While many rejoice the fact that new iPhone 3G will be cheaper out of the blocks at $199 for the 8GB device, most note that over the two years of the required contract, the phone will actually cost $240 more than its predecessor. A reasonable complaint. But be glad you don't live in Canada, where Rogers - the official Canadian carrier for iPhone - customers will pay some $2,600 over the life of the phone, most expensive in the world.
The lowest AT&T plan costs $70 for 450 minutes of talk and unlimited data for a two-year total of $1,879, including the $199 model. Text messaging can run you an extra. For $60, Rogers customers are only getting 150 minutes of talk and 400MB of data. That's a royal screwing. Consumer Reports says some in Canada are thinking of a boycott. I would definitely be pursuing an alternative smartphone or hoping I lived close enough to the border that I AT&T coverage.
Network World's own multimedia editor.
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Rogers Caved
From CTV.ca
"Customers who purchase an iPhone and sign up for a three year contract any time between July 11, when the device goes on sale, and the end of August will be eligible for a $30-per-month data plan giving them access to 6-Gigabytes of data. Rogers previously had charged $100 for a 6-GB plan."
From one anon to another
From one anon to another (Rogers rep? hmmmm),
I will never purchase the iPhone as it still is too expensive. It would cost me 115.35 tax included to get the iphone with 350 minutes with 6 whole gigabytes of data, Value plan, and Early Evenings talk. Ridiculous! Even after agreeing to such a ludicrous monthly fee, how much would I incur while downloading apple apps. My fees could potentially hit 140-150 per month. I don't think so buddy; Rogers can keep their phone and their BS.