14 DAY TRIAL // It was only a matter of time before Apple saw Rogers Wireless' aggressive marketing move concerning the iPhone 3G. While customers have always been disappointed with Rogers' plans, now we're clearly dealing with a more serious matter, since Apple has actually started diverting iPhones from Canada to Europe.
Daniel Smith, writing on Smithereens, cites senior Rogers representatives as saying that Apple is redirecting iPhone 3G shipments to European markets. While he can't provide exact numbers, Smith alleges that the numbers of iPhone 3G units reaching Rogers outlets will be "significantly reduced." He adds that stores have been told to "exercise caution" and not over-promise delivery of the new devices.
Some reports, however, say Apple was already planning to ship very few units of its new device to Rogers Wireless (as few as 10 to 20 new iPhones), particularly because of its "astronomically high" rates, according to Macnn.
Nevertheless, none of Rogers Wirless' plans have been this high up until now. Just last week, thousands of angry Canadians made their feelings known on various websites such as eh Mac, GeekCulture, and blog.r4nt. Fortune reported that the largest protest recorded was a petition made available at RuinediPhone, which folks could sign in an attempt to change Rogers/Fido's mind about the tariffs.
With as many as 43,000 users having signed this virtual petition, Rogers is now working on "tweaking" some of its rate plans, and even on adding an unlimited data plan for the iPhone 3G. A bit too late really, given that Apple has probably already started shipping the device units. Then again, who knows, maybe this will prompt Apple to write the carrier a letter saying that "there's plenty more where that came from, if you keep up the good rates."
Rogers Wireless previously attempted to sell separate voice and data plans, allowing users to select their favorite features, but had little success. It is now working on new plans to shake off the criticism, according to Macnn.
"Customers are not restricted just to the 4 iPhone bundles that were announced & are able to select from most of our other voice & data plans," said Bruce M. Mann, Vice President Investor Relations at Rogers Communications Inc. "We do not have an unlimited data plan, although we are looking at potentially tweaking some of the data plan bucket sizes."
Hopefully for Canadian iPhone fans, the new tariffs appeal to Apple.