Canadians Protest High iPhone Rate
Our Canadian neighbors to the north are up in arms to what they feel are extremely high rates they will have to pay to use an iPhone from Apple. Seems that there is only one official, Apple approved company called Rogers that offers services which do seem high at $115 for the fastest speed. In a letter to Steve Jobs the protesters state:
Dear Steve,
My name is James and I would like to thank you for creating the wonderful iPhone device. We really think that you will change the world with it, just as you changed the world with the iPod. We were so happy to learn that on July 11th, we would finally be able to buy the iPhone and legally use it in Canada.
To our great disappointment, Rogers Communications Inc. has announced VERY unfair rates in comparison to AT&T in the United States and to other authorized wireless service providers around the world…. (link)
In addition Rogers has a 3 year contract which is longer than what is offered in the US and UK. Hopefully Apple will be able to pressure Rogers to rethink their rate plan and contract length, which does seem excessive.
Comments welcome.
4 Comments
the oracle
June 29th, 2008
at 7:19pm
I’m tempted to simply say ‘Life sucks, then you die”
The more I look at ither parts of the world, the more I see that things tend to even out – there is probably some service there that is ridiculously cheap compared to her in the US.
Also, having read telecom rags while in the cell phone industry, this is not the first time that Rogers has tried to skewer their customers – it’s more than just the iPhone.
Although I couldn’t care less about an iPhone, I have followed the progress of its adoption around the world. With the exception of Australia, one carrier is picked, and all others don’t get it. In Australia, 3 carriers will all be carrying the iPhone, so the customers there will be able to get the network they want with the phone they want – too bad it’s not like that everywhere.
a gindin
June 30th, 2008
at 3:54pm
ain’t socialism great! eeb
kr_toronto
July 2nd, 2008
at 5:56am
Actually, this is an issue with ALL of our service providers up here – it’s just taken to a new level with the introduction of the iPhone…
With “System Access Fees” pushing $10 a month – regardless of what plan you have – we are getting the royal screw job regardless of who we are with!
There are very few “budget” companies (such as Cricket) around – basically, it’s the “Big Three” (the previously mentioned Rogers being one of them). If you live anywhere OTHER than a major city, then you have NO choice in the matter…
:(
Sn0vv
July 5th, 2008
at 4:37pm
Its all about money….greed……multbillion dollar corporations are never satisfied with profits that surpass even some COuntries on the map………..you cant do nothing about it…except boycott and send letters and pray……..
Look at the prices between Canada and the US….cars computers…..iphones ipods etc etc are about 5-10% cheaper in the states then canada…………I am talking about BEFORE taxes prices…after taxes prices we canadians are screwed anyways….. are dollars are around the same…so currency exchange is not the problem..someone tell me why its like this