More Details Emerge on Rogers’ Forthcoming iPhone Plans

by Eric March on August 29, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Seems the word’s spreading and Rogers have revealed more than CBC News let on. Toronto’s Report on Business offered up a little more dish on Rogers’ forthcoming October 1st 3G data plans, which will be applicable to all current 3G smartphones including the iPhone.

Data plans scheduled to go into effect after September include:

500MB for $25/month ($50/gig)
1GB for $30/month ($30/gig)
2GB for $50/month ($25/gig)
3GB for $60/month ($20/gig)
8GB for $80/month ($10/gig)

The higher tiers may seem a bit spendy, but comparing them to their initial offerings that topped out at 5GB for $130/month should help to put things in perspective. These new rates also help knock Rogers down a few rungs on the ladder of carriers who charge dearly for data. I do find the gap between 3GB and 8GB to be a little curious; it seems to me that there should be a 5GB for $70/month tier in there.

Report on Business also fleshed out the consumption trends as reported by Rogers. Further to the 95% who used under 500MB, 91% of those used less than 200MB. Only one person exceeded the 6GB cap.

Customers who sign up on or after October 1st will also be treated to unlimited data for the first 3 months, and those who sign up for certain tiers who find they are insufficient can upgrade to higher tiers without penalty.

I’m not going to say these are fantastic rates, because they’re not. AT&T still has us beat by a wide margin at $30 for unlimited — but given Rogers’ historical prices for data, this is a quantum leap towards far more reasonable rates month over month, and absolutely helps ease the burden while we wait for new GSM carriers to emerge from the spectrum auction (and possibly Bell) to put the fear of competition into Ted’s heart.

(via Report on Business)