Breaking News: Rogers to revamp data pricing (is that up or down?)

June 16th, 2008Breaking News: Rogers to revamp data pricing (is that up or down?)

Posted by Editor in Rogers, data, datarates, iphone

Chris Sorensen at The Star has the story that Rogers will be revamping their data pricing in time for the iPhone.

Mohamed said that wireless data pricing will “evolve” as Rogers subscribers begin using their phones for more than making voice calls – a trend expected to gain traction once Apple Inc.’s iPhone is made available to Canadians through Rogers on July 11….

“You will see more value in our pricing as we go forward,” Mohamed said today at a telecom conference in Toronto.

Rogers and other Canadian wireless operators have been criticized for charging subscribers some of the highest data rates in the developed world.

At WirelessNorth.ca we’re cautiously optimistic that Rogers is finally be at the cusp of embracing 21st century mobile trends. Rogers insiders have been whispering for a while that data pricing would be coming down when the time was right. Nonetheless we await to hear what exactly means “evolved” and “value”.

And then, in other news from “the more things change” department, the Star also reports that “While Rogers has yet to reveal how much it will cost Canadians to own an iPhone, executives have said they are not fans of unlimited plans such as those offered with the iPhone in the U.S. by AT&T Inc.”

We also know already that Rogers is also not a big fan of AT&T’s idea of “only” a 2-year contract either.

Martin Kuplens-Ewart

Rogers plans were released today (http://icanhaz.com/screwedburger):

Least expensive: $60 - 150 mins, 400MB transfer, 75 sms

Most expensive: $115 - 800 mins, 2GB transfer, 300 sms

The two steps in between ($75, $100) give you 750 and 1gb of transfer respectively with some minute and sms upgrades, too.

3 year contract required.

Screwed by our oligopolists again.
xiaoxiao

The plans are out (Rogers & Fido), and while not great, they do represent a significant step forward for this carrier. Here's the breakdown:

* $30 - 300 megabytes
* $60 - 1 gigabytes
* $80 - 3 gigabytes
* $100 - 6 gigabytes

All devices are eligible, including unlocked "grey market" non-Rogers and non-Fido phones, and no contract is required. Moreover, these are true data plans, not "web-and-email" plans.

Considering that until yesterday afternoon I was paying $60 for 25 megabytes, I'm not complaining too much.
Randy

xiaoxiao, where are you getting this information? I can't find any mention of this on either the Rogers or Fido sites.

As for the plans you mention, "not great" is being more than a bit generous. I'd call $30 for 300 megabytes "highway robbery" (the plans from, say, a month ago are more of a "high treason" level of pricing).

If that data is correct, not only is Rogers not getting a new iPhone contract from me, but I'll also be switching my existing voice service to someone else.
xiaoxiao

I saw it mentioned at Howard Forums and signed up on Thursday.

"Highway robbery" maybe, but, again, I'm now paying half as much for more than 10 times the data. And it's "real" data, not one of those "email and surfing" plans, and I can use my own phone, not a carrier's hobbled version. For this carrier, it's a definite step forward and reasonably acceptable for my needs (moderate email, uploading a couple of dozen photos monthly, downloading a handful of podcasts weekly, light surfing, watching the odd short video, occasional Google map use). For others it might not be (heavy surfers, "downloaders", heavy business users, anyone who consumes a lot of streaming media, and so on).

(The problem with the other carriers, for me, is that I'm used to being able to pop in a sim card when I'm outside of the country. And I like the wider range of GSM devices there are to choose from.)

Regarding the iPhone, I suspect there'll be a specific plan for that device, perhaps a better one. Rogers and Fido have special plans for their branded Windows Mobile and Blackberry devices (unlimited email, etc) and I'd imagine they'd do the same for the iPhone.
Ron De Giusti

As much as I can not stand Rogers, I am trying not to get upset at them for their high prices ... they are a company trying to make the most money possible.

What really, really upsets me is the CRTC. They are to blame for Canadians being subjected to one and only one GSM provider. That is a joke.

The FCC in the States seems to take quite a different stance than the CRTC. The FCC seems to focus on "choice for the consumer" whereas the CRTC seems to focus on "protecting the rights of the company/companies that they have deemed legitimate to operate in a space they regulate". That is a big, big difference.

We seem to think the Americans are all about big business, but what I am seeing more and more of is that they focus on consumers rights ... the rights of the people.

In Canada we take this protectionist attitude. I believe our Government agencies think they are doing us Canadians a favour by protecting us from those big, bad American companies; but, all they are doing is limiting our choices.

What we need in Canada are consumer advocacy groups with clout.
Robert

If Apple doesn't let Rogers cash grab, who else can it goto? No one. Rogers definitely has the upper hand. I guess Apple really wants to add Canada on its Risk map, Canada does make up a lot of red area.

Rogers will create a special plan with a specially expensive price tag. Data prices will stay the same for other phones.
tj

Given the way Robbers has done things with the Touch and the Unlimited Mobile Browsing option that accompanied it with each new activation, I think its pretty reasonable to assume that they will have a special plan for the iPhone with data rates staying the same for all other phones. Except knowing them rather than make it expensive, they're probably gonna make it restrictive, only certain websites and certain domain names for email. Anything outtabounds is extra. So same thing as their mobile browsing package, but with email, repackaged and with new marketing.
Phil

The iPhone will really only work with an unlimited plan. I do not think Apple would make a deal with them in any other fashion.

How much fun is it to browse online or even check your email while always thinking about your cap?
Brent

Phil you are right that it only properly functions on an unlimited plan however dont forget that Apple inked a deal with O2 to bring the EDGE iPhone to Ireland with a 1gb cap, although on 3G that wont take very long at all to use up so it may be increased. Also with the glut of countries getting the iPhone Apple may have reduced its restrictions to get it in so many countries so fast.

I want an iPhone badly but if Rogers prices are too far out I wont buy one until the prices become at least somewhat reasonable. In fact we all should avoid buying one if it is not reasonable, if their sales are low they will lower data rates to increase sales but if sales stay high and there is no GSM competition the prices will remain high....that is unless the spectrum auction introduces a new player.
May C

Am I the only person who remembers when Rogers "used " to have the 2 year contract before they followed Telus and started offering 3 years? Not to mention per second billing? But then, I'm very nostalgic.
DigitalTerry

I think it is important to note that the comment says that the pricing will evolve. So anyone who gets the iPhone next month might have a data plan that is consistent with what we see today but then the price will come down IF a lot of people buy the iPhone. In other words, if they can get a huge user base, they can use that to lower the costs for users without losing money themselves. I think they are worried that if they drop the rates, they'll end up losing money. I think they are being way too cautious. After all, if they lower the prices, consumers will use it. Not necessarily the other way around. I'm sure the 2 year plan bothers them because it means consumers have a chance to rethink their plans. If they aren't using the data plan, they might just jump the phone or drop the data plan altogether.
roland

fingers crossed!
Jevon

Nice!, this early signal might get Telus and Bell to start acting like the competitors they are supposed to be.

Wirelessnorth.ca

June 16th, 2008Breaking News: Rogers to revamp data pricing (is that up or down?)

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