It looks like we can put another check in the ‘confirmed’ column of the internet rumors tally. As has been passed around for a while now, Rogers and Fido have quietly slipped an option on their site to add a $7 unlimited mobile browsing option to select new plans with 3 year shackles. Ok, ok… Stop cheering and take note of the wording here: “Unlimited On-Device Mobile Browsing.” No, these are not unlimited data plans in the conventional sense unfortunately. There are plenty of stipulations that are sure to turn your smile into and awkward, pursed-lipped sneer. First and foremost, smartphones need not apply. As Rogers puts it, “PDAs such as Blackberry or Windows Mobile devices, PC cards and non-Rogers certified devices are not eligible.” Secondly, tethering and data-reliant third party apps are both no-nos. This plan is good for browsing and other data usages will run you a cool $0.05 per KB. Lastly, don’t think you’re going to pull the wool over their eyes and purchase this plan packing your own unlocked device. Plans are activated for eligible handsets only and monitored via IMEI. In other words, if you try to test them you’re going to find yourself the subject of a bunch of those “Canadian Man Finds Himself with $10,000 Wireless Bill” posts. The $7 add-on does include a few extras though; namely a $100 discount on a Vision Device, one year of free unlimited local video calling and three months of free unlimited Video On Demand service. If you browse and do little else with your device in terms of data… jackpot. If you have a smartphone and make use of it, move on.
Thanks, Luca!
