Rogers: iPhone coming to Canada
updated 09:55 am EST, Thu January 11, 2007
iPhone in Canada in 2008
Canadian cellular provider Rogers said today that it intends to carry the Apple's newly unveiled iPhone, according to company officials speaking with web developer John Wiseman. Although no specific release information was provided for the Apple handset during Steve Jobs' MacWorld San Francisco keynote beyond the June release for Cingular subscribers in the US, the Canadian firm says it is already in the early planning stages to bring the device to its service, which is the largest GSM-based network in Canada.
The phone will be available with either two- or three- year contracts -- potentially lowering the initial cost for long-term users versus the American two-year requirement -- but must also be linked to a data plan for the carrier's EDGE network. Rogers has not provided an official timeframe for the release of the iPhone in Canada. However, the company has historically offered smartphones to Canadians between six to eight months after the devices' release in the US, Wiseman says, placing an introduction roughly between late 2007 and early 2008. Versions for other major carriers such as Bell and Telus are unlikely in the foreseeable future given the lack of a CDMA equivalent, the web developer adds.
Data way too expensive
01/19, 08:29pm reply
The only problem I see with this is that Roger's current data plans suck. For $15/month you get 1.5MB, for $25, you get 3MB, for $40, you get 7MB, for $60, you get 25MB, and for $100 you only get 200MB. WIth Cingular's Smartphone Connect plan, you get unlimited data for only $20/month.
dansgil
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2006
late provider
01/20, 01:21am reply
thats the problem with Canadian company, they never try to keep pace with the dates, if Cingular can bring it in July then why not we try to bring it by August atleast. I mean if people want they can buy the phone from ebay before the timeline what ROGERS is setting. plus they will try to make huge profit out of it. Trust me if Cingular is chargin that much, ROGERS will charge more on a 3 year term basis. iPHONE manufacturing cost is only $249 dollar but see the providers they will charge atleast $699 on a 3 year term. Why not make it more affordable so that people can afford it sooner then waiting for the next christmas? As dansgil said, why make the data too expensive? why try to make that much profit, make it more affordable for users, try to compete with international market, if ROGERS make it more affordable for users people will use more. So trying to do profit from 10 people its better to have 200 people using it and you will end up getting the same result, but you keep your customers more happy.
Raihan
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007