“Rogers Communications Inc. has rolled out ‘unlimited’ data services for cellphones, but critics are saying the company’s plans are anything but,” CBC News reports.
“Toronto-based Rogers, Canada’s largest cellphone provider, quietly announced a plan last week that would allow ‘unlimited’ internet browsing on certain cellphones for $7 a month. The company also introduced a ‘Communicate Value’ pack for $20 that bundles the browsing with text messaging, voice mail and call display features,” CBC News reports.
“Both plans allow customers to browse whatever websites they want on their mobile phones, but prohibit them from using certain applications — such as Google Maps or Skype — that are not approved by Rogers. The plans also do not apply to PDAs or smartphones such as BlackBerry devices and do not cover e-mail, which incurs extra charges. Customers with either of the plans also cannot connect their cellphone to a computer and use it as a modem,” CBC News reports.
“Critics said the plans were Rogers’ latest attempt to confuse customers, this time by misrepresenting the word ‘unlimited,'” CBC News reports. “‘What appears to be a good deal on the surface comes with some serious caveats,’ wrote Marc Lostracco, assistant editor of the Torontoist website. ‘Customers need to remember that a company calling something ‘unlimited’ doesn’t actually make it so.'”
“Internet chat rooms have been agog over the past week with speculation that the new, lower rates are paving the way for the launch of the iPhone by Rogers,” CBC News reports. “The company has in the past declined to comment on when or if it would offer the iPhone. Hamilton reiterated there was nothing new to say about the iPhone.”
CBC News reports, “Critics said the new rates are still a long way from those being offered by iPhone carriers elsewhere. ‘For the company to offer a plan that is palatable to iPhone users — and, by proxy, all customers who use internet-capable devices — they will have to offer true unlimited data access,’ Lostracco said.”
Full article here.
How did you Canucks ever allow this Brawndo Rogers company to get so out of control?
Hopefully, Apple will soon cure the insanity of Canada’s outrageous mobile phone rates.