Rogers on iPhone in Canada

Canadians hoping to get the iPhone are likely to see a significant wait, according to cellular provider Rogers. Company CFO Bill Linton has recently confirmed at a conference that his employer was in talks with Apple to bring the device to Canada but that the iPhone creator wanted to focus first on establishing American success before shifting elsewhere, reserving its full contract negotiations for the aftermath of the June 29th release.

"The truth is we aren't very far with Apple," Linton says. "They're concentrating on this launch and the U.S., and when they decide to turn their mind to other markets, we'll be in line."

Apple has so far announced plans to bring the iPhone to Europe before the end of the year and for Asia in 2008 but has so far declined mention of Canada, which frequently shares devices and features with its American neighbor. Rogers is the only major carrier in the country to support the GSM networks used by the iPhone and would be Apple's only practical choice to carry the device.

In addition to new contracts, however, Rogers and others will also have to make significant software changes to get full support. Apple has not said whether some iPhone-specific features such as random-order voice mail will be offered in other countries.

By Electronista Staff