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Rogers to Introduce Cheaper Data Plans in Canada?
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Anybody to pay those kind of monthly fees needs to have their head examined!
Those were extreme cases in which people were caught using the iPhone on a plan that was intended for Rogers branded phones only, and charged the regular data rates. Still, it shows how our current data rates compare to the rest of the civilized world.
Regarding the three-year contracts -- you're right, I had assumed this was normal for cell phone plans.
That said, some carriers, like Fido, are noted for allowing month-to-month plans with no contract. I've been with Fido since the beginning, around 1999. I took a short stint with Telus, but went back to Fido within weeks.
So on the one hand, I don't really like the idea of "locking in" for 3 years on a contract. On the other hand, I've been "voluntarily" paying Fido for the same plan for almost 10 years anyway, so would a contract really make a difference?
It's a question I've asked myself several times over the years, and will have to ask again in the coming weeks once the iPhone is out.
That said, some carriers, like Fido, are noted for allowing month-to-month plans with no contract. I've been with Fido since the beginning, around 1999. I took a short stint with Telus, but went back to Fido within weeks.
So on the one hand, I don't really like the idea of "locking in" for 3 years on a contract. On the other hand, I've been "voluntarily" paying Fido for the same plan for almost 10 years anyway, so would a contract really make a difference?
It's a question I've asked myself several times over the years, and will have to ask again in the coming weeks once the iPhone is out.
Yeah well. I already pay over $50 just for a basic line, so if I can use Web/E-mail, unlimited, for just $30 extra dollars, I'd be happy since I could hopefully cut back on calls (I often have to call to get STM/AMT schedules so hey!). But its worth it for me, cause I wouldnt have to carry my MBP around now when I just need a map or have to check my e-mail that afternoon.
Wow
3 year contract?! That's longer than my first marriage.
30$ unlimited data plan? If this is true, I'll take back half the bad things I've said about Rogers (that still leaves 500 bad things I've said that I'm not taking back).
3 year contract?! That's longer than my first marriage.
30$ unlimited data plan? If this is true, I'll take back half the bad things I've said about Rogers (that still leaves 500 bad things I've said that I'm not taking back).
prediction: 100 bucks a month minimum
I also am amused at all the comments both pro and con on this thread when no one even knows what the price will be. I predict it will be aprox. a hundred bucks a month for this puppy.
Sure the data is $30 unlimited which is good news, but how much is the voice part. I currently pay about $25 a month for a voice/text only cell-phone on Virgin. Rogers is certainly going to be $30 minimum but more likely $40 or even $60 if that comment about them raising their average user fees "by $30 to $90" is true. Then there are the "made up" fees like service access fees, taxes, etc.
This could easily be a hundred dollars a month for 36 months with no free upgrade. We still don't know, but since Rogers is a monopoly, it's more likely to be $100 than $60.
This means that for the average user, you could end up spending a lot of money for very little return. For instance, I find with my iPod touch, most of the time, a wi-fi network is available for free.
So I should change my monthly phone fees from $25 to $100 (a 300% increase!!), just so that when I am on the train I can send my email instead of waiting until the train gets to the station at the other end?
We'll have to see how they phrase that when it's formally announced, but it's certainly a key point. The iPhone is likely to be upgraded to another new model in a years time maximum. To lock into a three year contract without any information on upgrade paths would be the height of foolishness for any consumer.
I also am amused at all the comments both pro and con on this thread when no one even knows what the price will be. I predict it will be aprox. a hundred bucks a month for this puppy.
Sure the data is $30 unlimited which is good news, but how much is the voice part. I currently pay about $25 a month for a voice/text only cell-phone on Virgin. Rogers is certainly going to be $30 minimum but more likely $40 or even $60 if that comment about them raising their average user fees "by $30 to $90" is true. Then there are the "made up" fees like service access fees, taxes, etc.
This could easily be a hundred dollars a month for 36 months with no free upgrade. We still don't know, but since Rogers is a monopoly, it's more likely to be $100 than $60.
This means that for the average user, you could end up spending a lot of money for very little return. For instance, I find with my iPod touch, most of the time, a wi-fi network is available for free.
So I should change my monthly phone fees from $25 to $100 (a 300% increase!!), just so that when I am on the train I can send my email instead of waiting until the train gets to the station at the other end?
wow. That would be surprising from Rogers.
I mean that would be great but data plans have been high for so long. That became a tradition at Rogers.
anyway, hopes are high!
I mean that would be great but data plans have been high for so long. That became a tradition at Rogers.
anyway, hopes are high!
So what do you pay for just the voice part? That's the telling piece of info that is left out of the statement. The data is $30 on top of what?
We'll have to see how they phrase that when it's formally announced, but it's certainly a key point. The iPhone is likely to be upgraded to another new model in a years time maximum. To lock into a three year contract without any information on upgrade paths would be the height of foolishness for any consumer.
I also am amused at all the comments both pro and con on this thread when no one even knows what the price will be. I predict it will be aprox. a hundred bucks a month for this puppy.
Sure the data is $30 unlimited which is good news, but how much is the voice part. I currently pay about $25 a month for a voice/text only cell-phone on Virgin. Rogers is certainly going to be $30 minimum but more likely $40 or even $60 if that comment about them raising their average user fees "by $30 to $90" is true. Then there are the "made up" fees like service access fees, taxes, etc.
This could easily be a hundred dollars a month for 36 months with no free upgrade. We still don't know, but since Rogers is a monopoly, it's more likely to be $100 than $60.
This means that for the average user, you could end up spending a lot of money for very little return. For instance, I find with my iPod touch, most of the time, a wi-fi network is available for free.
So I should change my monthly phone fees from $25 to $100 (a 300% increase!!), just so that when I am on the train I can send my email instead of waiting until the train gets to the station at the other end?
I have no reason to believe that the ability to upgrade would be any different from any other phone Rogers has ever sold. You're entitled to a phone upgrade after one year of your contract is up, and every successive year after that.
LOL, tell that to Rogers. Theyre scum. I'm never signing any contract with them, theres no way in hell theyre ever getting a penny from me. Their pricing is ridiculous.
It really is a shame that everything in Canada is controlled by Rogers and Bell, we need a newcomer to setup towers and give us a decent network with better rates, but with rogers and bell having control over so much space, setting up a new network will cost a ton of money, but locations will be difficult to find. Thanks to these money hungry scum, Canadians are getting shafted in the ass. We have the highest cell phone rates in the western world.
Im still with Fido for my cell phone, ive been with fido since before rogers bought them out, and back then they had some very nice deals: $45 for unlimited incoming/outgoing anytime. Youll never see another deal like that. Ever.
Thanks Rogers! And F**k You!
I pay for a basic voice plan that covers my very basic needs (around 25$), and I use WiFi to connect to the net; fortunately I live in a big city.
I am quite doubtful that Rogers will be offering true unlimited plans and certainly at that price.
Rogers was notorious for claiming their BlackBerry plans were unlimited when they were really capped at 25MB. If this had been a US company doing that, a class action suit would have been launched.
Bell Canada offers 1GB Data Plan at $100, as does Telus, so if anything, Rogers might do something in this range.
If you read the article about Rogers carefully, you will note that Nadir Mohammed is talking more about supposed extra services they will be offering than aggressive rate plans.
Notice that he talks about a significant increase in ARPU. Where is that going to come from, lower prices?
We're looking at pricing changes that will be more flexible, easy to understand and most importantly, drive the adoption of mobile broadband."
Rogers now earns about $63 in average revenue per user (ARPU), a figure that has risen rapidly over the past few years with the increasing usage of data-heavy services such as text messaging and over-the-air music downloads.
With the introduction of the 3G iPhone and its application store on July 11, Mr. Mohamed estimated the device will bring about $90 in blended ARPU to the company, a reflection of how important wireless broadband adoption will be to the bottom lines of telecom providers.
"We're on a technology path that is delivering more and more to the customer," he remarked.
$30/Unlimited from Rogers? I highly doubt it, if it does happen I will be more than pleasently surprised and will upgrade to the 3G iPhone
Rogers was notorious for claiming their BlackBerry plans were unlimited when they were really capped at 25MB. If this had been a US company doing that, a class action suit would have been launched.
Bell Canada offers 1GB Data Plan at $100, as does Telus, so if anything, Rogers might do something in this range.
If you read the article about Rogers carefully, you will note that Nadir Mohammed is talking more about supposed extra services they will be offering than aggressive rate plans.
Notice that he talks about a significant increase in ARPU. Where is that going to come from, lower prices?
We're looking at pricing changes that will be more flexible, easy to understand and most importantly, drive the adoption of mobile broadband."
Rogers now earns about $63 in average revenue per user (ARPU), a figure that has risen rapidly over the past few years with the increasing usage of data-heavy services such as text messaging and over-the-air music downloads.
With the introduction of the 3G iPhone and its application store on July 11, Mr. Mohamed estimated the device will bring about $90 in blended ARPU to the company, a reflection of how important wireless broadband adoption will be to the bottom lines of telecom providers.
"We're on a technology path that is delivering more and more to the customer," he remarked.
$30/Unlimited from Rogers? I highly doubt it, if it does happen I will be more than pleasently surprised and will upgrade to the 3G iPhone
While most of you outside of Canada think 3 years is ridiculous, here in Canada if you want to be on a GSM network and/or have the best handsets first (which is still usually a while after everywhere else) you don't have much choice going anywhere else than Rogers. I've been on Rogers for 7 years and while I don't like Rogers, it seems like it is the lesser of all evils when taking everything (service, rate plans, handsets) into consideration. I'll be signing up for another 3 years soon, it's just a matter of if it will be an iPhone or a new Blackberry.
Oh, give us a break! Oh woe is you, you are in a contract. Are you actually going to run with your iPhone from Rogers to another carrier? Do you plan on switching back and forth between Rogers and Fido every two years? Who really cares if you are in a contract when you likely will stay with them for the full three years?
Especially considering hardware discounts operate independently from plan contracts. So if you want iPhone 3.0 in two years, you'll likely be able to get it.
I think Howard Forums (or Facebook) posted the info first http://howardforums.com/showpost.php?p=11217821&postcount=1205
But if this is true.. I will be planning to take a vacation day on the 11th. I desperately need internet right now as it is since I always have to go to an internet café just to check email.
$30 would be an insanely nice price if its unlimited... knowing Rogers.. Im expecting 300 megabytes or so
But if this is true.. I will be planning to take a vacation day on the 11th. I desperately need internet right now as it is since I always have to go to an internet café just to check email.
$30 would be an insanely nice price if its unlimited... knowing Rogers.. Im expecting 300 megabytes or so
I hope that's true. I don't mind the 3 year thing.
That is as far as I understand phone contracts....
The 3 year (or however many year) contract just means I have to stay with Rogers for the 3 years right? Or is there any other limits besides the obvious? For example, what about upgrades? Does that somehow limit me from upgrading my phone until the contract is over?
For those of you in Toronto with an unlocked phone/touch, what is your opinion on free wifi availability?
I borrowed a touch for a few days and was walking around my neighborhood (Yonge/Eglinton) and found that while it was picking up a lot of wifi networks, very few were unlocked. Of the half dozen unlocked ones, the touch only managed to get onto one successfully.
Is downtown different? Was I doing something wrong with the wifi settings?
I borrowed a touch for a few days and was walking around my neighborhood (Yonge/Eglinton) and found that while it was picking up a lot of wifi networks, very few were unlocked. Of the half dozen unlocked ones, the touch only managed to get onto one successfully.
Is downtown different? Was I doing something wrong with the wifi settings?
So based on that same story (leak) Financial Post is claiming $90 per month to be able to use the iphone.
http://www.financialpost.com/trading_desk/technology/story.html?id=599244
This is $3200 after 3 years + $200 for the phone.
http://www.financialpost.com/trading_desk/technology/story.html?id=599244
This is $3200 after 3 years + $200 for the phone.
Yes, I find it amusing too. Gives you an idea of how the general public feels about Rogers ... the cup is half empty NOT half full
I would be blown away if our iPhone data/voice plan matches AT&T, highly doubt it. So while Americans find the new AT&T plans pricey, we're ready to kiss Ted Rogers' feet if it happened to us - shows you how long we've been screwed over.
I've been with Rogers way back when it was Cantel and let me tell you they don't care how long you've been a customer unless you overspend every month. Yes some people can get hardware upgrades before their 2-3yr contract is up but for most people who spend a reasonable amount per month, say under $70, you get nada so you have to wait till your contract is up before you get a hardware upgrade. I know some corporate customers get upgrades sooner but that doesn't apply to everyone.
To those of you with personal Blackberries (non-corporate plan), does Rogers give you a new Blackberry every time a new model comes out regardless of when your 2-3yr contract expires. I would think Rogers would treat the iPhone just like the Blackberry. The big difference being we belong to the cult of Mac so we want to upgrade our iPhones regularly
If you're in downtown Vancouver, you'll be doing a lot of walking before you find reliable unlocked WiFi. I would think Toronto is no different.
I have that voice plan, at least until I get around to switching to a pay-as-you-go. My 3-year contract just ended, so now I'm a free agent.
To break it down, I never use the full number of minutes alloted to this plan; 10-20 minutes a month, tops. I use some long distance, not much, it usually comes up as $0 on the bill because a certain amount of LD is included. I need voice mail for various reasons I won't bore you with.
So, after system access fee, 911 fee, Extra Ripoff Pack, tax, I pay about $46/month for my $25/month cell phone that I use less than 20 minutes/month
And that is the cheapest plan I could get three years ago.
On the off chance that the Rogers iPhone offering would tempt me, I've been holding off switching to Virgin Mobile (I worked out my usage on a Virgin "plan" to under 25 actual dollars/month). But I don't think Rogers is going to woo me back this time. maybe when I'm richer.
Any recommendations on the Virgin Mobile phones, anyone?
You don't "have" to stay with Rogers.. basically if you decide you want to leave Rogers a while into your contract, you will have to pay, I think it's between a minimum of (I think) $100 and a maximum of $400 cancellation, it's $20 x months left on contract. Pretty expensive to leave.
There may be "two" kinds of cancellations as well.. one for if you decide to cancel the data plan (which is I think an additional $100), plus the one I just said above.
If you change your plan midway through a cycle or call retentions to get a discount or something on service, that will also renew your contract, meaning another 3 years, but your device is not tied completely to the contract. After x amount of time if you decide you want to get a new phone (usually between a year or 2 years and depends on how much you spend a month), you will get a subsidized price (if it's not an iPhone). Pretty complicated I know. I'm kind of worried since I upgraded my phone back in August, I might not be eligible for an iPhone until then.. but I need internet "now" and not then lol.
For upgrading phone.. I've been a customer for 3 years on my current line, I had an old Motorola at the beginning, then 2 years into the contract I wanted to upgrade (last August), so they gave me a really amazing deal on a phone that most customers got for 2x more. I had signed a new contract a few months earlier, if you change your plan, it will not affect upgrading your phone... unlike some carriers.
This message is a bit all over the place but I hope you know what I mean
With all due respect, you weren't trying hard enough. I pay $20/month for my Fido basic phone usage (which becomes about $30/month with all the fees and taxes), but everyone else in my family is on an unadvertised retention plan. $10/month, NO other extra fees, but no minutes included either. They pay about 15 cents a minute on top of that. It's kind of a pay-as-you-go service, but without the hassle of topping up minutes. No contract, and they get to use the same phones that everyone else does.
With your 20 minutes a month usage, you'd be paying $13+tax.