digital music/video
01/11/2007, 11:50am, EST
Thursday, January 11th
Rogers to offer Apple iPhone in Canada
Canadian cellular provider Rogers today said it intends to carry Apple's newly unveiled iPhone, according to company officials speaking with Web developer John Wiseman. While the company provided no specific release information for the Apple handset during Steve Jobs' MacWorld San Francisco keynote beyond the June release for Cingular subscribers in the U.S., the Canadian firm says it is already in the early planning stages to bring the device to its service, which is the largest GSM-based network in Canada. The phone will be available with either two- or three- year contracts -- potentially lowering the initial cost for long-term users versus the American two-year requirement -- but will also be linked to a data plan for the carrier's EDGE network. Rogers has not provided an official timeframe for the release of the iPhone in Canada, but the company has historically offered smartphones to Canadians between 6-8 months after the device is released in the U.S., placing an introduction roughly between late 2007 and early 2008. Versions for other major carriers such as Bell and Telus are unlikely in the foreseeable future given the lack of a CDMA equivalent, according to Electronista.
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Should be quoted as Ripp off data plans. Canada has some some of the most expensive data plans on the planet. I'm begging some of the larger American carriers to offer GSM service in Canada we need more competition
Although the likelihood of all or part of what he said to be true is quite high (Rogers is the only plausible GSM carrier up here), this should not be taken as an official confirmation as this or the Electronista article are making it out to be.
haven't a clue about deleted
If it *requires* a contract, how will we buy one through Apple Store online or brick and mortar? I'm still banking on a "buy full price, get a rebate when you sign up" approach.
"John Boynton, senior vice-president and chief marketing officer for Rogers Wireless, said the company doesn't announce a product until it's tested and the deals are signed.
"'But you can draw your own conclusions. It's a phone that works on the GSM network and I don't know of any other GSM networks in Canada,' Boynton said."