Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Any AT&T sales people here? Question on buying my iPhone.

Leto · 07-09-2008, 12:59 PM

iphone will be available here on July 11. but the plan is terrible. I'm considering using my upgrade to just get the hardware, use my old plan (no data services) and depend on the wifi access of the phone.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/457180

Rogers caves on iPhone pricing

CHRIS SUPPA PHOTO FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Rogers under fire over iPhone rates
Wireless giant Rogers Communications Inc. continues to be buffeted by rumours as it prepares the Canadian launch of Apple Inc.'s much-ballyhooed iPhone on Friday.Jul 09, 2008 12:09 PM

CHRIS SORENSEN
BUSINESS REPORTER

Rogers Communications Inc. has thrown a bone to potential iPhone customers by offering a limited-time promotional data rate plan that should silence complaints about Canadian pricing for the eagerly-anticipated device.

The wireless giant said today it would give iPhone subscribers who sign up before Aug. 31 the option of purchasing a 6-gigabyte data plan for $30 per month in addition to any voice plan.

While that still doesn’t match the unlimited data plans offered in the United States by AT&T Inc., the promotion offers significantly better value than the rate plans Rogers unveiled earlier this month.

Under that pricing model, the cheapest plan offered just 400 megabytes of data, 150 minutes of weekday talk time and unlimited evenings and weekends for $60 per month plus fees and taxes.

The plans immediately sparked protest in some quarters of the Internet from users who argued the iPhone’s focus on mobile Web browsing and multimedia would quickly propel users over their caps, leaving with hefty overage charges at the end of each month.

John Boynton, the senior vice-president and chief marketing officer of Rogers Wireless, said in an interview the promotional offer is in response to customer concerns.

“We’re responding to our customers that gave us a lot of feedback,” he said, adding that rumours about a spat with Apple over pricing or a limited supply of iPhones were false.

He said Rogers is expecting record sales following the iPhone’s launch on Friday at six Rogers stores across the country, including a Rogers store on Dundas St. in Toronto.

“This will be the best-selling phone in Canadian history.”

He added that the 6-gigabyte promotional offer won’t be limited to the iPhone, but will be available on all devices that run on Rogers third generation, or 3G, wireless network. That includes the soon-to-be launched BlackBerry Bold.

Boynton said existing price plans for the iPhone will go back into effect Sept. 1.

“What we’re trying to do is satisfy a very small group of people, the early adopters,” he said. “When those customers are done, we’re back to our basic user.”

Meanwhile, rivals Bell Canada Inc. and Telus Corp. have stepped into a pricing controversy of their own after telling customers they would be charged 15 cents for every text message they receive beginning next month.

At present, subscribers are only charged for outgoing text messages. Users who opt for a plan that includes text messaging won’t be affected.

The phone companies say the move is necessary because of the explosive growth in the popularity of text messaging among Canadians.

While the change would put the Canadian carriers in line with U.S. wireless operators that charge 20 cents per message, some are complaining that it’s a cash grab and that subscribers will be unfairly penalized for cell phone spam.

07-09-2008, 12:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	iphone will be available here on July 11. but the plan is terrible. I'm considering using my upgrade to just get the hardware, use my old plan (no data services) and depend on the wifi access of the phone. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/457180 Rogers caves on iPhone pricing CHRIS SUPPA PHOTO FOR THE TORONTO STAR Rogers under fire over iPhone rates Wireless giant Rogers Communications Inc. continues to be buffeted by rumours as it prepares the Canadian launch of Apple Inc.'s much-ballyhooed iPhone on Friday.Jul 09, 2008 12:09 PM CHRIS SORENSEN BUSINESS REPORTER Rogers Communications Inc. has thrown a bone to potential iPhone customers by offering a limited-time promotional data rate plan that should silence complaints about Canadian pricing for the eagerly-anticipated device. The wireless giant said today it would give iPhone subscribers who sign up before Aug. 31 the option of purchasing a 6-gigabyte data plan for $30 per month in addition to any voice plan. While that still doesn’t match the unlimited data plans offered in the United States by AT&T Inc., the promotion offers significantly better value than the rate plans Rogers unveiled earlier this month. Under that pricing model, the cheapest plan offered just 400 megabytes of data, 150 minutes of weekday talk time and unlimited evenings and weekends for $60 per month plus fees and taxes. The plans immediately sparked protest in some quarters of the Internet from users who argued the iPhone’s focus on mobile Web browsing and multimedia would quickly propel users over their caps, leaving with hefty overage charges at the end of each month. John Boynton, the senior vice-president and chief marketing officer of Rogers Wireless, said in an interview the promotional offer is in response to customer concerns. “We’re responding to our customers that gave us a lot of feedback,” he said, adding that rumours about a spat with Apple over pricing or a limited supply of iPhones were false. He said Rogers is expecting record sales following the iPhone’s launch on Friday at six Rogers stores across the country, including a Rogers store on Dundas St. in Toronto. “This will be the best-selling phone in Canadian history.” He added that the 6-gigabyte promotional offer won’t be limited to the iPhone, but will be available on all devices that run on Rogers third generation, or 3G, wireless network. That includes the soon-to-be launched BlackBerry Bold. Boynton said existing price plans for the iPhone will go back into effect Sept. 1. “What we’re trying to do is satisfy a very small group of people, the early adopters,” he said. “When those customers are done, we’re back to our basic user.” Meanwhile, rivals Bell Canada Inc. and Telus Corp. have stepped into a pricing controversy of their own after telling customers they would be charged 15 cents for every text message they receive beginning next month. At present, subscribers are only charged for outgoing text messages. Users who opt for a plan that includes text messaging won’t be affected. The phone companies say the move is necessary because of the explosive growth in the popularity of text messaging among Canadians. While the change would put the Canadian carriers in line with U.S. wireless operators that charge 20 cents per message, some are complaining that it’s a cash grab and that subscribers will be unfairly penalized for cell phone spam.