Canada's only GSM carrier shakey on iPhone
Hang on, Canada, it looks like Rogers Wireless is in a snit.The iPhone is a GSM phone, and all Canadian providers - except one - use the CDMA standard. The lone GSM provider is Rogers Wireless, which makes them the only Canadian company that can possibly support the iPhone. This past Tuesday, Rogers made a point of telling CBC News Online that they had not announced their intentions to carry the iPhone.
Note that Rogers didn't say they won't carry the iPhone at all, they just aren't prepared to say that they will. Perhaps the don't want to expose their plan too early, or maybe last-minute negotiations are ongoing.
In any case, we've got our fingers crossed for all of our Apple-loving neighbors to the north.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Curtis said 9:29AM on 4-05-2007
"In any case, we've got our fingers crossed for all of our Apple-loving neighbors to the north."
Your northern neighboUrs appreciate the crossed fingers of our southern neighbours.
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James said 9:32AM on 4-05-2007
Unfortunetly, for certain location in Canada (ie, Newfoundland) Rogers is not a viable alternative to the CDMA providers. The coverage here is incredibly low, to the point of being virtually useless in most parts of the city.. and forget about outside the city..
James.
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ticked off said 9:41AM on 4-05-2007
One more reason to hate Rogers, if they don't get the iPhone
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Entica said 9:51AM on 4-05-2007
As if we need any more Reason to hate them. But sadly ALL carriers in Canada suck bad. The Mobile Phone Revolution won't be with the iPhone but rather when somewhere on this planet finally gets a carrier that's decent and puts it's customers first.
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Dan said 9:51AM on 4-05-2007
What's keeping Apple from releasing a CDMA version of this phone? Motorola does it all the time (why *everyone* has a razr).
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Waltzy said 9:56AM on 4-05-2007
Ah Rogers! Why are you so lame?
I would suggest selling the iPhone or suffer the mad wrath of all the new geeks Apple has acquired up here in the North.
You are the only GSM here and that's also the only reason I use 'em. They should take that advantage and run with it.
Cheers TUAW for carrying Canadian content, we love you here in Toronto
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theEsco said 10:19AM on 4-05-2007
"In any case, we've got our fingers crossed for all of our Apple-loving neighbors to the north."
Anybody Besides me ever feel like being a Mac Fanatic Invites you into a Larger family?
As For Rogers, I myself don't like them too much either, especially for Customer Service. Unfortunately, they are the only GSM in Canada, which might be all they've got goin' for them.
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Dave said 9:59AM on 4-05-2007
I live in Saint Boniface, Canada. I have been counting the days until I can get my hands on that unit. I can not see Rogers passing this item up. It is going to move units, and going to generate more mobile users switching from the competing networks. I personaly know of so many people who are sitting at home crossing their fingers for the iPhone to show up on the Rogers website.
Wish us Luck. Even us Canadian Fan boys need love too.
Dave
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josh said 10:00AM on 4-05-2007
Those of us living on the frozen tundra can always buy one from the States and pop in our SIM card. Then hope a polar bear does not get hold of it. You those things, running up the long-distance bills.
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J said 10:11AM on 4-05-2007
They wouldn't deny it just to hide their future plans. They would want people to stop signing long-term contracts with the competition asap. Sounds like Rogers is sitting this dance out.
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Cameron Campbell said 10:16AM on 4-05-2007
Yet if you talk to Rogers sales staff they seem to think it's coming at about the same time that the US release will.
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JasonK said 10:34AM on 4-05-2007
Who knows. Maybe we'll get a touchscreen video ipod with wifi and voip. Aka an iPhone without the "phone". Aka my dream pda.
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Raffi said 10:51AM on 4-05-2007
I'd say this is nothing to worry about. As the company who makes sure it has the latest and greatest of every single product in all tech markets, I'd be very surprised if they did not get the iPhone (if not right at launch, then at least a few weeks/months afterwards). It would be a massive kick in the butt to Telus and Bell (Fido doesn't count since they are Rogers anyways).
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wade said 11:00AM on 4-05-2007
Fido (though owned by Rogers) is GSM too. In the past phones have been brought to fido first to try and then Rogers, once successful, jumps on board and offers it to their clients... though of late fido's been behind the times..... who knows.
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jonhimself said 11:03AM on 4-05-2007
I agree with whoever said the Rogers employees seem to think it's coming, though disagree with the timing. A friend of mine works in Customer Service and Customer Retention and was saying that it should be coming like Ocober-ish, December for sure and that they've already started to set-up training seminars/info sessions to begin in the near future.
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j.holtslander said 11:18AM on 4-05-2007
There's only one answer I tell ya...
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
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Eric Chiu said 11:25AM on 4-05-2007
don't forget JAPAN, the possibility LARGEST mobile market in the planet.
But compared with Japanese' current mobilephone line-up in the market, iPhone is just pathetic.
Check up docomo and Sharp 90X series... they have been watching digital TV on Phone for ages. does iPhone has APple TV buIlT In?
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Steve said 11:48AM on 4-05-2007
I hope Apple makes a CDMA version that Bell or others can carry
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Patrick said 12:32PM on 4-05-2007
After reading about this yesterday, I sent an email to Rogers strongly urging them to roll out the iPhone as quickly as possible, mentioning that if they favoured existing "MP3" phones over the iPhone, I would reconsider my carrier. I got this response last night:
In your recent email, you have informed us that you wish to inquire
about the Apple iPhone.
Description
On Tuesday, January 9, 2007, Apple announced the unveiling of their new
iPhone, a combination mobile phone/digital music player/camera.
Availability
" The iPhone will first be introduced in North America
" Cingular is the only wireless carrier to launch the iPhone in the
United States
" Rogers is actively working with Apple to launch the iPhone in Canada
as soon as possible and will be the exclusive provider of the iPhone in
Canada
" Apple is planning to introduce the iPhone in Europe (Q4 2007) and Asia
(2008)
" Please be advised that Rogers will be offering the iPhone exclusively
in Canada
" Launch date and pricing for Canada are not yet available
" Other Canadian wireless carriers will not launch the iPhone; Rogers
will be the only Canadian wireless carrier to offer the iPhone
To learn more about the iPhone, you may visit www.apple.com/iphone.
Unfortunately we are unaware when new products and services will be
released until they are launched to the consumer market. We suggest you
visit www.rogers.com/phones because when new products are released they
are listed here.
Thank you for contacting Rogers. We appreciate your consideration.
For future reference with respect to this e-mail, please quote reference
number 20111211
Regards,
Juanita M.
Rogers Online Customer Service
http://www.rogers.com
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luke said 12:39PM on 4-05-2007
"don't forget JAPAN, the possibility LARGEST mobile market in the planet. "
pphhhht. Their mobile carriers forget OUR market, I'm sure they can live without Apple's for a year or two.
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