The cost of data plans in Canada have been a much talked about subject since the arrival of the iPhone 3G in Canada and the United States. After taking much heat for their unpopular iPhone 3G data plans in Canada, Rogers announced their six gigabytes for $30/month deal at the last possible moment. iPhone 3G users in the States can surf all they want with no data limitations for the same $30 a month. So what happens with a United States based iPhone 3G crosses the border into Canada? A good ole fashoned wallet gouging that’s what.
Canadians angry over the rate plans introduced by Rogers for iPhone 3G may have effected sales of the new device in that country after all. Rogers in a last minute push to increase sales introduced a promotional $30 6GB data plan which may have improved sales slightly over those expected after thousands of Canadians began protesting the initial set of plans. While Rogers representatives tell us that the iPhone 3G launch was the “best weekend of handset sales in Rogers’ history”, they were the distributor in one of the very few countries that failed to sell out of the initial stock of the devices. (more…)
Some Canadians say they were told that if they didn’t take the Rogers’ iPhone specific plans, anytime they used WiFi it would be counted towards their custom plans (like the newly announced $30/6GB promo). They said they were told that even though the iPhone would show WiFi, it would still count down 3G data, and that they would only find out when the bill came. We are now waiting on a statement of clarification from Rogers.
We didn’t run the story then because we couldn’t get any confirmation of the rumor, but now other reports of people being told the same thing at different Rogers stores has turned up.
The new iPhone 3G is supposed to be offered in your choice of black or white and while much has been said about the black version, not much thought has been expressed over whether or not the white iPhone 3G would be available on launch day. Well the confirmation is in. The white version will be available and ready for sale on Friday morning.
According to a press release issued by Rogers earlier today they are pushing a last minute special promotional offer for potential iPhone 3G owners in Canada.
Proponents of the petition against Rogers Canada are reporting that their efforts starting to raise some hefty eyebrows South of the Canadian border. They are reporting that because of the petition (or for a reason that is completely unknown) Apple announced that they will not be selling the iPhone 3G in their Canadian stores.
Daniel Smith claims he has information gleened from multiple sources, including a senior Rogers representative,that show that Apple diverted delivery of a significant amount of its initial iPhone 3G from Canada and re-routed them to Europe in reaction to protest over the Canadian carrier Roger’s steep rate plans. The rates offer a third fewer minutes and very limited data when compared with their neighbors to the south, AT&T. (more…)
You’ve probably already read our posts about the Canacian petition against Rogers iPhone 3G plans that has been circulated via the website Ruinediphone.com and others. So far Thousands of Canadians have expressed their outrage over the iPhone 3G plans that Rogers Wireless will offer on July 11th. Some of them are so mad that they are willing to pay the $500 Early Cancellation Fee in protest. Apparently it’s not just the vocal bloggers who feel this way about it either. (more…)
An annonomous emailer told us that an Orange internal memo states that due to expected demand the release of the iPhone 3G in France may be delayed slightly. The source (unconfirmed) also said that Orange does not yet have solid plans to handle the logistics of such a large device release.
The proposed rates that Rogers/Fido announced at the end of last week for their iPhone 3G voice/data plans have not been given a warm reception by potential iPhone 3G customers in Canada. It has been reported that over ten thousand people have stated their eDispleasure on the “Rogers + iPhone3G == Ruined” protest website.
Canadian iPhone 3G carrier Rogers announced the service plans for the new device today. iPhone 3G voice and data plans will start at $60 and will be available upon the public release of the iPhone 3G on July 11th.
“As the wireless provider voted number one in wireless satisfaction(x), Fido is thrilled to offer a variety of well-priced voice and data plans making iPhone 3G accessible to as many of our customers as possible,” said Sylvain Roy, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Fido. “These pricing plans will allow our urban customer base easy enjoyment of all that iPhone 3G has to offer.”
Canada’s National Post published a claim that Rogers Communications will be making changes their mobile phone plans over the course of the next two weeks to prepare for the launch of the 3G iPhone there. Rogers has up to this point charged quite a bit higher for their data plans compared to similar plans offered by mobile carriers in the United States.
