Rogers iPhone 3GS problems

Rogers has again encountered problems in its second iPhone launch, accounts say. At the Eaton Centre Apple Store in Toronto, customers have reported being unable to upgrade to the 3G S through normal methods if they are an existing iPhone customer. Rogers' special promotional pricing -- announced just yesterday -- is said to be so recent, it is not in the carrier's computer systems, requiring calls to customer support to confirm billing and eligibility. New activations have been unaffected, but existing iPhone owners are said to be waiting 30 to 40 minutes each to talk with Rogers.

A MacNN staffer has encountered a similar problem in Ottawa, where Rogers' retail systems will not register the existence of a previous iPhone, even though remote systems will. As a result, sale and activation of the staffer's 3G S is only expected next week. It is unknown how many other buyers and stores may be affected by Rogers' infrastructure.

The carrier's 2008 launch of the iPhone 3G was affected by severe and widespread troubles. Activation servers collapsed under demand, leaving many customers unable to pick up an iPhone until days later. The issue was not limited to Canada, and left many American AT&T customers in a similar predicament.

by MacNN Staff