Apple reprimanding Rogers for iPhone pricing?

When Apple announced the iPhone 3G would be available in Canada, Apple lovers in America’s top hat the country were ecstatic at the idea of the iPhone being in their hands in a little over a month. However, the phone is being vended exclusively by the notorious customer-abusing company, Rogers Wireless. As it turns out, Rogers’ plan pricing for the iPhone was plain ridiculous, spawning immense outrage, which culminated in Ruined iPhone—a petition site signed by over 10 thousand potential customers.

Now, it seems Apple is sanctioning Rogers due to the (justified, in my opinion) public outcry. Rogers had hired additional staff to handle the iPhone launch, but all those extra employees have been fired. Additionally, Apple is diverting iPhone 3G shipment away from Canada, instead sending the bulk of the iPhones to European vendors. This means that each Rogers store will only have around 10 to 20 iPhones for launch day.

While I am happy to see this, I’m quite shocked that Apple actually reacted to the petition and horrible pricing. Apple is most likely trying to force Rogers to change their ways and make the data plans more fair for the consumer; something like the current AT&T plan. Saying that AT&T’s plan is fair says something about the shoddiness of Rogers’ current system. However, Apple is, at the same time, giving up on the Canadian market for now and instead focusing on the more profitable European market.

Good on you, Apple; and shame on you, Rogers.

Via [Smithereens]