iPhone with existing plans? so says Rogers spokesperson

HowEver

I read this on the internet.

iPhone rates irate would-be customers

	Quote:			Originally Posted by canada(us-owned).com
	iPhone rates irate would-be customers Roger's high monthly plans cause cyberspace buzz Canwest News Service Published: Monday, June 30, 2008 An online petition looking to mobilize Canadians outraged over Rogers Communications Inc.'s rates for Apple's iPhone 3G has begun to create a buzz in cyberspace, collecting over 19,000 signatures along the way. The petition, found on the website ruinediphone.com, was launched shortly after Rogers unveiled its pricing scheme last Friday for the iPhone, scheduled for sale in Canada July 11. The website, title “Screwing Canadian iPhone consumers since ‘08”, also includes an open letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs. Signed by James Hallen, the letter calls on Jobs to intervene and pressure Rogers into cheapening up their iPhone rates. “I was going to buy an iPhone for me, my girlfriend and my family. Now, sadly, I cannot afford the plan,” writes Hallen. “I hope you can do something Steve; we are loyal customers and trust that you will. We don’t want to lose faith in Apple.” The website has also provided a venting forum for outraged would-be iPhone customers, many who have included sharply worded statements along with their names or aliases on the petition. “As a previous Rogers employee I know for a fact that they can do better and this plan is a joke. Smarte’n up guys,” Chris Burka posted Monday. “You really ought to take a lesson from Google. ‘Don’t be evil,’” wrote Ryan Feller, who posted a minute before Burka. The petition is getting some high-profile cyber exposure with Fortune Magazine’s Apple 2.0 blog picking up the cause by comparing Rogers’ rates with those from the U.S. and U.K. “What’s wrong with Rogers’ rate plan?” writes blogger Philip Elmer-DeWitt. “For one thing, it comes with a mandatory three-year contract. In the U.K., O2 offers an 18 month contract and throws in the iPhone for free. And although both AT&T and Rogers offer calling, data and text messaging for $75 a month, Rogers at that price gives Canadians a third less calling time, half as many text messages, and puts a 750 MB cap on 3G data usage - with steep fees for users who go over their monthly limit.” Rogers is offering up four voice-and-data combo packages for the iPhone 3G, ranging in price from $60 per month to $115 a month, all requiring a three-year contract. Pricing includes unlimited Wi-Fi access at all Rogers and Fido hot spots, the company said. Caller ID will cost an extra $15 to $20 per month, depending on the package. The price on the phone - touted as being twice as fast as the first iPhone launched last year - is $199 for the eight-gigabyte model or $299 for the 16-gigabyte version. Liz Hamilton, a spokeswoman for Rogers said the company had no comment on the petition but said it was apparent there is “confusion in the marketplace” about Rogers pricing plans for the phone. She said iPhone 3G bundles are high value and offer customers savings over voice and data plans that exist today though they are not the only plans being offered. “These are the best value for customers who wish to use the iPhone 3G as it was meant to be used, but as always our customers have choices,” Hamilton said in an e-mail. She said customers can use their existing voice and smartphone data plans, or order other a la carte options so they don’t have to take the value pack. The petition’s creators said they plan to send a printed copy of all comments posted on their website to Rogers headquarters in Toronto July 11 “to demonstrate our indignation toward them.”

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Ottawaman

I'm sure that their paper shredders are on full alert.

Kasmeran

I guess there is confusion in the marketplace... I am confused by that statement. Their plans seemed pretty clear to me.

Maybe she could clear things up.

Flipstar

Okay I can't remember if I saw this on the Rogers website, but I just caught it today.. was that always there?

Data Usage - Your iPhone will be enabled for data usage. If you subscribe to a plan with no data included, data charges at a pay-per-use rate of 5¢/KB for data sent and/or received over the Rogers network will apply, unless you subscribe to a data plan, which we highly recommend. Roaming charges apply while using your iPhone outside Canada. U.S. data roaming on iPhone Packages is $3/MB. The standard international data roaming rate applies. Visit rogers.com/roaming for our roaming rates and destinations. Data usage is measured in KB rounded to the next full KB.

HowEver

Okay, that confirms it!

Rogers Communications - Wireless, Digital Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet, Home Phone

Now to see if I can get this on my corporate plan.

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jeepguy

The confusion is they expected us to bow down and kiss their feet.

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"Barrie the California of Ontario" : Mike Stafford AM640

zlinger

I may write a letter to Rogers customer service...

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Dear Rogers Communications Inc.:

Yes, there is confusion in the marketplace. We as "Valued Customers" are all idiots and don't know what the hell we want.

Our wants and needs are unfounded, and don't mean squat. Rogers knows best.. always has, always will. Please continue to overcharge us, and stifle innovation in Canada.

Yours truly,

One of your stupid customers who wants an iPhone and unlimited data.

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It is clear the puppets of Rogers are going into damage control. Too little, too late Teddy Boy.

fjnmusic

I sent her an e-mail. You can too. Nothing like trying to get some information directly from the horse's mouth.

Rogers and Apple to Bring iPhone 3G to Canada on July 11

Elizabeth Hamilton's e-mail and phone number are at the bottom of the page.

satchmo

So based on this, we should be able to just get voice-plan and forego any data plans, right?

Well...I spoke to FIDO and they read back to me their official statement saying that 'you must have a voice and data plan'. They were frankly surprised that Rogers and FIDO were not on the same page as they normally are.

fjnmusic

But the sucky thing about it, satchmo, appears to be that you can't access data features at all, not even at the hot spots, without paying through the nose. 5¢ a kb for one 600 kb webpage will cost you $30. Not exactly a bargain.

If you go with a dataless plan, you have an iPod Touch with built-in cellphone.