News
Rogers dismisses iPhone ‘speculation’
Rogers Wireless is backpedaling on its previous claims that it would carry Apple’s iPhone in Canada. “We haven’t announced whether we will carry the iPhone,” Odette Coleman, manager of corporate communications for Rogers Wireless, told CBC News. “Everything in the media has been speculation to this point. The only fact is that we are the only GSM carrier in Canada. That’s the only fact.” In a customer service email sent in January, Rogers said the company was “actively working with Apple to launch the iPhone in Canada as soon as possible and will be the exclusive provider of the iPhone in Canada.” Despite Rogers’ statement this week, it is the only carrier in Canada that operates on the GSM wireless standard, which the iPhone uses.
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1
I knew that it was not as easy as it seemed to be. Especially given that the annoucnement originally had nobody’s name attached to it from Rogers. Rogers executives love getting attention even within the company and if they actually had a signed and sealed deal they’d be fighting over who got to do the media tour announcing the iPhone coming to Canada.
Most likely though this is a negotiating tactic. The deal between Apple and Cingular is very good for Apple, better than for any other handset maker. They want the same deal in Canada and Rogers being the only GSM carrier is hoping to use that, saying “It’s us or nobody Apple.”
So unless Rogers folds it’s likely we won’t be seeing the iPhone in Canada for a long while.
Posted by Rogers' Employee on April 5, 2007 at 11:17 AM (PDT)
2
Just to clarify, Rogers is NOT the only GSM carrier in Canada. Fido uses a GSM network too, but I don’t know whether it counts as another carrier because Rogers owns it..
So maybe Rogers won’t carry it, but Fido probably will.
Posted by The Soup Nazi on April 5, 2007 at 4:01 PM (PDT)
3
Fido uses the network too, but Rogers OWNS Fido. I don’t think Rogers would put the iPhone under their “other” name. This may have happened a few years ago before Fido was bought out and was one of the best providers in Canada.
Posted by Luke on April 6, 2007 at 2:33 PM (PDT)
4
Oh for god’s sake, settle this once and for all. This whole business of one carrier getting the damn phone is annoying.
Posted by canadan on April 6, 2007 at 4:08 PM (PDT)
5
how difficult is it to unlock your phone? June29th 2007 just purchase it unlocked! Hello Ebay. Whether Rogers Wireless carries it or not, since its GSM, it will work no matter what, simply insert your SIM card. Your good to go
Posted by daniel on June 15, 2007 at 4:40 PM (PDT)
6
Cingular Wireless is actually a Sister company with Rogers, I’d say it will only be a matter of time before the Iphone is released. I know people who bought them off Ebay, but the issue which is occuring is that the Latest Sim Cards have yet to be tested. You can use your Iphone off Ebay on rogers, but the Issue will be; The Version of your SIM If your SIM isn’t the latest model you will more then Likley have Drop-call issues. Last i heard from NSG was they are waiting for 2nd Gen Iphone and Xgen SIM cards. As soon as they are tested and proven the Iphone will be available. Rogers is the only carrier in Canada who can Support the Iphone.
Posted by Rogers Employee (NSG Tech) on August 12, 2007 at 8:44 AM (PDT)
7
Well, this should be VERY interesting. I have a hacked iPhone. FANTASTIC device. My friend has a locked one with AT&T. I can do much more with my unlocked one than I can with his locked “updated firmware” one.
Rogers and FIDO have always been overcharging (to such a point it’s simply ridiculous) for DATA. There’s no way one could use the iPhone on Rogers’ network (or FIDO) without amassing HUGE fees based on the current pricing schedule. On the flip side - if they correct their fees to be at least REMOTELY close to nearest similar market, how will they justify the years of gouging to all their current clients? Not to mention Rogers and FIDO have been lying for many years regarding the “system access fee” and there are a number of class action lawsuits regarding this valid matter currently going on. In Canada, a manufacturer or cellular service provider is NOT ALLOWED to PREVENT an end user from unlocking their cell phone to be carrier independent.
I’m sitting back and watching the show… all from my iPhone on the FIDO network.
Posted by Not a Rogers Employee on October 8, 2007 at 5:06 PM (PDT)
8
the System Access fee is a valid charge and is charged by all wireless providers in canada, its a charge to help with the cost of maintaining and upgrading the network,,,look at it this way…you pay ur monthly service fee for your plan that gives you the services YOU want. The system access fee is charged to give you access to be able to use your services…if you didnt get charged this you would never have service anywhere…make sense? it does to me because I educate myself on what i get charged i dont assume the opinion of everyone else…you all just stop complaining if you dont want to pay for services dont have a cell phone.
Posted by Rogers ICC on December 16, 2007 at 1:39 PM (PDT)