iPhone 4 launches tomorrow on Rogers

By: RogersKeith

July 29th, 2010 a 1:35pm

We’re excited to share some news about how our customers can upgrade to iPhone 4 which launches tomorrow. As the Canadian carrier with the most iPhone customers and experience, we’re making a commitment to allocate the majority of inventory we receive from Apple to existing customers wanting to upgrade to the iPhone 4.

And while we can’t do this every year, we’re excited to announce a special upgrade offer that gives our iPhone customers the chance to get an iPhone 4 at a discounted price until September 30, 2010.

Rogers customers have the flexibility to upgrade to any new device at any time by paying full price for the device. However, as a benefit of being a Rogers customer, we’re investing in a special iPhone 4 hardware upgrade offer to reward our customers for doing business with us, as long as they activated a Rogers iPhone on a term contract on or prior to June 7, 2010 – the day Apple announced iPhone 4 at the Worldwide Developers Conference.

Here are the general guidelines about the iPhone 4 special hardware upgrade:

Did you activate or upgrade your Rogers iPhone on a term contract between January 1, 2009 and June 7, 2010?
Then you’re eligible for at least $250 off the no-term device price. That’s an iPhone 4 16GB/32GB for $399/$499 on a new 3-year voice and data plan.

Did you activate or upgrade your Rogers iPhone on a term contract on or before December 31, 2008?
Thank you for your business. You’re eligible for at least $480 off the no-term device price. You can pick up an iPhone 4 16GB/32GB for $159/$269 on a new 3-year voice and data plan.

Did you activate or upgrade the original Rogers iPhone 3G in 2008 and then upgrade again to the Rogers iPhone 3GS between June 19 and September 15, 2009?
You’re also eligible for at least $480 off the no-term device price. You can pick up an iPhone 4 16GB/32GB for $159/$269 on a new 3-year voice and data plan.

How do I check my eligibility for this special iPhone 4 hardware upgrade program?
The easiest way for you to check your hardware upgrade eligibility is through www.rogers.com/iPhone. (UPDATE July 29, 2010, 3:13 PM: We are experiencing technical difficulties with our HUP eligibility tool and it may be giving incorrect results. We’re aware of it and are working on it. While we do, the tool may be temporarily unavailable. Thanks for your patience. UPDATE August 16, 2010 11:20 AM: The technical difficulties are resolved and the tool is working correctly.) Aside from this special iPhone 4 offer, regular hardware upgrade program policies apply. If you take advantage of this early hardware upgrade offer, your new 3-year term will begin immediately. Savings under this special upgrade program are determined based upon the length of time remaining in your existing term and the specifics of your selected plans.

Any news for new iPhone 4 customers?
New customers can purchase a 16GB iPhone 4 for $159 or a 32GB iPhone 4 for $269, each with a new three-year voice and data plan on Canada’s proven and reliable network. With Rogers, you get unlimited access to Rogers WiFi hotspots for free as well as unlimited social networking to the top seven communities in all iPhone data plans and our Handset Protection Gurantee. The Handset Protection Guarantee is subject to terms and conditions. To read the full program terms, go to http://www.rogers.com/protection.

What about Fido customers?
Fido also has a special iPhone 4 promotion for its customers. For customers who entered into a Fido agreement on or before June 7, 2010 and want to upgrade early to iPhone 4, Fido will provide a special iPhone 4 discount by way of a bill credit of between $250 and $490. In addition, customers may contribute all accumulated FidoDollars towards their upgrade. Go to www.fido.ca/iphone for full details.

How to get your iPhone 4
Worldwide demand for the iPhone has been high and quantities are limited. At launch, the iPhone 4 will only be available at Rogers stores and authorized retailers, and not by Customer Care or Rogers.com. We recommend you contact your local Rogers retailer to confirm units are in stock. Our goal is to get an iPhone 4 into the hands of every customer who wants one, so visit www.rogers.com/iphone to find updates about stock levels.

Data on data

Here’s an overview of some great new and in-market plans that will get you up and running with your iPhone 4.

Return of special smartphone $30/6 GB plan
Effective July 30, and as a limited time promotional offer for smartphone customers who activate on a three-year contract, Rogers is offering 6GB of data for $30. This data plan can be added to any in-market voice plan before September 30, 2010.

Share with your family
Now that you’ve upgraded to iPhone 4, what do you do with your 3GS? Pass it on through our Family Share Plans and share minutes, messaging and data. Starting August 4, add additional voice and data lines for just $25 per month (plus Government Regulatory Recovery Fee) on a three-year term for up to five people!

*New* smartphone and iPad sharing plans
You’ve told us you love our in-market iPad plans and the ease of activation on Rogers – but some of you have asked for device sharing and we’ve listened. Starting July 30, and for a limited time until Sept. 30, customers on a 6 GB plan will be able to share data between iPhones and iPads for an extra $20 (plus Government Regulatory Recovery Fee). For details, visit a Rogers retail location.

We’ll also try to answer as many questions as we can in the comments below. We recommend that you do not call our Customer Care representatives as they have no additional information and will not be able to process your hardware upgrade at this time.

UPDATE (July 31, 10:18 PM) Rogers is committed to getting an iPhone 4 into the hands of every customer who wants one. We regret to say that for the time being, Rogers retail outlets are sold out of the device. We expect to receive regular shipments of iPhone 4 from Apple over the coming weeks and will update this site once we have more stock.

UPDATE (August 6, 2010, 8:58 AM 2:45 PM) Rogers is receiving a new shipment of iPhone 4, which will be available in limited supply in some retail locations starting on Monday, August 9 Saturday, August 7. In the meantime, Apple retail stores may have inventory available for both new customers and existing Rogers customers upgrading to iPhone 4.

UPDATE (August 9, 2010, 1:05 PM) Hi everyone. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused this past weekend as many of you expected iPhone 4 to be back in stock at our stores. In an effort to get devices available as soon as possible, we are expediting all shipments to stores outside our normal process. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication on Friday and stock was not available as expected on Saturday.

We are trying to be as transparent as possible and provide you with timely information. Obviously, this isn’t a perfect process and we appreciate your patience. Stock that was en route Friday will be arriving in some stores today. Additional inventory will be arriving throughout the week. Due to high demand and limited quantities, we strongly recommend that you call ahead to ensure that iPhones are in stock.

UPDATE (August 12, 2010, 12:25 PM) We have more news for you on iPhone 4 availability. We regret to say that Rogers retail outlets have sold out of iPhone 4s. The good news is that we expect more stock to start appearing in stores later this week, most being on shelves by Saturday.

As before, inventory remains limited so we recommend you contact your local store to confirm units are available. In the meantime, Apple retail stores may have iPhone 4s in stock.

Rogers remains committed to getting an iPhone 4 into the hands of every customer who wants one. We’re reading each and every of your comments on this post and will respond with whatever information we can.

Are these updates useful to you? Please let us know in the comments below.

UPDATE (August 14, 2010, 3:00 PM) The latest round of iPhone 4 stock at Rogers stores is once again sold out. We’re receiving regular shipments from Apple, so we’ll update this post again once more stock is available. Until then, you may want to check Apple retail stores to see if iPhone 4s are in stock.

UPDATE (August 19, 2010, 11:45 AM) A limited number of iPhone 4s have started to arrive at Rogers retail locations. Considering the limited inventory, we recommend you contact your local store to confirm units are available. In addition, Apple retail locations may have stock.

UPDATE (August 21, 2010, 1:30 PM) iPhone 4 stock at Rogers stores has sold out. Regular shipments are coming in from Apple, so we’ll update this post again once more stock is available. In the meantime, you may want to check Apple retail stores to see if iPhone 4s are in stock.

UPDATE (August 25, 2010, 4:15 PM) A limited number of iPhone 4s have again started to arrive at Rogers retail locations. Considering the limited inventory, we recommend you contact your local store to confirm units are available. In addition, Apple retail locations may have stock.

UPDATE (August 29, 2010, 7:31 PM) iPhone 4 stock at Rogers stores has sold out. Regular shipments are coming in from Apple, so we’ll update this post again once more stock is available. In the meantime, you may want to check Apple retail stores to see if iPhone 4s are in stock.

UPDATE (September 1, 2010, 3:11 PM) A limited number of iPhone 4s have again started to arrive at Rogers retail locations. Considering the limited inventory, we recommend you contact your local store to confirm units are available. In addition, Apple retail locations may have stock.

UPDATE (September 3, 2010, 4:39 PM): iPhone 4 stock at Rogers stores has sold out. Regular shipments are coming in from Apple, so we’ll update this post again once more stock is available. In the meantime, you may want to check Apple retail stores to see if iPhone 4s are in stock.

UPDATE (September 10, 2010, 2:33 PM): This week, inventory of iPhone 4s was more limited than previous shipments. As a result, it sold out immediately in most cases. An Apple retail location may have stock.

UPDATE (September 16, 2010, 5:15 PM): A limited number of iPhone 4s have again started to arrive at Rogers retail locations. As in past weeks, they will likely sell out quickly. We expect to get new shipments in store each week. As shipments will be consistent on a weekly basis, we will no longer be updating this post. If you’d like to check iPhone stock near you, please contact a Rogers or Apple retail location.

UPDATE (September 29, 2010, 1:43 PM): Good news for those of you who have been unable to secure an iPhone 4: another shipment is starting to arrive in stores today.

We encourage you to head down to a Rogers retailer to pick one up over the next 24 hours or so. As always, we recommend you contact your local store first to ensure stock is available.

Our goal is to get an iPhone 4 to every customer who wants one.

UPDATE (September 30, 2010, 2:35 PM): An update on Rogers/Fido iPhone 4 promotions.

When Rogers/Fido launched the iPhone 4 on July 30, we announced special offers for our new and existing customers. Since then, we have activated a significant number of devices with 80 per cent having gone to our existing customers. These special offers were scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, but we have some good news to share.

First, we are extending the 6GB/$30 promotion until Oct. 5. Second, we are extending one component of our early Hardware Upgrade offer through the end of the year. Any customer who activated or upgraded an earlier version of the iPhone with Rogers/Fido on a term contract on or before December 31, 2008 will continue to be eligible for at least $480 off the no-term device price when they upgrade to an iPhone 4. They can pick up an iPhone 4 16GB/32GB for $159/$269 on a new 3-year voice and data plan.

While other components of our special iPhone 4 early HUP offer expire today, Rogers and Fido customers can continue to take advantage of our standard hardware upgrade savings. Fido customers can also add their Fido dollars to their Hardware Upgrade for additional savings.

Keith McArthur is Senior Director of Social Media at Rogers.

Rating: 2.0/5 (391 votes cast)

Categories:

Customer experience, Network, news, Product news, Products, Wireless

Tags:

1,384 Comments

Don says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:15pm

$20 to use the SAME DATA on an iPhone and iPad? I’ve double-checked my calendar and it’s not April 1st… pure greed, Rogers.
Adam says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:16pm

iPad sharing $10/month more than Bell…
Stan says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:17pm

Good job, screwing over anyone who bought a 3GS.
- JC says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:28pm
  
  How are they screwing you over? You bought a phone subsidized over a 2 year contract, they allow upgrades every 2 years. Buy an unlocked on if you want it.
- John says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:40pm
  
  They are doing you a favor to allow you to upgrade early and still get a discount. How is that screwing you over????
- Michael says: July 31st, 2010 a 8:01pm
  
  how is this screwing 3GS customers? Bell and Telus are not even allowing their customers to upgrade to the iPhone 4 at all unless they start a new account I talked to a Bell rep yesterday at the Calgary Apple Store he said since they just launched the iPhone less than a year ago they dont have enough iPhone customers to warrant an upgrade system. thats BS the less customers they have with iPhones the less it costs them to let go of iPhone 4 under a subsidized price. I feel cheated that I left rogers and went to Bell now stuck in this rediculous 3 year contract and and not allowed to upgrade untill 6 months after the iPhone 5 comes out (around June/July 2011 !!!)
PJ says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:18pm

I just read that Bell is offering the 6GB iPhone/iPad share for an extra $10, if true will Rogers/Fido offer this add on rate to their customers as well.
Surfdot says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:20pm

What about people who have the Fido 6 gig plan? Can we share the data with an Roger’s ipad plan. Doesn’t seem fair that it would only be offered to Rogers customers and not Fido.
- Christopher Rodney says: July 29th, 2010 a 5:26pm
  
  Agreed. I’ve got a Fido iPhone 3Gs and an iPad on the Rogers network. It would be great to share my Fido plan, especially because technically, they are using the same network and the same company.
  
  Any word for us on this Rogers?
- Helvetica says: July 29th, 2010 a 8:43pm
  
  Absolutely. I am a loyal Fido customer who is still paying my SAF and pay $35 for my iPad service from Rogers. I am getting a little sick of Rogers treating Fido customers differently when I pay just as much.
  
  My contract ends next year. I was going to go to Rogers, but now I think Bell out of spite.
Micheal J. says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:20pm

$20 extra to share data between an iPhone and an iPad? No thanks. I’ll pass.

For what it’s worth the eligibility gives me the wrong price. (Should be offered the $480 off as I’m now past two years with my 3G – but only offers the $250 off)
Jesse David Hollington says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:22pm

How does this upgrade pricing affect situations where multiple iPhones are registered on the same account/bill? In the past, I’ve only been able to receive the best upgrade pricing on ONE iPhone, as upgrading any one of the devices on my account resets my ENTIRE eligibility for ALL of the phones on the account.

Has there been any change to this policy, or am I going to be stuck paying full price for my wife’s iPhone 4 simply because we happen to combine our bills?

Thanks.
- Ed says: July 29th, 2010 a 3:15pm
  
  I am in the same boat… And I have 3 accounts linked to my one bill.
  
  Previously customer service over the phone was able to offer me same price ($199) for 2 phones, but this time around we are kind of forced to deal at a retail level where I do not believe they have any authority to override prices.
  
  Maybe that’s the whole point am I right? Once I get locked in for another 3 years again I would not have much power to negotiate.
Josh says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:23pm

Rogers, why does it cost less money for me to buy out my contract and then sign a new one with you rather than simply upgrading?
- Steph says: July 29th, 2010 a 3:31pm
  
  I agree with this question and would like it answered… I have been with rogers for 10 years! and this is how you treat loyal customers? and it isn’t the first time this has happened to me either…
  
  only instead of resigning with you, i would sign up elsewhere (why stick around with a company that doesn’t value its customers?)
karinatwork says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:24pm

Happy about the HUP pricing, but quite disappointed you’re not matching Bell’s offer of $ 10 for sharing iPhone data with iPad. That’s too much, no can’t do.
Peter Olesiuk says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:24pm

Is the $20 for iPad sharing a one-time fee, or is Rogers charging twice as much per month as Bell?
Also, does Rogers include tethering, or do we need to go to Bell for that feature?
Adrian says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:24pm

Thanks for the info Keith. Rogers really came through with this upgrade policy.
Mad Rogers Customer says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:25pm

You guys should tell your call centre about the new iPhone deals. I just got off the phone with a Clueless Rogers Rep after wasting time on hold. Thank you Rogers, I hope you enjoy losing a $100/month cell client because you can’t get your facts straight!!!
- Sam says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:49pm
  
  Dude… Did you not read what they told you at the end of the article?
  “We recommend that you do not call our Customer Care representatives as they have no additional information and will not be able to process your hardware upgrade at this time.”
James says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:26pm

Just curious. I excited to pick up a iPhone 4 tomorrow and was wondering what the deal was if you want to go to an iPhone from another smart phone? My girlfriend got a Blackberry Bold on December 30th, 2008 and was wondering if she’ll be able to upgrade in the same fashion as others going from iPhone>iPhone. I would hope Rogers is extending that offer to other customers if they do in fact want everyone possible to get the new iPhone and seems like a no brainer as she would be signing on to another 3 year contract only 1.5 years into her current one.
Don says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:26pm

A 3-year contract means you guys aren’t getting a single penny from me.
Maz says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:27pm

no-term? What does that mean exactly?
- RogersRob says: July 29th, 2010 a 3:12pm
  
  Hi Maz, that means that you can buy the device outright and use with your current plan for $649 (16 GB) and $749 (32 GB).
  - Ed says: July 29th, 2010 a 3:22pm
    
    RogersRob, can you please us a good reason why we would choose to buy a device outright from Rogers – where it would be locked, versus picking up a device, at the same price, directly from Apple and be unlocked?
    
    Thank you in advance.
    - Adam says: July 29th, 2010 a 8:03pm
      
      Actually, it’s $659/$779 at the apple store which is slightly more than from Rogers.
Mad Rogers Customer says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:27pm

Also, the online tool states that I have to pay full price, Thank you, as my termination fee is less than the price difference for the phone with Bell and Telus!
bf4 says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:28pm

What would your suggested course of action be for someone on a corporate plan? I’ve been eligible for a hardware upgrade since June but was waiting for the new iPhone. Will I be able to call tomorrow and get an iPhone (or at least a spot on a waiting list)? Or, will I be able to go to a Rogers store and do the upgrade there? Thanks.
- RogersRob says: July 29th, 2010 a 3:15pm
  
  As a corporate customer looking to upgrade to a new iPhone, you can do so via your dedicated site or by calling your assigned Rogers representative.
  - RobM says: August 17th, 2010 a 10:15am
    
    Our corporate Rogers rep is telling us to go line up at the Apple store or Best Buy or Futureshop. Is that what you mean by contact them?
    
    We have been a corporate Rogers customer for years, and this is the only answer we are receiving. Sure you are not expecting corporate customers to send each employee to the Apple store?
    - Patrick says: August 17th, 2010 a 12:39pm
      
      Happily, my rep just emailed me today saying they have a device for me. I’m very surprised that your rep is asking you to endure all the silliness of 3am lineups.
      
      I’m paying a premium over the offer in this Redboard post, but I’m thinking it is well worth it.
Drake Shipway says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:29pm

Yeah, the eligibility checker does not include the discount.

It gives me $749 for 32GB. I’m assuming I then subtract the discount listed (Mine being $250) to get the listed $499 price.

But seriously, awesome prices! I love you Rogers :)
Chris says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:30pm

Is it not possible to have a smooth rollout with products? This was handled worse than last years 3GS rollout and you have a new website, Redboard and other media at your disposal.
That rogers.com/iphone link is useless and totally contradicts what I was told when I called in. I mean, seriously it is a little sad and hopefully you implement changes that cause less confusion and frustration in the future or I’ll just pay out my contract and deal with someone else.
Burke says: July 29th, 2010 a 2:31pm

The eligibility checker doesn’t work. I’ve been on a contract since the first day the 3G was released, and it says I’m not eligible.