Apple has already announced the US pricing for the iPhone (US$499 for the 4MB model, and US$599 for the 8MB) but what would the monthly operating costs be. A journalist has put together his approximation:

If purchased from ATT/Cingular, the monthly iPhone costs have been estimated to be:

- AT&T 450 minute individual plan - US$39.99/month (There may be a minimum required voice plan to get the iPhone.) - Unlimited data plan - US$39.99 (final data price still unknown for iPhone) - Estimated monthly taxes and fees - US$15 - Total cost of montly services - US$94.98

Just for comparison, similar service from Rogers Communications in Winnipeg would be: - Rogers Business Plan 500 (500 minutes) - C$50 - Unlimited data plan - doesn't seem to exist. They do have 5MB/month for $5.00 and 10MB/month for $10.00 (each additional MB costs 3 ¢ with, it seems, no cap on the charges.

There is also a BlackBerry plan for $95 with 350 Weekday + Unlimited Evenings & Weekends and 50 MB/month. Each MB over the initial 50 is $7 with, apparently, no cap on the charges.

Sources for the above information: ATT pricing: http://blogs.zdnet.com/mobile-gadgeteer/?p=400

Rogers pricing: - cell phone plan: http://www.shoprogers.com/business/wireless/ plans_services/business_plans.asp? shopperID=RGS2RJ6DGNUV9PKNXF1ER64K99GC4PNF&plan=business&cat=1&typ=1? shopperID=Q0VQA923PLXQ8KCF85F84UA1LX88DHK0&

- OR the tinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/yoe4fg

- mobile internet plan: http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wireless/ services/voice/navigate-mobile-internet.asp? shopperID=3GGLJL1KL8VJ9ME6N2GJ7RQELEKU8UCD

- OR the tinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/ysr3pm

BlackBerry plan pricing: http://www.shoprogers.com/business/wireless/ plans_services/business_plans.asp? shopperID=W6053CQGDAC99N2WPV9HXM3UBU2SAD30&plan=blackberryvoicenemail&ca t=3&typ=2

- OR the tinyURL: http://tinyurl.com/ywj4xz

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...from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM. 20070617.wiphone0617/BNStory/Technology/home

Why you can't buy Apple's new phone (in Canada)

CATHERINE MCLEAN Globe and Mail Update June 17, 2007 at 9:06 PM EDT The most hyped consumer electronics device in years will make its debut on June 29, but Apple Inc. [AAPL-Q]'s iPhone will be conspicuously absent from Canadian store shelves. Sold out? No — just not for sale.

[...]

Rogers Communications Inc. [RCI.B-T], recently admitted little was happening on that front. "The truth is we aren't very far with Apple," Bill Linton, Rogers' chief financial officer, told a conference last month. "They're concentrating on this launch and the U.S., and when they decide to turn their mind to other markets, we'll be in line."

[...]