Canadian iPhone in the News
by Eric March on June 28, 2008 at 2:02 pm
If I seem like I’m focusing on the iPhone in Canada situation a lot, I apologize — but obviously, this is a topic that hits where it hurts for both me and Jody, and for millions of other Canadians from what I’m reading.
Virtually no one is happy with Rogers’ rates, and the displeasure ranges from disgruntled comments to corrosive venom, with the only “what’s the big deal?” comments from data neophites and people who don’t understand the full scope of what kind of data-hungry apps iPhone 2.0 engenders. The day that Rogers announced their plans was the same day a petition site with a harshly-worded URL went up. E-Mail addresses of Rogers execs and links to a report page to the Competition Bureau of Canada flew (and the Competition Bureau has subsequently stated that they’ve been getting many reports). The blogosphere is humming with derisive articles. IntoMobile, iPhone In Canada, macQuebec (en français), p2pnet, andPOP, iPhone User and others feature pieces on Rogers’ highway robbery. The forums are similarly hopping mad, with threads on Howard Forums (and here), The Computer Mechanics, MacRumors, iPhone in Canada forums, the Engadget thread, — even Digg commenters. Canadians are not happy with Rogers. But what choice to Canadians have? Rogers have a virtual GSM monopoly in Canada, and even with the wireless spectrum auction looming, Rogers won’t see any potential competition come from that for a few years yet. Our voices are a faint buzz in Ted Rogers’ ears, barely able to penetrate the fingers he has inserted into them on a more or less perpetual basis, and what sound leaks through is neatly drowned out by repeatedly shouting “lalalala I’m not listening lalalalala!“ They even went so far as to defend their pricing plans amid the consumer outcry — and they didn’t even get their cites right.
Petitions don’t go very far unless the number of signatures is enough to cover Ted’s entire field of vision. Complaining with our wallets — not buying into Ted’s outrageous rates — is a good way to get the message across, but provides little instant gratification, especially since we’d be depriving ourselves of a coveted device. What we need are voices that carry more weight than our own. Perhaps the news media can help with that.
In browsing the media this morning I’ve come across a number of articles from reputable sources that echo our despair, albeit in a much calmer, more media-friendly manner. Reuters Canada had a rather non-committal article that spent a paragraph or two echoing the sentiment. The Toronto Star starts off more optimisic, positing that these plans put the iPhone “in the realm of reality” for many Canadians, though its position seems to come from comparing the current rates to last year’s even more astronomical ones, rather than comparing our overall rates to other countries. It does delve into the disappointing aspecs of the rates though, citing market research firm KDC’s Kevin Restivo as saying that the rates are aimed at people who treat web browsing as a novelty rather than a core function. The Winnipeg Free Press is fairly neutral on the issue, simply stating the basics.
The Globe and Mail’s article lands more firmly on the pessimistic side, offering up Info-Tech Research Group senior analyst Michelle Warren’s quote, “These rates are just another indicator that Canadian cellphone rates are really high and that essentially the carriers feel like they can charge whatever they like. Rates should be going down, they shouldn’t be going up, and these are expensive rates.” Amen, sistah.
C|Net Crave decided to get downright scathing. “In its press release, Rogers does provide a convenient chart to gauge your data usage–apparently, 2G amounts to 16,000 Web pages (who knew?)–but we don’t approve of such an arrangement at all. The iPhone’s Web browser is one of its top attractions, particularly on a 3G network, and asking users to limit their data certainly isn’t putting the “Internet in your pocket.” Rogers is offering unlimited Wi-Fi access at all Rogers and Fido hotspots, but that in itself is limiting if you have to be in one place.” Yeah, they know what’s up.
So with all of this negative press, both small-time and mass media, will Rogers pay attention? It’s hard to say. We are all painfully aware that the Rogers collective lives in its own universe, separated from the hoi polloi by mile-thick steel walls that nothing short of the CRTC’s Regulation Cannon can penetrate, but can the massive consumer backlash that is building fast and hard create enough ammo to threaten these plans with the death of a thousand paper cuts? We’ll have to wait and see — but if I wouldn’t go holding my breath. Even if the riots break into Ted’s world, they’ll still have to contend with Ted’s fingers.
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Posted in iPhone 3G, iPhone Canada
June 28th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Even though I have no plans to get an iPhone, I am going to submit a complaint to the Competitions Bureau about the rates. The more voices the better, and the fees are outrageous.
And the CRTC are whores to the industry, so don’t expect anything from them.
June 28th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
The plan rates are bad in the US also, but nothing I can really do about it, since most people are praising the iPhone so much that AT&T will still make a butt load of money from people who CAN afford it. I mean, I suppose I can afford it, but not with crappy networks like AT&T has in the US.
*SIGH*
June 29th, 2008 at 12:24 am
@Uncle – Yeah, the CRTC do have a tendancy to dance for the industry, but they do have the power to do something about it if push comes to shove. I’ve filed my complaint on the Competition Bureau as well. Rogers must really be toeing the antitrust line, and they really need to be put in their place about it.
@Dustin – Are you kidding? Even after system access fees, taxes, and any add-ons to your voice packages, you guys still have a really sweet deal compared to us. Unlimited data and SMS, lots of anytime minutes, and a shorter contract. I don’t know about the reliability or coverage area of AT&T over there — Rogers is pretty good here, especially for reliability — but surely it must be a small price to pay for such comparatively good plans.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
This may be a little simplistic, but why don’t people just by an iPod Touch for all of the great things it can do, and then buy a cellphone (cheap or whatever) for their calling needs. That way you can have your cake and eat it, too, and tell Rogers to take a hike!