 Rogers to unveil new data plan with iPhone
Globe and Mail Update
June 16, 2008 at 12:31 PM EDT
TORONTO — The head of Canada's largest cellphone company says Apple Inc.'s iPhone will be a cornerstone of the new high-speed wireless world and as such will unveil a new price model for data services to drive adoption.
Nadir Mohamed, president and chief operating officer of Rogers Communications Inc.'s communications group, lists the iPhone, along with wireless cards for laptops, Research In Motion's forthcoming 3G BlackBerrys and “staggering” software programs under development, as the key drivers of broadband wireless over the next five years.
Although the iPhone has been extremely popular in the United States, analysts say the success of Apple's smart phone in Canada will depend on whether Rogers introduces flat-rate monthly data plans for consumers.
“A lot of people have been concerned about pricing,” Mr. Mohamed said in a presentation to the Canadian Telecom Summit on Monday.
While the carrier is keeping quiet about specific pricing packages, Mr. Mohamed said Rogers will change its prices to be more flexible.
“You will see more value in our pricing as we go forward,” he said.
Asked what concessions Rogers might have made to Apple during negotiations to bring the device to Canada, Mr. Mohamed declined to discuss details, but he noted that more than 20 countries will have the iPhone on their networks this summer.
“As Canadians, we should feel good that we are in that camp. That we have the iPhone up and running,” he said.
Rogers is scheduled to launch the iPhone on its network on July 11.
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