D'Oh, Canada [Updated]
UPDATE: New reports are emerging that claim Apple isn’t selling the iPhone at any of its retail stores outside the U.S come Friday. This would suggest that, while Apple may well be appalled by Rogers’ pricing, it isn’t protesting it by refusing to sell the iPhone 3G through its own retail stores in Canada.
……….
If you’re a Canadian who doesn’t like the price at which Canada’s exclusive iPhone carrier, Rogers (RCI), is selling the device don’t buy one, the Vancouver Sun advised in an editorial last Friday. Wise advice. And easier to follow, now that Apple (AAPL) is reportedly sanctioning Rogers out of disgust for its exorbitantly priced data rates (see chart below). Appalled by Rogers’ pricing, Cupertino is said to be refusing to sell the iPhone 3G through its own retail stores in Canada. So come Friday, Canadians looking for a new iPhone will have to head over to a Rogers Wireless outlet to buy one–assuming they can stomach a three-year contract that requires a minimum monthly payment of $60 for just 150 minutes, 75 text messages, and 400MB of data … Apple stores will have demo models only.
| International Cost Comparisons1 | |||
| Canada (Rogers)2 | United Kingdom (O2)3 | United States (AT&T)4 | |
| Phone cost (8 GB model) | $ 199 | free | $ 202.03 |
| Plan cost per month | $ 100 | $ 76.63 | $ 101.51 |
| Minimum contract length | 3 years | 1.5 years | 2 years |
| Voice minutes (day) | 600 | 1200 | Unlimited |
| Voice minutes (evenings/weekend) | Unlimited | N / A | Unlimited |
| Data | 1 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Text messages | 300 | 500 | 0 |
| Call display included | No | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory extra fees per month | $ 7.45 | $ 0 | $ 1.25 |
| Caller display fee | $ 7 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
| Total monthly cost | $ 114.45 | $ 76.63 | $ 102.76 |
| YOUR TOTAL COST COMMITMENT: | $ 4319.20 | $ 1379.34 | $ 2668.27 |
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