Rogers adjusts data plans for iPhone, BlackBerry Bold

By Ed Oswald | Published August 29, 2008, 1:07 PM

With the BlackBerry Bold now available, Rogers, Canada's leading carrier has decided to extend its iPhone 3G promotional data plan until next month, while adjusting other plans.

Rogers Wireless' data plans came under almost immediate criticism after the iPhone 3G's launch on July 11, for what many saw as overpriced data rates. The company later adjusted those plans to appease its detractors.

As part of those adjustments, the company also announced a promotional plan for $30 per month that allowed for the transfer of 6 GB of data. It was set to expire on August 31, but the company has now decided to extend it until the end of September.

The move may not have as much to do with continuing the strong sales of the iPhone 3G in Canada as much as it may be designed to attract more customers for the more recently released BlackBerry Bold. That device was launched on the Rogers network last week.

Along with the extension of the promotion, the company will introduce revised plans for data. A 500 MB plan will cost users $25 per month, and include three months of unlimited usage. Another will allow 1 GB for an additional $5 per month. Rogers says the new plans will debut October 1.

Customers will be able to use the data plans for "tethering," which allows connection to a laptop for use as a modem.

Research has shown that 95% of Rogers customers used less than 500 MB per month, while only one percent of customers used more than 1 GB of data. No doubt, Rogers' new plans likely are in reaction to this discovery.

Comments

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I don't know what the exchange rate, is but in the UK we'd pay £35p/m, but for _unlimited_ data on the iPhone.

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Yeah - Rogers is running scared because Bell and Telus are about to partner up.

I wanna see these GREEDY turds (Rogers) go DOWN.

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Bell offers the instinct for $130 and an unlimited data plan for $10!!!

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Until this afternoon, my data portion of my Rogers voice/data plan was the $40 "Data Plus Plan"... which gave me 7 MB/month. Talk about getting bent over!

After 2.5 hours on hold today, I switched to the $30 / 6 GB plan.

I think the tech guy took pity on me because he (I started with a sales guy) eventually admitted that if I got a USB aircard (I purchased a Novotel Ovation MC950D tonight at Future Shop for $299)... I could slide my phone's SIM card into the aircard and 'use' my 6GB on my phone and/or my laptop, depending which one has my SIM card installed at that moment. I tested it as soon as I came home. Easy plug & play and it was a downloading rocket within 2 minutes of coming out of the box.

This is the answer I've been looking for for my cottage! 6GB/month to split between my phone and my laptop (same account!)... saving $10/month and getting a zillion times more data traffic for my $30. THANK GOD for the iphone. I will never own one (I prefer my HP IPAQ 6955) but without it, they never would have dragged Ted into a fair price change.

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Why the hell would anyone go with those thieves at Rogers?

Go Telus.

Much more civil approach.

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Telus, eh? The same guys that have canceled their unlimited data plan, and are now canceling all of their grandfathered customers on trumped up technicalities that are gonna result in a lawsuit against them? Very civil.

Not a huge fan of Rogers, either - they're all crooks. Don't pretend Telus is more nobler.

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Why go to Rogers Roj?
Go Telus Roj?
Odd you must be a Telus Shareholder.
Or maybe more money then
$65.00 for a Gig.
Sure a savings there.

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Who the hell said they were nobler?

In a country where the CRTC is owned lock, stock and barrel by the Telcos and gets down on its knees with its mouth open on a regualr basis for them, nobler isn't even in the picture. Given the Bell and telus are about to partner in a joint venture which will cause prices to drop (as is pointed out here) and Rogers is following suit, I say go there - for now. If things change, go with the better deal.

I just doubt you'll ever get a "best deal" scenario from Teddy and company.

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Ya I got their promotional data plan. It's still over priced. But it's the best deal we can get with the lack of competition.

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It is the best plan for our money currently. The sad thing is many idiots *i.e. kids with too much money to spend* will be getting the "cheapest" iPhone plan. Sucks to be them >=) muahahahaha

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I just wish bell would get into the game, I pay 40.00 for 8MB, YES MB, for my blackberry, I would love to get 6 GIG for 30.00/month. We definitely need more competition here in Canada, The 2 BIG ones, thats all we got, sadly neither are giving us a good deal!

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Here we pay almost $50 for 3GB so be grateful. :P :D

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