Archives for Apple


Rogers Caves

Didn’t think it would happen, but it did.  Rogers has now announced that they will offer a $30/month data add-on option to their plans that provides 6gb of data.  It’s not unlimited, but I actually think it might as well be as that’s a pretty big chunk of data per month.  I heard from a source that AT&T’s “unlimited” plan is actually soft-capped at 5gb (whatever that means ;)) so it could even be looked at as better than the US offering.

In order for them to spin it, though, they’ve announced it as a “limited time offer” that expires August 31st.  Honestly I think the (much) more expensive plans will fade into the darkness and this one or one like it will be the real plans for the future.  Rogers couldn’t just change their plans, though.  That’d make them look…well…WRONG.  Funny that.

I was on the phone with Rogers CSR last night for close to an hour discussing options on upgrades etc. and of course this did not come up – but then he probably had no idea it was coming.  What he did tell me, though, is that based on my family plan and the fact that Marilyn had bought a Motorola phone about 6 months ago I am actually not in the Hardware Tier that would allow me to pay the advertised rate for the iPhone.  Apparently the $199/$299 rates are for new customers – you know, the ones that flip from Telco to Telco.  Another brilliant display of customer retention.  To make it even more ridiculous – I’m shortening the conversation considerably – if I pay my current bill now instead the of automatic payment in 2 weeks I would somehow magically then be in the proper hardware tier for the advertised price.  I kid you not.  It never ceases to amaze me how companies try so hard to get new customers yet make their loyal subscribers bend over and take one to get anything.   But that’s another battle to come.

Ironically, a story was leaked yesterday that both Bell and Telus will be charging for incoming SMS messages soon.  $50 says it was a Rogers zealot that leaked it – great attempt at deflection, guys.  But it’s not entirely ridiculous, imho.  That charge is only put through if you do not have a Text Messaging plan of any kind on your line.  Most people that expect SMS messages have a plan of some kind, so they won’t really notice any difference.  Others, tho, can still receive SMS messages – unless the Telcos offer the option to block them.  Clearly, if it’s a spam SMS there’s no way people should have to pay for it, so good luck Bellus on enforcing a charge in that situation.  Rogers, of course, has publicly stated that they’ll never charge for incoming SMS.  You know, because they’re so sweet to their base.

So yes, I’ll be getting a new iPhone with this data plan – hopefully one for Marilyn as well but if not then she’s OK with data + existing iPhone.  Now to try to navigate the no-doubt big line-ups on Friday morning.  Wish me luck.

Wake Up Rogers

Your so-called lack of competition just kicked you in the privates.  Bell Mobility has announced an unlimited data plan with the Samsung Instinct.  It’s no iPhone but it’s close, and at monthly voice and UNLIMITED data plans starting at $40, that’s a pretty big slap in your general direction.

Your move.

Rogers iPhone et al

It appears I have received a response to my 2nd e-mail to Rogers/Fido:

Dear Peter Anderson, <— yes they spelled my name wrong, gotta love that

Thank you for taking the time to write to us, we appreciate your use of online customer service.

In your recent e-mail you have informed us that you are unhappy with the plans made public for the iPhone.

We do appreciate your feedback because this is very important for Rogers to hear comments, opinions and suggestions from our Valued Customers.
This feedback is used to create ideas for new products, services, policies and procedures in the future.

Please be aware that the plans unveiled were Voice and Data Plans designed specifically for the iPhone. At this time, all pricing and plans that will be available for the iPhone have yet to be finalized; however, a customer may use iPhone 3G on their existing voice plan and add a separate data plan.

We are pleased to have been able to address your inquiry. If you have further questions don?t hesitate to reply to this email or contact us at
1-888-764-3771 (24/7).

For future reference with respect to this e-mail, please quote reference number xxxxxxxxx.

Regards,
Laura G.
Rogers Online Customer Service
http://www.rogers.com

Note the bold type above (I added the bold, for the record). It appears that the cage has been rattled by the masses, perhaps. Hopefully Rogers/Fido rethinks things a bit and comes around to a more flexible (and hopefully more generous) set of options. So Rogers is now basically saying that the 4 voice/data combos offered were merely “value packages” and not the only packages available to iPhone users. This seems, to me, to be a backpedal.  If these were merely options why not say so from the beginning?  Why come out with what have become strongly contentious offerings if in fact they were just options? Personally, I think they screwed up bigtime and are now realizing it.

It gives me some cause for hope for Rogers to show some movement, but I guess we’ll wait and see what happens. Keep the petitions going tho…. at last check close to 25,000 signatures on one petition alone makes a huge statement for customer service.