Due to the high publicity of ruinediphone.com and probably some pressure form Apple, Rogers/Fido has come out with a new data plan option:
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“Fido to unleash iPhone 3G… two hours sooner with limited time promotional pricing
Montreal flagship store opens early for July 11 iPhone 3G launch TORONTO, July 9 /CNW/ - In anticipation of iPhone 3G launch, Fido, Canada's fourth largest wireless provider that's number one in customer satisfaction,(*) today announced plans to open the doors of Fido's flagship store in Montreal two hours early on July 11. Starting at 8:00 a.m. on July 11, customers will be able to purchase the new iPhone 3G in advance of regular store hours at a special launch day event at the Fido flagship store at 1004 rue St. Catherine Ouest, Montreal. Be among the first in Canada to get the next generation iPhone 3G and have the choice of a 6GB data plan through a limited time promotional price offer. "Fido is excited to bring iPhone 3G to Canadians with the choice of even more data," said Sylvain Roy, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Fido. "iPhone 3G is the perfect device to complement our customers' urban lifestyle, with its amazing web browsing capabilities, iconic design and interface, and high speed network access." iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast(xx) as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK. Customers who attend the launch day event at Montreal's flagship Fido store will be treated to a free early bird breakfast and have a chance to win Fido prizes. Effective July 11, and as a limited time promotional offer for customers who activate until August 31, 2008 on a three year contract, a data-only offering of 6GB of data for $30 per month is being made available that can be added to any in-market voice plan. For example, with 6GB of data, iPhone 3G users can visit 35,952 web pages, or send and receive 157,286 emails, or watch 6,292 minutes of YouTube videos each and every month.(xxx) New Canadian iPhone 3G customers will also have the choice to select from Fido's existing voice and smartphone data plans and/or additional features to best suit their needs or from Fido's specific value bundled iPhone 3G plans. Existing Fido customers can also keep their current voice service plan and select a separate smartphone data plan to meet their needs or choose from other plans after checking their individual upgrade eligibility. Starting July 11, iPhone 3G will be available at participating locations across Canada, including select Fido retail locations and at the following specially selected authorized Fido dealers: WirelessWave, TBooth and Wireless etc. iPhone 3G can be purchased online at www.fido.ca and through Fido customer service at 1-888-481-3436. Existing Fido customers in their renewal window can use their FidoDollars towards purchase. For a complete store listing, visit www.fido.ca. Due to anticipated high demand, there is a maximum purchase of two iPhone 3G per customer." @ Source
From the sounds of it, this only applies to Apple 3G activations. This is however good news since now and IPhone can be purchased without a data plan and this or any of the data plans can be added to it if wished. I’m presonally surprised Rogers decided to change their plans so close to release. I would have guessed they would change it after release realizing poor sales figures. I for one will purchase a unit on opening day sans data BS as I already have my plan and data charges fixed.
Stay tuned for� detailed no B.S. review of the IPhone 3G.
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Update: On Wednesday July 9, at 3:00 pm EDT David McGuinty, MP, will be making an official video statement on ruinediphone.com. Please check back then. link
