Opinion : Why iPhone Might Not Do Well In Canada
Even before the iPhone hit the marketplace, even before Steve Jobs confirmed its existence, the Internet was abuzz with the possibility of toying around with an Apple-branded cell phone. The fateful day came on June 29th of this year, treating Americans across the nation to a device that would marry their cell phone with their iPod. It’s a portable Internet device, a multimedia player, and a slick little puppy that has every fashionista clamoring for new cases and mods.
Even though the iPhone has now been unlocked — by a 17-year-old, no less — it is terribly unlikely that the Apple iPhone will ever officially make its way across the 49th parallel to Canada. Sure, a Canuck can hop across the border to an Apple Store to buy an iPhone directly, unlock it using the methods described by George Hotz, and use it with Fido or Rogers Wireless. Yes, it is possible, but very few people will want to do that.
Compare that to the recently leaked information concerning the Germany-bound iPhone. We hear that it’s going to go beyond EDGE to offer users high-speed UMTS/HSDPA data as speedy as 3.6Mbps. We hear that it’s going to go beyond a mere eight gigs of internal memory to bring a full 16GB. All this for 499 Euros. And their plans WILL come with unlimited data along with a bevy of minutes for as little as 49 Euros a month. Just not possible in Canada.
In order for the Apple iPhone to make it to Canada, one of two things must happen:
Rogers Wireless — which owns Fido, the only other major GSM provider in Canada — will have to lower their data price plans substantially, offering unlimited data for a reasonable rate.
Canada will need to open up to more GSM providers. That, or a CDMA iPhone will have to be developed that can work with Bell Mobility or Telus Mobility. This will hopefully open up the competition for data rates, paving the way to a Canadian iPhone.
But I’m not going to hold me breath over this. Which is too bad, because Apple could make some serious coin selling the iPhone north of the 49th parallel.
