iPhone Plans in Canada

[Yuiichi]

What did I tell you?

We are getting absolutely screwed with the plans on the iPhone in Canada. Specifically, the data part. You know how the rest of the world (at least, currently) has unlimited data with their iPhone? Not Canada - no siree. We're destined to be different.

Right now, the cheapest plan you can get is $60 (which is not so bad). But how much data do you get with that? 400mb. Yes, that's megabytes. I don't remember the last time that I ever had to measure my internet usage in that denomination. So, there has to be something better, right? I mean, it's going to be more expensive, but 400mb is just too little. Well, for $120, you can get a whole 2GB of data! Woo! Boy, is Rogers being generous!

Hey, they do give us unlimited evenings* and weekends.

* Evenings start at the ungodly hour of 9PM ("HAY GUISE, DON'T CALL ME TILL 9, K?").

Sorry if this sounds a little like venting. Well, it is venting. I mean, we get the iPhone late (although, we are getting it before other countries) and now we have to pay the same amount for less. I don't see why anyone in Canada would even bother with this. I know I'm not going near it.

What about you guys? Has any pricing been released for the other countries that are getting it on the 11th? Are you guys getting more/less boned than we are? I'd love to know!

[philbowell]

It seems the UK deals are the best so far, hope it doesn't depress you too much. Unfortunately I can't take advantage as I am locked into a contract on another network (Vodafone). I'd be interested to know just how much data people use. I may have the opportunity of a 1st Gen iPhone, and unlocking it for use with my current contract. I can add "unlimited" (read 500mb) data for another £5. It seems that it's quite a lot for a phone, remember the way you use it will be different to a Mac.

[Yuiichi]

The thing about the iPhone is that it actually displays the "full" web and not just the little mobile pages. This means that you're loading up lots of images/layouts/etc. I'm sure that even with light browsing, I could fill this 400MB limit in 2 weeks max.

[philbowell]

I think that would take some serious browsing, to fill it in that time. My iBook has been up for 3 days. In that time I've used 560mb in (according to iStat Menu). Now that involves my Mac being used all evening plus today (IM, browsing, email etc). It's taken 3 days to do that over WiFi, now to do that over 3G on an iPhone would involve a lot of surfing. Particularly when you add in the fact that you will likely use it over WiFi as well, I think you'd be surprised how long it lasts.

[baseballboy828]

400 is low, but most don't go that far over. From what I heard, heavy users use 750MB a month at most, with WiFi and Edge. 2GB would be plenty for everyone. It's a shame Rogers doesn't offer 1GB for $80 a month or something like that.

[Yuiichi]

Thanks for reminding me about that feature in iStat (for me iStat Pro) Phil. Just to show how much I browse, my MacBook has been up for 8 days. I've used 4.68 GB in and 175 MB out. And that's just browsing. I don't download anything on my MacBook and I'm not even on it for a great deal of time every day.

Now, I can imagine that it would take me a lot longer to get even close to that amount of usage on an iPhone where the browsing is much slower and the fact that I wouldn't be out all that much. But still, I can see myself going way over that limit within the timeframe of a month. And, personally, even paying $60 a month for a mobile phone is ridiculous.

It's not just me that realized that we're not getting a fair shake with this deal. Someone has started up an online petition and open letter to Steve Jobs. Since yesterday, it's garnered almost 8000 signatures and over 4000 diggs. Pretty impressive, to say the least.

[studioprisoner]

when i got mine, i used it HEAVILY for a month and only did about 100mb through edge. if your around wifi much that helps! but for the first week i was actually travelling australia and relied on it a lot and yeh in a month only used about 100mb

[Crys009]

Well, I'm not suprised. Remember back to last year when we were expecting a holiday 2007 release and there was speculation as to why that just wasn't happening? I think the common reason is Apple never could agree with Rogers' pricing and I think the only reason we're suddenly getting the iPhone now is if we didn't, we'd be left out and therefore WAY behind and Rogers doesn't want that. Unfortunately the draw for the iPhone is so strong that despite the ridiculous data charges, people will just bite the bullet...in droves I bet!

And they'll pay big time! Remember the scandal about that guy who sued AT&T (I think) because he was charged $400 one month... This will happen many times over I'm sure over here with Rogers. But again...lots people here want to be seen with an iPhone and many will just pay anyway.

[Yuiichi]

I really think anyone who would pay $60 for those garbage plans we're being fed is part of the problem. If hardly anyone got an iPhone day one and sales didn't improve much over the next few weeks, Rogers would know they've done something wrong. Even with that petition that I linked to, which has over 16,000 signatures in 72 hours, I don't think Rogers will listen.

If we want change, we have to hurt them where it counts - their bottom line. Unfortunately, as you said, many people just want to look trendy and will bite the bullet. I'll personally smack everyone I see with one (not really).

[Crys009]

Originally Posted by Yuiichi

I really think anyone who would pay $60 for those garbage plans we're being fed is part of the problem. If hardly anyone got an iPhone day one and sales didn't improve much over the next few weeks, Rogers would know they've done something wrong. Even with that petition that I linked to, which has over 16,000 signatures in 72 hours, I don't think Rogers will listen.

If we want change, we have to hurt them where it counts - their bottom line. Unfortunately, as you said, many people just want to look trendy and will bite the bullet. I'll personally smack everyone I see with one (not really).

Hahaha, people will smack themselves when they see that bill every month! People who buy the $60 plan will soon figure out the trick. They'll probably try to stay within that plan for a month and then see that it actually isn't enough, and then they'll switch to a higher plan. But really, if the $60 plan with only 400mb is enough then why buy an iPhone? lol, what do you use it for???

If I'm buying an iPhone, I want to REALLY use it. Otherwise I'm sticking with my iPod touch and my regular 20th century phone. I think considering the rising gas/food costs, to go out and buy an iPhone and pay those highway-robbery prices is just not right. Unless you have disposable income. Would I get an iPhone? Absolutely...if someone else were paying for it