Canadian iPhone owners will pay the big bucks for App Store content

Jun 27, 2008 22:16 GMT  ·  By

Rogers Wireless, Canada's largest wireless carrier, has announced its data pricing plans for the iPhone 3G. Plans start at $60, combining voice and data, while the most expensive contract allows for a maximum of 2 GB data. Unfortunately, there is no unlimited data at either Rogers, or subsidiary Fido.

Rogers offers a wide selection of high value price packages to meet the needs of Canadian iPhone aficionados. All price plans require a three-year contract.

"As Canada's leading wireless carrier, Rogers is thrilled to not only bring the iPhone 3G to Canada but to make it affordable and accessible to as many customers as possible," says John Boynton, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Wireless. "We've designed a pricing structure that offers affordable, flexible voice and data packages so Canadians can truly unleash their iPhone 3G experience on Canada's fastest wireless network."

Here are two examples of iPhone 3G Price Plans at Rogers Wireless (the cheapest and the most expensive):

For $60 you get 150 minutes + unlimited evening and weekend, 400 MB data (up to 200,000 text emails or 3,100 web pages or 1,360 photo attachments), 75 incoming text messages and unlimited incoming texts and visual voicemail.

For the most expensive Rogers Wireless plan ($115), you get 800 minutes + unlimited evening and weekend, 2 GB data (up to 1,048,000 text emails or 16,000 web pages or 7,000 photo attachments), 300 sent text messages and unlimited incoming text messages and voicemail.

Needless to point out, it spells out pretty darn expensive for folks looking to spend a lot of time on the upcoming App Store. Given that iPhone apps are nowhere near the size of usual (Java) mobile games, users are going to have to pay the big bucks even for free App Store titles.

Pricing includes unlimited Wi-Fi access at all Rogers and Fido Hotspots. Rogers Wireless will also offer two voice value packs for popular wireless features, an official report reveals, with a $15 monthly value pack including Caller ID, Who Called, Caller Ring Trax, 2,500 Sent Text Messages and 2,500 Call Forwarding Minutes. A $20 monthly value pack including Caller ID, Who Called, Caller Ring Trax, 10,000 Sent Text Messages and 6:00 p.m., Early Evening Calling and 2,500 Call Forwarding Minutes will also be available.

iPhone 3G is slated for a Friday, July 11 release in 23 countries.