Rogers Wireless

Canadian wireless carrier revealed on Monday that both its HSPA+ network and its iPhone launch will kick off on November 5th and has provided device pricing for its version of the Apple handset. Per Electronista, pricing will match the Rogers version and see 16GB and 32GB iPhone 3GS units cost $200 and $300 respectively on three-year contracts. Contract-free versions will sell for $700 and $800. The 8GB iPhone 3G will sell for $100 on contract or $600 contract-free.

Canadian wireless carrier Bell should start carrying Apple's iPhone handset near the very start of November and feature similar device and price planning as seen on current Canadian iPhone sources. Per Electronista, sources familiar with the plans say the iPhone 3GS and 3G are both due to arrive on November 4th, which should also mark the formal start of the Canadian provider's HSPA-based 3G network. The news is corroborated by earlier word of Telus training ending at the same time and suggests Bell and Telus will have their networks and iPhone sales ready at the same time.

iPhone users up north looking for additional choices will soon be able to move beyond Rogers Wireless, as carriers Bell Canada and Telus have struck deals with Apple, ending the exclusive arrangement Rogers enjoyed since the combination iPod and smartphone first launched in the country. Per The Mac Observer, both carriers are set to begin offering iPhone service in November, and that they will sell both the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS. Neither has offered information about pricing plans.

After data was discovered on Rogers Wireless internal sales system for an 8GB iPhone 3GS, Rogers was quick to say it was just an error and that there was no 8GB iPhone 3GS they were aware of. Now however, just a few days later, the 8GB iPhone 3GS has reappeared in the system. The alleged Rogers employee that submitted the screenshot says the device will take the $99 slot held by the 8GB 3G.

The Boy Genius Report has received several tips that Rogers (the iPhone carrier in Canada) is beginning to ship an 8GB iPhone 3GS to stores. Pricing has not been confirmed, although screenshots indicate that the 8GB 3GS is meant to replace the 3G version. The screenshots also indicate that the new 8GB 3GS will come only in black as the 3G did at its lower price last year.

The transition is likely to take place around the world (not just in Canada), but when and if Apple will make a big deal out of the transition is unknown. Photos after the break!

Word has it that Rogers Wireless will be offering a new 15GB data package for the iPhone 3G in Canada starting June 16. Not surprisingly, it won't be cheap. It will cost $150/month, with 1 cent for each additional megabyte of data used. It will be available for monthly and 1, 2, or 3-year contracts. It's also hugely overpriced, given their current 6GB plan is just $30/month. The information has yet to be confirmed.
[via iPhone In Canada]

Rogers Wireless has made some changes to their iPhone Value Packs, which are purchased to add features that supplement voice plans for the device, adding things like call display and text messaging. Earlier today they were all updated to include MMS messaging, raising the price by $5 each.

When Skype for iPhone was announced back in January, we knew it would be one of the most highly anticipated apps in the App Store. We were right, with the app reaching over one million downloads just two days after it was released earlier this week. Now, however, the app has sparked a great deal of controversy, resulting in a war between carriers and consumers.

Will little fuss or attention, Canadian iPhone carrier Rogers Wireless introduced a new $30 data+text value pack for the iPhone 3G. It includes 500MB of data per month, as well as 10,000 outbound texts, the standard Visual Voicemail, caller ID, and a WhoCalled text notification for missed calls. The rumor comes from forum posts, and hasn't been put on their website yet.
[via Electronista]

Now is a bad time to be one of the sales staff, assistant managers, and director-level employees within Canadian wireless carriers Rogers Wireless and Fido. Despite a 30% increase in sales, the Rogers finance department recently made the decision to cut sales commissions given to the people who were partly responsible for that increase by as much as 50%.