We’re still sifting through AT&T’s iPhone 3G presser, but one thing is clear: Canadian users are getting screwed by Rogers compared to AT&T’s prices. (American users get screwed, too, but that’s for another post.)
For starters, the number of minutes Canadians get is so low, I wonder why you’d even bother. The most expensive Rogers plan gives less weekday minutes than AT&T’s second-cheapest one!
Then there’s data. AT&T is kind enough to include unlimited 3G data transfer in all of its plans, yet Rogers users start out with 400MB on the cheapest plan.
Don’t be impressed with Rogers for giving you guys “bonus” text messages. (Never mind that text messages are, at most, 140 bytes of low-priority data, which costs these guys about as close to zero dollars and zero cents as possible.) AT&T gives you 200 texts for $5 a month. I don’t think I’ve sent 200 text messages in the whole of my life.
And with the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar more or less at parity right now, this is a pretty straight comparison.
The most striking comparison is the cheapest plan. For $10 more, AT&T users get double the daytime minutes and unlimited data compared to 400MB. The 5,000 weekend minutes might as well be unlimited, because there’s no way you’re spending 5,000 on the phone over the span of four weekends.
Moral of the story? Go ahead and be outraged, Canadians.
How much is the Canadian one after taxes and fees? That is the real question. Then it might not be all too much different. The data is really the only thing in question. Over the lifetime of my phone (since February) I’ve only used somewhere in the ballpark of 2Gigs of data. Unless the 3G offers tethering, which is highly unlikely (especially in the US), I don’t see how people think they honestly in a month span will go over the 2Gig limit if you are on their highest plan. Who knows though, there are some people out there who must have way more time on their hands than I to actually sit on EDGE internet and wait 30+ seconds for a page to load.
Most people use <300MB per month on the iPhone and thats for pretty regular users. 400MB is ample. Maybe for 3G, more use = 1GB. Voice sucks. And buddy….most people drop a ton of SMS text messages per month. Sorry you only have a few friends. I drop between 500 – 1000 without even realizing it. So, if you at AT&Ts texts 1500 for $15 to Rogers 2500 for $15 it brings things closer.
The only bad thing about Rogers is the lack of international DATA roaming:
AT&T: $25 for 20MB or $60 for 50MB.
Rogers: $0.05/kb – 20MB = $1000 and 50MB = $2500 !!!!!! Frickin’ ROBBERY!!!!!
How often are you outside of the country to worry about the Data Roaming?
Most people are < 300MB per month on the iPhone. These rates (I believe) are to keep App/iTunes store downloads under control. Can’t see why it wouldn’t be wide open otherwise.
The REALLY TERRIBLE part of Rogers plan is for international travelers. AT&T offers cheap international roaming plans 20MB for $25 or 50MB for $60 where on Rogers it costs: 20MB for $1k or $50MB for $2.5k!!!!!! ROBBERS!
ROGERS PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE CALLER ID (WHICH IS EXTRA $7) THEN WE HAVE THE “SYSTEM ACCESS FEE” WHICH IS A EXTRA $6.95 SO BRINGING THE TOTAL OF THE LOWEST PACKAGE TO 72.98 (WITH CALLER ID AND SYSTEM ACCESS FEE ** THIS IS NOT INCLUDING TAXES — INCLUDE TAXES AROUND 4-6 BUCKS AND UR LOOKING AT $77.93 INCLUDING TAXES FOR BASIC PACKAGE . WHICH IS A RIP OFF
Well we have taxes here in the US, so that 69.99 will likely also be closer to 79.99 when it’s all said and done.
you have to see http://www.telcel.com this is really screwed, this is a mexican company, who will sold the iphone there, but prices…… 49 DLLS = 200 min, 200 text messages and the fabulous quantity of 200MB of data per month….. aditional KB = $0.04
Other plans with more KB’s logical are expensive…. and its for 24 months, under contract.
Yhis really sucks.
Does anyone have any idea if the 3g will be coming to MTS soon?