So, then… the iPhone, eh?

OK, here’s how I look at it. This plan is good, at least the data part: 6 gigs is esentially unlimited, so the $30 rate is comparable to the US $30 for unlimited. So, no question I’ll be getting one. The three-year contract length is loathsome, but it’s pretty much standard fare in Canada.

That’s not to say that there aren’t problems. You will still be nickel and dimed, Rogers-style (loonied and toonied?). Visual voice mail is $8, and there are obviously extra charges for texting, voice mail, caller ID etc. – all stuff that should be included in the base plan. And let’s not forget our old pal the “System Access Fee,” Lord of Arbitrary Charges.

But it is the sheer impermanence of the 6GB for $30 plan that is the biggest problem. As soon as labour day rolls around, it will vanish like a dream in the morning, replaced by the harsh ringing of the disputed, horrible plans that Rogers originally announced.

Essentially, Rogers is buying the nerds off.

The early adopters get the iPhone as it’s meant to be enjoyed, but everyone else gets stiffed with the sucky plans. Rogers avoids the iPhone becoming horribly uncool – “you bought the iPhone? What are you, stupid?” – and avoids bad nerd of mouth. It also avoids bad press re: weak launch sales of iPhone, Bell and Telus kicking their ass with the Instinct, etc. Yet after a scant two months, it gets to keep the plans that everyone hated, the plans that virtually guarantee expensive data overages.

Let’s not kid around: Rogers isn’t losing money on the nerd plan. So if they are able to turn a profit on 6 gigs of data a month, why can’t this be the plan for everyone?

I’ll leave the answer to your imagination.