Rumour: Bell & Telus might be able to start selling the iPhone

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2009/06/25/telus-bell-hspa-hungry-iphone-3gs-canada/

BGR served up a rumor that Telus in Canada was getting the iPhone 3GS in October. How will a CDMA carrier get the GSM iPhone? Simple, as mentioned last year, Telus has partnered with Bell to expand their CDMA network by adding in HSPA. That means Bell Mobility could support the iPhone 3GS as well, and the rumor’s TiPb’s hearing is they just might (though exact timing will of course depend on how fast they get HSPA up and running).

If Rogers/Fido’s Canadian iPhone 3GS exclusivity was tied only to their GSM monopoly, and that suddenly becomes an oligopoly, will the increased competition lead to better iPhone plans and prices for Canadian consumers? Well, oligopolies are historically only slightly better than monopolies, so we won’t get our hopes up any time soon.

So Canadians, anyone rather have their iPhone on Telus or Bell?

If that's true and I would seriously consider thinking of getting the iPhone with Bell once my contract expires, although I also like the BlackBerry Bold from Rogers and I want to see the brand new BlackBerry Tour which is going to be available on Bell.

 

[minnie56]

Lots of folks-including my 2 DD's HATE the I-phone.
They are telling people that the new one will be better tho...

 

[tone.def]

I had asked Telus directly las week about when they were going to get iphones. Their response (via email):

TELUS is continually working with manufacturers to introduce the best new wireless handsets and products. Due to the competitive nature of the wireless industry, we are unable to discuss future hardware launch plans with our clients or the general public. We do test products to satisfy different market segments, but we do not release details about any potential products until their commercial launch has been confirmed.

Please be advised, however, that until such time as Apple Corp. begins to manufacture an iPhone which is designed to work on the CDMA wireless network currently used by TELUS or the HSPA wireless network we are launching next year, neither TELUS nor many other wireless service providers will be able to offer the iPhone to our clients. At this time, Apple has announced no such plans.

 

[dinotorrid]

I have the iPhone 3G under Fido. I, personally, had a lot of calls cut with Telus so when my contract came up I went with the iPhone 3G and I chose Fido over Rogers because both had the exact same iPhone plan (at the time, not so now) only Fido was billing by the second and Rogers was billing by the minute - so it didn't make sense for me to choose Rogers over Fido. Now the plans are different but Fido is still billing by the second and no SAF.

 

[AndyMcV]

Come on gang, stay Canadian and get a Blackberry!!!

 

[tone.def]

I chose Fido over Rogers because both had the exact same iPhone plan (at the time, not so now) only Fido was billing by the second and Rogers was billing by the minute - so it didn't make sense for me to choose Rogers over Fido.

Fido is owned by Rogers... I wonder why the difference in the billing (second/minute)?

 

[TagsMissy]

Who'd want an iPhone with all the limitations and apple dictating what apps you can and can't use and charging you up the you know what for a shoddy product? Get an Android.

 

[braydensmom]

Ive had a blackberry with Bell and Rogers, and the data plans with Rogers are much better and I am able to get better service now. I live in downtown London, and my calls with Bell were not always going through or were dropping. Im saving close to 30/month on the data plan alone

 

[bunnyfoo]

Good! I can't wait until I'm off contract with Rogers. Tried negotiating for a smart phone and new plan. The CSR at Rogers was not very pleasant to deal with. I asked her *if* she could match plans from other cell phone providers and she basically told me that they're not paying me so I could have a cell phone. I can tell you if I talked to clients at work that way, I would be out the door so quickly... Never mind that I'd have to double the amount I'm paying monthly and resigning for three years. A simple no would have been fine.

Come on gang, stay Canadian and get a Blackberry!!!

I was considering one but someone at work mentioned that it's not great for surfing.

Who'd want an iPhone with all the limitations and apple dictating what apps you can and can't use and charging you up the you know what for a shoddy product? Get an Android.

I went to the Rogers store and played around with the Magic. It didn't feel as solid to me as the iPhone. But I know other people who have an HTC phone and love it. I have to agree with you that the iPhone price is crazy.