Rogers allows iPhone tethering in Canada for no extra charge until 2010
While US iPhone users are stuck waiting for AT&T to get their act together, Rogers in Canada has stunned iPhone users by not actively trying to screw users right out of the gate as they did when announcing the data plan pricing for the iPhone last year. After a high-profile backlash, Rogers was forced to offer more reasonable data plans for iPhones, and it appears they've learned their lesson this time.
As we all know by now, tethering is built in to the iPhone 3.0 firmware, and as long as you are on a data plan that gives you at least 1 GB of throughput per month, you can use iPhone tethering for no additional charge in Canada until at least the end of 2009. It's unclear what will happen next year, and it seems that Rogers isn't sure yet either. But rather than simply not allow it while they figure it out (as AT&T is doing), they chose to allow it.
My guess is the execs at Rogers are doing a few things here:
- Looking to increase goodwill after the disastrous data plan fiasco last year
- Wanting to watch usage patterns to see just how popular tethering turns out to be, to help them determine price points
- Using the drug dealer method of marketing -- get people hooked, then jack up the price
Of course, this is assuming they will revert to their evil ways; it would be nice to think that Rogers has actually turned over a new leaf and wants to provide reasonable service for a reasonable price. My guess is that most users of tethering are like me in that they want to have access to it for emergencies, but don't actually need it on a day-to-day basis. In that regard, allowing tethering as part of the not-inexpensive <1 GB data plans that Rogers provides makes reasonable sense.
So, does anyone think Rogers will continue to do what makes reasonable sense next year when it comes to tethering, or will the lure of a few extra dollars be too much for them to resist?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
blkmasta55555 said 3:52PM on 6-19-2009
It would be so awesome if O2-UK bothered to do this considering their contract prices are already bloated anyway but shame it'll never happen.
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IvanP91 said 3:53PM on 6-19-2009
Im in Canada. I have rogers. Too bad my agreement is still fresh, on the first year out of 3 yrs. Otherwise i could ditch rogers when and if they try to charge extra.
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EMoShunz said 3:54PM on 6-19-2009
i think you are dead on with 1, 2, 3.
generally i hate roger's customer service, but honestly it's within reason of bell's. roger's pricing (once fixed) is quite fair. i think that as you, most will use tethering a lot for novelty in the first month then let it taper off, so they can see and price fairly and use it to snag more customers. my company is actually (slightly) considering a mass exodus from bell bbry's to roger's iphones because of the better pricing, and tethering for the guys on the road.
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Gray said 4:00PM on 6-19-2009
Anyone know if this applies to Fido? Please? Jason?
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Brandon said 5:16PM on 6-19-2009
It does, I just got my iPhone today and tethering works perfectly!
Ron said 4:00PM on 6-19-2009
Yes, it is supposed to work on Fido as well, in Canada.
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Jim Dovey said 4:02PM on 6-19-2009
I'm actually online now using my iPhone 3G's data connection. Working from Starbucks, sitting outside in the sunshine. Well worth it. So far my phone tells me I've used about 11MB of data, so the 6GB/mo plan should be plenty for me to do this for a few hours on sunny days.
Now if only these damned flies would stop EATING ME ALIVE!!!
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IvanP91 said 4:11PM on 6-19-2009
Exactly the same for me. The 6GB data plan is more than enough to do browsing for several hours. I dont wanna loose this if and when Rogers might change their policy in 2010
and @ the flies, i got damn wasps orbiting me for some reason :)
Le Big Mac said 4:37PM on 6-19-2009
If the data's not unlimited then what's it to rogers whether you use it tethered or directly?
AT&T's problem is unlimited data, which could be really unlimited if someone made it that way.
Maybe ATT can take a lesson and offer free tethering up to 2GB a month (say) or plans for more data that cost something.
hadrion said 11:01AM on 6-20-2009
Apparently AT&T's "Unlimited" plan has a "soft cap" of 5 gigs... so rogers 6 gigs is really not as bad a deal as it sounds.
ianlive said 7:56PM on 6-19-2009
@ Le Big Mac. I love your screen name. It's awesome :)
Jonathan Wise said 10:38AM on 6-20-2009
I'm getting 1.7mbps down (around 0.9mbps up) on Rogers tethered via my 3GS. It's fantastic!
Remoth said 8:47PM on 6-20-2009
be careful man. I've noticed that when tethering, the data you use does not get added on in the "usage" area of the iPhone. 6 GB is less than you think when using it on a desktop....
Max Gilchuk said 4:04PM on 6-19-2009
I honestly think that Rogers is trying to "do right" and offer more affordable, and flexible options to it's customers... Even customer service (at least the times I've phoned) have been pleasent, although I had to inform the rep on the phone today about their new early upgrade option, she was really nice, and very helpful. Maybe it's Rogers trying to fend off customer backlash like last years fiasco, or maybe it's Roger's new CEO, Nadir Mohamed attempting to change the publics perception of Rogers as a company! But whatever is up Roger's sleeve, I'm certainly not complaining.
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srednio said 4:08PM on 6-19-2009
I don't understand the problem with tethering. I have iPhone 3G in Polish Orange and tethering, push notifications and MMS worked just fine since the moment the OS 3.0 was up and running.
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Kev orng said 4:08PM on 6-19-2009
Yeah, after ol' Ted Rogers died last year, they got some new execs. I recently (within the last two weeks) heard that the new execs have announced intentions to turn over a new leaf when it comes to customer service and other issues.
I'll believe it when I see it, but this is a good start in that direction.
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Dave Wood said 5:19PM on 6-19-2009
Yeah, so far, Rogers seems to be making a decent effort to not screw us over too badly. So far I have no complaints. I know I'm not going to get everything for free, but the $100 or so I pay a month isn't the end of the world considering what I get for it.
Sam said 4:15PM on 6-19-2009
I just got the 3GS. Can i use my old 3G as an pseudo ipod touch?
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DA623 said 6:07PM on 6-19-2009
Yes, you can. Your old iPhone will just say "No Service", you can just leave it on Airplane mode so it doesn't waste RAM running the Text and Calling services.
me said 4:17PM on 6-19-2009
I can see a canadian company backing down in the face of public pressure. An american company just gets dug in and righteous and Takes your Comments Seriously while Giving You the Finger.
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