Rogers Announces iPhone Plans in Canada

[aristotle]

This is what I would get with Rogers/Fido...
$60/mo - 150 minutes, unlimited evenings & weekends starting at 9 for Rogers, 7 for Fido, Voice mail, 400MB of unrestricted data, 300 text messages, Fido/Rogers Hotspot access (remember folks you can use this for your Mac as well!!)
$20/mo - Call display, 10,000 text messages, evenings extended to 6 for Rogers and 5 for Fido
=$98.78 including SAF, E911, GST+PST

I think the extra $11.76 is worth it for the iPhone.

I might be wrong but I believe a lot of Starbucks, restaurants and Airports have a hotspot called "Hotspot" which is operated Fido, Rogers, Bell and Telus and if we get free unlimited access to all of these included in the deal then it is a better deal than previously thought. I'd be using them with both my laptop and iPhone.

http://www.canadianhotspot.ca/

 

[JamSandwich]

With regards to the complaints about 3-year contracts, I agree that they suck and are a big problem, but I've seen only passing recognition that they're an issue with the wider Canadian market and not Rogers or the iPhone. They're industry standard here, and that's lame.

As for the fallout, I'm occasionally thinking that my choice to bail out with an HTC Touch may have been rash. I'm fine with the Touch -- it's way more phone than I've ever had or needed (but clearly not an iPhone), but I do wonder if Rogers is going to revise their prices with all this backlash. I really think it might happen.

I comfort myself in knowing the plan on the HTC will be cheaper than even a revised iPhone plan, but if Rogers could squeeze even AT&T-style value into what they offer I'd probably wind up kicking myself.

 

[generationxwing]

That's fine I suppose but you would not save money but in fact probably pay more in the long run. I'd rather get the service I want and save money.

Again, I don't have a huge problem with that. My biggest issue is being tied down. If I can pay extra for the freedom to move to one of the new carriers next year, it's worth it for me.

If the above poster is right and I can take my existing voice plan and add a BB data plan, then I'm golden.

Although if people go that route, can we still have visual voicemail?

 

[cere]

Again, I don't have a huge problem with that. My biggest issue is being tied down. If I can pay extra for the freedom to move to one of the new carriers next year, it's worth it for me.

If the above poster is right and I can take my existing voice plan and add a BB data plan, then I'm golden.

Although if people go that route, can we still have visual voicemail?

This is exactly what I am thinking. If I can keep my existing voice plan and add a reasonably priced data plan, I will be happy. I would like this to automatically include Visual Voice Mail, but it is not a deal breaker for me. My biggest issues with the announced iPhone plans was that they appeared to be mandatory and would claw back features of my current plan that I find useful (Call Display, earlier evenings, 300 daytime minutes etc). If I can keep all of these, get data at a reasonable rate ($30 for 400MB would be fine, I think) then I would still get one.

If the email clip above is true, then it looks like I might still be getting an iPhone, depending on what data plans are available and what the restrictions on them are. i.e. I have heard that the $7 unlimited browsing plan they offer only allows specific apps to be used, does not include email and other restrictions. The $20 unlimited plan they have offers significantly more with far fewer restrictions. If it still restricts usage to specific apps and does not include email, then it probably is not for me. if they have another plan that is moderate data usage, low restrictions and a good price, I am in.

 

[MKnight]

i'm with Teksavvy and I can't access it either.

Works for me and I'm on Rogers.

 

[RebelScum]

What is this?!?

See it's this kind of backing down on the consumers' part that cos like Rogers are hoping for.

the prices are launched and people everywhere are outraged about high rates and unfair data/voice plans.

Now I'm reading the phrase "I wouldn't mind paying more for (a fair data cap)."

Not that anyone needs reminding, but the only reason rogers charges so very much to ration its data is because it CAN. There is no fair reason for them to be rationing data at such miniscule rates. 400 MB is ridicuous to p[ay anything more than $10/month for, at that's being generous, considering Bell has a $7/month unlimited data plan that applies to the HTC touch.

Data is data. Rationing it in this day and age is borderline criminal. We're talkig about a company that recently instituted a cap on its monthly HOME internet service, changing the rules of a contract signed BY ITS CUSTOMERS with no warning or discussion.

The ONLY thing that would be fair is if all iPhone plans included an extra 100 mins, unlimited data, and call display.

If they really want to include a cap, then raise the $60 and $75 plans to 1gb and the other 2 to 2GB. Add an extra 100 mins to all plans, include call display, drop the prices by $10/mo, and waive the SAF. THAT would be digestable.

Anything less is exploitation of the masses in its purest form.

And I'm not gonna be bought off with a "First 3 months unlimited calling free" carrot, Rogers. I see you're making changes to your rates already. A shame you aren't listening to what the people actually want.

 

[skorpien]

See it's this kind of backing down on the consumers' part that cos like Rogers are hoping for.

the prices are launched and people everywhere are outraged about high rates and unfair data/voice plans.

Now I'm reading the phrase "I wouldn't mind paying more for (a fair data cap)."

Not that anyone needs reminding, but the only reason rogers charges so very much to ration its data is because it CAN. There is no fair reason for them to be rationing data at such miniscule rates. 400 MB is ridicuous to p[ay anything more than $10/month for, at that's being generous, considering Bell has a $7/month unlimited data plan that applies to the HTC touch.

Data is data. Rationing it in this day and age is borderline criminal. We're talkig about a company that recently instituted a cap on its monthly HOME internet service, changing the rules of a contract signed BY ITS CUSTOMERS with no warning or discussion.

The ONLY thing that would be fair is if all iPhone plans included an extra 100 mins, unlimited data, and call display.

If they really want to include a cap, then raise the $60 and $75 plans to 1gb and the other 2 to 2GB. Add an extra 100 mins to all plans, include call display, drop the prices by $10/mo, and waive the SAF. THAT would be digestable.

Anything less is exploitation of the masses in its purest form.

And I'm not gonna be bought off with a "First 3 months unlimited calling free" carrot, Rogers. I see you're making changes to your rates already. A shame you aren't listening to what the people actually want.

Thank you! This is exactly what I was just about to type... Well maybe not as eloquently, but still. It infuriates me that people are willing to settle! This is exactly why big companies like Rogers keep getting away with screwing us over time and again. Well I'm done being apathetic. If they don't release an unlimited data plan at a reasonable price by launch, I am calling them up and asking how much it will cost me to break my contract, and promptly switching over to Telus or Bell. At least I know with them I'll have unlimited data. And iPhone or not, I'm done with Rogers thinking they can get away with robbing me blind.

 

[Project-79]

See it's this kind of backing down on the consumers' part that cos like Rogers are hoping for.

the prices are launched and people everywhere are outraged about high rates and unfair data/voice plans.

Now I'm reading the phrase "I wouldn't mind paying more for (a fair data cap)."

Not that anyone needs reminding, but the only reason rogers charges so very much to ration its data is because it CAN. There is no fair reason for them to be rationing data at such miniscule rates. 400 MB is ridicuous to p[ay anything more than $10/month for, at that's being generous, considering Bell has a $7/month unlimited data plan that applies to the HTC touch.

Data is data. Rationing it in this day and age is borderline criminal. We're talkig about a company that recently instituted a cap on its monthly HOME internet service, changing the rules of a contract signed BY ITS CUSTOMERS with no warning or discussion.

The ONLY thing that would be fair is if all iPhone plans included an extra 100 mins, unlimited data, and call display.

If they really want to include a cap, then raise the $60 and $75 plans to 1gb and the other 2 to 2GB. Add an extra 100 mins to all plans, include call display, drop the prices by $10/mo, and waive the SAF. THAT would be digestable.

Anything less is exploitation of the masses in its purest form.

And I'm not gonna be bought off with a "First 3 months unlimited calling free" carrot, Rogers. I see you're making changes to your rates already. A shame you aren't listening to what the people actually want.

Exactly.

We shouldn't back down when they are starting to back down. We should be pushing harder when they start to back down. I really think that they might change their plans soon. We just need to keep pushing!

P-79

 

[benzygoat]

I'm not sure but submitting false information to a government agency could get you in trouble. The maximum cancellation fee is 400 dollars. The English version had typos on it. Check the french version.

How about next time waiting a while before going off on a crusade with potentially incomplete information?

As a taxpayer, I'm not interested in seeing people waste the time of civil servants going on a wild goose chase.

Thanks for your smarmy reply. It did not occur to me to check the french version; that was wise, and I can now agree that it was likely a typo. Pretty obviously, at the time I entered my complaint, it was predicated on the information that was available to me (which Rogers had presented on their web site for more than a day).

A crusade, by the way, is a religious undertaking. What I did was send a message to a government agency by a means which it invited.

Despite all of this, the second part of my complaint (with respect to the consistent and deliberately misleading "system access fee" shenanigans) still holds. As I said in my message, that behaviour offends me even more than the ridiculous iPhone service plans.

-b

 

[brewno]

I'm seriously thinking about buying eggs, letting them outside a few days to get it rotten and throwing it at Rogers/Fido stores.

 

[Xyl]

See it's this kind of backing down on the consumers' part that cos like Rogers are hoping for.

the prices are launched and people everywhere are outraged about high rates and unfair data/voice plans.

Now I'm reading the phrase "I wouldn't mind paying more for (a fair data cap)."

Not that anyone needs reminding, but the only reason rogers charges so very much to ration its data is because it CAN. There is no fair reason for them to be rationing data at such miniscule rates. 400 MB is ridicuous to p[ay anything more than $10/month for, at that's being generous, considering Bell has a $7/month unlimited data plan that applies to the HTC touch.

Data is data. Rationing it in this day and age is borderline criminal. We're talkig about a company that recently instituted a cap on its monthly HOME internet service, changing the rules of a contract signed BY ITS CUSTOMERS with no warning or discussion.

The ONLY thing that would be fair is if all iPhone plans included an extra 100 mins, unlimited data, and call display.

If they really want to include a cap, then raise the $60 and $75 plans to 1gb and the other 2 to 2GB. Add an extra 100 mins to all plans, include call display, drop the prices by $10/mo, and waive the SAF. THAT would be digestable.

Anything less is exploitation of the masses in its purest form.

And I'm not gonna be bought off with a "First 3 months unlimited calling free" carrot, Rogers. I see you're making changes to your rates already. A shame you aren't listening to what the people actually want.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Even if unlimited data never comes (and it probably never will), the caps need to be much larger. Of course, the whole point is for people to go over so they can all pay the ridiculous overage charges.

 

[MacInTO]

I just came back from talking on CJAD Montreal and told them for a good 3 minutes what I thought about Rogers! They were all shocked when I told them about the $1100 to $7920 cancellation fee! I was also able to get the last word on the topic telling Montreal no to but the iPhone!

So you deliberately lied to the media. Is this what your employer (Telus/Bell) is stooping to now? I hope your boss is prepared to cover your arse in court should Rogers decide to retaliate.

They were typos. Check the French version. The maximum is 400 bucks just like with other phones/plans.

I'm not sure he lied. He was just reiterating what is stated on the Rogers (English) website.

I'm surprised that there are not just one, but three errors on the terms and conditions page. The lawyers and layers of management should have caught that - but now it's out.

They've got a PR mess on their hands.

 

[Phronetix]

Well, we can see fissures forming in the Rogers plan, as slights mods are being thrown in, as if they will appease the groundswell of rebellion.

What will appease us? A distinct change, just one, but significant. I believe most of us with the sort of cash to drop on an iPhone plan and device understand business enough to know that not all demands can possibly be met.

Assuming that Rogers has their eyes on this thread and others like it, I want to take an informal poll among those of us here and suggest three possible changes Rogers could make.

Change #1

a. Data amounts increase across the tiers, essentially shifting over to eliminate the 400MB low, and adding a new unlimited tier. (Note, that unlimited will likely have a cap; we know how Rogers works). So, we'd have 750 MB, 1GB, 2GB, Unlimited.
b. Voice tiers remain the same.
c. Text messages all double.
d. No change in price.

Change #2

a. Data amounts remain the same.
b. Voice minutes all increase by a factor of 1.67, to be: 250, 500, 1000, 1350 (rounded up).
c. Text messages all double.
d. No change in price.

Change #3

a. Data amounts remain the same.
b. Voice minutes remain the same.
c. Text messages all double.
d. Each iPhone plan subscriber receives at no extra charge a Local My5 Plan in which they can designate five local numbers and receive unlimited voice and texting with that number. (An optional $10 upgrade to the My5 Long Distance Plan which would include any number within Canada in those five numbers).
e. Evenings shall begin at 6pm for all iPhone plan subscribers.
f. A new bonus is included, a clause that I have informally coined 'The We Won't **** You Over' clause,which is essentially overage protection. Free of charge, if you go over on your voice or data plan, it will automatically place you at that next tier for that month, up to one tier increase for fairness' sake.

Questions
Which plan do you prefer?
Do you have any other reasonable suggestions to add to these ideas?

 

[Xyl]

Which plan do you prefer?
Do you have any other reasonable suggestions to add to these ideas?

Seeing that now they will let you use any voice plan, I'd say they should revise their data/flex data plans to the tiers you mentioned. Those amounts are much more reasonable for the price they want us to pay (even though they are still far and away from AT&T's data plans). This gives us flexibility on choosing our own voice and data options instead of using their Voice and Data packages for the iPhone. Of course, we have this flexibility now, but the data rates are crap.

 

[RebelScum]

Well, we can see fissures forming in the Rogers plan, as slights mods are being thrown in, as if they will appease the groundswell of rebellion.

What will appease us? A distinct change, just one, but significant. I believe most of us with the sort of cash to drop on an iPhone plan and device understand business enough to know that not all demands can possibly be met.

Assuming that Rogers has their eyes on this thread and others like it, I want to take an informal poll among those of us here and suggest three possible changes Rogers could make.

Change #1


Change #2


Change #3



Questions
Which plan do you prefer?
Do you have any other reasonable suggestions to add to these ideas?

I still hold firm to what I said earlier:

The ONLY thing that would be fair is if all iPhone plans included an extra 100 mins, unlimited data, and call display.

If they really want to include a cap, then raise the $60 and $75 plans to 1gb and the other 2 to 2GB. Add an extra 100 mins to all plans, include call display, drop the prices by $10/mo, and waive the SAF. THAT would be digestable.

Anything less is exploitation of the masses in its purest form.
​

 

[dobbs]

I spoke with a Fido rep a few weeks ago and at that time they didn't have the pricing--however, they did have the contract information. 3 years. And, get this: you cannot extend a current plan. So, for instance, I have a year left on my current plan and I would have to pay to terminate it and then get a new contract for the iPhone. The exception is if you have less than 6 mos remaining then they'll let you add onto your existing plan.

I said, "So, you think I'm going to pay to get out of a contract and then resign up with the same company that charging me extra to remain their customer? Why would I do that?" The guy didn't have an answer for me.

 

[benzygoat]

Do you have any other reasonable suggestions to add to these ideas?

There is no substantive reason why we should pay extra for Call Display. Maybe 20 years ago, but this is 2008. Hell, Rogers even includes it for free in their $10/month Pay-As-You-Go plan.

There is no substantive reason why we should pay $0.15 per text message. Text should be billed in terms of bytes in the same manner that data are. This archaic distinction needs to go; this is 2008.

There is no acceptable justification to pretend the monthly fees are $7.45 less than they are, and to masquerade in a "system access fee" as some separate line item. Either waive this fee, or include it in the stated price.

There is no acceptable justification to call something "unlimited" if it is not unlimited. Period.

If Rogers wishes to make any headway at gaining consumer trust, they need to man up and exhibit some honesty in addressing these four items. Until then, I can't help but to have disdain and skepticism in any dealings with the company.

 

[Peruchito]

I still hold firm to what I said earlier:

The ONLY thing that would be fair is if all iPhone plans included an extra 100 mins, unlimited data, and call display.

If they really want to include a cap, then raise the $60 and $75 plans to 1gb and the other 2 to 2GB. Add an extra 100 mins to all plans, include call display, drop the prices by $10/mo, and waive the SAF. THAT would be digestable.

Anything less is exploitation of the masses in its purest form.
​

Also, No cap on home internet services. no filtering of torrent sites. no changing of contracts after the fact without letting us know, and if they want to change the contract, they have to get us to resign and agree to the new terms or they are **** outta luck.

also, they should charge per second on cellies, voicemail, text msg, call display should all be STANDARD. rogers to rogers calling should be free STANDARD. evenings should start at EVENINGS AND NOT AT NIGHT.

plus a public hanging of ted rogers at city hall. give me all this and i will be not happy but slightly content and willing to forgive rogers for all their crap.

 

[MacInTO]

There is no substantive reason why we should pay extra for Call Display. Maybe 20 years ago, but this is 2008. Hell, Rogers even includes it for free in their $10/month Pay-As-You-Go plan.

There is no substantive reason why we should pay $0.15 per text message. Text should be billed in terms of bytes in the same manner that data are. This archaic distinction needs to go; this is 2008.

There is no acceptable justification to pretend the monthly fees are $7.45 less than they are, and to masquerade in a "system access fee" as some separate line item. Either waive this fee, or include it in the stated price.

There is no acceptable justification to call something "unlimited" if it is not unlimited. Period.

If Rogers wishes to make any headway at gaining consumer trust, they need to man up and exhibit some honesty in addressing these four items. Until then, I can't help but to have disdain and skepticism in any dealings with the company.

I totally agree with you on ALL points!

How can they justify charging monthly customers for this when it is included on pay as you go plans?!

The system access fees, 911 fee and taxes should all be included in the price. Why should companies state they are not responsible for these charges (it's part of doing business). After all, we have to pay for them with our after-tax dollars.

 

[saiz66]

There is no substantive reason why we should pay extra for Call Display. Maybe 20 years ago, but this is 2008. Hell, Rogers even includes it for free in their $10/month Pay-As-You-Go plan.

There is no substantive reason why we should pay $0.15 per text message. Text should be billed in terms of bytes in the same manner that data are. This archaic distinction needs to go; this is 2008.

There is no acceptable justification to pretend the monthly fees are $7.45 less than they are, and to masquerade in a "system access fee" as some separate line item. Either waive this fee, or include it in the stated price.

There is no acceptable justification to call something "unlimited" if it is not unlimited. Period.

If Rogers wishes to make any headway at gaining consumer trust, they need to man up and exhibit some honesty in addressing these four items. Until then, I can't help but to have disdain and skepticism in any dealings with the company.

I agree 100%

 

[PhineasPoe]

Here are the current Data rates for Rogers (Blackberry plans that will apply to iPhone - see my previous post)

Monthly Fee BlackBerry Data Included Additional Data Rate
$15 Personal E-mail on BlackBerry n/a
$15 1.5 MB $10 per MB with Overage Protection
$25 4 MB $10 per MB with Overage Protection
$30 300 MB $0.50 per MB with Overage Protection
$50-$100 500 MB to 5GB $0.03 per MB for any usage over 5 GB
$60 1 GB $0.50 per MB with Overage Protection
$80 3 GB $0.50 per MB with Overage Protection
$100 6 GB $0.50 per MB with Overage Protection

 

[Chef Medeski]

Questions
Which plan do you prefer?
Do you have any other reasonable suggestions to add to these ideas?

The last one is great, overcharge protection. But that will never happen thats how they make all their money! I would probably want option 1 or 2, altough I'm unsure cause I'm not sure if I need more minutes or data. Atleast double the texts, and I'd probably go with larger data. Cause then the prices are more in line with the hikes. For instance, first difference is $15 and 250 MB, rather than $15 and 350 MB. And second would become $25 and 1GB, rather than $25 and 250 MB. So not only does it seem more logical but it would make the $75 plan probably the layman's unlimited. I mean more than 1 GB and 300 minutes is usually beyond average person. Obviously there are individuals who use a lot more minutes or data but I would say for a person who does not use their phone as an extension of their body that plan would be right on.

I would love the $75 plan if it was 1GB, 300 Minutes, and 200 Texts, would be perfect for me, I would probably add Caller ID for $7 and make it a $90-95 per month plan that I would never have to worry about going over.

But I think your choice 1 is probably goin be most likely what they do. Its just like what they did with the first iPhone, the 4GB/8GB, we'll just move it up and eliminate the 4GB. Not only does it have a huge pyschological effects cause ur getting the "data portion" of a $15 more expensive plan but it gives more accurate limits. I mean I'm not sure what the average person does, but me thinks that it would be right around 300-500, so a person would have to persistently worry with that plan.

 

[Xyl]

There is no substantive reason why we should pay extra for Call Display.

Agreed. As far as I know...and someone correct me I'm wrong....other countries like Europe don't need to pay for Call Display because they (unlike the telcos in Canada) do not have a system in place that deliberately blocks call display, so they can charge customers for it. Call display in other countries require zero effort for the telcos to give to the customers because the function is there by default. Only the telcos in Canada have a system to block it so they can profit from it.

 

[RebelScum]

Also, No cap on home internet services. no filtering of torrent sites. no changing of contracts after the fact without letting us know, and if they want to change the contract, they have to get us to resign and agree to the new terms or they are **** outta luck.

also, they should charge per second on cellies, voicemail, text msg, call display should all be STANDARD. rogers to rogers calling should be free STANDARD. evenings should start at EVENINGS AND NOT AT NIGHT.

plus a public hanging of ted rogers at city hall. give me all this and i will be not happy but slightly content and willing to forgive rogers for all their crap.

Heh, yup Not sure crappy wireless rates warrants a public lynching, but it sounds like a good excuse for a party.

 

[Chef Medeski]

There is no substantive reason why we should pay $0.15 per text message. Text should be billed in terms of bytes in the same manner that data are. This archaic distinction needs to go; this is 2008.

SMS goes over the voice service, not the data service. There are two seperate waves and antennas for each, so its not data like a webpage. But if you want it to be you could always just send an e-mail or head to the rogers website to send a free text online, which in that case you'd only be charged the data. Of course all these things are annoying compared to actual text, but thats when it would be data in the normal sense. SMS is not.