Rogers Apple Watch Series 3 LTE Possible in 2018 When eSIM Support Launches

With both Bell and Telus supporting cellular Apple Watch Series 3 LTE, Rogers has been left behind, leaving some customers frustrated about the lack of support.

But Rogers has been responding to customers on Twitter regarding support for cellular Apple Watch Series 3, suggesting support will arrive in 2018, when eSIM functionality launches on the network. Apple Watch Series 3 cellular models do not have traditional SIM cards, but rather electronic SIMs built into the device.

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In another tweet, Rogers says “Carrying the LTE Apple watch will be something we look at next year as we build system functionality to support this technology base on open standards.”

In the meantime, the wireless carrier is informing customers their Series 3 LTE models still will work with Rogers, as long as you have it paired to your iPhone, saying “Please know that you can buy Apple Watch Series 3, both the cellular and non-cellular version and bring it to Rogers. You’ll be able to pair with a compatible iPhone using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.”

Sounds like Rogers is being more transparent about its plans to support Apple Watch Series 3 cellular models in 2018. Any discussions with Apple to bring the smartwatch to the network would be under wraps, so mentioning eSIM support is a major hint at what to expect next year.

What’s unknown, is whether the price will be $5/month like Bell, or $10/month like Telus (but includes 1GB of data).

Are you waiting for Rogers to support LTE for Apple Watch?

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Robert Lendvai
8 years ago

I’m on Rogers and went ahead and bought an Apple Watch from the Apple Store. I’ll wait another 3 months but will likely switch if I don’t see support by early April.

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  Robert Lendvai
8 years ago

Same here, they will eventually do it in the next coming months, just hold on.

The lack of LTE watch support (among other deficient wireless services) is due to bad decisions made by former Rogers CEO Guy Laurence, who lacked proper vision to invest in the network and provide competitiveness to Rogers.

Joe Natale, the new CEO, is reverting these bad decisions and is committing to bring Rogers’ network to rival those of Bell and Telus.

Dimitri
Dimitri
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

How are you so sure? Any sources to this claim or justout claimed no where? You do realize that guy wasnt the only one making the decision right? The board of directors, managers and heads also give a green light to purchase new things or add services. Have you seen what he brought to Vodafone when he wastheir ceo?

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  Dimitri
8 years ago

I’m sure because it’s published on every major news outlet in Canada.

Yeah, I know what he brought to Vodafone; he cut about 20 per cent of the staff in two years, Spent $1.6 bill in purchasing Britain’s Cable & Wireless, and even though the brand regained its long-lost traction, it’s still in third place in the UK. He did just ok.

His ousting was due to clashes with the Rogers family, whom indeed have the majority stake in the company, but the reason there’s a CEO is because he’s supposed to have the lead, expertise and vision to bring a company to higher levels of service, profitability and competitiveness.

The latter clearly not happening.

Chill, dude.

Dimitri
Dimitri
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

Again I ask. Show me a source which claims Guy was the reason why Rogers didn’t bring the LTE watch or any other services? He brought us some useful services which now are being removed by ur lovely Rogers family. One of the services is going to be the IPTV in a few months after scrapping the IPTV Rogers was trying to built but failed. He brought alot of useful services.

You think Joe is going to do any better? Doubt it. Remember it’s the idiots of the Rogers family which are screwing up Rogers. Not the CEO. Edward Rogers and Melinda have the final say on a what services and products Rogers gets or even buys.

They spent millions for the NHL rights which,let don’t care of. That wasn’t a decision Guy made alone. Your lovely Rogers staff made that decision on theirtlast meeting before the purchase. Now there are rumours the Rogers family wants to sell the Blue Jay’s Ted Rogers ( their father) bought.

The family doesn’t care about their customers. If they did theplan pricing and all wouldn’t be as high as it is now.

CEOs come and go but Rogers has had the same shit service and pricing. After Ted died look at how it’s been run with his children. Again the CEO doesn’t have the last way on anything. The Rogers family does and the board of directors do.

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  Dimitri
8 years ago

Wow, you’re one of those.

Topic of conversation today: Apple watch LTE service will be available at Rogers.

Just chill. Like seriously.

Dimitri
Dimitri
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

I may ” chilled” as u keep repeating that. However what I an saying is the truth. Guess it hurts u? Again third time I asked u to show me something and fully ignore it. Enjoy ur day!

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  Dimitri
8 years ago

It’s published all over news media. I’m not gonna google it for you. Use your mitts.

poopchute
poopchute
8 years ago

How funny would it be if Freedom beat Rogers to the punch on this?

John
John
8 years ago

So let’s hope Fido supports the watch LTE version.

Michael S
Michael S
Reply to  John
8 years ago

I wonder if Rogers adds support since Fido shares the same network, Fido will also add support. I would think yes as Fido will help offset the cost of developing the new service. Thoughts?

sukisszoze
sukisszoze
8 years ago

I hope Rogers will only charge $5. It’s a ripoff to charge any more than that since most people will have their phone with them most of the time.

Mario Gaucher
Mario Gaucher
8 years ago

and Vidéotron probably at the same time or shortly after…

Ace
Ace
8 years ago

I was with Rogers for over 15 years but finally switched to Bell 3 weeks ago as this lack of support was the last straw

Josh Ex
Josh Ex
Reply to  Ace
8 years ago

Same here!! Was with Rogers for a little over 15 years and just switch on Nov 26 so i could use the Apple watch. Works great and speeds and voice quality are great on Bell i couldn’t be happier 🙂 If they had said that in the first place i maybe would of wait too late now, happy they are finally waking up!

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  Josh Ex
8 years ago

Wait, what? you switched providers for the sake of an LTE watch?

Wow.

DP
DP
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

What’s wrong with that? If you wanted to use a cell watch, why not make a phone call and switch so you can?

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  DP
8 years ago

It just seems ass backwards to switch providers just to be able to call from a watch. Absolutely no significant added value or services on the switching.

come_again
come_again
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

No significant value for you. It’s impossible for you to fully understand every other persons use cases or motivations, so why bother?

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  come_again
8 years ago

Because I live in a country with freedom of speech and I can say and post my opinion however I want.

come_again
come_again
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

glad to see you enjoying your willful ignorance.

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  come_again
8 years ago

Another imbecile who blindly advocates, on an open forum and takes everything as personal. Shut up already.

come_again
come_again
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

sadly, another individual who does not understand that comments tools have greater possibility than posting “my opinion however I want”

Tim
Tim
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

everyone is an imbecile, you are the man

Dimitri
Dimitri
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

To each their own. Why does it matter to you? If they watch to use that service which Rogers is rather lacking in having but Telus and Bell has, why not switch?

I have the series 3 and use it when my phone is in my office or locker at the gym. Thus frees you from carrying your phone everywhere.

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  Dimitri
8 years ago

WhAt DoEs iT mAtTeR tO yOu?

comment image

Dimitri
Dimitri
Reply to  El Cockblock
8 years ago

It seems like trolling is the Best thing you can do. Move along.

? Dean
Reply to  Ace
8 years ago

I did that too, but before losing my “seniority” with Rogers, I decided to pause the account.
After two months, I switched back to Rogers because I couldn’t live without the Name Caller ID, and because Rogers in downtown Toronto has actually better coverage in the PATH and elevators.

tomm
tomm
8 years ago

Funny that they are not mentioning when in 2018, If it is December 2018, most people will switch before than. And we should also hear from Fido.
If I did not have such bad experiences with Bell years ago, I would consider switching.

85QRA77N
85QRA77N
Reply to  tomm
8 years ago

No pixel use nano sim

FragilityG4
FragilityG4
8 years ago

I believe the Pixel 2 uses eSim……

Mike Olund
Mike Olund
8 years ago

I’ve been with Rogers since 2007 and currently have 3 lines. I received an Apple Watch 3 LTE as a gift about 6 weeks ago. Now that unlocking is free and Telus supports the Apple Watch, I’m going to switch the whole family from a Rogers BC Government Employees corporate plan to a Telus CUPE corporate plan.

Ian
Ian
Reply to  Mike Olund
8 years ago

Be careful with that, I have read that you currently can’t active an Apple Watch on a corporate/EPP plan yet.

El Cockblock
El Cockblock
Reply to  Mike Olund
8 years ago

Do your homework on this one, as far as I know you can’t activate an Apple watch LTE on a corporate plan, as previously said. I am certain my work place doesn’t do, so check with your IT department first.

erth
erth
8 years ago

waiting patiently. i am on the fence. since i usually have my phone with me, the $5 or $10 is really a waste. the only time i don’t have my phone is when i am running. then the apple watch 3 LTE uses gps and i have to only sync with the phone afterwards, which is automatic. i guess the money would be worth it if i am hurt or mugged while running… but that is a low probability.

Soulfulkhalel
Soulfulkhalel
8 years ago

Really looking into switching. Been with Rogers for 9 years in QC. Currently on no contract. Looking for a new phone, like the Apple Watch and a 50-70$ per month plan. Any ideas?

Gary Mckoy
Gary Mckoy
Reply to  Soulfulkhalel
8 years ago

I was in the exact same situation, in QC too. Initiated a switch to Bell after negotiating exact same monthly fees and conditions for two lines. Rogers denied the transfer initially and called me to confirm my intent. After some back and forth with the rep, he ended up offering me two “free” iPhone 8 to stay with them on a new 24-months contract, with only a marginal increase of my total monthly fees (an extra 15$/month including taxes for 24 months). Sold one of the iPhone 8 and with the proceeds bought an Apple Watch and kept enough cash to pay off the extra cost of the 2-year contract. Ended up with a free iPhone 8 and a free Apple Watch LTE. But still of course no LTE service 😉

Soulfulkhalel
Soulfulkhalel
Reply to  Gary Mckoy
8 years ago

Thanks for the insight. In the end i stay with Rogers (Too much hassle with Bell switching etc.) got an iPhone 8 and tablet free wih just a 10$ increased in plan. Maybe next time.

Mario Gaucher
Mario Gaucher
8 years ago

correct… but it also has a Nano sim slot… which most providers (probably all) are using.
the esim is probably used by Google for Project FI.

FragilityG4
FragilityG4
Reply to  Mario Gaucher
8 years ago

Weird that they don’t list that.

Jon
Jon
8 years ago

hurry up! They only way I buy an apple watch is with a sim card.

Samuel Lavoie
8 years ago

Informations from both Fido and Rogers are VERY light. They should communicate ways they are currently implementing eSim Cards at least if they don’t want to blow their ongoing discussion or negociation with Apple.

Meaghan
Meaghan
8 years ago

Quick question for the group! I really want an apple watch… if I bought the LTE edition prior to Rogers being compatible, is that ok? I’m assuming I can buy the LTE edition and not use the cellular function until then?

Mario Gaucher
Mario Gaucher
Reply to  Meaghan
8 years ago

You can buy the lte version and not use the cellular function now.
You should be fine when Rogers finally gets the things done to support it unless they come up with something new that is not compatible (which would be surprising)

Rob
Rob
8 years ago

I am waiting. I’m giving Rogers till the end of the year to get this rolling. If that dose not happen I am gone.

Matthew
Matthew
8 years ago

Any updates on this???

I spoke to Rogers Technical support and they were not helpful at all. They provided no insight to when or if Rogers will provide cellular support for apple watch 3.

I looked into switching to Bell. But their plans were almost double what I am paying now. It is not worth switching over just for the watch

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