Why Canada does not have the iPhone yet.
I just read an article from Mark Evans about the iPhone still not being available in Canada. Mark seems to think it is because Steve Jobs does not like Canada. Others, as Mark points out in his post, think it has to do with Comewave owning the ‘iPhone’ trademark in Canada. While both of these may be true, I have another take on the whole subject.
I think Rogers is the reason the iPhone is not in Canada yet. Look at the relationship between current iPhone carriers and Apple. Not only has Apple asked that they offer an affordable unlimited data plan, but they’ve also asked for a cut of the profits. Why would Rogers accept that? They are currently the only game in town (except Fido, but they are a Rogers reseller) and the only affordable data rates they currently have are $5/5mb, $10/10mb or $65/1gb (I’m talking real data, does not include their boring unlimited WAP browsing package), and that is on top of your current cellular plan. Do you really think they would cut their prices, losing profits, and on top of that give Apple a cut? They would need to attract a lot of new customers to make up for that lost income.
Although I’ve had an iPhone ever since they were first unlocked, I’ve been limited to WiFi data only and no visual voicemail. I would love to see the iPhone in Canada, but I think we still have awhile to wait.
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6 Responses to “Why Canada does not have the iPhone yet.”
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Yup, this sums it up nicely. Unless Apple is going to build a GSM network up here, or release a CDMA iPhone… it’ll be a while yet.
I waited 9 months for rumour after rumour, now I have a 3 year plan with an HTC Touch instead… with Telus. I’m not entirely confident the iPhone will be available here when my contract runs out either.
We’ll only see the iPhone if we get more wireless competitors.
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2007/11/28/auction.html
If I didn’t have an iPhone, the HTC Touch would have been my other option. Nice Phone.
I had tongue-in-cheek when suggesting that Steve Jobs doesn’t like Canada. I do agree that Rogers may be an impediment as well given how much it worships ARPU these days.
Mark
I believe I know the answer to this… And what the blogger up top is saying is untrue. Rogers recently put out its 3G network and is marketing it with their new vision plans that include Video calling, TV Streaming and Unlimited mobile browsing.
Rogers is waiting on the 3G version of the iPhone to be released.
p.s. I recently “worked” for Rogers.
Well, the myth that Steve doesn’t like the People’s Republic of Kanukistan as been going on for as long as I can remember. I like to think that it is true, personally. Sour grapes. He’s stuck being an American when the Great Good Land to the north stands there, tongue sticking out, beer in hand.
But since there is a real issue with Comwave, everything else is speculation. It is clear that Rogers/Fido would drop the insane data plans (I refuse to use my cell for anything but voice because of these rates) if they could make more money with the iPhone. And it makes sense that they only would drop prices based on pressure from an external source. So, if after the Comwave silliness is over, Rogers will do whatever will put them in a stronger position in the long run, and I think the iPhone will appear asap after it is ABLE to function in Canada. IMHO of course.
Has nothing to do with Rogers - has to do with the “iPhone” Trademark dispute. Similar to Apple/Cisco “iPhone” trademark.
Issue will be reviewed in June 2008.
http://www.iphone-canada-news.blogspot.com