The Cult of Gary

Canadian iPhone packages are now up on the Rogers website. I was already thinking of not getting an iPhone. I really don’t want a contract, especially a 3 year contract on an expensive phone.

In an unrelated story, I signed a 2 year contract when I left my previous gig, which I dumped my super sweet CityFido deal for. Looking back, that was mistake. I should have stayed with Fido for so many reasons. At least I won’t feel bad if I break my current phone and have to get a cheap Nokia from eBay.

My biggest issue is the lack of free in network calling. Everyone I know has a Fido or Rogers phone, so most of my calling is already free. I’m not interested in getting an iPhone if this isn’t include. In general, Canadian cell phone contracts are too expensive; in network and evening/weekend packages are the only things that make it affordable at all.

My current package runs me around $65/month, including taxes, in network calling, voicemail and caller id. That also includes any text messages (I get zero free) and usually around 20 minutes of additional usage. Switching to the $75 iPhone package would end up costing me $95 before usage. Without in network calling, my phone bill would be over $100 a month.

Roger’s pricing plan makes the iPhone a device for the elite and not a ubiqitous computing platform. Letting Roger’s price it this way is a real mistake on Apple’s part. There will be far fewer subscriptions. Clearly, Roger’s is pricing based on what they can get away with their GSM monopoly.

PS. If you’re thinking about getting an iPhone in Canada, check if Fido is still offering per second billing. If it is, it may be a better choice.