canada writes: big smile, not going to happen. not now, not ever. Good luck Rogers.
  57. chris ohenry from Toronto, Canada writes: Here are little comparison for you.

    02 UK iphone tariff:
    -$60 (today's exchange rate)/ 75mins/ Unlimited Data & Wifi
    -$70 / 600 minutes! / Unlimited data & wifi
    (tax included)

    T-mobile Germany:
    -$46 (todays exchange rate) / 50mins / 500mb data - no wifi
    - $78 / 100mins / unlimited data & wifi
    - $110 / 200mins / unlimited data & wifi
    (tax all included)

    I was excited to get an iphone from Rogers. Willing to pay total 100$ for unlimited data package including taxes. Now I see the prices, no way. Bring down prices to competitive levels, Rogers. We, the consumer, are not as ignorant as you think.
  58. SusieQ 321 from NoWhereVille, Canada writes: Oh this is funny I have an iphone and I go through 2 gig in a week or two of surfing without trying..... be prepared for HUGE and i mean huge bills I wonder if rogers left the usuage feature intact or disabled it like all of their other phones so you can see how much data you are using and when you are hitting the upper end of your monthly paid for limit... still laughing these plans suck more than suck and not in a good way!
  59. B to the A to the R to the T from the left coast, Canada writes: These plans and terms are Totally Cr@p!!!!

    Rogers has the longest terms and now it followed up with the worst plans on these phones, no unlimited data (a must), punitive access fees. I hope people in Canada will turn away until Roger's is forced to alter thier approach. I'm waiting for the results of added competition next year.
  60. Gronck the realist from Canada writes: In the earlt 1990's the telephone companies' long distance monopoly was broken and canadian LD rates became the lowest in the world after a fight by the public and corporations. Yet, now, no public outcry (very little anyway) and no business outcry about the way Canadians are being ripped off by cell phone providers - its disgusting!
  61. Spencer C from Canada writes: The G&M might want to try adding some actual balance to this article by having someone other than Rogers quoted.

    These plans are horrible and they continue Rogers M.O. of nickel and diming their customers to death.

    The cheapest $60 plan doesn't include:

    -call display, even though the iPhone's greatest feature is its 3.5' screen
    -system access fee
    -911 fee
    -long distance access fee
    -a decent unlimited evenings package (in Rogers' world evening start at 9 PM!)

    So even on the cheapest plan by the time you include everything you need you are looking at close to $100.

    The competition bureau should be investigating this ridiculous situation.
  62. Aloha Eric from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm predicting we'll see a news story shortly after the iphone is released about some poor sap who ran up a $20,000 rogers bill for going over his 2gig data limit. I'm sure those extra kb's won't be cheap.

    No wonder they don't mention the overage prices, while they tout 'unlimited wifi'. My first gen unlocked iphone often tries to connect via Edge before trying wifi. If you're not careful you might think you're on wifi, meanwhile you're going bankrupt fast.
  63. P C from Toronto, Canada writes: This is monopoly mentality pricing. Where's our fourth and fifth national or regional carriers that will rationalize pricing in this country. Another wasted opportunity.
  64. Diplodocus ~~ from Canada writes: I absolutely love the iPhone and really wanted to switch, but echoing same reasons most others say here, I'm not rushing in at this point. There's a lot of new iphone type technology coming out from others very soon. Might be worthwhile to wait and see before locking into anything.
  65. Chris Hobbs from Ottawa, Canada writes: Why is there an assumption that people who will be using the most data will also be talking more? 150 minutes of voice is more than adequate for me. But not 400 MBytes of data.

    What is the cost of 75 minutes of voice and 2 GBytes of data?

    It really seems odd to me that these two, unrelated things, should be connected in this pricing plan.
  66. Mark Rejhon from $30 for 300MB, Canada writes: Hello,

    Do not forget that it's possible to get a $30 for 300MB plan now for BlackBerry and other data devices on Rogers (including iPhone). This replaces the old 25MB/$60 plan. You can skip the voice plan if you don't plan to use it as a cellphone, or get a separate voice plan if you use it lightly (i.e. 200 mins for $20) -- which would bring iPhone down to $50 per month for 200mins and 300MB. You'd have to pay full price for the iPhone probably.

    I do agree that rates are quite ridiculously high on Rogers, but this does represent a major cut in data prices on Rogers and hopefully there will be more data price cuts to come in the future!
  67. D B from Ottawa, Canada writes: Rogers, good for you! You've managed to hide your anemic network capacity by pricing yourself out of the market. Thanks for coming clean and telling Canada you'd really rather not sell too many iPhones.
  68. willy wonka from Canada writes: RIM must be really happy right about now, an iPhone with good data pricing is not what would make the folks in waterloo happy
  69. B to the A to the R to the T from the left coast, Canada writes: I want to echo what H B from Ottawa said. Rogers almost had my household. Not now, not at these terms and prices. With no unlimited data option and with a 3 yr term it just does not make sense.
  70. Jay Sherman from Ottawa, Canada writes: 'Telus has recently unveiled an unlimited 3G data plan for $30/month on Blackberrys that do not use Blackberry Enterprise Server, which is actually quite comparable pricing to the US. '

    Care to provide a link for this 30 dollar unlimited plan? I checked both Telus's and Bell's websites and saw no mention of any unlimited plan. Telus has a silly 100 for 1GB plan. No better than pathetic Rogers.
  71. David Harrison from Canada writes: I want to thank Rogers for these rates. Now I'm not tempted to spend money on an iPhone and spend time using it when I could be doing other things.

    Now if only they could double the prices of cable TV so that I can spend less time watching TV. :-)
  72. m k from Canada writes: I'm incredibly disappointed with the data packages Rogers is offering. How stupid do they think we are?
  73. S Van GOOGLE from Wallis And Futuna Islands writes: $60.00 - Price plan
    $00.50 - 911 Access fee
    $06.95 - System Access fee
    $15.00 - Caller ID

    $82.45 - Sub Total

    $04.13 - GST (it's actually $4.1225, but we'll round up)
    $06.60 - PST (it's actually $6.596, but we'll round up)

    $10.73 - Total Taxes

    $93.18 - Complete Monthly Total.

    For 3 years. = $3,354.48

    If you have ever used Rogers.. remember their billings systems are 'confusing' and 'customer service' add on fees and charges to your bills. How will you know if you did use over your maximum allowance? what method of warning will let you know?

    I now have NO services with Rogers and NEVER will again.
  74. Michael Snider, Technology Editor from Canada writes: Don B. gets the prize of the day for seeing the irony in Winston Smith's comment. So, ahhh, head over to Room 101. You'll get cake.
  75. support iphone from Van, Canada writes: Wow, this is awesome i love the iphone. I'm not 100% sure but i believe that Bell has an unlimited data plan for their business phones (company contract) so i am able to enjoy all my surfing and emailing plus TV watching on the HTC without paying more than 40$ a month on it. Now that rogers has this wicked 115$ for 2gb data usage plan i am going to drop my Bell contract and switch over to Rogers. This is so sweet, i can also leave my apartment and live under the brand new Canada Line being built because it has nice specs lots of storage space and faster travel time. Way better than the Expo line. Thank you Rogers for making my iphone dream come true.
  76. Mike K from Vancouver, Canada writes: Ouch. Unlimited data plan or you don't get my business Rogers. My contract is up in December and you know what? With the proliferation of wifi, VoIP, and portable devices, I might just not even bother with a cell.

    I want an iPhone, but I'm not willing to pay Rogers' premiums to get it.
  77. h w from Waterlogged, Canada writes: Here comes Rogers, time to bend over!
    Rogers can eat my shorts. Never, never never again wil I have anything to do with Rogers.
  78. L C from Toronto, Canada writes: The link to Telus is : http://www.telusmobility.com/on/plans/pcs/email_all.shtml

    Both Bell AND Telus offer this pricing for blackberries and smartphones.

    No excuse why Rogers couldn't either. When can Canadians expect the public subsidies provided to Rogers in the beginning to be paid back to us?. Where is the value in the public's investment in Rogers? Is it fair to invest in Rogers in the beginning to help them build their wireless network and then allow them to put GSM users in a corner and force them to pay obscene prices for service?. Any thoughts?.

    What can we do about Roger's predatory pricing except just chit-chat about it in this forum?

    Any updates on that class action lawsuit against the telcos and their illegal system access fee?
  79. Joe Calgarian from Calgary, Canada writes: I was going to get one based on the rumours that it'd be the same as US carriers in offering unlimited bandwidth. Looks like I'll pass on this one. Congrats Rogers, your greediness cost you a potential customer.
  80. Young Gunner from BMO Field, Canada writes: Since when did being CANADIAN mean laying on the ground while big business walks all over us? Fitting that this was announced just before Canada Day. When are we, as Canadians, going to take action??? We continually allow government and big business to milk us for every last dollar we earn. I hope a majority of Iphone demographic buyers refuse to buy the phone and the pricing plans. Maybe that will result in lower price structures? Can't see that happening in this country though. We're just as happy bending over. HAPPY CANDA DAY EVERYONE!
  81. chris ohenry from Toronto, Canada writes: Just when I started coming to terms with inflated food and alcohol prices, terrible road surfaces, dangerous drivers, a ridiculous speed limit, and living in an aesthetically challenged city (toronto), the one thing I was really hoping for to lift my spirits is also a massive disappointment. The iphone and these crazy rates! Christ, I wish my wife wasn't Canadian. Should never have let her convince me to leave Europe. The only advantage here is the 'cheap gas'. But even that will disappear in time. Christ, what a sad day.
  82. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Nobody deals with Rogers anymore, do they ?
  83. Stuart Seeley from Toronto, Canada writes: Wow, its probably cheaper to get the iPhone in the US and roam with it here ;)
  84. Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes: A few words and acronyms for the wise...ebay...china...clone...GSM...SIM...and lastly two more 'no contract.'
  85. Tough Camper from Squamish, Canada writes:
    HAHAHAHAHA - Only an idiot would sign on to these plans.

    As a hard-core Apple fan, you could have had me. Where do I sign on to a petition to fight this monopoly?

    I can't wait for Canadians to wake up and fight Rogers like we finally did with Bell Canada. And where are they now?



  86. Pragmatic Canadian from Canadia, Canada writes: Spencer C.: 'The competition bureau should be investigating this ridiculous situation.'

    What a dumb comment ... How is this anti-competitive? ... You have a ton of choice - different carriers, different handsets ... No one is forcing you to buy an iPhone. Rogers is allowed to charge what they want. I may not pay for it, but someone will. This is a luxury item people! Just like a Mercedes, a Porsche, a BMW ... etc.

    Do any of you understand how business works at all? Demand is huge for this product, why not charge a premium?

    Gawd ... you are all pathetic whiny children!
  87. Mark Rejhon from $312 is wrong math: It's only $58 extra for 1 gigabyte., Canada writes: Hello,

    I need to point out an error. It's not $312 per gigabyte.
    The data overages are protected by a system called 'data overage protection', found at http://your.rogers.com/business/wireless/services/dataoverageprotection.asp ... The iPhone is subject to chart #2. The first gigabyte of data overage will cost $58.20 based on chart 2. First 60MB overage is $0.50, then remaining overages drop to $0.03 per megabyte.
    $58.20 = (($0.50 60) ($0.03 940))

    For those who wants lowest possible Rogers data overages today,
    For people who want the there is now a $50 'flexrate' data plan for 500MB, that automatically 'steps' up to $100 for 5gig then 0.03 cents per megabyte thereafter (only $30 per gigabyte, not $312!). Even I use less than 5gigs on my home High Speed connection, so this is perfect if you want to go laptop-card or want to use your mobile or BlackBerry as a Modem for your Laptop...

    One can always get a Rogers iPhone, cancel the plan (paying $400 fee, essentialy giving you an iPhone to keep), then signup for any other cheaper Rogers plan, such as $30/300MB.
  88. Art Vandelai from Burlington, Canada writes: Wow. Just...Wow!

    Can't believe anyone would spend upwards of $4,000 over 3 years on a phone...no matter how nice it is. If you've got money to burn on the other hand...

    That chunk of change could buy a nice addition to the insulation for the average home, or pay for a couple of new energy-efficient windows. I can't see Rogers geting too much business at those prices.
  89. Pragmatic Canadian from Canadia, Canada writes: Art Vandelai from Burlington ... '...I can't see Rogers geting too much business at those prices...'

    People said the same thing when Apple launched their first iPod a few years back, originally priced around $400 when there were other MP3 players out there for up to $300 less ... Yet, Apple gained over 70% of the market in Nt. America. Lots of someones will buy, even at these prices.
  90. 5and man from Toronto, Canada writes: I think I'll stick to my 1.0 jailbroken iPhone until foreign providers destroy Rogers.
  91. Mike Brock from Toronto, Canada writes: 'I think I'll stick to my 1.0 jailbroken iPhone until foreign providers destroy Rogers. '

    There are no foreign providers coming to Canada. Foreign providers are barred from the spectrum auction, unless they have a Canadian partner (with a majority stake).

    Canadian Telecommunications rules do not allow for foreign-companies to have a majority stakes in Canadian telecom services. This is why AT&T had to partner with Cantel back in the day, and it is ultimately why they pulled out of Canada.

    There is NO chance of T-Mobile, Vodaphone, or other international players coming to Canada under Canada's current protectionist regulation revolving around telecom services. So keep dreaming.
  92. nick sewell from Toronto, Canada writes: These plans are a joke. I've had an unlocked iPhone for almost a year and I was looking forward to going 'legit'. But there's really no incentive. While much better than the rates they offered before, these are still ridiculous considering the demands of the device. And let me say - it's an awesome device. If you're familiar with OSX, you quickly come to see that it basically is a little Mac.

    I hope there's enough uproar for them to reconsider. I don't think the uptake is going to be as explosive as Rogers hopes.
  93. Joe Cell from ??, Canada writes: here is intersting information on the Iphone straight from the rogers trainning source: Wireless Fido / Wireless Rogers - Pricing iPhone 3G Monthly Price Plans Effective Date From: 11-Jul-2008 Monthly Plans List Price Code Voice Data Included SMS Sent Included Voice Overage SMS and Data Overage $60 tbd 150 weekday minutes unlimited evenings & weekends 400 MB 75 $0.35 / minute SMS: $0.15 per additional sent text message over the monthly allotment Data: First 60MB overage at $0.50/MB, then $0.03/MB thereafter $75 tbd 300 weekday minutes unlimited evenings & weekends 750 MB 100 $0.35 / minute $100 tbd 600 weekday minutes unlimited evenings & weekends 1 GB 200 $0.25 / minute $115 tbd 800 weekday minutes unlimited evenings & weekends 2 GB 300 $0.15 / minute All plans require a three year term All plans are national All plans include bonus 3 months unlimited local calling All plans include unlimited SMS Incoming, Visual Voicemail and WiFi access (Rogers and Fido hotspots) Fido plans include per second billing My5 is available for Rogers customers as an add-on option Rogers = 9pm evening clock; Fido = 7pm evening clock Regular SAF, 911 and Activation Fee apply Value Pack Options - Rogers Wireless List Price Code Includes SMS Sent Call Forwarding Minutes $15 tbd Caller ID WhoCalled Caller Ring Trax 2500 2500 $20 tbd 6pm Early Evening Calling Caller ID WhoCalled Caller Ring Trax 10000 2500 Value Pack Options - Fido List Price Code Includes SMS Sent Call Forwarding Minutes $15 tbd Call Display WhoCalled Caller Ring Trax 2500 2500 $20 tbd 5pm Early Evening Calling Call Display WhoCalled Caller Ring Trax 10000 2500
  94. S Lewis from Victoria B.C., Canada writes: this article has bean up for 3 houres and has almost 100 Posts Bashing rogers i wonder if they will notise.
  95. Pragmatic Canadian from Canadia, Canada writes: How can anyone compare the Canadian market to Australia or any other European country? Three MAJOR reasons why products and services in Canada are more expensive ... No other country in the world can claim all three if these reasons together. 1. Population size ... By most standards, we have a small population at about 30 million. So making a buck as a business in Canada requires you to sell at higher margins to stay competitive, to continue to invest in new technilogies, etc ... especially if your business only operates in Canada 2. Geographical dispersion ... We live in the second largest country in the world with a widely spread population (Australia is smaller than Ontario, while many European countries can fit into Lake Ontario) ... Transportation distances are HUGE, especially between major urban centres. That adds quite a bit to product prices ... Or in this case, that makes for larger wireless networks and a much higher cost to carriers. 3. Population density is very low ... This means economies of scale by region within Canada are very hard to reach in any meaningful way for most of the country. Especially in the wireless industry where high population densities are needed to help capitalize the cost of incredibly expensive networks. To make matters worse, Canadians want to be able to get wireless service ANYWHERE in the country ... Even in places where population size does not justify the cost of one GSM tower, let alone full network access.
  96. Joe Cell from ??, Canada writes: here is more info on the Iphone: Customer’s Question / Concern Responses Availability I want to be added to the waiting list to get an iPhone 3G when it becomes available Fido/Rogers do not have a wait list for the iPhone 3G and are not creating one. Where can I get my iPhone 3G? iPhone 3G retail availability has not yet been announced. Visit our websites to stay up to date. Pricing (for Plan details, refer to iPhone 3G Monthly Price Plans) Why not offer an unlimited plan like AT&T? Each carrier has a different pricing strategy. Rogers has designed a pricing structure that offers high-value, flexible voice and data packages so that Canadians can make the most of their iPhone 3G experience. The majority of carriers offering iPhone 3G worldwide do not have unlimited plans for this device. Some carriers have implemented a “soft cap” so the plan isn’t truly “unlimited”. For example, in France the soft cap is 500MB where we have a plan that includes 4 times that amount in your bucket. Unlimited plans could end up costing you more for what you don’t use. Based on reports that the average usage for the first generation iPhone was less than 100MB per month, our iPhone 3G plans more than accommodate the vast majority of customers. Rogers and Fido customers get 4 times the data on our $60 entry level plan (400 MB) and 20 times the data on our most comprehensive plan. Is $60 the lowest package I can get? What if I want to use iPhone 3G mainly for surfing, not for voice? A voice plan must be activated on the iPhone 3G. To fully appreciate everything this device has to offer (phone, iPod and Internet in one 3G device), our price plans include both voice and data. We have a wide selection of high value, flexible plans to meet your needs.
  97. Joe Cell from ??, Canada writes: How does iPhone 3G pricing compare to other data pricing Rogers recently announced? iPhone 3G pricing is consistent with our recently announced data pricing. By bundling voice, text messages and data, we are able to offer the best value and lowest pricing compared to our other voice and data options - saving customers up to 32%. All iPhone 3G plans include Visual Voicemail - a value of $8 per month. Are these price plans applicable to existing customers? Yes. Existing customers who are in their renewal window (HUP eligible) can upgrade to iPhone 3G. See below for HUP details. Are there any business data packages for iPhone 3G? Rogers Wireless and Fido currently offer four high value price plans - there are no specialized business plans at this time. Do these price plans apply to grey-market iPhones? No, they are applicable to iPhone 3G only available at Rogers / Fido. We don’t advise customers to use grey market handsets as they provide an inferior customer experience because they are not provisioned for our network. Are any of these price plans applicable to other smartphones such as BlackBerry or Windows Mobile devices? No, this unique device has unique price plans - these are iPhone 3G specific high value plans. Rogers recently introduced very competitive data plans for other devices, please visit our website for more details. If I want to move up to another monthly bucket, can I do that? Am I tied to that price plan for the remainder of my contract? No, you can move to a bigger bucket at any time without penalty. Conversely, can I downgrade my iPhone 3G plan (e.g. from the $100 MSF to the $75 MSF)? Yes. Hardware and Service Changes How can an existing customer upgrade (HUP) to an iPhone 3G? Existing customers in their renewal window can upgrade to an iPhone 3G. If you’re a Fido customer, you can also use your FidoDollars towards the purchase of an iPhone 3G.