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Apple-Rogers falling out: A story too good to be true?

apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com — Daniel Smith, a Canadian sales and marketing consultant with an eclectic blog called Smithereens, posted on Saturday what he called “a very plausible rumour” about the launch at of Apple’s iPhone 3G on the Rogers Communications network.

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  • purelithium, on 07/07/2008, -4/+42This could just be clever misinformation on the part of both Apple and Rogers hopefully creating a seeming supply shortage, hopefully increasing demand to the end of countering the bad press over the past weeks.

    Or it could just be us canadians getting ***** dry even worse than we were before...

    What do you guys think?
    • soupdawg30, on 07/08/2008, -9/+7I think Apple is not to happy with Rogers so therefore will not help them screw over more customers.
    • steveiskfc, on 07/08/2008, -1/+19I think Apple is pissed at Rogers, but can't do that much to change how Rogers is doing business. If Apple reduced iPhone shipments to Canada, it makes a point, but hurts Apple in the process.

      I think Google and Apple should just merge, and buy out all the Canadian telecom companies and fire their execs!
      • worminater, on 07/08/2008, -2/+6Why is reducing shipments to rogers hurting them? There will not be a shortage of iphones; the crappier plans will simply cause less people to buy the phone; so rogers will need less stock.

        But somehow normal business practice turns into "Apple fighting for their customers.." which is frankly bullcrap. If apple cared about their customers they'd sell the phone without vendor lockins.
      • utnow, on 07/08/2008, -1/+1They do (or at least intend to) sell the phone without vendor lockins. You just have to pay $800 for it since Apple doesn't get their subsidy monies. Would you rather pay a small fee plus service over 2-3 years? Or a huge fee one time? It's up to you
    • ryleyleckie, on 07/08/2008, -3/+5i think canadians have already waited a year for the iphone and that rogers is basically pissing on their customers with their current data offer. i used to work for rogers and i know for a fact that they offer UNLIMITED DATA for $50 on some of their corporate plans. $115 for 2 GB is an absolute disgrace to the wireless industry as a whole.
      • jparkinson, on 07/08/2008, -2/+4That is BS. I work for a Fortune 500 company in Canada, in their IT dept (using Rogers solely for our cell and Blackberry services) and I can tell you there is NO unlimited plan for corporate buyers. We are forced to spend thousands of dollars per month for our blackberry bills from Rogers.

        Stop spreading lies.
      • ryleyleckie, on 07/08/2008, -1/+2@jparkinson - it's no lie. each corporate contract is negotiated on a case by case basis. I meant $50 unlimited data for each individual line on the corporate account, not for the company as a whole, douche.
      • steveiskfc, on 07/08/2008, -1/+2I like the Twitteresque @ reply
      • ThinkBox, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2@ steveiskfc

        Twitter didnt start that... not by a long shot
      • Giga, on 07/09/2008, -0/+0"$115 for 2 GB is an absolute disgrace to the wireless industry as a whole."

        It's better than the $250 for 1GB we get here in NZ...
    • banmaster, on 07/08/2008, -1/+4You guys actually think that Apple gaves a damn about how Rogers operates?
      Of course they don't, just look at their past dealings with AT&T for proof of their screw-our-customers mindset and how the new iPhone is significantly more expensive to own compared to the original and you'll quickly see that all Apple cares about it making money.
      Rogers is *****, but Apple couldn't really care less.
      • nogami, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1What they SHOULD be doing then is telling-off Rogers and selling unlocked iPhones in Canada through the Apple retail stores at a reasonable price. If there's little to no incentive to sign a 3 year contract, it would give customers more choice about their phones.
    • AndrewWiggin, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1I think there is no way Apple is punishing Rogers or even making a point. If anything, they are merely readjusting their supply and demand shipments. Billion dollar corporations don't punish other companies, especially not by giving them LESS SUPPLY.
  • hayato75, on 07/07/2008, -9/+4http://digg.com/apple/Apple_Flips_Rogers_the_Bird_ ...
  • Abatrour, on 07/07/2008, -6/+14The only way we're going to get cheaper plans and to stop getting screwed over by the telco's is by passing bill C-555
    Please sign this petition and contact your MP demanding that they support bill C-555.

    http://www.davidmcguinty.com/english/Take_Action/P ...
    • misteral, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3Signing petitions won't do jack. Do not buy the iphone. Not this friday, not Saturday, not when they come back in stock after "selling out". Not until Rogers lowers data plans.
      • Abatrour, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1This isn't the ruinediphone petition. This is a petition to get a Bill passed. Two completely different things.
        And if the bill gets passed it WILL help lower prices and stop telecoms from locking their phones.
      • Giga, on 07/09/2008, -0/+0It doesn't matter what the petition is for. Online petitions don't work.
  • joeyignorant, on 07/08/2008, -5/+3they should also add a rate control provision to the bill to bring canada inline witht he rest of the world to prevent things like what is happening with the rogers iphone dispute from happening in the future
  • soupdawg30, on 07/08/2008, -7/+2***** has hit the fan.
    • Darkyuubi, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1and hopefully something will come out of it. Although I doubt it
  • batmanz, on 07/08/2008, -9/+3I can't believe Apple would "punish" Rogers for their plan by sending less iPhones. Apple is out for money, they would only be upset if the Rogers deal reflects poorly on Apple.
    • terminalpariah, on 07/08/2008, -0/+3Very true. As much as we want to assume that Apple is on our side, their loyalty is to their shareholders. If they were looking out for consumers, the iPhone would be sold unlocked.
  • artificialgrey, on 07/08/2008, -20/+1Isn't there a Canadian version of Digg where all the Canadian Apple fanbois can go to bitch about their lack of phone carriers? Getting sick of seeing this on the front page everyday.
    • jmreid, on 07/08/2008, -1/+11The internet is international. I'm sure there are some people out there who are sick of the US election coverage and the political stories.
      • Akraz, on 07/08/2008, -0/+5Thats why I set my filters to hide all that stuff. I havent read a US elections article since november.
      • jmreid, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Agreed. Maybe I shouldn't have been so specific. Almost everything on Digg is US centric.
    • adamriggins, on 07/08/2008, -2/+4here's an idea- instead of bitching, go to your settings and uncheck "Apple". Voila, you won't have to see these stories anymore!
  • superkendall, on 07/08/2008, -7/+4There is I think something to these rumors, though the diversion to Europe is more likley a response to off-the-hook demand there (http://digg.com/apple/UK_websites_swamped_before_F ... and needing more phones rather than Apple punishing Rodgers. Rodgers, with the incredibly high pricing they have, is basically punishing itself enough by reducing demand. I'm really, really happy with my iPhone but I would be very reluctant to purchase one without an unlimited data plan.
  • terminalpariah, on 07/08/2008, -3/+9Apple stores in UK, Japan, Italy and Australia are also NOT selling the iPhone. They're also the only other countries to even have Apple stores. This "Apple hates Rogers" story has been fishy since day one.
  • tilttv, on 07/08/2008, -8/+2Not only a falling out between Apple and Rogers, but even Rogers Wireless outlets aren't that happy. I spoke with one Rogers Wireless employee this morning on the phone and he said that they wanted to open their stores earlier on Friday but parent company ROGERS SAID NO! I'm stuck with a 10:00 a.m. opening - can you believe this? Silly question - of course you can - it's Rogers.

    Why wouldn't they allow their stores who WANT TO OPEN EARLIER to do so? What's the message being sent to customers?
  • Akraz, on 07/08/2008, -4/+3I hope the big guys up at Rogers' notice what is happening. You can't tell me their BLIND... but then again, it is Rogers'... absolutely atrocious how out-of-hand and the customer care (lack thereof) has gotten to become as of late. I am ashamed to even be a rogers' customer, but I will never go to the worse competition again.. Bell.
  • anujah, on 07/08/2008, -3/+22"I have seen a number of signs that indicate in the coming months, Canadians will have the option to get cheaper iPhone plans from Bell and/or Telus. For those who are unaware the iPhone currently uses GSM technology which limit the Canadian carrier to one company Rogers, but Bell/Telus could carry the iPhone if a CMDA version was made. And I believe that Apple will indeed be releasing a CDMA iPhone in the next couple months.

    One sign indicating a CDMA iPhone 3G is Apple’s carrier listing for Jamaica which is MiPhone, Jamaica’s exclusive CDMA carrier. Although MiPhone could be switching to GSM, there is a better chance that Apple is producing a CDMA iPhone 3G because it is much cheaper to do than a carrier switching to GSM.

    Secondly, Rogers doesn’t have exclusivity for the iPhone in Canada. Apple likely chose to allow Rogers to carry the iPhone ahead of a CMDA version because they wanted to make the phone available to Canadian consumers on the same day as most of the world and a CDMA phone wouldn’t be ready by that date. It also backs up claims that Apple is sanctioning Rogers with stock and their deal prohibits Rogers from advertising the iPhone for a couple of months post-release. Apple probably didn’t realize how “well” Rogers would price the plans and by now it’s way to late to do anything.

    Bell and Telus have decent data plan pricing in comparison to Rogers, but they still aren’t anything compared to certain European carriers and the US. But by allowing more companies to sell the iPhone in Canada, atleast the competition will drop prices."
    • xero9, on 07/08/2008, -0/+3Don't count on it.. Taken from GSM World:

      Jamaica

      Oceanic Digital Jamaica Limited (Claro Jamaica) - Network Information

      Operator Name: Oceanic Digital Jamaica Limited
      Network Name: Claro Jamaica
      Technology: GSM 850
      Network Status: Planned June 2008
      Web Site: www.miphone.com
    • aristotle0dude, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Please. Apple would not want to soil their reputation for products that "just work" with a device that stopped working as soon as you left your country.
  • yakk00, on 07/08/2008, -2/+2I'm calling BS on this. I think this has more to do with Apple seeing that demand has plumeted, than punishing them for their fees. You think Apple gives a crap? They have already made their money on the sale of the phone.
  • superkendall, on 07/08/2008, -1/+2UK and Japanese Apple stores are not selling phones either. I don't think there's much basis to this rumor.
  • WilliamAdama, on 07/08/2008, -1/+3I love how CNN makes a copy and paste article of other articles and then CNN gets all the views...

    btw i don't really love how they do that, I think it's disgusting.
    • Temo1, on 07/08/2008, -1/+3Actually, CNN is bringing into question the integrity of the blogger who first opened this story.
      • smithereensblog, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2I don't think Philip questioned my integrity at all in his post, actually. He questioned the validity of the information, sure, but that is par for the course with any Apple rumour. Philip was just doing his due diligence as a journalist by covering his bases. In fact, he mentioned in an email to me today that the story on Appleinsider about Apple stores not carrying the iPhone on Friday seems to corroborate my story.
  • wilsondus, on 07/08/2008, -0/+5I really wish Apple would just open this thing up already so we can pick our own carriers... even if I wanted to pay for AT&T here (in the US) I'd be roaming... we don't have it where I live... yes you may get service, but you won't get as good of service as the local carriers. Also, I read that if you spend too much time on roaming, the company will cut you off anyway, then I'm screwed unless I'm going to hack my phone to work on another network... I shouldn't have to resort to that. Apple would make everyone happy and would sell much more of their product if they would just open it up world-wide so you can buy it from them and choose your own service.
  • Mr_Lyle, on 07/08/2008, -1/+8Ya know, I'm wondering how many people will read this 10-20 per store ***** and run out and buy them despite the outrageous plan prices. They'll be sold out everywhere and then Rogers will come out with a statement basically saying 'See? iPhone's sold out everywhere. People don't have a problem with prices'.

    Don't buy these ***** things! Don't be the douche who's part of the problem rather than the solution because you wanna show off to your friends and walk around all cool. If you do, you'll be no better than the ***** in the picture with the 5 green propped up collars. Don't be that guy! Your life won't end if you go another couple of months without an iPhone. Teach these ***** a lesson they won't soon forget. We're not gonna bend over and let you drywall us like some bitch and tell you how much we love it.
  • Dipster, on 07/08/2008, -3/+2What the heck is that picture supposed to show? Does Rodgers abduct women or something?
  • everfresh59, on 07/08/2008, -5/+12ROGERS AND FIDO ARE A BUNCH ***** OLD FARTS TRYING TO BANK ON GREAT TECHNOLOGY... SUCK MY NADS CANADIAN TELECOM COMPANIES, SUCK MY BIG FAT NADS!!! GO HABS GO......
    • rajputwarrior, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1best post ever... go habs go!!!
  • Temo1, on 07/08/2008, -2/+7I wonder how many people actually read the article. CNN basically called into question whether or not any part of the Apple-hates-Rogers story is real at all.
  • osok, on 07/08/2008, -2/+5I went into several rogers stores (victoria bc) today asking for information on the iphone, pricing plans etc. After a few minuites i would ask the sales persons for their perspective on the negative publicity.
    the answer i got for each one was no less than scripted.
    "rogers had no choice on the pricing of the plans for the iphone, due to restrictions placed on them by Apple"

    sounds like rogers has already found a way to spin the blame onto apple.

    phoned a friend in Kelowna B.C, and had him check there.. same script..
    • aristotle0dude, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Guess what? They had that same script "before" the details of the plans were released. I went around to the Fido and Rogers stores in Victoria, BC and they said that Apple had forced Rogers and Fido to provide lower priced plans with more data. You just feel pissed because you bought into the rumours about us getting unlimited data.

      Come on, did you really expect the paradigm shift to include unlimited data in Canada? Please.
    • JC-Sharp, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1I work at one of those rogers, I don't know who would have talked to but that sure as hell ain't the answer I would have given. And fyi, we have been given no scripts on the plans. I think they are decent and will be getting one myself, my boss on the other hand doesn't like them at all.

      But hey you're just like one of those people who come in to argue about the plans, moaning about how England is doing this, or America is doing that.

      I had a lady actually say "They are selling it in New Zealand unlocked and without a contract." Which we all know is BS. So I told her she can go buy it in New Zealand then.

      As I have told everyone who comes in bitching to me about the plans (which is something I have no control over, thus don't care about), that if you don't like the plans, don't buy the damn thing. Speak with your wallet, not to people who have no impact on the plans.
  • aristotle0dude, on 07/08/2008, -2/+4Rogers had their phones the week of the announcement. This is pure fiction created by bloggers and people from other companies.

    Apple must have been fully aware of the plans and prices and I believe that what we see is the result of some intensive negotiations to get Rogers to lower their prices and offer high caps than what they were offering with Blackberry plans.

    Are you people so naive to believe that Apple was unaware of the plans of so many of their partners? Weren't some of you whining about Swedish, Norwegian and Danish pricing? Stop living in a dream world and face the facts that most devices prior to the iPhone were either WAP internet or were somehow tied into the service providers download service while the iPhone offers real internet, internet enabled apps and the iTunes store instead of the providers store.

    Because of this game changing shift away from telcos toward handset makers, you can expect that the telcos would try to charge a bit more that you were expecting to offset lost revenue from the ringtone sales.
    • HappyScrappy, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Rogers did not have their phones the week of announcement. I can guarantee you that. If the phone was ready to ship to Rogers at that time, they would have started selling it at that time.
  • moixa, on 07/08/2008, -3/+4US Telecom's should take this opportunity to expand up North and to break Rogers' monopoly
  • aseideman, on 07/08/2008, -4/+2Don't you just love the power of social media? Hell yeah!
  • erydan, on 07/08/2008, -1/+1“a very plausible rumour” ya right. Anyone who thinks that Apple didn't know exactly what Rogers was going to charge and didn't sign off on it either doesn't know what they are talking about or is very naive. No doubt phones are being diverted and probably temp workers are being laid off due to all the bad plubicity but to think Apple is not complicit in this is dumb.
  • neocitron, on 07/08/2008, -3/+3Don't buy the Roger's iPhone...

    It will probably have a damn Rogers stamp on the back of it ruin it anyways....

    Wait till they learn their lesson, or Apple allows another carrier (CDMA?, Telus?) to carry it.

    Hell, Apple, just come in and start up your own carrier in Canada... we don't have a huge population anyway.
    • aristotle0dude, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Yeah, I can just imagine that. Suzy gets her daddy to buy her and iPhone from Telus and then she decides to go off on a Euro trip with her friends for the summer. Poor Suzy discovers that her expensive iPhone does not work in Europe because they use GSM over there and so her daddy hires a lawyer to sue Apple.

      Forgetting that Telus is CDMA, can you honestly tell us that they offer a batter data+voice plan for "less money"? You can't can you. That's because it does not exist.
  • jo21, on 07/08/2008, -4/+3simply don't buy an iphone,
    there are better phones like nokia tube and htc touch diamond.
  • locojones, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1If this were true, and I were in charge of Roger's legal department, I'd already have my paperwork filed to sue Apple's ass for breach of contract. That would be sweet justice.
  • HappyScrappy, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1The parties don't have to get along, that's what contracts are for.

    As to each store only getting 10-20, why don't you wait and see how many non-Rogers stores get. There may just be a first day shortage.
  • ButlerMonkey, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1It's one thing to bash Rogers, it's expected and with reason. But why is no one looking at Apple and asking them any questions. Its as if people think Apple handed Rogers the iPhone and that was it. Do people really think Apple didn't have any say in what plans would be like for it or what types of service Rogers would bundle with it? Now Apple acts as if they are shocked and make seem like Rogers is taking advantage of the situation.

    Guess what they are and they will. Why? Because Canadians have been wetting their pants over this thing, people act as if we have finally been blessed with the right to get their hands on this thing, well at least from a retail store. Apple and Rogers know this. Also consider the fact that Canada has to be one of the few countries with only one option for a GSM provider - and Rogers knows this.

    I'm actually surprised that people are actually not willing to do whatever it takes to get an Apple product, for the first time maybe?
  • mikephimikephi, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1There are so many ***** rumors about a non-existent Rogers/Apple conflict.

    The fact is Apple NEVER intended to sell iPhones in Canada through its own retail outlets, and this is the case in a multitude of other countries where Apple Stores will have display models, but consumers will only be able to purchase the phone through a carrier.

    Also, the rerouting of shipments is utter make-believe. This rumor is being spread by the same kind of people who think online petitions have any impact in the real world.
  • grant1080, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1The launch will go on as planned, at Rogers and Fido stores. Apple Canada was never going to sell the phone in Apple Stores. The shortage rumor was denied by Liz Hamilton @ Rogers.
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