Sources: Bell to carry iPhone Nov. 4
updated 12:40 pm EDT, Tue October 13, 2009
Bell iPhone to use existing plans
The iPhone for Bell should arrive near the very start of November and will have very familiar device and plan pricing, according to Electronista sources. People familiar with the plans say the iPhone 3GS and 3G are both due to arrive on November 4th, which should also mark the formal start of the Canadian provider's HSPA-based 3G network. The news is corroborated by earlier word of Telus training ending at the same time and suggests Bell and Telus will have their networks and iPhone sales ready at the same time.
The tips received add that Bell should let users run its existing Smartphone Combo plans using the iPhone and may get a distinct advantage over Rogers, although how this would work is unclear. Bell offers 300 minutes of voice and unlimited on-device data for as little as $60 per month but, at this rate, limits it to e-mail, IM and web use. It's not clear how or if the carrier would monitor data traffic on the iPhone.
Handset prices should be identical, however, at $99, $199 and $299 for the 8GB iPhone 3G, 16GB iPhone 3GS and 32GB iPhone 3GS respectively. Off-contract models will be an option and should cost $599, $699 and $799 each, though as with Rogers these will still be locked to the provider.
Officially, Bell has just recently put up a pre-registration page for potential iPhone customers.
Beyond the iPhone, those aware of the plans also reinforced past rumors of the BlackBerry 8530 and 9700 (new Curve and Bold 2) coming to Bell and that they may ship at the same time as the Apple devices, though the release dates and pricing are still unconfirmed.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Off contract yet locked?
Doesn't that violate some kind of competitions act legislation?
It's bad enough they want over $900 taxes in.
The grey market may flourish with more reasons to stray.