Note: Visit our iPhone 3G page for full specifications, reviews & discussions.
Canadians are unlucky when it comes to gadgets. First they usually arrive later than they would to many Third World countries. Second, the prices can get out of control. Take the iPhone for example. If when it lands in Canada, it’s likely going to cost us somewhere in the neighborhood of $799 without a contract and without unlimited data service. And that is where it might get really scary!
A Rogers Wireless data plan for your iPhone will probably start at $0.05 per KB. Monthly plans will probably come in at $5/month for a 5MB cap and a $10/month plan for a 10MB cap. Additional kilobytes (yes, kilobytes) cost 3 cents. Pricey!
A Rogers iPhone seems inevitable is on its way, the question is whether or not anyone will be able to afford it and the data plan it will require.
Update: It’s official! The Rogers iPhone is on its way. No details on pricing yet, but a press release issued this morning (April 29, 2008) put Mr. Rogers himself on the record: “We’re thrilled to announce that we have a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Canada later this year. We can’t tell you any more about it right now, but stay tuned.”
Update: Ok…we got a date! July 11th kids. The new iPhone 3G, $199.99 for the 8GB version and $299.99 for the 16GB Rogers iPhone on 3-year terms. That’s the same price you’d pay in the US on AT&T but you have to sign an extra year into your contract. No word on pricing yet. Cross your fingers.
Update: You were supposed to cross your fingers! Rogers iPhone plans are out and the pricing isn’t looking great at all. 3 year contract and no unlimited data!
Update: Seems Rogers has given in to some of the displeasure. Rogers has just added a $30 iPhone plan with 60GB of data.
midtoad says:
Prison sodomy would be more pleasurable than Rogers wireless data service. Verizon charges $60/mo. for up to 5GB of wireless data. Rogers would charge you $22710 for the same amount of data! Too much data, you say? ok, let’s try that again with 1 GB/mo. Now your Rogers bill is down to a very low $2710!
But not all hope is lost in Canada. Virgin Mobile just introduced the Tidal Wave data plan, featuring UNLIMITED data for $10/mo. when you use their new Samsung m510 phone for $199.
Gosh, so hard to choose – Rogers’ iPhone for $thousands per month, or Virgin’s m510 for $10. Hmmm…
Gixxxer97 says:
oh, you mean the virgin mobile ” pay as you go ” ? doesnt that qork off teh BELL towers ?
if so, isnt that CDMA ? oh riiiiiight. ya!…..not!! and the m510 vs the iphone ? c’mon, get real.
Yes Rogers does sodomize customers regarding their plans, and it is a real wonder why we
( canadians) put up with it, i mean isnt that a monopoly since they are the ONLY GSM carrier in Canada ? i could swear that was illegal, no ? i think its called teh ANTITRUST law or something like that, im real surprised someone or group od someone(s) hasnt sued Rogers for that fact alone.
My 2 cents, well actually 3 1/2 U.S now lol
Mark says:
Who are you to say it is too expensive?
It is all relative. Many people will gladly pay that price.
If you can’t afford it – then you get something else.
Stop blaming other people because you are CHEAP.
Douglas Michael says:
There is a way to get unlimited data for your iphone for around $45 per month in Canada today if you purchase an iphone and unlock it.
See the how to at: http://www.douglasmichael.com
Tivadar says:
Rogers is the biggest rip off company in the world, you get these bills and even though there’s a sheet telling you what you have been billed for, you still can’t figure out why your bill is so F’in BIG. I’ve got these F’in bills from these guys that literally put me into F’in tears, and that F’in robot phone guy the so F’ing annoying when your pissed off about some bill and your trying to yell but the F’ing thing was not programed to understand yelling so it just keeps repeating it self. Tell me you’ve been there.
Killer of Marks says:
You know what, f$%#k you “Mark”. You upper class asswipe. The entire concept of network communicative feature-sets is that it rests upon non-classful conceptualization. In short, networking is supposed to be available to -EVERYBODY-. WHO KNOWS, maybe that’s why third world classified countries have accessible service carriers when Canada is still knee deep in regulation. I gotta say man you really struck a nerve with your megalomanical comment, I can’t STAND people like you. I got news for you man, the REAL world is striving to get by and better lives have been lived in the margins. Its people like you that should be stepped on by the majority of us and NOT vice versa. Affordable networking NOW and screw the market cornering corporate perjorative.
dirk says:
Rogers seems to have this rap as this big evil orginization, I have been with them for a few years now and apart from the mediocer over the phone service and that really annoying automated guy that one of you mentioned before I am Extremely happy with them. First off those rediculous Dollar figures the first person gave for Data is them quoting if you flat out HAVEN”T subscribed for any data on your phone and you are using your mobile browser basically pay as you go style.. thats an illinformed comment.. Rogers has data plans just like everyone else and for what available in Canada they are essentially the best option. If you used vorizon in that fashion it would be the same outcome. Second, there aren’t any unjustified charges for no given reason.. period. If they REALLY did that Im sure someone in there long and successful history as a cellphone carrier would have cought that and they would have been shut down for embezilment. You need to look more closely at your statement or visit the dealer and have the charges explained to you. You get what you pay for, and everything you’r echarged for is right in your contract. Finally, its impossible to try and compare our market with the US. a) they have 10 times more people and about ten times more companies (including cellphone companies) 10 times more competition theyre for everything gets cheaper that much quicker. in Canada we basically have three major providers nationwide. If they try and keep pace with the US market, there simple will not be enough revenue to support those companies.. ifso facto they start shutting down till you are only left with one.. and then you have a monopoly on your hands. THEY you would learn what high prices are all about. Anybody remember when Canadian airlines went under and Air Canada had the monopoly on airlines in Canada for almost 3 years?
On top of this Rogers Brings the only GSM network in Canada to us, meaning right off the hop they have all the COOLEST phones. Im assuming despite everyones upsetness this is why everyone here is still with rogers? the reasoning is simple. Rogers doesnt make phones, Bell doesnt make phones.. all the big name electronic companies do. ie Sony, Samsung, LG, etc.. So when these companies start producing models they aim their most marketable products at a GSM network because they can now market it across the world. everyone else.. for the most part gets stock with knock off models that are slightly different versions of what the other Canada only network has. (ie- Bells Samsung 680, and telus’s Samsung 860… I think or is that the other way around?)
But on top of that, I have been with Telus, MTS (basically Bell for Manitoba), and rogers, and I have found that although they all make some shitty mistakes sometimes, Rogers is the best for compensating you. I find they by far have the most competitive Edge. They are also the only company that offers a hardware upgrade at a reduced price only 1 year into a 3 year contract, where as they others you basically have to wait the full contract to get anything. You do have to resign your contract, but business wise that makes sense. You can’t honestly expect something for Nothing right?
I think you all make good point, I like great deals and the most for the least just like everyone else here, everyone likes to save money. But at the end of they day they offer a good phone with, in my experience great signal and great quality (I can’t say enough about the Sony erricsons personally). The things we pay extra for are toys.. and that is our own choice.. but apart from that I pay $50 a month to talk and text all I want, I can always be reached, and I always have something incase of an emergancy. all that for a few bucks more then a house phone.. is that so bad??
Anyways, that was my 2 cents.. you can all tear my commemt apart now if you’d like :P
dirk says:
PS- Pardon my grammer.. I proof read it after I posted it :P
midtoad says:
@dirk, may I suggest you do a little more research and you’ll find out YOU are misinformed. Check Verizon’s wireless plan for smartphones. $60 for 5 GB of data. On Rogers only 200 MB (the least amount of data provided by any Canadian cellular company for that amount of money, and each additional 1 MB costs you $3. That is, each additional 1 GB costs you $3000. So the 5 GB you’d get with Verizon will cost you $43880. If you were stupid enough to get Rogers’ $60 plan and tried to use the same amount of data as your American friend could use on Verizon, you’d pay just over $66,000 per month.
You also say “where as they others you basically have to wait the full contract to get anything”. That’s not true either; I was just offered a new Blackberry on my Bell contract because I’d passed more than half of my 36-month contract.
Rogers is the most expensive cell provider in Canada BY FAR as far as wireless data.
The article above doesn’t say that Rogers does not have a good network. They do. Or that they don’t have good phone. They do. What the article says is that Rogers is too expensive for wireless data. Why? Because they have a monopoly on GSM, having bought out their only competitor, Fido. Ted Rogers is now the 2nd richest man in Canada because of this, and he’ll continue to be so long as there are chumps like you thinking they’re getting a good deal. Our cell phone rates are higher than Rwanda’s!
dirk says:
You try and make an arguement by attacking me personally.. yet you still buy it. Rogers is Canada’s Best option.. we aren’t the US market so you need to stop comparing it. If you really believe in your rederick bullshit your pumping out then don’t buy it. Its people like you, who make a joke out of everyone who actually has valid arguments for these companies cause you want something for nothing.. you want them to give you access to the best network and all the best phones, but you aren’t willing to pay for. He’s the second richest man because he is a SMART business man. it called supply and demand, and making a profit. Thats like you asking for a raise at work because you do your job better then anyone else, an them telling you no your already making enough money. Do you do anything for free?
There is no monopoly on GSM, its a worldwide network not a patoned product. nor was rogers the first cell company. The other companies Chose their networks. Rogers was the only ones with enough brains to say “hmm the whole rest of the planet is unified on one network to support a product that now a days is essential for travel, and a cornerstone of the electronics market.. MAYBE we should be on that network too”
And I have 2 MB not GB.. BUT MB added onto my phone, I use my Data 3 or 4 times a day and I have NEVER gone over. Just cause they offer it to you doesnt make it a good deal, its still a waste if you don’t need it. What product in Canada would even support accessing 5GB? .. I know your COMPUTER.
your a tool who thinks everything should be what you want, for the price you want.. seemingly nothing. Business doesn’t work that way, the world doesnt work that way. get over it.
Nazmul says:
Our politicians have sold their souls to companies like Rogers. It is a conspiracy of the government and big businesses to rip us average folks. This is not the only thing, think about the government’s conspiracy when it comes to car insurance. The bottom line is the government with big businesses are bent onbarely keeping us alive, and not finish us completely for their evil goals. You are only fooling yourself if you think otherwise.
Brian says:
This is directed at Dirk. I’m starting to get the feeling he works for Rogers, but at any rate, here I go:
Roger’s holds a monopoly (currently) on the GSM market in Canada. You’re right, GSM is the best technology, the rest of the world uses GSM, while most NA companies use CDMA.
This article is about the iPhone and data. The iPhone is a data heavy device. It’s why Apple wants Unlimited Data plans with their iPhones with the Carriers they partner with. You could easily consume 2MB of data on an iPhone in an afternoon.
And the US market is not the Canadian market, but when prices EVERYWHERE else (from USA to Rwanda, to Asia) are THOUSANDS of dollars cheaper than Canada, we need to question why we are willingly being asked to bend over while they stick us with these ridiculous phone bills.
Why do we keep using Rogers even though their charging waaay more than they need to? Because they’re GSM which is the best. How do I deal with it? I disabled data on my account.
Another note. A GB is 1024 MBs. There is a difference between using data on a phone and a smartphone. A smarthphone with a fully functional browser will eat through data like nobody’s business. A cell phone will barely use any data.
Business works with what the consumer wants. I cannot wait until this new spectum is opened to new entrants to wireless, and we see some more competitive GSM pricing.
Dirk, stop defending a company who doesn’t need defending. This company is screwing over every Canadian cell phone user, and we’re accepting it. I for one will jump at a new company who offers GSM and unlimited data. Even if that data costs me $100 / month, its better than being raped by a $30,000 phone bill for a GB of data.
Paul says:
Fact. I have a 3MB a month plan with Rogers. That’s right 3 MB. I went over that amount by 2.5 MB this month. Cost me $77.00. Not Gigabyte, MB. Anyone want to argue that 2 floppy disks of data is worth $77.00? I didn’t think so
Ouchi says:
I don’t have a problem with entrepreneurs getting rewarded handsomely for being clever and visionary.
What I do have a problem with is a lame, possibly corrupt government with no sense of vision for what would serve the interests of Canadians. IMO what the carriers are trying to do is get a stranglehold on the content as well as the medium of wireless data services… the so called walled garden approach.
To the extent that they can get away with it, they will try to monetize on every bit of content flowing through their pipes. They would like nothing better than to turn their mobile networks into something similar to the bundled cable and satellite offerings.
Make no mistake… we must fight for our freedoms. The mobile internet is potentially the future of the internet as a whole, and if we are not careful we will lose the freedom of the internet that we now have taken for granted.
I don’t love all the ads and the commercialization of the internet, but I do love the freedom of expression and the unlimited choices and voices – the thousands of bloggers, podcasters, photo and video riches to be mined. If we are not careful and diligent to demand the freedom of the mobile web (and that also implies reasonable cost structure) then we risk losing even what freedom we have now.
Think about it… there’s more at stake than losing a few dollars into the pockets of Mr. Rogers.
I say inform yourselves about the open content initiatives that Google is pushing for in the upcoming C band that is being released. Google’s greed is working to our benefit here I believe, but we shouldn’t leave it up to them; we all have to voice our concerns for open content and freedom of the airwaves to our government.
Ouchi says:
This may just be the cynic in me, but I fear that the reason for such sky high rates on data has less to do with limits on capacity of data bandwidth than on protectionism… of such pay-for-fee offerings as $2.50 per video clip, or $2 per ringtone, etc.
What we now enjoy for free on the internet, you may find yourself enjoying for fee on the mobile internet, not because of carrier costs getting downloaded to the user (after all less bandwidth is required due to smaller pictures, and less content flow in general) but rather just because they can.
I’m sure that there are bandwidth limitations to consider, but I’m even more sure that what the carriers fear most is being relegated to simple “dumb pipes” status. But where would the internet as a whole be now if it had been controlled by a handful of players like AOL, Compuserve, and Yahoo?
Mobile innovation is being held back by the prohibitive costs to users; the iPhone has already demonstrated what many many people want is the internet on their mobile. The challenge for Rogers now is to try and hold back the pent up demand from breaking free.
I want an iPhone too, but not if I have to monitor my bandwidth like a hawk and/or pay extra for Youtube clips…
which brings me to my greatest pet peeve with Rogers data – that you can’t monitor your usage as you go on the device itself – how difficult could that be for Pete’s sake – any highschool student could program a running total counter!
Bujanx says:
Can you even buy an iphone from rogers yet ??
midtoad says:
no, you can’t buy an iPhone from Rogers yet. And you probably won’t be able to until a trademark dispute is resolved, possibly this summer. Anyway, Rogers is likely waiting until the 3G iPhone is released this summer. But the article above is saying that the iPhone, even if purchased and unlocked from the US, is too expensive to operate in Canada.
Brian says:
No, because Apple wants unlimited data with the iPhones, which would mean Rogers would have to stop screwing Canadians over, which I don’t see happening!
But you can get an iPhone from the US ( eBay is a good place).
Foster says:
I have an iPhone and just got my Rogers bill for last month and it was $770 for data!!! I’m only home on weekends and I have wifi in the house. I called today to see how much my first week of this new month has reached already. It’s over 100mb already .. $990 .. so far this month and there are 4 weeks to go. I let Rogers know up front I was using an iPhone and the plan I had was suppose to be somewhat fine since I only check email, but this is nuts. My hope is to get 50% for last month and get this month whipped out completly, what do you think my odds are to get this?
Getting your bill cleared says:
This should not be that big a deal. I went through the same thing. The people at Rogers that can help you are the Cancellation staff. Call customer service. Ask if there is anything that they can do for you. If they say no..not to worry, ask them if you could talk to cancellations.
Tell cancellations what the problem is and I am betting that they will help you.
The same call that you are about to make I made last week. They voided all Data Charges on my plan, and gave me free data for the next 6 months. Telling me that there were things in the works that should be available in 6 months time.
Julian says:
Dear Masters,
Have two technical questions for you:
1) An iPhone has been offered to me unlocked for $500; however, the guy told me that if I wanted to updated I had to unlock it again. I saw a woman on a plane the other day using it with Rogers (she bought it in the States, unlocked it and opened a plan) and she said it was working perfect and that she did not need the updates at all. Do you know if these updates are critical for the phone to function properly? What the risks would be if you don’t update it?
2) I have a Palm Treo 600 that does not work under Windows. Do you know how should I migrate my contact information into the iPhone?
Thanks a lot for all your help!
Regards,
Julian
Brian says:
Foster, the iPhone is an extremely data intensive device. That’s why as soon as I got the device, I got rogers to block all data to the device. Now when I want to check a website or my email, I just wait until I have a WiFi signal to do it.
iPhone is an awesome device, just don’t use data in Canada. Fido has a deal right now where you order their data package and they give you Edge data unlimited for so many months, depending on how long your contract is.
But as for any other data provider… they will steal all of your money for providing little service. It’s price fixing is what it is.
Brian says:
Julian,
The risk is not big if you don’t update. Depending on your current version, you may not need to update. 1.1.3 brought wiggly icons (moveable home screen icons). 1.1.4 brought minor bug fixes.
Staying at an old release won’t really effect you in any way, other than losing some minor features and minor bug fixes at the next release.
Having said that, its easy to upgrade and unlock. Simply upgrade to the latest version through iTunes, then run ziPhone (ziphone.org) and your upgraded. ZiPhone has the instructions on how to run it. This program will unlock the phone for you.
Your second question, you should be able to transfer your contacts (most if not all) to your Sim card on your Palm device, then the iPhone will read your contacts off of your sim card once plugged in. The first time you run your sync through iTunes, it will sync the contacts w/ your address book (on mac anyways; not sure about windows).
Cheers,
Jean-Philippe says:
Julian,
I’ve unlocked 6 iPhones as of today with a lot of different version of the software for my brother, myself and 4 of my friends! Like Brian was saying, the only thing you will “lose” if you dont update your iPhone, is some minor new features. I would’nt recommend you to update the software as they come out because you never know if the it’s unlockable. For now all of the versions are unlockable as far as i know but I can tell you i’ve had problem in the past after updating to a new version and its not like i don’t know what i’m doing, i’m a computer programmer!
the important thing to remember here is “Don’t fix whats not broken”… If your iPhone suits your needs, don’t try and make an update… And if you really what a new feature thats in the new version well i would suggest that you wait a couple of weeks, you make sure you read EVERYTHING you can read on how to unlock it (informations tend to be contradictary sometimes) and if you can, get help from someone who knows what he’s doing! Usually its the iPhone Dev Team that has the unlocker software first!
As for the contact saved in the sim card, I don’t think its a really good idea (sorry Brian)! the problem with the sim cards is they can carry only so much info (please note here that it depends on what version of the sim card your using). The bigest problem here is that as far as i can tell, the iPhone can’t read the info on your sim card (if it does, i don’t know how to do it)… Maybe the latest version of the software does but i can garantee you that 1.1.3 and older dont! The best way to take all your info from your Palm OS device to your iPhone would be via a computer (thats what i did with my friend palm and her new iPhone). The good thing here is that the iPhone is able to sync with Outlook if your using a PC. So what you should do is sync your Treo with you palm software on your PC, then import the information from your Palm software to Outlook and then sync with iTunes all the contacts from your Outlook to your iPhone!
To do that you’ll be able to find how to sync your Palm to Outlook from the Palm website!
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions!
F@#K Rogers says:
Roger are a part an elitist class that own the mini monopoly’s in Canada, and they like to tell Canadians that they are bad little children that should stop complaining, take what they give us.
nick says:
i got the iphone in november of 2007 ($450.00 unlocked 8 gig) and use it on rogers….don’t complain about rogers pricing just done buy the phone from them leave the other idiots to do that…..get the phone now cause they going for like $500.00 in USA, craiglists, or kijji unlock it at pacific mall and bycott rogers cause they sux…..
timbits says:
I had my iPhone since Jauary of this year. I do not see the point why a lot of people are so concerned about the pricey data plans. Who needs one anyways? Most places in town have hotspots. Try it and go grab these signals for free! When at work, use your computer. When at home, use your own network Simple as that. We’re not gonna die if we do not have a data plan. Geez! That simple. And yes, learn to configure your iPhone correctly so it will not access data through your network but only through wifis.
And yes, buy iPhones in US. Will definitely be much cheaper. There’s no way Rogers will let it go lower than $400.
Brian says:
Hey Timbits,
Thats all well and fine if you’re going to your local coffee shop. But what if you’re on the movie. I.E. you’re in your car and you want to load up Google maps and find a local store. What? First you got to find an unsecure wireless network to use, then do your search? People are becoming smarter, and are starting to secure their networks. So the number of open hotspots is going down, unless your near your local coffee shop.
People are concerned about pricey data plans because rogers, and every other data provider in Canada, is reeming us with high cell phone costs. You got screwed on the number of minutes for the amount of money we pay per month, and $1600 / month for less internet than what you can get on your cell phone in Rwanda for less than $30 is obscene.
Canada’s cell phone service providers are in cahoots, price-fixing and the CRTC is ass-backwards when it comes to managing the industry. Thank god they finally did something right by blocking off a section of the new band to new entrants. First bright thing they’ve done in years. Its just too bad the T-Mobile backed carrier dropped out of the race.
BTW: The iPhone automatically uses WiFi when a known WiFi spot is available, rather than the Edge data (WiFi is faster). It just would be nice to have affordable data as sometimes I need to check my email during the day, and the only way I can do it is to find a coffee shop which actually has an access point.
I may not die, but I for one am pissed!
BlowmeRogers says:
Rogers sucks hairy moose balls. The iPhone is not going to sell well… even if they do manage to convince Rogers to lower the price of their “unlimited” (12M/mo) data plan or to actually make it unlimited, Rogers is trying to force you into a 3-year (not 2 like AT&T) contract. I mean, the iPhone is cool and all, but is it REALLY:
$600* + (12×3x$60*) = $2760 cool?
* – if you’re lucky
…don’t think so. Get an OpenMoko instead
Rob says:
Why are Bell and Rogers trying to screw their customes intentionally and SOOOOOO badly?!?!?!
I f-ing hate both companies, when this contract is up, im cancelling ALL my bell services (home, cells, internet, ExpressVu)
Michael says:
I have the Rogers 1GB data plan for $65.00 working on my iPhone. Yes, still more expensive than any other network, but a hell of a lot cheaper than what all of you are saying. You just have to dig a little to find the good data plans at rogers.
I never go over the 1GB
midtoad says:
@BlowMeRogers: when you do the sums on how much it will cost you to operate an iPhone on Rogers over 3 years, it definitely sucks. And you can bet that Rogers will refuse to sell the phone on anything but a 3-year plan when it does appear.
However, buying an OpenMoko won’t help you. The hardware may be cheaper, but in order to get the mobile internet, you’ll still have to buy a data plan from a Canadian cellular company… like Rogers. So you won’t be much better off. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait for the winner of the 700 MHz spectrum auction to appear on the scene before prices start to drop – slowly.
midtoad says:
@Michael, isn’t that data plan explicitly limited to PC cards? Great if you able to use it at present, but aren’t you at continual risk of losing that access, or suddenly getting a massive bill for “non-supported device”?
Brian says:
Actually, what you’re at risk for is getting a massive bill for a “non-supported device”, and then your accounts usage getting audited and getting retroactively billed for the past 6 or 12 months, and ending up with a MASSIVE bill.
It has happened in the past with Rogers, and many times in the US with AT&T.
Cheers,
Michael says:
Well, they’ll have to get a lot of people then because I know of quite a few who are using it (The data plan). They are not too terribly bright though as they do not even ask which device I am using it on, as far as they’re concerned I have a Palm device…
Oh well, in a month or two I’ll get a “supported” iPhone anyways and all will be moot.
Michael
epgomez says:
Rogers and Fido they are the same. They are ripping us off but we don’t have a choice because we want to use GSM cool cellphones. I just paid Fido more than $300 bucks for the data used by using WIFI connection on my cellphone! I didn’t know I will be charged by using my home WIFI signal. I called them to cut any data connection and they want me to pay the bill. As soon as another GSM company enters Canada, I swear I will not deal with Rogers and Fido anymore whether it be internet or cable or phone ever!!!!!
Michael says:
Something does not smell right here. There has to be a mis-understanding here. Rogers does not and can not charge you for WIFI connections unless you are using one of their hot-spots. I use WIFI all the time and never have gotten a bill from Rogers. The only way one can be charged for WIFI connections is if they agree to them when they connect to them. So either you (epgomez) are not telling the whole story or you are not understanding what WIFI is.
gng says:
Canada is just way behind in terms of cellphone services comparing the States and many Asian countries.
I see posting here that some people still seems to stood by the Canada wireless network regardless of how terrible the service really is ( or are those people have no clue what services are like out there ? ) Anyway, I lived in Canada for 16 years, and all I see is very slow improvement in Canadian wireless network. Canada is like 3-4 years behind to other countries…. and I am surprise to find a lot of grown up adult with a decent job still does not have a cellphone….. if the Canadian keep allowing Rogers ripped them off like that…there is no hope…..
westcoast says:
At least Rogers doesn’t severely limit the functionality of its phones as Telus does by eliminating WIFI capability (as with the HTC phones, etc) and even limiting bluetooth to hands-free connectability only. Telus offers “smart” phones that have both turned off permanently, forcing any data transfer, such as photos, to go through their terrible network at even worse rates. Rogers is a dream compared to that dinosaur.
westcoast says:
The “unlimited” browsing on Rogers should be more of an issue in this iPhone discussion. The charges will begin to rack up from visiting anything outside the list of sites included in the plan — which is everything beyond a handful of social networking and news sites, and accrues charges at 5 cents per kb, or $51.20 per mb if you aren’t signed on to a data plan supplement.
Anyone buying this thing in the next year or two that can’t write off the bill is crazy. As the first through the gates, Rogers gets to skim the market until competition forces them to do otherwise. That’s business.
Rogers should be shot says:
Rogers’ new iPhone 3G plans anger some Canadians
By Justin Berka | Published: June 27, 2008 – 11:50AM CT
Whenever the words “Rogers” and “iPhone” are mentioned in the same sentence, the discussion inevitably turns to Rogers’ plans, how bad they are, and how expensive the iPhone will be. But last week, the rumor mill got fed some information that Rogers would be lowering plan prices for the iPhone 3G. Details of the new plans have now been released, and while they are a hair cheaper than many were expecting, the price still may not be low enough to make Canadians happy.
The iPhone 3G offerings cost between $60 and $115 per month, and all include Visual Voicemail, unlimited night and weekend minutes, and access to Rogers and Fido WiFi hotspots. As far as daytime minutes, data, and SMS messages go, the $60 plan is a bit anemic and offers only 150 minutes, 75 texts, and 400MB of data. Things get a bit better with the more expensive plans, which include 300, 600, and 800 minutes of talk time and 750MB, 1GB, and 2GB of data, respectively.
Reaction to the news has been fairly negative so far, and a number of Canadians have told us that the plans are more expensive yet include less features than plans from other Canadian carriers. For example, several Canadian readers expressed outrage that caller ID (with names) is $15 extra, and Ars contributor Dave Girard is pretty unhappy that nights begin at 9 PM. And, of course, there were multiple instances in which our Canadian friends compared Rogers’ pricing structure to a certain form of sexual assault.
I definitely agree that the prices are a bit steep, but I also think it’s worth noting that some of these extra features aren’t offered on AT&T’s iPhone plans either. Rogers’ isn’t selling the iPhone in the US, though, so the company will have to compete with carriers in Canada in order to win over customers, even for the iPhone 3G.
BOYCOT ROGERS says:
I think alot of people will end up switching to new carriers once they’re available, i know i will definately pay my Rogers plan out and switch as soon as possible …screw Rogers !
DESTROY ROGERS says:
Whats up with this thing called system acess Fee? that Rogers charges, Do US carriers charge this ?
PooPsTech says:
Rogers has done it again! No UNLIMITED Data plan for iPhone
Well Rogers has done it again, showing it’s yellow monopolistic teeth! 2GB of Data per month with the $115 Package? This is highway robbery! Are these corporate bloodsuckers for real?
All this is stemming from he fact that there are no competition for Rogers in Canada! No other GSM Service Provider! I was planning to at least buy 3 iPhone 3Gs, but I changed my mind! No iPhone till Rogers stops this draconian pricing for their data plan! What is hard to understand is this: Why Rogers has such a problem with DATA? Why? At least can they stop issuing decrees and actually explain to their clients why they are so stingy with their data bandwidth? May be also explain to us why the majority of Service Providers selling iPhone can sell their phones with an unlimited data plan?
Only 2GB a Month? This is a disgrace and it shows what Rogers really thinks about their Canadian Customers! They truly think that we are stupid & ignorant and that we neither know – nor are we capable of learning anything! Well I have news for you, Rogers: WE ARE NOT! I am canceling my plans for purchasing 3 iPhone 3G, until they offer UNLIMITED Data Plan! I am sure that most people, after finding out what Rogers is really doing, will cancel their plans as well. So I guess it was all for nothing to wait a full year for the arrival of iPhone to Canada! :(
Knowing about Rogers underhanded decision not to offer UNLIMITED data plan, Apple should have NEVER given iPhone sells rights to Rogers in the first place! Unlimited Data has been the cornerstone of Apple’s agreement for allowing a Service Provider to sell iPhone. Rogers held out for a full year, knowing that they have the monopoly on GSM market, and Apple gave up, which is very uncharacteristic of Apple. I guess Apple doesn’t care about their it’s Canadian Clients either!
con says:
rogers mybe the only gsm network in canada but that dosent make them a monopoly there are other wireless phone providers just because you want one on the gsm network dosent mean you have to have one,
now if rogers was the only wireless phone company in canada that would be a monopoly
just remember no one needs the iphone but if you want it suck it up and pay for it, rogers is going to make some changes and if you want to make a fuss about it, do it at the other companys who “don’t think its of there intrest” to upgrade to the gsm network.
Brian says:
The system access fee was originally a government mandated fee. When the wireless industry originally started in Canada, the carriers would lease the wireless waves from the government, and in turn they would have to charge this “tax” to Canadians.
Sometime in the 90s, I believe, the government decided not to keep the airwaves, and instead sold them to the carriers. The carriers continued charging the fees as a “cost recovery” of the amount paid for the wireless airwaves.
The fee is now a profit making fee charged by the carriers because they can. They have you believing the fee is a government tax, even though the fine print says “not a government tax” but CSRs will tell you it is.
US carriers do not charge this, and never have charged this.
Bring on the new wireless carriers.
Toni says:
riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip offfffffffffffffffffffffffffff. I’d never do business with rogers because of their connection with ATT in the U.S. I worked for ATT and they’re overpriced and don’t teach their employees what they need to know to support customer care. I have no respect for the company’s (lack of) ethics.
Paul says:
Just thought that I would mention that I was speaking to Rogers this weekend past and the new 400MB plan will be $30.
Brian says:
@Toni: To correct you, Rogers hasn’t been affiliated with AT&T for a few years (5+?). It used to be Rogers AT&T Wireless. Then the CRTC stepped in and said that only a Canadian can own wireless signals in Canada, and AT&T was kicked out.
But yes, I agree that Rogers has no respect for customers, and is overpriced and under featured.
Erik says:
I’ve wanted an iPhone since its first appearance last year, now it’s coming out in 30 hours. I’ve never dealt with Rogers, and never been on the Internet with a cellphone before. I was thinking 60$ was reasonable for 400MB (Like I said, have no clue how big that is in Internet use and don’t trust what companies say about its average pages seen per month). But after searching for a few days now to find out how excited is for this iPhone… it seems like it’s going to be a real shitter.
I had Fido for 3 years and finished this September, since September I have been waiting for the iPhone in Canada. I didn’t have a job for my first year and would be paying around 70$ a month (first year at University sucked cause of this).
You guys have given me some doubts on this though, but IF I buy an iPhone 3G in 29:51 hours from now, and then Rogers or Fido (***another question I’ve been looking for, would it be better to get Fido or Rogers?***) decides to change their rates, lets say from 60$/month to 15$/month and unlimited internet, which is more of a joke than an example, would I benefit from this? Or would I have to stay with the 60$ while everybody after me only plays 15$? Cause if I would get adjusted, then I don’t mind getting it now, cause whatever happens, happens. But if I don’t get any chances, then shit… I guess I’ll wait a couple more weeks again to find out what happens.
con says:
quite from Erik
“and then Rogers or Fido (***another question I’ve been looking for, would it be better to get Fido or Rogers?***) decides to change their rates, lets say from 60$/month to 15$/month and unlimited internet, which is more of a joke than an example, would I benefit from this? Or would I have to stay with the 60$ while everybody after me only plays 15$?”
you could change your rates or your “plans at the end of any bill cycle so you would be able to make the change unless it was a promo to get it for less then your stuck with paying the higher prise, but if the rate plans change once agian you would be able to change it but only at the end of your bill cycle
iphone dude says:
If you want change then PROTEST. Contact the Industry Minister Jim Prentice! Rogers has done nothing introducing the $30 data plan. It already existed!
Anyone who buys an iPhone from Rogers deserve exactly what they get! YOU ARE BEING RIPPED OFF!
My data plan gives me 4 GB per month at $25 cdn
Voice Plan $40 cdn per month 200 min out unlimited in
Value Pack $11 cdn for text, call display, 125 text messages, etc..( the rest is useless)
System access fee @ $ 6.95 per month
Total cost per Month: $82.95
For the life of the contract = $82.95 X 12 = $995.00 cdn
I have a sweet deal compared to all you suckers!
Your Costs:
Data plan gives 6 GB per month at $30 cdn
Voice Plan $60 cdn per month 150 min
75 text messages ( 15 cents for additional texts)
System access fee @ $ 6.95 per month
Total cost per Month: $96.95
For the life of the contract = $96.95 X 136= $3490.20 cdn
Now here’s the worst part. My brother in Dallas only pays $60 usd for everything I have! And we are both paying too much.
I would switch providers if Canada were to allow competition. Problem is that we don’t. There is only 1 digital GSM company here and our government let this happen to us. Maybe I will get a US phone number to allow me to take REAL advantage of this new gadget. But then again Rogers would ding me with ROAMING CHARGES!
Brian says:
@iphone dude: You have your information wrong. The 6GB data plan is not on the iPhone plans. The 6GB plan is for any existing voice plan.
Only reason I bought an iPhone was because the offered the 6GB add-on plan. Otherwise I was not going to buy. Here is what I pay:
$25 – 100 minutes out, unlimited in
$30 – 6GB data
$15 – Visual Voicemail, 2500 text, caller id, who called, etc
$70 + 6.95 = $76.95. That’s less than what you pay.
Only difference is that I have to do this over 3 years. However, if a new carrier comes out next year and they support the iPhone (possibly next-gen iPhone by that time), then I’ll think nothing of paying $400 ETF and switching. Besides, if I decide I don’t want data anymore (which I never will), I just remve the data plan and apply the data blocks and use my iPhone over WiFi (which I’ve been doing over the last year with the 1st gen wifi).
And considering AT&T has a soft-cap of 5GB on their unlimited plan, I think this new plan is now doing pretty good. We just need to get better voice plans here.
Cheers,
P.S. I’m in no way defending Rogers. I think they’re a horrible company, and the entire wireless industry in Canada is involved in price fixing to keep Canadians paying more.
Mike S says:
Why was rogers allowed to buy fido, they obviously use this monopoly as a tactic to keep prices high, there are plans in the US, that cdn truckers have that allow unlimited calling in north america with free roaming for $100 per month… I am lucky i got the rogers 700 mins unlim even and week with early callingfor $50, because I called back a few years ago, and complained, but if you go to sign up for a new plan these days your screwed… if that was the US I would def., get unlim. plan for that price point. enough is enough, ottawa is it that obvious……..
con says:
“Why was rogers allowed to buy fido, they obviously use this monopoly” there are other cell phone providers in canada so rogers dosent have a monopoly, and the fido buy out happened years ago
once agian just because rogers is the only company with a gsm network in canada dosent make them a monopoly, just because you want the iphone you don’t need it, maybe you should be going to the other cell phone providers and asking why they arnt using a gsm network.
Brian says:
Who needs data? Well, anyone who wants the iPhone sure wants data. Not all the time is it convenient for me to lug around my 15″ laptop, just for the times when I want to surf Gizmodo or Digg on my coffee break, or get my email, or deal with server incidents, etc etc.
Its nice to have a small compact device that lets me quickly access the web in a mobile browser that works as if it was a computer. And computers aren’t everywhere. Okay so I have a computer, now what. I need an internet connection of some sort. Not every place has WiFi, but there are a lot more places that have EDGE or 3G (for me anyways). Plus, what if your using data on the move, say while taking a bus. WiFi has a very short range compared to 3G or EDGE and having to find a new signal every 30 seconds doesn’t work.
Want GPS on your cell phone because you have no idea how to get from point-a to point-b? Well either get yourself a handheld GPS unit, a phone that has GPS maps built-in (which doesn’t do good for restaurant searching), or get a data capable device that can search for where you want to go and give you turn by turn directions (over WiFi if available or the cell network).
You may not have a need for data on your device, but my life is working on the internet. I’m a web developer with clients whom I need to remain in contact with, and I need a full web browser for issue management. Technology is changing man, and the point is that companies like Rogers are screwing over Canadians on internet charges and making these kinds of profits. Its when customers ban together and speak out that they finally hear, and drop plans by $70 for consumers (albeit a temporary drop).
And do you really thing that $30 / month for 200 minutes is a great deal? Consider the US gets 450 minutes for $35, and that it is actually more affordable for people in the UK to carry multiple devices than use a single device. How’s that three year contract going for you?
Get a life man and stop point your finger of blame at the consumer and point it at the real culprits, the companies. Its not what you said that irks me, its how you’re saying it.
Either open your eyes and realize this is a world of people connected to the internet, or go back to your shack and just stay there.
Cheers,
Michael says:
Jake…
BTW, I visited your site and I must say you are a talented photographer. Perhaps you should parlay your skills in photography into the skill of paying your bills on time. I too am a photographer, I just choose to do it on the side and I make my money in land development. Perhaps a little more stable and just as much fun.
Terri says:
does rogers send you a bill with ALL of your sent and recieved texts?
if so then how the hell do i change that and not waste so many trees?
Michael says:
No Rogers does not list every sent/received text on your bills. It does however give you a tally of all texts.
Brian says:
@Terri: What you’re describing is called “Detailed Biling”. It costs $x extra per month. If you have save the money and the tress by calling Rogers and asking for it to be removed.
Daryl says:
Obviously to the knowledge with the Rogers plans in Canada such as I am, You don’t have the slightest clue as to what Rogers is chargin us users in Canada for the Use of the iPhone.You might wish to check your numbers again before you start to write them down and make sure that what you are writing is anywere in the real world of possability.
Branden says:
Daryl.
The article is from April with several links to updates posted.
Brian says:
AHAHAHA . Wow Daryl. Complaining at an article which is almost a year old and was speculating on something released six months ago, for being wrong?! At the time, Rogers was charging that amount for BlackBerrys and PDAs (and I believe still does?).
iPhone plan is better, but please look at article date before posting a flame comment. Otherwise …
Cheers,
Giles the Loner says:
I am presently using Virgin Mobile (a la carte), and believe me, they are crooks. In 3 years time I had no less than 5 changes or increased of rates. I was with A.T&T before which became Roger. The same type of bastards… Now Quebec govt. is going to legislate on all those rip-off. Change of rates, penalties etc… Isn t time you get your respective Provincial Govt. to join in the revolt.
Next we have to hit the petroleum company before they choke us to death.
And by the way, I m in my late sixties, I have seen things,
Giles