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I seriously doubt it. An "unlimited data plan"(which is by no means unlimited) cost $450/month , plus, plus, plus...... Rogers has hundreds of thousands of these unlimited contracts with huge corporations, from which they make a fortune!! As great as the phone is,( and I have one and pay $700-1200/month, including roaming for travel) the phone doesn't pose a threat to Rogers as they are the only ones who can carry it. However, it would force a huge drop in revenue from their cash cows(corporation) and would return at best a few thousand new low revenue contracts.
It's not going to happen!! :-(

Apr 26, 08 - 12:10 pm Comment from: cptnkirk

If it is not available here on the 9th of June, I will buy one in France since I will be there in the month of July.

Apr 26, 08 - 12:35 pm Comment from: Hollywood North

If Apple releases a 3G phone, won't in run on Bell Canada's 3G network? Why go with Rogers if a faster phone might be available from Bell...

Apple could talk to Fido, but Rogers owns them. So, it's six of one, half a dozen of another.

Between the 'other' iPhone' and Rogers, I can't see this coming soon. And when it does, it will be pure Canadian.

If you think MS is bad, just think if they were Canadian. WinVista would be $399 to OEMs and the boxed version would be $1200. And Canadians would bitch, then pay.

They's piss and moan, and declare that when it reaches $1500 'I'm out!'. They'd of course pay, and declare that when it reaches $1899...


MW: price. No shite!

As a Canadian, I hope the iPhone comes to Canada, but I also hope against hope that we don't have to deal with Rogers to get it. That company is so evil they make Microsoft look like Amnesty International.

The only way an iPhone in Canada would be for anyone but the uber-rich is if it is sold unlocked so the choice of networks can induce competition for prices. My hope is that because of Rogers reticence to agree to Apple's terms on the original iPhone, that Apple will sell both the 2G and the 3G phones unlocked in Canada after June. That would give the people real choice and penalise companies like Rogers for thumbing their nose at Apple last year.

Sounds like Canada is a terrible place to live.

Apr 26, 08 - 12:54 pm Comment from: Brau

Roger's is a rip-off, but so is every other Canadian cell company. I am still waiting for the iPhone to be released in Canada but fear when it does it will be too expensive to use for anything but regular phoning.

Apr 26, 08 - 02:01 pm Comment from: CandTsmac

ALL CANADIANS READ THIS.

iPhone doesn't work on any network in Canada except Rogers. Telus does have a few GSM phones but there service is not compatible. So a unlocked iPhone in Canada still has to be used with Rogers.

We can't win for loosing.

There are 2 choices in Canada:

1) Rogers, GSM. Also owns Fido.

2) Bell, CDMA. Telus leases/buys bandwidth on Bell's network.

IMHO, Rogers won't ever offer the iPhone because there is no benefit. It would simply erode margins, and anyone who really wants one simply buys one in the US and unlocks it.

hope it`s finally true

from Cylon occupied Toronto

Apr 26, 08 - 02:49 pm Comment from: DogGone

It sounds like where Apple cannot make a decent deal they will simply sell unlocked phones.

Other phone makers sell phones that work on different systems. They will eventually have to do that.

Apr 26, 08 - 03:04 pm Comment from: JAYGEE

The iPhone will be in Iraq before Canada.

*shudder* Rogers?
Not if Steve Jobs is really as smart as people say he is.
Apple would maintain better customer allegiance by never releasing the iPhone in Canada, than to have the criminals at Rogers mete out the plan.

@CandTsmac

I was assuming in my comment about unlocked iPhones and choice that the 3G iPhone will of course work on Bell's (and therefore Telus'), networks.

The release of unlocked iPhones of *both* 2G and 3G varieties is the best we can hope for. If Apple *really* wan'ts to screw with Rogers, they could release only the 3G one and only to Telus/Bell etc. I would love to see that, but I am not sure how likely it is.

Apr 26, 08 - 04:35 pm Comment from: Hollywood North

@ Switcher

I think Bell has 3G network available for data...

http://www.telecomsinsight.com/file/32645/bell-mobility--telus-continue-with-3g-network-roll-out.html

http://www.3gnewsroom.com/3g_news/jun_05/news_5906.shtml

Stop playing with our emotions.

We get all excited every time there is a glimmer of hope that we might get the iPhone (with an unlimited plan) here in the Great White North. Then, the rug gets pulled from under us.

One of these days, we might just get angry. (that wouldn't be very Canadian of us, now would it, eh?)

You guys are confusing two unrelated terms:

3G is a feature set. Not a network. A 3G feature set is available using any late network type (ie; broadband signal architecture). Network technologies include CDMA, W-CDMA, GSM, HSDPA, LTE, etc.... Qualcomm and Broadcom (among others) make chipsets and own intellectual property for a lot of this technology.

Each carrier must pick a technology for their network gear & radios. ATT uses GSM-HSDPA (EDGE for 2.5G) which RIMM's devices use (Apple's biggest smartphone competition). Verizon uses CDMA and I believe is going to LTE for their 3-4G net.

WiMax (802.16) is a contender in the near future for 4G nets, and for home broadband in place of DSL/cable (check out Airspan, Alvarion, and Intel here). One radio tower could handle a multi-mile radius with Ethernet speeds.

If Apple used a chipset that supported radios for both CDMA and GSM (and WiFi, and Bluetooth, like I think Broadcom has available) then you could use the same device on more carriers. More expensive to do this upfront but prices would come down quick (and maybe shorter battery life).

Wonder if we'll ever *really* see micro-fuelcells in phones any time soon? ( http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/ )

Yaaa for gadgets!

Apr 26, 08 - 10:50 pm Comment from: KangaG3

Rogers will introduce the iPhone in Canada. Here's an email I received from Rogers Online Customer Service when I complained that I didn't want to receive any further advertising about any phone upgrades unless it was an iPhone:

"Thank you for taking the time to write to us, we appreciate your use of online customer service.

In your recent email, you have informed us that you were not interested in upgrading your phone unless it is for the iphone.

Once the iphone is released by Rogers a public announcement will go out, at that point feel free to contact us to process your upgrade and we will be more than happy to do so."

They seem pretty sure! Anybody want to buy a Treo???

Rogers are a bunch of bastards. Overpriced and allowed ro have a virtual monoppoly bec ause of Canada;s corruption at ALL governement levels.

25 years ago, Canada was a real country - now its a corrupt mess.

The iPhone from Rogers - I doubt it.

I have one that I use on their stinking network and have to pay $80 for limited data.
My usual monthly bill is $400.

Canada is a sad backwater full of slimy people who pretend to be 'nice Canadians'.
I know, I live here.

Apr 27, 08 - 01:22 am Comment from: emanon

I'll believe it when I see it. Anyway, I've been using my iPhone on Fido since September 2007.

Waiting for the 3G version now and when I get it, I'll unlock as well so I'm not tied in to anyone (especially with number portability). Damn telcos have too much power and money anyway.

Apr 27, 08 - 01:23 am Comment from: makemineamac

Even though competition is weak here, and yes, Rogers have yet to let go of their ridiculous data rates even though Bell and Telus seemingly already have, I can't believe that it isn't going to happen. And I hope it will be sooner rather than later.

While adoption here in Canada of this device might be a bit slow at first, I'm sure any company with half a brain - including Rogers - must realize that by listing this device with reasonable data rates, they will in turn will get good steady, quality long-term income. And it will also be a relatively trouble-free customer base likely too, as the iPhone is well built, well designed and user-friendly. There's benefits there as well for them. Less calls to their support staff.

A CDMA version would be good that's for sure, but I don't know if Apple is planning on that or not. I doubt it, yet still hope so....

I think Japan is predominantly CDMA, so that's a pretty large market that might be worth it for Apple to build one for. If they do, maybe Canada can benefit from it as well. Bell and Telus could duke it out, or maybe they could both carry it.

And I really don't think of Canada as a sad backwater full of slimy people. Those who do certainly don't know the Canada I know, or the Canadians I know.

Apr 27, 08 - 01:41 am Comment from: emanon

CDMA sucks when it comes to travel portability. What I mean is that in order to change the number on your phone, you have to bring it in to the telco company you are subscribing to. For someone who travels extensively like me and have a local number in several countries, this proves to be a real pain in the rear. I can't just take out the SIM and put in a local SIM of whatever country I'm in. This means huge roaming charges and overseas charges for people calling you locally.

@ makemineamac:

I agree with your closing statement. I as well don't think Canada is a sad, slimy backwater full of slimy people. I just think that our mobile/ telecommunications is backwater (compared with the rest of the world) and slimy (then again show me a telco who isn't slimy).

Apr 27, 08 - 01:53 am Comment from: The Other Steve

"'We're not fans of unlimited plans,"
Hey, that rhymes!

It also sounds really, really evil.

Canada ? Who cares, what about Belgium!!!

@ Hollywood North: You're right.

@ CandTsmac: 3G = Bell's 1X. So if the 3G iPhone is finally release (at the WWDC in june probably), there will be a lot of possible combination. My guess is that Apple will have the choice to make the most interesting deal (EDGE tech limit them to a few company). So if Rogers is too demanding, they'll choose someone else.

I'm not a Bell fanboy but I rather choose them from Rogers.

Here's a quicker way for Canadians to get the iPhone--stop being Canadians.

Howzabout Ontario and British Columbia become the 51st and 52nd states (since Canada's like the 51st state anyway this wouldn't be much of a leap). Quebec could become its own country (nobody wants the Faux French bastards anyway), and the rest of Canada could become part of North Dakota (although you'd have to do something for the Inuit--the North Dakotans would wonder why signs are suddenly in English and something that looks like Klingon.)

This way, Canadians would get the iPhone, Quebec could finally be independent, and North Dakota would almost double its population.

MDN word "troll" (Well, it ought to be...)

Apr 27, 08 - 09:05 am Comment from: SteveJobsAllergy

over RIM's dead body!

@OpJ
Alberta alone can buy most of your pathetic states.
It's sad. most of Americans don't know even about their closest country!!

Rogers is pure evil. Puuure evil, but they're the only ones in Canada with a network that's right for the iPhone. They (Rogers) tries to screw their customers over at every opportunity. You can blame the Canadian government for letting them get away with it too.

@OpJ

........... how `bout NO!

Apr 27, 08 - 07:54 pm Comment from: Road Warrior

Ah thanks to all the fellow Canadians for putting up all the smoke and mirrors about Rogers.

The real reason of course that the iPhone will be a moderate success if it is released in Canada is that no one really wants to work on a phone when it is minus 10 or lower outside.

It will be a great summer toy for the elite though, like motorcycles and swimming pools.

@Road Warrior
Do you like it when you try to get attention? That's in PSYC101.

the best and most realistic way to solve this problem --and it's a huge one, as you've read, Roger's is just as corrupt or more so than MS!!
no, the best thing us Canadians can hope for is Apple buying the entire Canadian wireless industry out from underneath those fscking whores at Bell, Telus and Roger's.
without that happening the point of the iPhone coming to Canada is moot. I have money and I could never justify an 800.00/m wireless bill --no way.

Seeing is believing.
I'm not holding my breath for an iPhone launch in Canada.

BTW, it's colder in places like Boston and Chicago than in Toronto.

Apr 28, 08 - 11:54 am Comment from: macfannnnn

Rogers is possibly the worst wireless provider in the World (I can't be sure, I've only sampled a dozen or so countries !). Their customer service stinks, their plans are atrociously expensive and they just don't seem to care. Linking Apple and the iPhone with this bunch of losers, whatever the reason, can only be a bad thing...

I desperately want an iPhone - but if the only way to get one in Canada is with Rogers - forget it...

Don't forget the strong rumours of Telus moving to GSM before the 2010 Olympics. Then we would get some serious competition that couldn't be ignored by Rogers.

Yes, it is a rumour, but the rumour has been substantiated by more than one cellular re-seller in my city.

Perhaps Rogers decided to wait out the first iPhone before giving up their precious business model to make sure it was going to be a success. I mean, everyone else knew it would be, but these Rogers guys are so greedy, and I mean, it's just so hard to change your cash cow, even if it's for another.

Telus' new GSM network might only be in the Vancouver & Whistler area of BC. Which would be sad because Rogers now makes $500 million (yes, $0.5 billion) per year in roaming fees that they don't have to share with anyone else because practically everyone else in the world uses GSM and guess what? All those European and Asian (but not Japanese) tourists who come to Canada bring GSM phones! And they pay Rogers the roaming fees! So the other carriers were just plain dumb to limit their fortunes to CDMA and let Rogers have that whole pie. Blame the other carriers for being even more myopic in their choice of network technology and letting Rogers get away with no competition.

Seeing is believing; it's not over til it's over; so Canadians, continue boycotting Rogers! Do like KangaG3 does - every time Rogers tries to promote something to you, decline it and say "don't call me or contact me in any way unless it's to tell me about the iPhone". Make them get the message.

Live long and prosper.

Canada - not so nice

Canada is a sad backwater full of slimy people who pretend to be 'nice Canadians'. I know, I live here.

Oh, drop dead, Princess.

A Total Boycott, I say.
Between CRTC and Telco's, the entire wireless is monopolized by 3 giants, Bell, Roger and Telus neither of them really care. Its the consumers who suffers.
Just wait till Rogers announces its Iphone/data plans, probably out of reach for ordinary canadians!!
AT&T;in US I believe is paying Apple some cash for every plan signed up for the duration of the contract.
Yes, rumour Telus going 3G. Telus can't handle what they have now with digital TV!!!
Didn't Apple make special concession with some european countries where iphones were available via multiple telco's?? Not sure if it was France and or Germany!

Good luck everybody. Not looking forward to iphone arrival.