macnn
04/30/2008, 4:45pm, EDT
Wednesday, April 30th
Rogers to offer 200MB iPhone data limit?
Rogers Communications recently unveiled plans for a Canadian iPhone release, and while official details are scarce, RBC analyst Jonathan Allan predicts the plan will include a "virtually unlimited" data portion of 100 to 200MB per month. According to the National Post, Rogers would offer consumers 250 to 500 anytime minutes, as well as unlimited evenings and weekends after 9PM. Allen suggested the data plan could run for $35 per month, while the phone plan itself would range between $80 and $100.
Allen says that Rogers would likely charge $400 for the 8GB version, with a three-year contract to cover the costs of Apple's commission on plans.
"In our opinion, distribution is a key consideration for Apple’s market growth strategy... and Apple would be more comfortable entrusting Rogers, which has the most proprietary stores and subscribers in Canada, with a lengthy deal," said Allen in a note to clients.
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o rly?
I currently have a $7 unlimited on-device browsing plan. I pay $50-$55 per month for this, my voice plan, and unlimited incoming texts. There's no way I'd switch to the iPhone plan if (more likely when) I get an iPhone.
$4,540-$5,260 an iPhone?
Think of all the sales Apple may miss from 'the rest of us' who might buy the device for it's convergence ie camera, ipod, database, wifi - but that may be perfectly happy using $10-$20 a month of minimal cell service... It would seem in the end a convergence device with a phone feature
You've Been Rick-Rolled!
I think this whole deal seems shady. With the wireless auction coming up in a month, is it sensible for Apple to lock themselves to a company that's voiced sentiment that they have no intention of putting forth an unlimited data plan. 200 MB for $35 is insane! Don't they have a $1GB plan for $65? The dollars don't add up to the gigabytes.A big reason the $7 deal exists is to test the usage of customers, and see the popularity of the plan. The Unlimited Browsing plan doesn't let you use Google Maps, and potential 3rd Party apps that the AppStore will be putting out. Can you imagine what the addition of GPS would do to you wallet? Not to mention IM, YouTube, e-mail, yada yada... I don't think anyone wants to be the $85, 000 man: http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/285406I would really like to see Rogers get their bearings together and make data usable in Canada. It makes no sense for them to put out a phone that's been a sea change, has everything you need and want and then lock it to a nothing plan.Would love to hear that the news about Ted Rogers' statement was all a lie, and AT
Not good enough
This is ridiculous. I've owned an iPhone here in Canada for nearly 6 months without a data plan. Currently, i'm spending roughly $25/month on a base level voice plan with Fido, which is more minutes than I need. I would pay double that just to get unlimited data. But triple or quadruple as this report suggests? And with a 3-year contract no less? Rogers can forget it. If this is what they charge for the iPhone plan, then I hope they sell poorly. Rogers needs to get the idea that just because they run a monopoly doesn't mean they can charge 2004's prices indefinitely. Especially when our friends to the south can get voice and unlimited data for roughly $40/month.
No way!!
I have had my iPhone since October 2007. I have been on a 3-Month-Unlimitted data plan on Rogers since February 27th, 2007. I have been averaging 250-300MB per month for the past 2 months. And that's on Edge! 3G will be faster and people will be able to download a lot more. There's no way they can cap it at 200MB!!
ouch
if this is true then it sucks to be Canadian eh?
ah hah
An "analyst" said? Well that must mean it's true! I mean they have NEVER been wrong in the past.With all the comments "analysts" have made in the last year regarding the iPhone in canada, (in particular), I have started thinking the exact opposite of what they "claim' will happen.Oh well, they sure make good fodder for the "news" anyway.
surprised
if Apple would agree to such week plans. The iphone is all about surfing, email etc... without unlimited it looses a lot of its appeal. Take it from me, I am a huge Apple fan but I think I'm getting a Blackberry curve with unlimited email for 15/month...