The most significant hint came from a statement made by Madir Mohamed, President of Rogers Wireless, who said, on the seventeenth of June, that new rates would be released within two weeks, that would accommodate more frequent data use.
Two weeks later, on the twenty-seventh Rogers announced their iPhone plans. True to their word, Rogers made significant cuts in their data rates. Unfortunately, these new rates only showed just how out of touch and unreasonable were Rogers' previous ones. The new rates still leave Rogers, and Canadian customers, with some of the highest and most restrictive iPhone plans in the world.
Since the announcement, the roll-out has been virtually universally condemned. I cannot remember so much negative comment relating to a Canadian tech announcement. The venom and vitriol has been unprecedented. Rogers would seem to be the most hated tech company in Canada today. It's as if a huge, pent-up torrent of repugnance, aimed squarely at Rogers, was released, all at once, and not just from potential iPhone customers. Current Rogers customers with Internet and cable TV service provided by Rogers are equally as vociferous in their condemnation. Not only does it seem that Rogers is poised to have extremely slow uptake with the iPhone, many current customers are threatening to drop all their other Rogers services as well, and move to the competition. The iPhone rates seem to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
As Mac users we sometimes loose sight of the fact that the iPhone is a universal product that many non-Mac users are highly attracted to. It is interesting to see that after reading literally hundreds of comments on the forums, virtually no backlash is directed towards Apple. Clearly Canadians know EXACTLY who to blame for this mess.
From what I've seen, Rogers will either have to make significant changes to their plans or live with marginal sales at best. I am thoroughly convinced that Rogers hasn't got a clue when it comes to the iPhone... and perhaps doesn't even care. I think that to them it's just another Smartphone. A "leaked internal memo" purportedly details how the phone is to be activated... via a computer at point of sale... a PC! Clearly Rogers has little knowledge or respect for Mac users who will not take to kindly to having their shiny new iPhone unceremoniously connected to some cheap, potentially infested Windows-based PC.
I'm not suggesting that you hold your breath, but I think there is still a possibility that Rogers could make some changes. Perhaps even Apple could intervene. What is clear however, is that nothing will happen unless YOU act. If you are a potential Canadian iPhone customer, e-mail Rogers and Apple and let them know, your concerns. Just remember that venting your frustrations, using obscenities, threatening, or writing eight-page epistles will get you nowhere. Be clear, concise, polite and above all businesslike. That's all YOU can do.
We'll just have to wait and see.
“North of Northeast†is a column that offers commentaries from a Canadian perspective.--Dennis
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