With a month and a half of experience behind them, Rogers has had a chance to look at how people are using their 3G iPhones. Recall that the iPhone launched in Canada with a $30 monthly data plan that permitted 6GB of downloads.
Considering that the first wave of customers were the early adopters, and people who might have tried to really put the device through its paces, you would think that a bunch of folks might have exceeded the download cap.
As it turns out, Peter Nowak was right when he wrote that Rogers original plan providing 400MB would satisfy most people. In the first 6 weeks, 95% of all iPhone customers downloaded less than 500MB in a month.
So, Rogers has announced some price plan adjustments that will enable some savings for many 3G smart phone users. The current offer of 6GB plan for $30 has been extended to September 30, to enable people who were waiting for the Blackberry Bold to get activated.
Effective October 1, there will be a new rate plan that provides 500MB of downloads for $25. 95% of Rogers’ iPhone customers can save $5 per month by downgrading to this plan.
After October 1, $30 will get you 1GB; and a new $80 plan will provide 8GB. Regardless of your plan, excess data is charged at a rate of 3 cents per MB.
Rogers is putting in place tools to help customers understand and manage their data usage. For the first three months of their data plans, there are no data charges – Freedom of Data. This enables users to adjust their price plans to match the way they actually using their devices.
Rogers will send text message alerts when users are at their data limits and there is a safety net – a $100 cap on excess data charges in order to avoid awkward month-end surprises.
Here is a comparison of the evolution of rate plans this year:
|
2008 Prices |
Jan 1 |
June 20 |
July 11 |
Oct 1 |
| $15 | 2MB | 2MB | N/A | 2MB |
| $25 | 4MB | 4MB | N/A | 500MB |
| $30 | N/A | 300MB | 6GB | 1GB |
| $50 | N/A | 500MB | N/A | 2GB |
| $60 | 30 MB | 1GB | N/A | 3GB |
| $80 | 500MB | 3GB | N/A | 8GB |
| $100 | 1GB | 6GB | N/A | N/A |
Most significantly, Rogers plans cover all data – you can even tether your smart phone to your notebook computer or move your SIM to your PC’s air card; the same rates apply.
As such, $80 for 8GB makes Rogers mobile data pretty attractive. How does Canada compare to Ghana now?
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