Rogers Wireless Releases iPhone Plans

rogers_logo Rogers announced a series of iPhone pricing plans with usage limits this morning, quashing speculation the carrier would offer all-you-can-eat deals for users of the much-anticipated gadget.

The hope, purveyed by this here blogger and others that fanned the iPhone pricing speculation in recent weeks, was that Rogers would make a $30 unlimited data plan like the one offered by U.S. counterpart AT&T, available to users. Rogers will start selling the iPhone on July 11.

The reality will be much different for users of the iPhone on the Rogers networks once that date arrives. The entry-level iPhone combo voice and data plans, which costs $60 a month, gives users 400MB of data and 150 daytime minutes. The $75 a month plan provides users with a 750MB data allotment and 450 daytime minutes.

These limits will more than likely be too low for many smartphone users. iPhone fanatics that take the $60 Rogers plan - the cheapest plan offered by the carrier - will probably find they will reach the plan limits quickly.

It’s not hard to chew up 400MB in other words. Rogers, for its part, says the plan using 400 MB of data equates to 200,000 text e-mails or 3,100 web pages or 1,360 photo attachments. The 2GB plan represents up to 1,048,000 text e-mails or 16,000 Web pages or 7,000 photo attachments.

I’m not sure I follow the math. As a longtime smartphone user, it’s not hard to hit a data usage ceiling.

Check out a few web sites, your Facebook page, send some text messages to your friends while waiting for your ride. Repeat the cycle enough times, throw in some other data-oriented activities and voila! You’ve reached your limit.

iPhone users worried about overage limits and accompanying costs can use the Wi-Fi hotspots as part of a monthly iPhone subscription. Probably a smart practice to employ - the overage charges weren’t immediately apparent. One guess - it won’t be cheap.

Equally notable is the low daytime minute allotment, especially on the low-end plans, which makes it a non-starter for business people, who are typically heavy voice and data users. Urban professionals, who rely on their mobile device for all their communications needs, may also find the entry-level plans insufficient.

These are the types of customers Rogers is trying to attract with the iPhone.

Those target customers, who typically use the device like a personal computer, will probably have to opt for the $100 or $115 per month iPhone option from Rogers.

Per my original prediction, Canadian iPhone users who want the device to be something more than a fashion accessory or the occasional Web browsing device will need to pay between $150 to $200 a month (once the system access fee, features such as voicemail and taxes are included.)

The pricing plans puts the iPhone within the realm of reality for some Canadians. Many others, who had anticipated the arrival of unlimited data pricing plans, will be disappointed.

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June 27, 2008 | Filed Under News Items and Commentary 

Comments

5 Responses to “Rogers Wireless Releases iPhone Plans”

  1. Mark Evans on June 27th, 2008 5:43 pm

    Kevin,

    Good analysis. The big question is whether the hype about the iPhone will overshadow the fact Rogers’ packages are far from attractive. Maybe people will be so excited, they’ll get an iPhone only to regret it when they get their bills.

  2. Chris Luckhardt on June 27th, 2008 5:56 pm

    Excellent summary. I’m a huge Apple fanatic and I find it difficult to see myself buying into Rogers’ data plan lunacy.

  3. Stuart MacDonald on June 27th, 2008 6:29 pm

    Nice work Kevin. Probably the best round-up I’ve read on the topic.

    Of course, I’m waiting for the Bold :)

    - Stuart

  4. dbrum on June 27th, 2008 7:56 pm

    Total lunacy by Rogers.

  5. dbrum on June 27th, 2008 8:29 pm

    Cost comparison of iPhone in Canada/US/UK:

    http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/4/6/27/f_iphone3gcosm_c58f77c.png

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