When Apple thinks you’re over-charging, something is wrong.
Canadian Apple stores will not be carrying iPhones. Instead, Canadian consumers will need to go directly to the wireless carrier, Rogers Wireless. This unexpected move is believed to be because apple is unhappy with the service plans Rogers has attached to the iPhone, starting at $60 for a paltry 150 minutes of talk time, 75 text messages, and 400MB of data (avoid YouTube!). Over the last few weeks, there has been a public outcry over the service plans, which do not include an option for unlimited internet usage.
Canadian iPhone buyers will need to agree to a 3 year contract and choose one of these plans:
- $60/month – 150 anytime minutes, 75 outgoing SMS, and 400 MB data, free evenings after 9pm
- $75/months – 300 anytime minutes, 100 outgoing SMS, and 750 MB data, free evenings after 9pm
- $100/month – 600 anytime minutes, 200 outgoing SMS, and 1 GB data, free evenings after 9pm
- $115/month – 800 anytime minutes, 300 outgoing SMS, and 2 GB data, free evenings after 9pm
((Read more at Apple Insider))
UPDATE: Rogers is backing down, at least a little. According to a press release, they will offer a promotional data-only plan for a limited time featuring 6GB of data for $30 per month that can be added onto any in-market voice plan. It’s an affordable offering, but still comes across as rather tone-deaf. Most people won’t use anywhere near 6 gb of data, but by placing a hard limit the company still comes across looking like jerks. Why not simply remove the cap on this plan and call it unlimited? Only a small percentage of users would go anywhere near 6 gb, but offering an unlimited plan would put people at ease and go a long way towards repairing Rogers’ badly damaged image.
The promotional plan is available not just to iPhone customers, but any Rogers customer with a 3G next-generation smart phone.
More details on the new plan from The Globe And Mail.
