Rogers chucks (small) bone to Canuck Jesus Phoners

After complaints from countless Canucks over its service plans for the imminent 3G iPhone - and a slap or two from Apple - Rogers Wireless has attempted some last minute damage control.

Canada's largest wireless provider now says that when the reborn Jesus Phone arrives on Friday, Canuck buyers can nab a 6GB data plan for only $30 a month. But that doesn't include phone service. And the company still requires a three-year commitment. And the offer is good only until August 31.

Previously, Rogers' 3G iPhone plans began at $60 Canadian for 150 calling minutes, 75 outgoing text messages, and 400 megabytes of net data and ended at $115 for 800 minutes, 300 outgoing text messages, and 2GB of data. And that's doesn't include access fees and taxes.

More than fifty-seven thousand souls have signed an online petition protesting these greedy plans. And it seems Apple is ticked off as well. Word is that the Jobsian cult diverted countless Canadian iPhones to Europe after Rogers announced the plans, and earlier this week, it decided that the 3Gesus Phone would not be sold in Canada's sextet of Apple retail stores.

That means Canadians can only buy Apple's latest status symbol from six selected Rogers stores and a seventh store run by subsidiary Fido. And because of those alleged European diversions, devices may be few and far between. ®

Bootnote

Rumor has it that Apple's long-awaited iPhone App Store will launch tomorrow, a day before the new phone arrives. Sources tell us that Apple has told certain software developers they can begin publicizing their App Store apps within the next 24 hours (or so).