robdale.ca

Well, the uproar is huge. Rogers has announced their price plans for the iPhone. To say that they are high is an understatement when compared to most other countries. I guess it’s another example of how backward the Canadian cell phone industry truly is. When you’re the only carrier who can handle the iPhone’s standard, then you don’t need to worry about what the competition might do.

Perhaps the uproar will make a difference. I highly doubt it. This is Canada. Rogers knows that people will scream and yell, but in the end, they don’t care.

It’s funny. While I’m not happy with the data plans being offered, I’m not really all that surprised. And, considering Rogers’ past, I actually think they are a little better than what Rogers potentially could have done. Now, don’t think that I’m saying I think their plans are fair, because they’re not. But, they are better than what I did expect from Rogers.

I’ve been using an iPhone for about three months now. So, how do the new plans fit into my type of usage? Well, I don’t think I’ll have much problem fitting into one of the middle plans. I will be careful when using Safari on 3G.

Yesterday was a typical day for me using my iPhone on EDGE. I read a few blogs, downloaded all my newfeeds in NewsGator, and checked my email about four times. I also surfed the Weather Network’s website a couple of times.

Total usage on EDGE: 7.5 MB.

One thing I DO like about the new plans is that Rogers is opening up their Hotspots free of charge. That means I can sit at Starbucks and blog, email, etc. for free. That’s a bonus for me. The number of hotspots in Ottawa continues to grow, and if I can go to any of those places to use my iPhone on wifi, then great for me!

I’m more frustrated with the "talk minutes" being offered with these plans. My cell phone is also my office phone. That means, anyone who goes to our website and calls the church office phone number contacts me on my cell phone. You’d be amazed at how many minutes that eats up for me. Now, it’s still cheaper than having a second "office line" in my home office, but still. It means I likely have to lean toward the $100 plan (which gives me 600 minutes per month).

Now, considering I was close to that cost when I had my BlackBerry, it’s not that big a deal. When I was using my BlackBerry, my cell phone bill was approximately $90 / month. The iPhone is so far superior a device to the BlackBerry, that I can handle the difference.

Am I tempted to support those who will choose not to buy an iPhone plan come July 11th? I am. But, if I’m totally honest, I know that I will still be picking up my 3G iPhone and setting up a plan with Rogers. The device has simply become too comfortably a part of my tech routine to give it up just yet.

Still, my fingers are crossed that Rogers is hearing the outrage and is considering a change to the plans. Fat chance, I know, but I can still hope.