Greedy bastards.

So, here in Canada, we’ve been itching to get out hands on the iPhone since it was released in the States. Some even went so far as to get one anyway and have it hacked to work upon the Rogers network. On June 9th, Apple announced that the iPhone would officially be coming up to Canada (and the rest of the world). Needless to say, this will be the hot item of the summer around the world, if not the entire year. It was no surprise that Rogers would be the carrier in Canada; they’re the only one up here who has the infrastructure. This roughly translates to them having a monopoly, which again roughly translates to them being able to charge whatever the fuck they want.

Many thought that this would be the turning point for Rogers… that Apple would pressure them into FINALLY having an unlimited data package for a decent price. For a time, it looked like this might be a possibility. Rogers caving to demand for fair prices. Ha.

Guess what? Rogers said “bollocks” to that (yes, they used that word), and released the following:

400MB per month at the lowest rate? It’s not like I’d be surfing a lot on the thing, but I don’t want to have to worry about paying extra should I go over, especially at $0.50/MB. That shit adds up. I also have the “$20 Value Pack” already with my Nokia 5300, as I like being able to send txt msgs without a cap, and the early evening calling is nice (usually their unlimited evenings and weekends starts at 9pm?! WTF?!), so I would need that too with the iPhone. Right there: $80/month. Then, their system access fees, and taxes, blah blah blah… I’ll be paying close to $100 per month for the damn thing.

But you know what? As much as I bitch and whine about the prices, I’m going to be paying them, as I want the iPhone… and Rogers knows this. Sure, they throw in unlimited Hotspot access, which is cool of them, but how often will I hang out at a Second Cup? Almost never.

It’s so fucking irritating that Rogers gets away with this. Looking at the rates down in the States, this hardly seems fair. Rogers makes hand-over-fist in cash, and they still feel the need to squeeze even more pennies out of the average customer. Sure, it’s all about business, but this goes beyond that. This is just simple greed.

All said and done, though, I can’t wait to get the iPhone.

Update (July 3rd, 2008): To hell with Rogers. I’m not going to get roped into a three-year contract where I essentially agree to pay ridiculous prices just to enjoy an innovative device. I’m going to sit back and wait for the competition to get their act in gear and offer the iPhone on their network. Rumour has it that Telus is working on this for early 2009, and I’ll be taking my number over to them if they’re successful.

Activity

• Rode the bike to work (6.1km)
• Carried my 34lb bike up the stairs - 3 floors

Breakfast

• Three hard boiled eggs

Lunch

• I Love Sushi
  • Assorted sushi (eight pieces of sushi, a six piece spicy tuna roll, one California hand roll)
  • Kimlan soy sauce
  • Miso soup

• Bangkok Paradise
  • Two Thai spring rolls - seafood
  • Sweet tamarind sauce
• Diet Pepsi

Snacks

• One Granny Smith apple

Activity

• Rode the bike home (6.1km)
• Carried my 34lb bike up the stairs - 10 floors
• 1×20 - free weights - incline dumbbell flyes - 40lbs
  
• 1×10 - free weights - incline bench dumbbell press - 40lbs
  
• 1×20 - free weights - hammer grip incline dumbbell press - 40lbs

Dinner

• One Interactive Nutrition Low Carb Bar - chocolate fudge delight

Snacks

• Six pieces of Walgreens Select Pure Butter Shortbread