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Oct 28, 09 - 12:07 pm Comment from: Regular Reader

And what kind of a monthly gouge am I looking at?

Oct 28, 09 - 12:26 pm Comment from: emanon

Hopefully it will break the Rogers monopoly of cell services in Canada and we can start seeing more reasonable pricing.

Telus iPhone service is NOT available in Saskatchewan or Manitoba on launch date. I got an email from Telus telling me this a few days ago.

So Rogers is still the only option in these provinces.

Telus is a bunch of knob-gobblers. They've won "awards" for the worst customer service in Canada. But I guess still probably better to have a choice between two consumer-raping companies rather than one.

No name,

Didn't you read? Three year contracts.

That's NOT competition. That's COLLUSION.

Only in Canada you say?

Only in Canada you say?

Pity.

Oct 28, 09 - 12:48 pm Comment from: MDmac

Anybody that expected a significant difference re Rogers vs Telus, has been living in la-la land.

It hasn't happened anywhere in the world, why would anybody expect differently in Canada?

Oct 28, 09 - 12:58 pm Comment from: MDmac

The prices listed come with the following conditions:

"Pricing available to clients (new and renewal) who activate on a 3 year term with a Smartphone voice and data rate plan of $50 or greater."

As per their Smartphone voice and data rate plans:

You do get unlimited data for ONE month, afterwhich: "Device usage beyond the 500 MB/month will be charged at $0.05/MB. Data used while roaming in the U.S. is charged at $3/MB. Any usage incurred through a laptop/computer will be charged at $8/MB. Cannot be combined with any other data plan. BlackBerry® Messenger on BlackBerry® smartphones only. Video streaming is available on select handsets only and available in Wireless High Speed 3G and PCS and 1X digital coverage areas. Video streaming is available to select mobile sites; please visit telusmobility.com for a current list of supported sites. Video streaming includes selected TELUS video on demand content only. Premium content will be charged in addition to any monthly subscription. Clients will be notified of these additional charges upon selecting premium content to view." http://www.telusmobility.com/en/ON/yourchoiceplans/index.shtml?INTCMP=ILCq3plyrchoice

Don't expect the Data plan re the iPhone will be, if at all, any different.

Are there other countries that also ONLY have three year iPhone contracts?

Oct 28, 09 - 01:05 pm Comment from: Predrag

I would like to meet a person who decides to buy a contract-free iPhone for $800 (Canadian, which is around $720 US). I mean, they are still going to pay the same monthly voice/data plan. So, instead of letting part of that plan subsidise the phone, they will just pay the full price of the phone and give that subsidy money back to the carrier, right? It's not like you are buying a fully unlocked phone, right? You're still stuck on the same carrier; you just don't have to be with them for the next three years (but where else would you go?)

Oct 28, 09 - 01:18 pm Comment from: izod

@Jonny Canuck

Last Time I checked, Canada was the ONLY country that required a 3 year contract for the iPhone.

izod,

I refer you to my 1:38pm post.

FYI, with a typical $80/mo pkg — on THREE years — you'll pay just short of an extra 1000 bucks for an iPhone in Canada.

Rogers;Fido;Telus; Bell, "Why compete? Our customers are Canadians."

Oct 28, 09 - 01:32 pm Comment from: bkire

@ boulderfrog

Thanks for the Red Rose Tea reference.

I'm hoping at some point in the future when all the 'I gotta be first', 'I need a smartphone 'cuz I can't STFU', and all the 'know-nothing tech' dildos have got their iPhones, that sales totally level off.

Then, maybe the Canadian Cell Phone Cartel will realize that they are douchebags, and will 'need to do something' to promote further iPhone sales.

Nothing. Nothing, would make me happier than to see Apple deny ALL future Gen iPhones to ANY carrier that have three year iPhone contracts.

Now, that these jackholes have got a taste of the iPhone sales. Let's see them fscking squirm.

Trust me. They'll blink before Steve does.

Oct 28, 09 - 01:52 pm Comment from: GregoriusM

Steve already blinked. We are the only country with the 3-year only deal. If Steve had wanted it otherwise, it would have been done.

So, don't expect the 3-year deal to change. It has been here for ages on all of the higher end phones and we like it or leave it.

It sucks, but it is what it is.

Oct 28, 09 - 02:12 pm Comment from: disposableidentity

Steve can't possibly dictate everything. On the other hand, would anyone have predicted Telus and Bell rebuilding their networks for the iPhone? Crazy!

So. When the other carriers around the world see what's going on in Canada. They won't go, "hey wait a minute" then enact three year only deals?

Yeah. Can anything make corporations control their greed?

Competition helps. A little.

Pray that the Canadian Cell Phone Cartel collusion isn't contagious, friends.



MW: business. [No, sh!ti]

Why would Bell and Telus get together to spend a Billion dollars to rebuild their network only to offer EXACTLY what Fido/Rogers already offer.

Where's the differentiation?

Jeez, a 'BigKing' and a 'BigMac' each sell for $3.69. But, one is 'flame-broiled', and the other is fried. It's not much. But, it is different.

My kid figured that out. Yet the brain trust at Bell/Telus can't.

Oct 28, 09 - 02:57 pm Comment from: disposableidentity

@Jonny Canuck, I don't think it's about differentiation. At this point I think it's about survival.

Please get a dictionary before posting... and don't be such a rube.

collusion |kəˈloō zh ən|
noun
secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, esp. in order to cheat or deceive others : the armed forces were working in collusion with drug traffickers | collusion between media owners and political leaders.
• Law such cooperation or conspiracy, esp. between ostensible opponents in a lawsuit.

SAME PRICING - DOES NOT = COLLUSION. Either in cellphones or gas prices.

This is called COMPETITION not collusion.

How about all the retailers of electronics and such that promise a best price/price matching guarantee. This is exactly the same effect as what the cellphone and gas retailers do. Is BESTBUY in collusion with CompUSA? Is LOWES in collusion with HOME DEPOT?

The general ignorance and lack of critical-thinking ability in this country is appalling.

Oct 28, 09 - 04:50 pm Comment from: db

@morons a plenty here today (Gee, your title works well for you, doesn't it?)

COMPETITION, as you put it, is when ONE GUY LOWERS HIS PRICES TO ATTRACT THE OTHER GUY'S CUSTOMERS. When two companies keep their prices high, and nobody budges, *THAT'S* collusion. (see gas companies, where independent gas retailers have admitted to being threatened if they try and sell under a certain price)

The free market only works when the contenders fight for their spot -- not when they sit back and say, "eh, what will they do?" (a la Microsoft)

Well, if they're smart they'll do what I've done, which is to take a cheap no-contract rate plan with a clunky little phone and wait for prices to lower. If enough people did that, the competition would get off its fat ass and start trying to win people like me over.

How, you say? In one of two ways: Get rid of the ridiculous 3-year plans (considering Apple comes out with a new iPhone each year) and/or reduce the pricing of the rates to try to win customers over. (Of course, there's always option 3 where they keep the rates the same but offer up lots of "candy" prizes for free instead of trying to nickel and dime us to death.)

Dear @,

It seems that you don't understand the very meaning of your post. That's irony. Look it up.

Do you know what else is ironical? Someone that is willing to get locked into a three year iPhone contract — when two year iPhone contracts are available at EVERY other cell carrier on the planet, rudely calling someone a rube.

Dear mapht,

You would be correct in that 'same pricing' doesn't 'necessarily' mean collusion. But, it doesn't preclude it either. FWIW, this is Canada that we're talking about. So, draw the only reasonable conclusion.

WRT, what 'DB' said about independant gas co's. Ask Arco why they left Canada. They wanted to compete.

-

Competition is, as our 'db' puts it: The free market only works when the contenders FIGHT for their spot -- not when they sit back and say, "eh, what will they do?"

-

BTW, name-calling is the debating technique of the mentally bankrupt.

@db,

"When two companies keep their prices high, and nobody budges, *THAT'S* collusion"

Jeezus. That is just plain wrong.

Collusion is when people secretly discuss and agree not to compete. Having the same price doesn't necessarily mean they've colluded.

At 6:37pm someone posted...

You would be correct in that 'same pricing' doesn't 'necessarily' mean collusion. But, it doesn't preclude it either.

-

I find it rather hair-splitting to keep insisting on the dictionary definition of the word 'collusion'.

FWIW, ever hear of 'silent collusion', or 'unspoken rules'? No secret meetings are required.

-

BTW, price matching happens when a customer at one retailer asks them to match the LOWER price of ANOTHER retailer. That's competition.

Oct 29, 09 - 09:18 am Comment from: Frank

Their ARPU is going to hit a snafu when clients from Rogers won't jump ship (out of fire/in frying pan) and their estimates for first timers will be markedly low.
Competition may rise when the folks who own Yak ( forgot their name ) start offering their service.

those who will pay the 800 smackers for on iphone are those poor souls who are nowhere near a contract upgrade or negotiation but still have drooled over the iphone technology since forever.

ALWAYS call CS before changing anything in your account because often there are little things they can do like offer a certain credit for long time customers or something before you make your new purchase.

the 'new' non-contract prices are high but for some, the price of 'freedom' is worth it to pay one time and then get your phone unlocked somewhere and flit form one co. to the next depending on the plans you like and want. we are a consumer society and those who can afford to shell out new sans contract will do so on a whim and make no neverminds about it. Steve is smart enough to realise that. there are hard-core die hard apple fans out there who will pay anything.

happy shopping, and here's to hoping that the plans are made public on the 3rd or 4th when bell puts their iphones on sale. and there's no reason to keep them secret anymore for fear of being undercut by bell or telus!

sorry, undercut by bell or rogers! i should proof read better!

Wow so many retarded comments of people that dont understand the business to telecommunications in Canada. These business' have invested huge amounts of money to deliver you with the devices you crave. Now you cry about the charges and rate plans when they are not that bad. You pay for what you use. If you want all the bells and whistles, you pay for it. Like anything in this world.

Also, PLEASE STOP talking about mandatory 3 year contracts. Its NOT mandatory. GAWD! If you dont want to pay the price without the contract, then dont buy the phone. So stop complaining about the options they provide you as they are in reality... helping you save that hard earned money you keep crying about having to fork out.

Lastly, TELUS is offering new plans at cheaper rates when the iphone is released. Go do some research and visit their website.

Im done.

Oct 29, 09 - 03:01 pm Comment from: MDmac

@ rayn

As far as I know, neither Telus or Bell has yet to post their data plans re their 3G services.

I expect that they will be similar to Rogers. Like everywhere else in the world, the prices are virtually equal and the variance, if any, is usually related to the size of the country, the population density, the services provided and their fixed overhead costs. The latter issue can be significantly different between those countries whose infrastructure were or are government owned, paid for by tax payers or actual users/customers, or even government/third party subsidization.

TELUS has announced some changes to their plan offerings regarding a price reduction and simplification on their billing. Go look. I do also know from speaking with TELUS reps that the data plans being offered when iPhone comes out will be better than whats available currently.

can't wait to see what they roll out this thursday and end the speculation!
now, best new iphone accessories to get? i'm hearing about a case that is also an extended battery. is iphone still have battery issues re: longevity?