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Friday, October 05, 2007
iPhone Release in Canada?
The strange rumour of the day: the iPhone at Holt Renfrew?
To say the least, it’s a bit odd. Though, it’s off-the-wall enough that I can’t help but think that there might be something to it. The quoted price point of $799 is, of course, twice that of the U.S. – which makes it all the stranger.
My guess, if it’s true, is that Apple might be at some kind of stand-still with Rogers. In particular, it seems that Apple has made a large and affordable data package a basic requirement for anyone who wishes to market the iPhone and Rogers – the only Canadian cell phone carrier capable of deploying the iPhone – seems disinclined to offer such a deal.
Of course, I already have an unlocked iPhone up on the Rogers/Fido network – as do many others. Indeed, one can’t visit a mall cell phone kiosk without seeing one at $699 or so. So, perhaps, Apple’s decided – seeing the number of unlocked iPhones moving in Canada at such a price – to release their own version at a price point which would prevent it from being widely sold internationally.
It goes a lot without saying that this would all be a lot easier if this country had a telecommunications policy which made some semblance of sense. One might argue that our obscene cell phone rates are tied directly to the resistance against foreign entry into the Canadian telecommunications network. After all, one of the most popular and competitive US Carriers in T-Mobile, which is German-based. T-Mobile, I ought to add, also operates in the United Kingdom and numerous other European nations without the world ending.
There’s are reason why the CRTC is persistently the most annoying and upsetting arm of the Canadian Government.
Posted by Adam T. Yoshida on October 5, 2007 in Web/Tech | Permalink
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Comments
Rogers has a contemptable attitude toward it's customers.
Click on the RED DATES at the linked site.
(warning!!! rants can be habit forming)
http://www.ihaterogers.ca/rants.htm
Posted by: Speller | 2007-10-05 1:18:27 AM
Rogers is the primary carrier in Canada for Blackberry. Were I Blackberry, I would be damned sure that I had a non-compete clause with my carrier to bind their loyalty to me.
This is just good business on the part of Rogers and Blackberry.
Epsi
Posted by: Epsilon | 2007-10-05 8:05:39 AM
When I see the letters CRTC, my blood boils. Canadians are imprisoned behind a curtain of prohibition. The curtain is set up and "manned" by a bunch of greedy grandmas, and paid for by the prisoners themselves. What a country!
Posted by: Momathome | 2007-10-05 9:16:20 AM
CRTC like CBC, NFB etc. have no reason to continue in existence. End all immediately.
Posted by: Alain | 2007-10-05 12:20:04 PM
CRTC like CBC, NFB etc. have no reason to continue in existence. End all immediately.
As one of the roles of the CRTC is to manage the analogue and digital spectrum, you would therefore not have a problem, as there would be no one enforcing frequency standards, with pirate radio,TV, cell operators using the spectrum that legitimate operators had paid for.
Posted by: lotus 25 | 2007-10-05 7:56:55 PM
Therefore the RIM/Blackberry story looks very good indeed. Especially with their new wifi capability !
Posted by: Apple iPhone Canada | 2007-10-06 7:49:18 PM
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