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See the original image at theglobeandmail.com

The iPhone's cross-border price clash

theglobeandmail.com — "The summer launch of the iPhone in Canada was supposed to be a time for Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. to celebrate. Instead, the company with exclusive rights to the hottest new tech gadget finds itself on the defensive, stung by public criticism over pricing."

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  • zanderscoffee, on 07/03/2008, -3/+13Was considering paying the termination fee on my current Bell contract before I discovered the iPhone pricing. Guess I'll be sticking with Bell, a little less evil than Rogers.
    • fudged71, on 07/04/2008, -1/+3Same boat for me. Just got the LG shine, and an iTouch. These prices aren't making me jealous of future iPhone users. Not one bit.
    • LOCK3D, on 07/04/2008, -1/+6Bell just announced they will be offerring a deal for the Samsung Instinct with unlimited data and a small voice package (100wd mins +1000 evs/wknds) for around $40/month. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM ...

      I'm currently with Rogers (and have been for over a decade), but if they don't bring out a reasonably priced unlimited data package, I'm switching to Bell. The Instinct looks like it's a decent iPhone substitute. I'd rather get an iPhone, but not for the rates Rogers is charging. They're insane.
      • tiuk, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1I was with Rogers for nearly 6 years, and was perfectly willing to sign my soul away for three more for the iPhone. After seeing the plan prices, I'm jumping ship, probably to Bell. ***** Rogers.
    • Abatrour, on 07/05/2008, -1/+4I was with Bell, what hell that was. Screwed me over with everything. I eventually got a few months free which i just saved for the termination fee. It was gay, even though they gave me a few months "free", I still had to pay the service access fee.... doesn't sound that free to me..

      I just ordered the Neo Freerunner to use on the Rogers network, hopefully all this stuff about the iphone rates will force Rogers to change their pricing.
      • Sonique99, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1sigh i got another two years on my bell contract.
        why did it have to be CDMA?
    • Inspiron700m, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2Global TV in BC did a news segment on Rogers vs AT&T...they did a decent job of expressing how Rogers is going to pretty much rape all Canadians with their price plans:

      http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/iphone-news/global-tv ...
    • themastersb, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1Not the word "Little" less evil.
  • andreinvictoria, on 07/03/2008, -2/+26From deep within the cockles of my heart ***** YOU ROGERS!
    • krwlngindark, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1dugg for cockles
    • DesdinovaEL, on 07/05/2008, -1/+1What is a cockle? Do I have them in my heart too?
      -abc
  • shade45, on 07/03/2008, -3/+37***** Rogers!
  • p1eiades, on 07/03/2008, -2/+2I guess I'll have to wait until the new 4th carrier comes out.
  • kontact, on 07/03/2008, -2/+43"The company says it stands behind its pricing plans, which have been developed based on how the company thinks its customers will use the device."

    Really? You know what consumers want? You're saying your defense against consumers wanting unlimited data is that consumers don't want unlimited data? Bullet Proof.
    • iChopPryde, on 07/04/2008, -0/+4haha man Rogers is soooo dumb!
    • Yage2006, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4Ya consumers want ***** data plans that render it almost useless except for checking email.


    • alpha88, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4Yeah you know, I thought I wanted unlimited data, then when they showed me the pricing plans I was like "You know, I don't reall nee..." No I still want unlimited data who am I kidding.
    • PopcornDave, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1Actually the company stands behind its pricing plans, which have been developed based on how the company thinks its shareholders will react to the profit margins.
  • iChopPryde, on 07/04/2008, -9/+4***** YOU ROGERS!

    AND YOU TO FIDO FOR SELLING OUT TO ROGERS!
  • brendanryder, on 07/04/2008, -5/+15ruinediphone.com bitches!!!!!!!!!!
    sign it
    and dont buy an iPhone till they lower the prices!!!!
  • TYEZ, on 07/05/2008, -8/+2I'll just buy the iphone in the US then just put in my Rogers SIM card and use it that way. Hey Wifi is almost everywhere.
    They'll never get that much money out of me.
    • blackhappy, on 07/05/2008, -1/+7Won't the phone be locked to AT&T?
  • steveoco, on 07/05/2008, -9/+4Digg me down for not being trendy but I am not even going to buy one. They are strait up overkill for what I need to do (Call, SMS) at that price.
    • Gutterpunk, on 07/05/2008, -3/+1boooo boooo

      Stone this man to death!
  • HumanRecalled, on 07/05/2008, -8/+2@Rogers has outflanked its rivals, Bell Mobility Inc. and Telus Corp., by bringing the newest technology to market first and by canny investments in network upgrades. It's not going to give away the farm to satisfy some Apple diehards, he said


    Thats only out of mere fluke out by having a GSM network !!! If it wasn't for that and Bell and Telus had GSM instead of CDMA they would be having it as well !! I ***** blame Steve piece of ***** jobs for not creating a open or Duel network Phone !! Would it have been to hard to make a CDMA IPHONE for CANADA !!! !! Yeah real innovation Apple when the iphone make you have to go with a network and company that rips you off and has virtually no competition liek At & T and ROBBERS !! !!!!!
    • superkendall, on 07/05/2008, -2/+8Get with the program, the whole world uses GSM. It makes way more sense to move everyone finally over to GSM rather than continue North Americas flirtation with CDMA.
      • HumanRecalled, on 07/05/2008, -2/+2Well excuse me but 3 networks in Canada and off shoot companys use CDMA !!

        Fido is only in Greater Central Canada and Toronto not Eastern Canada

        So ***** you !!! I guess being GSM hasn't helped only greedy cut throat company !!

    • djbon2112, on 07/05/2008, -1/+4Bad grammar, bad spelling, bad punctuation, but a good point. Is there any reason that a phone with the capability to join almost every network type in the book is lucked to one type of wireless carrier (GSM instead of CDMA)?
  • Yage2006, on 07/05/2008, -10/+5Get a blackberry from TELUS instead and ***** ROGER's And APPLE.
    • alpha88, on 07/05/2008, -1/+10Not Apple's fault. I'd rather just ***** rogers.
  • drb789, on 07/05/2008, -0/+8Why is everybody surprised? This is Rogers - they have never given a ***** about the consumer. Keep buying up smaller providers and end up with a monopoly.
  • tjex, on 07/05/2008, -0/+7No iPhone for me.. They are just shooting themselves in the foot.

    Rogers is GREEDY!!

    There are rumors that Telus will build a GSM network in Vancouver in time for the 2010 Olympics. With time, hopefully they will make it Canada wide. We can only hope.

    • djbon2112, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2I agree. I love Telus. They haven't tried to ***** me like both Bell and Rogers have. A dual-network Telus would rock!
    • Blax, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4Telus has ***** me already, so I'm not about to switch. But with the prospect of an opponent in the GSM arena, it will drive Rogers' insane prices down, which is good for me. Go Telus!
    • GregR, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3With Shaw cable I have a decent amount of data and if I go over then I get a call warning me but I don't get hit with crazy overage charges! I suppose if you persisted that would be the case but if the plans for the iPhone worked on a similar principle then most people would be happy to pay the $60 (or whatever) fee and Rogers would have gained a lot of points and new customers - I would have gone back - but as it is, all they've done is anger a great number of people that will now go elsewhere.

      I wish I wasn't working on the 11th so I could stand if front of the local Rogers store with a placard telling iPhone users to boycott Rogers until they get some reasonable plans. While they are at it, put the 'system access fee' into the price of the service where it belongs and don't try and make it look like a regulated charge.
  • chubbybubba, on 07/05/2008, -9/+2If you don't like rogers then don't buy their plan! All this sissy ass whining has got to stop. Bandwidth cost money and if a company wants to have you pay for it's use then you do or you don't. It's your own Damn Choice. If you can't afford to have an Iphone, then don't buy one. All your whining just makes me want to vomit in aluminum foil and eat it. (Oh, and while I'm at it... its called Ham not bacon.)
    • diggity_dank, on 07/05/2008, -1/+3If bandwidth is so precious why can AT&T offer unlimited access for $30? Your aluminum foil comment is just weird and your little dig at Canada is just plain wrong: We call bacon "bacon" and ham "ham" I assure you.
  • mwillems, on 07/05/2008, -3/+2It is no surprise that people (like me) call Rogers "Rogersatan". But the real criminals are the government, that stop competition and allow this outrage.
    Michael
  • mgbdeftones, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4"We take customer feedback very seriously," said Liz Hamilton, a Rogers spokeswoman.
    VS
    The company says it stands behind its pricing plans.

    Talk is cheap.
    • jwdav, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2Not on a Rogers cellphone apparently ...
  • jasepower, on 07/05/2008, -0/+16Dear Rogers,

    You suck.

    Signed Canada
  • satanatnmtedu, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4The quesiton is, how common are Rogers WiFi hotspots?
    • ryleyleckie, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3i think i saw one once, that's it though.
    • GregR, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2http://www.canadianhotspot.ca/advancedsearch.php

      Put in the info for your area and have a look.
    • unleashedlive, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3I've never seen one in my life.
    • diggity_dank, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2Another thing to keep in mind is that you will need to log into the Rogers/Fido hotspots every time you want to access. So if you live or work within range of one, as soon as you time out you will have to go back to the hotspot log in page, enter your phone number to re-establish connection. It is a pain in the ass. Believe me I tried it.

      You will not just auto connect every time you walk past a Second Cup or Starbucks.
      • jwdav, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2And every time it disconnects from the WiFi, it will automatically connect via Edge/3G. Hopefully, you will notice ...

        Looks like I'm covered in Vancouver, as there are two hotspots listed.
  • bella2k, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4Although I am a current Roger's company, I'm not impressed with them, and their lack of professionalism. Take a look at their company's website for example. Logging in can sometimes take up to 3 minutes. Clicking on some links to view your account or your usage statistics can take you to an entirely different part of the website. You have to repeatedly re-login if you want to view your current bill, or even look at the different wireless packages offered, and you are more than likely to end up with a 404 error or a dead end than on any other "hip and up to date" website *cough* I've ever visited. Online "self service" is a joke- their drop-down boxes are all blacked out and menus nonexistent. I guess they don't WANT you to be able to really do anything yourself, but at least they can "advertise" that they offer it, even if it doesn't work right.
  • phogasmic, on 07/05/2008, -3/+2damn.. Canada Mobile Service sucks. I'm not so sure I want to move there anymore.
  • mikesown, on 07/05/2008, -1/+2I think people should consider the situation a company is in. I'm in no position to judge wireless networks in Canada, but the population density may be significantly different. I'm by no means saying Rogers can't afford to drop the price, but I just think that people should consider the fact that maybe Rogers gets less revenue than AT&T per installed tower.
    • drb789, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3Take a look at their coverage maps. If you don't live in a dense population area .... no service. Five miles off a main highway in northern Ontario with no towns around .... no service

      They only cover areas they can make money.
    • diggity_dank, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2Rogers has 1/10th the customers as AT&T and earn 1/3 of the revenue so that myth is officially busted.

      90% of the canadian population is concentrated along the US border and 81% are in urban centers, so it's actually pretty easy to cover most of the population with cell towers in Canada.
  • alpha88, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4Wow they just don't get it do they?

    Based their pricing plans off how they think their users will use the device? My ass. I would have used unlimited data! Assholes.
  • markalex, on 07/05/2008, -0/+5Bottom line,
    As this article proves again, Rogers does not give ***** about it's customers. The Rogers representative in this article openly congratulates the companies efforts at screwing people for every penny they are worth. If that is the culture and attitude of Roger's, nothing but severe drop in share prices will cause them to do anything. Signing a petition, as mentioned in the article, isn't even going to cause Rogers to stop and think. Hit them where it hurts.

    Boycott iphone purchases or only buy unlocked versions from the states (as people have been doing for the last year).

    As far as I am concerned, the iphone has yet to come to Canada and on july 11, that fact will not change.
  • cparsons, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4After seeing these iphone contract details I'll be looking into a 1 year contract with the Samsung Instinct from Bell which will include unlimited data rates. Though I'm still a little sad, I really wanted an iphone :( Wait another couple years for more mobile companies to build their infrastructure for the new airwave bands they bought during the recent auction. Trust me, we will get our revenge on Rogers.
  • Danzinger, on 07/05/2008, -0/+6I was never going to get an iPhone anyway, but I just love how this event has put the spotlight on how much Rogers sucks.

    Lets hope Canada's wireless problem is fixed by the time Android comes out..
    • Gutterpunk, on 07/05/2008, -2/+2"by the time Android comes out"?

      They will be on iPhone 18g by then. (or whatever protocol in the year ***** FAR AWAY!)
  • WhoDoneIt, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2I think Rogers has also capped the amount of runs the Blue Jays are allowed to have in the Rogers Centre each month.

    ***** you, Rogers.
  • Rapter09, on 07/05/2008, -0/+4"Rogers also scoffs at criticism that it has a monopoly on the iPhone. The company has built its network on a technology that has made it the only carrier in Canada capable of running the phone. "That's no accident," Ms. Hamilton said. "It was a visionary move.""

    It's not a visionary move when nobody uses your service, you hacks.
  • JasonCox, on 07/05/2008, -3/+3Canadians, I'm going to be honest here. If you're going to buy the iPhone from Rogers anyway regardless of the price than just shut the frak up you tools.
    • markalex, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1This is true. Make sure you back your words up with your wallets and don't rush out to purchase the iphone. Otherwise, rogers is just going to laugh in your faces.
  • celotil, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3I know the topic is Rogers in Canada, but I'm going to chip in with this from Australia. Vodafone aren't posting rates on their site yet but Optus are, and Optus aren't giving anyone unlimited data either. There's two choices, pre-paid and post-paid, and although post-paid is the better priced option, it still sucks.

    Here is where Optus becomes relevant to the discussion - Rogers is offering BETTER data plans than Optus.

    Don't believe me? Here is the Roger's page I reached (choosing location as Quebec randomly) - http://www.rogers.com/web/content/wireless-product ... - and here is the post-paid prices at Optus - http://www.optusiphone.com.au/getdoc/3727f208-955d ... .

    If I do buy an iPhone, it will be purchased outright or not at all.
    • jwdav, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2First up, I have no idea about hidden charges in Australia, but with Rogers the least you will pay them for the basic plan is:
      $60 Basic
      $8.50 (Access Fee & 911)
      $15.00 (Call Display)
      2 Taxes ~13%
      or roughly $90.00

      Then, unlike Australian minutes, unused Rogers minutes do not roll over.
      On the standard plans, there is nothing to match your:
      MyTime (free 5 minute calls to buddies)
      Free Texts
      Yes Time (free 20 minute calls to other GSM users)
      No Roll Back options
      No International Call Options

      We get:
      150 Local Minutes
      Free Evenings/Wkends starting at 9PM (aka Unlimited Drunk Dialing)
      75 Text Messages
      400MB Data

      We pay:
      $30 for 60MB after that
      Long Distance at $.35/min
      Over 150 minutes at $.35/min

      Back to the AT&T plans, it would cost about $250 to take the basic Rogers plan and use services equivalent to AT&T's basic plan each month.
      • diggity_dank, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3Don't forget that Rogers is 3 year contract, Optus is 2.
  • originaldna, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3***** ROGERS!!! not for the iphone, for their data plan.
  • fudged71, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3over 9000 on my petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/iPhone99/petition.ht ...
  • macmangb, on 07/05/2008, -3/+1In comparison to the US, Canadians are getting a bit of a raw deal, but at the end of the day you are getting a iPhone for $299 thanks to Apple dropping the price. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth!
    • jwdav, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1The cost of the iPhone is less than 5% of the cost of the 36 month contract - unless you require call display and purchase extra minutes and long distance or extra data or texts, in which case it's even less of an issue.
    • macmangb, on 07/05/2008, -1/+1Also it's still cheaper than all the other 'smart' phones out there.
  • macmangb, on 07/05/2008, -1/+1ignore
  • pixelsoup, on 07/05/2008, -3/+2Canadians PLEASE quit comparing 3G plans with the United States. Canada is not the US. Every Canadian I've met HATES being compared to or mistaken with Americans. Canadians should look at European and Australian pricing for 3G service. They're very similar. Limited downloads builds character. Something you Canadians have in abundance (hehe).
    • diggity_dank, on 07/05/2008, -0/+3Ok let's compare to England, our most similar political/cultural neighbor (other than US): $70 for unlimited data, 18 month contract, and 600 minutes. Strange... I'm still pissed at Rogers.
  • AndrewWiggin, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2Did anyone notice the asterisk on the graph? It indicates that "Peak-time Minutes" are "Average weekday working hours"! What a load of crap! 7am to 9pm is average working hours? 150 minutes per month would be reasonable if evenings start at 5pm and went until 9am.
  • jks15, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2I have to say, I am severely unimpressed with Rogers lack of ability to acknowledge the fact that their prices are significantly higher than those of the United States, and offer less quality. They don't seem to care that, come July 11th, when all the Rogers employees are eagerly awaiting a downpour of customers salivating at the thought of an iPhone, their store will be empty. The Rogers company is being a greedy ass monopolizing over-lord and think that they can get away with whatever the hell price they want because they are the only provider [not including Fido, which is owned by Rogers anyways] that can support 3G. I, for one, was more than ready to cancel my contract with Telus and switch over to a shiny new 3G iPhone. Now, I'm getting a pretty new LG model from Bell.
  • csantoni, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1Rogers = a Canadian wireless company.
    Roger's = something that belongs to Roger.
    Rogers' = something that belongs to the abovementioned Canadian wireless company.
  • acurrie, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1"The company has built its network on a technology that has made it the only carrier in Canada capable of running the phone. 'That's no accident,' Ms. Hamilton said. 'It was a visionary move."

    Thanks CRTC -- having a GSM monopoly in this country is MUCH better than letting T-Mobile buy up Fido :-/
  • macerroneous, on 07/05/2008, -0/+0As a US user (and bill-payer) of original iphone, I feel for you. I do have a few observations, though. Firstly, I consider myself a very heavy data user. I always run over 100 MB per month, and have never been able to top 200MB, despite deliberately trying. The reason I consider myself a heavy user is that I compare my bill to my wife's blackberry. She's constantly emailing for her real estate business, but rarely tops 50 MB. This speaks to the superior usability of the iphone browser. So, I think it will be very hard for you to exceed 400MB. ie, for all intents and purposes, 400MB IS unlimited. By the way, if you have wifi in your home or office, you can surf to your heart's content absolutely free. Many people don't seem to realize that when you have wifi coverage, it's as if the cell data radio is automatically switched off: You CAN'T use data minutes unless you switch wifi off manually.

    What does seem excessive is the charge for voice and text. Would you Canadians mind posting comparison with other Canadian smartphone plans? I mean, does Rogers charge the same rates for a 3G Blackberry plan? It would seem conspiratorial to me to learn that Rogers is favoring a Canadian manufacturer.

    Please post Rogers' rates for a 3G Blackberry plan.
  • xiambax, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1Although alot of canada has GSM coverage for most part. Mainly the less populated areas are CDMA and still present in full force. Here in Saskatchewan the GSM coverage offered by FIDO and ROGERS. SUCKS! I'm scared to fork out the cash and sign up for a three year contract for ***** service.
  • jpkunselman, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1That's why I'm proud to live in the United States of America!
    • shank2001, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1Idot, you are why people have stupid stereotypes of Americans!
  • bjmoose, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1From here in the states, in support of Canadians everywhere, ***** YOU ROGERS, you greedy bastards! Exclusivity is crap, stifles competition and screws the customer.
    • tux234, on 07/06/2008, -0/+0HERE HERE!!! I'm also disgusted with AT&T stateside. They also have a monopoly on the iPhone and are screwing us too. Down with Wireless Providers!! I wish that our governments would look into an anti-trust case with these guys and put them back from the hell-hole they came from
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