Rogers intros unlimited data, makes iPhone possible
updated 10:15 am EST, Tue February 5, 2008
Rogers Unlimited Data
Confirming earlier leaks, Rogers Wireless today began offering its sought-after Communicate Value Pack, the first bundle plan to offer true unlimited web browsing with the Canadian provider. An improvement even on AT&T's $20 unlimited plan, the Rogers pack allows both unlimited browsing from the device itself as well as 2,500 outbound SMS text messages and 1,000 MMS sent picture or video messages. It also supplies caller ID, recent call history, and voicemail, according to Rogers.
The plan adds $20 Canadian (same in US dollars) to the cost of any existing cellphone plan and is limited to 'feature' phones; PC cards as well as smartphones either running the BlackBerry or Windows Mobile operating systems are subject to different plans. A separate version of the pack with just the unlimited on-device web browsing is also available, though Rogers has not confirmed the accuracy of the $7 monthly fee leaked ahead of the debut.
While the new feature is in part meant to help compete against Bell's $7 HTC Touch plan, the now official unlimited data plan at Rogers provides an essential component for the potential release of the iPhone in Canada. Rogers has said it would carry the iPhone in Canada since early 2007 but has only gradually relaxed the costs of its cellphone data service, which at one point would have cost nearly $300 per month for just 512MB of data transfer and a fraction of the calling time of the base $60 iPhone plan from AT&T.










Scratch that
02/05, 12:09pm reply
I just called and the person on the phone couldn't even find the plan. Then I was transferred and the person in data says this unlimited plan is for cell phone browsers only and it's limited to that. If you used regular data for an email client or a browser other than the Rogers one, you'll get charged 5cents/kb for using it.
Warrenpeace
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2001
No ...
02/05, 12:50pm reply
... look, just because some clerk in Kamloops isn't up on this yet (it was JUST ANNOUNCED, HELLO?!!) doesn't mean the story isn't true. MacNN mostly works from press releases, and this story probably comes more-or-less straight from one.
Anyway, big news in Canada. We're almost not second-class citizens in the iPhone world! Yay!
chas_m
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
what devices?
02/05, 01:13pm reply
Rogers' page on the new $20 Communicate Value Pack, http://www.rogers.com/web/content/wireless-plans/essentials?content10=20_comm#start , doesn't say anything about what devices you can use with this pack, other than "Unlimited On-Device Mobile". I just spoke with a Rogers rep who had no clue as to what devices could or could not be used with this plan. So I'd be very, very careful about signing up with Rogers expecting to get this plan with your device. Get it in writing, and preferably from a manager.
midtoad
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007
Read the fine print
02/05, 03:37pm reply
"Important: This plan includes unlimited on-device mobile browsing only. Plan is available on select phones only (PDAs such as Blackberry or Windows Mobile devices, PC cards and non-Rogers certified devices are not eligible). Data usage incurred on ineligible devices, incurred while tethering (using device as wireless modem for laptop) or incurred using non-Rogers (3rd party) applications downloaded to your device will be subject to pay-per-use charges of 5 cents/KB."
"3rd party applications are applications like Yahoo! Go or Google Maps. These are non-Rogers applications which can be downloaded to the device and incur data charges at a rate of 5¢/KB."
bleee
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
cheap data - not!
02/05, 08:52pm reply
So if you actually try to use your device for something useful, you will be charged $50,000/GB. (i.e. 5c/kb). Gee thanks Rogers for your kind generosity and competitive rates... not!
midtoad
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007
Yeah read the fine print
02/05, 11:30pm reply
Well I subscribed to it today after reading a whole bunch of information of the Rogers site and talking to 3 reps... Turns out it is unlimited WAP browsing. So my iPhone is definitely NOT WAP browsing. I checked email (10 emails downloaded), a search in Google map and check out a movie times site and managed to spend 1.50$ within 5 mins... ah unlimited browsing!
Please Apple, slap some sense into Rogers!!!!!!
seventn
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Rogers offers clear info.
02/05, 11:41pm reply
Actually Rogers website regarding these packages is more clearly outlined than either Telus or Bell, both of which like to bury the fine details on their sites. Anyway all authorized Rogers dealers and customer service reps in the call centers are trained to not add either the $7.00 MSF unlimited mobile WAP browser plan or the $20.00 MSF Communicate Value Pack to a data device such as the iPhone, HTC Touch/TYTN, Motorola Q9H, Samsung Jack or even the Palm Treo. Otherwise the customer may face a very huge data bill similar to what happened with Bell's customer in Alberta where they incurred over a $82,000.00 data bill. A customer that tries to trick a newbie rep into adding this only has himself/herself to blame. For high volume users such as those using the iPhone it's better to add the Rogers Flex Rate data plan which fluctuates based on the data device users average usage so as to not incur a high data bill. This plan starts at 1 GB for $65.00 and goes up to 5 GB for $100.00 which is cheaper than either Telus or Bell.
imagine engine
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
Not so clear
02/06, 12:12am reply
The only time I ever saw "WAP" was in my account information once it was added. "Unlimited on-device WEB browsing" is what is written everywhere else... Seems that as the day went by they were adding little bits of information here and there. They WILL make a killing with people knot knowing that for the first month.
seventn
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2000