Canadians Protest IPhone Plans

One of my favorite things about the iPhone is the unlimited data plan I get from AT&T. Even with the mediocre EDGE speeds I get on the current iPhone, unlimited data means that I can read all the emails, view all the web pages, and play all the games I want on the cellular network. So, I was very disappointed to see that not all countries getting the iPhone on July 11 will have this option.

Perhaps the most prominent case on the map is Canada, where the iPhone 3G is being distributed through Rogers Communication. On Friday, Rogers announced its iPhone plans, which notably lack an unlimited data plan. Via Rogers, the best you can do is a plan with 2GB of data included, which will run you CDN$115 a month (currently about $113.81 in U.S. dollars).

Seem a little expensive? You're not alone in thinking that. As of writing this, 19,447 people (and counting) have signed a virtual petition on RuinediPhone.com expressing their dissatisfaction with the expensive iPhone voice and data plans. In addition to the petition, which will be printed and sent to Rogers HQ on July 11, RuinediPhone has written an open letter to Steve Jobs about its frustration over the plans.

In response to all these petitions and letters, Rogers defended its plans, telling website Electronista that most international cellular providers don't provide unlimited data, because it ends up "costing customers more for what they don't use."