Comments on: A Real Groundswell Is Brewing in Canada over iPhone Launch

By: LG

LG — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:22:14 +0000

First let me start by saying that I am not a member of your online community, but rather a casual (but facinated)observer of the conversation you all engage in. Although I agree whole heartedly that this is a PR disaster for Rogers,it will be interesting to see if they are really going to lose customers.An assumption I do not believ to be accurate. Let me explain why:
As I am closer to the situation than most, I can state with a strong level of certainty that Rogers will not have enough allocation of the hardware (iPhone) to satisfy the demand they will have as a result of their market monopoly on what is arguably the most anticipated consumer product launch in many years. Taking into account the fact that there are approximately 16 million wireless subscribers in Canada, of which over 6 million are subscribers to one of the 2 brands owned by Rogers (Rogers and Fido), the real issue at play here is not the lost revenue, (as previously stated, they will sell everything they can get their hands on), but rather the importance a company puts on negative PR or perception vs the ability to exploit a strong and ripe market, and which approach is best for that company in the long run. I suspect strongly that these are the questions that the higher ups at Rogers are pondering as we speak. It will be very interesting to see where they land on this debate. As they say, “stay tuned for more details”

By: Mark Goren

Mark Goren — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:48:43 +0000

More reaction from Rogers, courtesy of The Globe and Mail: http://snurl.com/2t24r

By: Salam Kitmitto

Salam Kitmitto — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:51:02 +0000

I know of a few people who were very interested in getting the iPhone but will certainly not now.
I have lived in several different countries and I’m always surprised at just how much more Canadians pay for mobile phones than people living in developed and developing countries. Its a bit shocking actually.
The wireless telecom industry here needs some serious over hauling. Other than being monopolized (and therefore getting away with charging exorbitant prices), we are also very late to getting some some of the most innovative products out there. Amazon’s Kindle comes to mind. They have not been able to introduce it to Canada because they have not been able to come to any agreement with our telecom providers on how to operate the wireless functions. A real shame if you ask me considering the Kindle is a truly revolutionary product.

By: Mark Goren

Mark Goren — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:17:07 +0000

Salam …. You’re absolutely right. I’ve read so many replies on the petition and your thinking is coming out in three ways:
* People who were waiting to switch over to Rogers for the iPhone will not switch now.
* People already with Rogers will allow their contract to expire so they can go elsewhere.
* People will just wait until the data plans get better before they commit.
All three ways are very damaging to the bottom line.
Elaine: Doesn’t it feel like Bell again? With Rogers, there’s an underlying arrogance that goes with it. Just read the Hugh McGguire link in the comment above and you’ll sense it. Rogers, as the only GSM player in the country, is definitely a monopoly …. right now. When other GSM players enter the market, they’ll get what’s coming to them.
BTW, happy Canada Day to you too, Elaine (and all other Canucks)!

By: Elaine Fogel

Elaine Fogel — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:14:01 +0000

Doesn’t this smack of the Bell Canada monopoly of ages past? As the only game in town, Bell Canada ticked off so many Canadians that as soon as other companies entered the market, consumers couldn’t wait to mutiny.
In a way, doesn’t this impact the iPhone brand? It’s worth a shot complaining to Apple. After all, this may affect their sales projections for Canada.
By the way, Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canucks!

By: Salam Kitmitto

Salam Kitmitto — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:28:50 +0000

From a purely marketing standpoint, what Rogers is doing is absolutely horrible. They are acting like a big evil monopoly (which they essentially are) and in the process alienating their customers because they know that the customers have no alternatives. However, when the time comes and more companies enter the Canadian market (as is expected in the coming years), many of Roger’s clients will switch over for the simple reason that they despise Rogers.
Rogers outlook is very parochial and they are laying the grounds for a massive exodus of their clients when those same clients find an alternative.

By: Mark Goren

Mark Goren — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:51:51 +0000

As of Monday night, the site “Ruinediphone.com” is inexplicably down, after accumulating over 21,000 signatures.
Media coverage had gone up, with articles/post across more major news sites and blogs.
And I’ve seen this response to blogger Hugh McGuire’s email to Rogers’ customer service team.
http://hughmcguire.net/2008/06/28/rogers-iphone-response/

By: Amber Naslund

Amber Naslund — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:32:02 +0000

Yet additional proof of the power of the hyperconnected community, and the danger of pissing off true brand evangelists (in this case, the iPhone groupies that are growing in number by the day). I’ll look forward to your follow up about what happens. Let’s hope there’s a smart person or two in Roger’s camp.