Rogers iPhone 3G Requires 3 Year Contract

By Gary Ng on June 10th, 2008 132

**The iPhoneinCanada.ca Forums have been temporarily disabled (due to server issues) for now but will be back up soon! Thanks for your patience and the emails everyone!**

After weeks and weeks of endless 3G iPhone rumors and speculation, Steve Jobs and his team of Apple developers finally delivered their big announcement yesterday: iPhone 3G is here. The new iPhone 3G as Apple calls it is faster, thinner, and cheaper as announced from the WWDC.

Also, Rogers and Fido are the two cellphone providers that will be selling the iPhone 3G. They will be included in the 22 country worldwide iPhone 3G rollout. Rogers released a statement confirming the $199/8GB and $299/16GB pricing, which is great. However, this will come at the cost of a 3 year contract, which most people despise of. Hey, if you want your iPhone you’ll have to sign on for the long term!

Some other questions have risen up over the past 24 hours too. Some of them brought to my attention include…

What will voice/data plans be priced at?
Will Rogers/Fido plans be the same?
Will Rogers sell the 1st generation iPhone?
Is the iPhone 3G going to locked to Rogers?
Do you have to sign up on the spot in stores, or can you purchase an iPhone 3G without paperwork?
I just signed another 3 year contract with Rogers–can I still get the iPhone?

These are some really good questions. We know the voice/data plans will be slightly cheaper than the current plans, but it’s just a matter of how much cheaper. To compare Rogers/Fido, I can see both companies have identical plans.

Will Rogers sell 1st generation iPhones? Fat chance. 1st generation iPhones will soon become collectors’ items and be flooded on eBay and Craigslist. They’ve been OOS for the past  month almost.

Regarding locking, you can bet your youngest child that the iPhone 3G will belocked to the Rogers network. Time to wait dilgently for the iPhone Dev Tem to get to work if they are up to the challenge.

As for the signing up part, I strongly believe the model of selling iPhones at AT&T in the USA will be modelled here. You won’t be able to leave the Rogers store with an iPhone until you complete the details of that lucrative (and eternity-like) 3 year contract. AT&T had activation online as a possibility, but I don’t see that happening with Rogers.

Wait a minute, you just signed a new 3 year deal recently?! How does this new announcement affect you? Well, I am sure Rogers has thought of this already. Most likely you might have to pay some more money to upgrade to an iPhone, or send back your phone to Rogers in exchange for an iPhone. Maybe we’ll hear more about this later from Ted himself.

Given how long Canadians have had to wait for the iPhone (and the rest of the world), there are many people who would be more than happy to sign a 3 year commitment to get the newest iPhone. At $199, it’s almost too good of a deal to resist. Yes, you are committing to 3 years, but keep in mind a year ago people paid $599 for an 8GB! $199 for the next generation 8GB is quite reasonable.

As for myself, I am looking forward to getting my hands on the iPhone 3G, but not with a 3 year commitment. That means jailbreaking/unlocking/activating all over again (which we don’t even know if it can be unlocked–I guarantee it will happen), but that just makes owning one that much better. I mean, can you imagine the Rogers “jingle” on your iPhone or some sort of Rogers logo? Not my cup of tea folks (who knows if that will be the case)!! I will make my ultimate decision once Rogers announces their monthly voice/data pricing.

Before I sign off on this longer than usual post, the big question remains: How many of you unlocked iPhone users will be switching to the iPhone 3G? Let us know what you will be doing in the comments!

If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to my RSS feed, so you won’t miss any updates! You can also subscribe via email and have daily updates sent to your Inbox! Want more? Find out what I’m doing right now! Follow me on Twitter!

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of iPhoneinCanada.ca. Follow @iPhoneinCanada and on Google+. Click here to save 20% OFF at ZAGG.com with coupon 'iphoneinca'!

Did you like the post?

Related Posts

Recent Posts

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • nj

    Im not going to upgrade to a 3g.

    I’ll wait untill an iPhone with video iChat is avalible. And longer battery life. Mine barely gets through the day.

    And does anyone else think we should have a SMS landscape mode?

  • nj

    Im not going to upgrade to a 3g.

    I’ll wait untill an iPhone with video iChat is avalible. And longer battery life. Mine barely gets through the day.

    And does anyone else think we should have a SMS landscape mode?

  • nj

    Im not going to upgrade to a 3g.

    I’ll wait untill an iPhone with video iChat is avalible. And longer battery life. Mine barely gets through the day.

    And does anyone else think we should have a SMS landscape mode?

  • snez

    Hightly unlikely that I’ll switch to 3G. Unless the data plan is really reasonnable, then I might think about it but everyone knows that’s not going to happen. And to be stuck for 3 years… Doesn’t make it look better. And with the possibility of a new GSM carrier coming, why would I want to be stuck with Rogers for 3 years?

  • snez

    Hightly unlikely that I’ll switch to 3G. Unless the data plan is really reasonnable, then I might think about it but everyone knows that’s not going to happen. And to be stuck for 3 years… Doesn’t make it look better. And with the possibility of a new GSM carrier coming, why would I want to be stuck with Rogers for 3 years?

  • snez

    Hightly unlikely that I’ll switch to 3G. Unless the data plan is really reasonnable, then I might think about it but everyone knows that’s not going to happen. And to be stuck for 3 years… Doesn’t make it look better. And with the possibility of a new GSM carrier coming, why would I want to be stuck with Rogers for 3 years?

  • Tnology

    Yah, requiring people to sign a contract in the store sounds like it could kill the ‘buy a iphone, unlock it at home’ scheme. i wonder if ppl will find a way around it?

  • Tnology

    Yah, requiring people to sign a contract in the store sounds like it could kill the ‘buy a iphone, unlock it at home’ scheme. i wonder if ppl will find a way around it?

  • Tnology

    Yah, requiring people to sign a contract in the store sounds like it could kill the ‘buy a iphone, unlock it at home’ scheme. i wonder if ppl will find a way around it?

  • Tnology

    Personall i’m all for the new iphone. I mean, built in GPS, having the internet anywhere u go with 3G, not having ever to find another wifi hotspot, double the battery life, and all for $199?! c’mon! it’s a time to retire your 1g iphone in a collectors case and admire it from there.

  • Tnology

    Personall i’m all for the new iphone. I mean, built in GPS, having the internet anywhere u go with 3G, not having ever to find another wifi hotspot, double the battery life, and all for $199?! c’mon! it’s a time to retire your 1g iphone in a collectors case and admire it from there.

  • Tnology

    Personall i’m all for the new iphone. I mean, built in GPS, having the internet anywhere u go with 3G, not having ever to find another wifi hotspot, double the battery life, and all for $199?! c’mon! it’s a time to retire your 1g iphone in a collectors case and admire it from there.

  • iphonecanuck2

    I’m ecstatic that I get to keep my retention package with Fido –

    Monthly charges payable in advance
    $ 40.00: 700 / Unl. E/WE + F2R
    $ 9.00: Voice Messaging + Call Display
    $ 0.50: 9-1-1 emergency service
    $ 6.95: System access fee
    $ 7.00: Evenings 5 p.m.-7 p.m. option
    Other charges and credits
    $-10.00: Monthly credit of $10
    $-$7.00: Evenings 5-7pm Option Cr – ends May 28/08
    ($ 63.45 – $17.00)
    ——————-

    Total Monthly $46.45 + tax

    But now I’m thinking maybe I should wait till Blackberry releases “Thunder” as thier 3G platform for Blackberry Bold is faster than iPhone 3G :

    Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek said there may be a reason for that [not comparing BlackBerry Bold]. “The reality is that if you compare the new 3G iPhone download speeds to RIM’s Bold, the Bold will be able to download a website like Marketwatch.com in under five seconds, whereas the 3G iPhone will take 21 seconds.

    “With 3G, RIM is going to showcase just how its technology is so much better,” he said. “They [Apple] specifically avoided mentioning the BlackBerry Bold. … What [Mr. Jobs] has realized is that he hasn’t dented RIM at all.”

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080609.wgtiphone0609/BNStory/Technology/home?cid=al_gam_mostview

    http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/05/13/blackberry-thunder-the-touchscreen-blackberry-weve-all-been-waiting-for/

    At the same time, how can I use my $340 Fido dollars to buy a RIM product on Fido? I also found out from a Fido rep that effective June 15th, I can bundle my HDPVR/cable/internet with my Fido plan! this waiting game is getting tiresome :)

  • Vinny

    Do you guys think that the 2G iphone will be allowed to use the Data Plans made for the 3G iPhone? Or will they find a way to restrict their Data Plan to 3G Phones?

    If they prevent me to use the 2G iPhone with the new Data Plan then I will switch, otherwise, I will use my 2G for a while longer.

  • Vinny

    Do you guys think that the 2G iphone will be allowed to use the Data Plans made for the 3G iPhone? Or will they find a way to restrict their Data Plan to 3G Phones?

    If they prevent me to use the 2G iPhone with the new Data Plan then I will switch, otherwise, I will use my 2G for a while longer.

  • Vinny

    Do you guys think that the 2G iphone will be allowed to use the Data Plans made for the 3G iPhone? Or will they find a way to restrict their Data Plan to 3G Phones?

    If they prevent me to use the 2G iPhone with the new Data Plan then I will switch, otherwise, I will use my 2G for a while longer.

  • William

    Hey maybe somebody can help me on this one!
    Im into a contract for the last year and a half and ive been waiting a long time for an iPhone but do I have to pay to break my current contract with Fido and then pay for another contract for the iPhone on the 11th and have a whole new contract with a new phone number too? Maybe they will just switch contracts, start a new 3 years and keep my phone number?
    Thanks!

  • William

    Hey maybe somebody can help me on this one!
    Im into a contract for the last year and a half and ive been waiting a long time for an iPhone but do I have to pay to break my current contract with Fido and then pay for another contract for the iPhone on the 11th and have a whole new contract with a new phone number too? Maybe they will just switch contracts, start a new 3 years and keep my phone number?
    Thanks!

  • William

    Hey maybe somebody can help me on this one!
    Im into a contract for the last year and a half and ive been waiting a long time for an iPhone but do I have to pay to break my current contract with Fido and then pay for another contract for the iPhone on the 11th and have a whole new contract with a new phone number too? Maybe they will just switch contracts, start a new 3 years and keep my phone number?
    Thanks!

  • Justin

    If the price is right for the Data Plan and I can use my 2G iphone on it. I’ll keep using my existing unlock iPhone. However, if they have a way to lock out 2G iPhone into the data plan, I guess i might consider the 3G if the data plan pricing is good.

  • Justin

    If the price is right for the Data Plan and I can use my 2G iphone on it. I’ll keep using my existing unlock iPhone. However, if they have a way to lock out 2G iPhone into the data plan, I guess i might consider the 3G if the data plan pricing is good.

  • Justin

    If the price is right for the Data Plan and I can use my 2G iphone on it. I’ll keep using my existing unlock iPhone. However, if they have a way to lock out 2G iPhone into the data plan, I guess i might consider the 3G if the data plan pricing is good.

  • Justin

    If I decided to get a 3G iphone, I wonder when will the Fido /Roger/Apple stores take pre-order – if at all?

  • Justin

    If I decided to get a 3G iphone, I wonder when will the Fido /Roger/Apple stores take pre-order – if at all?

  • Justin

    If I decided to get a 3G iphone, I wonder when will the Fido /Roger/Apple stores take pre-order – if at all?

  • gards

    If I can get a reasonable dataplan and use the AppStore, then I’ll stick with the 2G, if not I’ll go 3G. Anyone played with the 2.0 SDK and tried the appstore with an unlocked iPhone?

  • gards

    If I can get a reasonable dataplan and use the AppStore, then I’ll stick with the 2G, if not I’ll go 3G. Anyone played with the 2.0 SDK and tried the appstore with an unlocked iPhone?

  • gards

    If I can get a reasonable dataplan and use the AppStore, then I’ll stick with the 2G, if not I’ll go 3G. Anyone played with the 2.0 SDK and tried the appstore with an unlocked iPhone?

  • thatgadgetgirl

    I know that I am staying with my 2g iPhone for sure. First of all, a 3 year lock in doesn’t work for me since I am moving to Europe after grad in 2010. Secondly, the new hardware features does not justify switching. Software wise, I’m sure there will be an update for us 2G owners. I would much rather have an unlocked iPhone than a Rogers branded iPhone anyday…with or without a data plan.

  • thatgadgetgirl

    I know that I am staying with my 2g iPhone for sure. First of all, a 3 year lock in doesn’t work for me since I am moving to Europe after grad in 2010. Secondly, the new hardware features does not justify switching. Software wise, I’m sure there will be an update for us 2G owners. I would much rather have an unlocked iPhone than a Rogers branded iPhone anyday…with or without a data plan.

  • thatgadgetgirl

    I know that I am staying with my 2g iPhone for sure. First of all, a 3 year lock in doesn’t work for me since I am moving to Europe after grad in 2010. Secondly, the new hardware features does not justify switching. Software wise, I’m sure there will be an update for us 2G owners. I would much rather have an unlocked iPhone than a Rogers branded iPhone anyday…with or without a data plan.

  • Prok

    With regards to your comment on having the Rogers dingle and red screen on startup; it was said on CBC news when the iphone was announced to be released in Canada that Rogers asked Apple to allow a larger logo and their jangle on start-up, but Apple denied their request. So I’m almost guaranteed that their will not be some silly red Rogers screen followed by that annoying jingle, but instead you will see the beautiful Apple logo with a small little Rogers in the top left corner beside the reception bars.

  • Prok

    With regards to your comment on having the Rogers dingle and red screen on startup; it was said on CBC news when the iphone was announced to be released in Canada that Rogers asked Apple to allow a larger logo and their jangle on start-up, but Apple denied their request. So I’m almost guaranteed that their will not be some silly red Rogers screen followed by that annoying jingle, but instead you will see the beautiful Apple logo with a small little Rogers in the top left corner beside the reception bars.

  • Prok

    With regards to your comment on having the Rogers dingle and red screen on startup; it was said on CBC news when the iphone was announced to be released in Canada that Rogers asked Apple to allow a larger logo and their jangle on start-up, but Apple denied their request. So I’m almost guaranteed that their will not be some silly red Rogers screen followed by that annoying jingle, but instead you will see the beautiful Apple logo with a small little Rogers in the top left corner beside the reception bars.

  • Pingback: Will Rogers force iPhone 3G purchase with 3 year plan? : JoostTeam

  • X1Zero

    3 year contracts are a requirement.
    The $199/$299 prices are FIRM. No less, no more, no negotiation.

  • X1Zero

    3 year contracts are a requirement.
    The $199/$299 prices are FIRM. No less, no more, no negotiation.

  • X1Zero

    3 year contracts are a requirement.
    The $199/$299 prices are FIRM. No less, no more, no negotiation.

  • uxguy

    Went into a rogers retail location today to find out what’s going on. Our account (for our business) has two phones eligible for the HUP. They told us we’ll get our 16GB iPhone3G’s for $275 and the new plans will be cheaper than our current ones. Can’t wait. We’re using our 2G iPhones now, and one of our employees will get the handmedowns. Wondering how Rogers/Apple will deal with the older phones – will visual voicemail work? will the unlocked phone be an issue at all? Maybe after the 2.0 software upgrade, the phones will have to be re-activated instore? They weren’t sure how that all worked, but put us on the list so we don’t have to wait in line…

  • uxguy

    Went into a rogers retail location today to find out what’s going on. Our account (for our business) has two phones eligible for the HUP. They told us we’ll get our 16GB iPhone3G’s for $275 and the new plans will be cheaper than our current ones. Can’t wait. We’re using our 2G iPhones now, and one of our employees will get the handmedowns. Wondering how Rogers/Apple will deal with the older phones – will visual voicemail work? will the unlocked phone be an issue at all? Maybe after the 2.0 software upgrade, the phones will have to be re-activated instore? They weren’t sure how that all worked, but put us on the list so we don’t have to wait in line…

  • http://mattsblog.ca/ Matt

    iPhone FW 2.0 has already been unlocked, so you don’t have to wait around for that.

  • http://mattsblog.ca/ Matt

    iPhone FW 2.0 has already been unlocked, so you don’t have to wait around for that.

  • http://mattsblog.ca/ Matt

    iPhone FW 2.0 has already been unlocked, so you don’t have to wait around for that.

  • X1Zero

    @Uxguy,

    Retail has not been advised of the new plans. They have no idea what they are talking about.

  • X1Zero

    @Uxguy,

    Retail has not been advised of the new plans. They have no idea what they are talking about.

  • X1Zero

    @Uxguy,

    Retail has not been advised of the new plans. They have no idea what they are talking about.

  • Ash

    If the iphone 3G cant be unlocked and requires a 3 year contract. My hopes for getting an iphone is down the gutter. Does anyone know how much the monthly price would be? And can it be used with the family/couples plan?

    What are the chances and When would the iPhone 3G be unlocked? Would all the features work the same?

  • Ash

    If the iphone 3G cant be unlocked and requires a 3 year contract. My hopes for getting an iphone is down the gutter. Does anyone know how much the monthly price would be? And can it be used with the family/couples plan?

    What are the chances and When would the iPhone 3G be unlocked? Would all the features work the same?

  • http://tiinacious.blogspot.com/ T

    I like the idea of the new features and all, but like others have mentioned, the data rates are awful, and I don’t see myself taking advantage of the full 3G capabilities to warrant spending money on another iPhone, especially since it appears to be made out of cheaper materials!

    I’m anxiously awaiting the SDK 2.0 thing!! I like the ideas of third party apps. A lot! I already started taking notes of the ones I want to get from the WWDC.

    I’m not done my 3 years yet with Rogers since I got the Motorola Razr v3i not last Christmas but the one before. Even though I don’t see myself switching to another carrier, I don’t like the ideas of contracts.

    You can’t break your contract if you move to another country; they charged my girlfriend the full cancellation fee for moving to the States! And she had less than half a year left in her contract! I’ve spoken to Rogers employees and they say that the Rogers contracts are the worst contracts and hardest to get out of. According to one person, if you die and you have an outstanding balance, they’ll make your heirs (or whatever they’re called) pay your balance!!

    But if Bell for some reason got the iPhone, I would never go with Bell! I hate Bell. BOYCOTT BELL. Their services, though good, is not always reliable, and their customer service sucks. They frustrate you to the end until you break down and cry because of how stressful it is to get all of your bundled services to either work properly or be charged to your bill properly. Ok, I’m rambling. So Bell sucks. Rogers hasn’t disappointed me TOO much. Rogers seems to be the lesser of the evils.. but there are more evils out there I won’t even consider.. *cough* KooooooooooooodO! *cough*

    But hey!.. Do you guys think that things like name display would start to work on the 2G phones? Will us pre-3G iPhone users have access to the same data plans offered for the 3G?

  • http://tiinacious.blogspot.com/ T

    I like the idea of the new features and all, but like others have mentioned, the data rates are awful, and I don’t see myself taking advantage of the full 3G capabilities to warrant spending money on another iPhone, especially since it appears to be made out of cheaper materials!

    I’m anxiously awaiting the SDK 2.0 thing!! I like the ideas of third party apps. A lot! I already started taking notes of the ones I want to get from the WWDC.

    I’m not done my 3 years yet with Rogers since I got the Motorola Razr v3i not last Christmas but the one before. Even though I don’t see myself switching to another carrier, I don’t like the ideas of contracts.

    You can’t break your contract if you move to another country; they charged my girlfriend the full cancellation fee for moving to the States! And she had less than half a year left in her contract! I’ve spoken to Rogers employees and they say that the Rogers contracts are the worst contracts and hardest to get out of. According to one person, if you die and you have an outstanding balance, they’ll make your heirs (or whatever they’re called) pay your balance!!

    But if Bell for some reason got the iPhone, I would never go with Bell! I hate Bell. BOYCOTT BELL. Their services, though good, is not always reliable, and their customer service sucks. They frustrate you to the end until you break down and cry because of how stressful it is to get all of your bundled services to either work properly or be charged to your bill properly. Ok, I’m rambling. So Bell sucks. Rogers hasn’t disappointed me TOO much. Rogers seems to be the lesser of the evils.. but there are more evils out there I won’t even consider.. *cough* KooooooooooooodO! *cough*

    But hey!.. Do you guys think that things like name display would start to work on the 2G phones? Will us pre-3G iPhone users have access to the same data plans offered for the 3G?

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →