No iPhone for Canada?

Canadians itching to get their hands on an iPhone may be in for a disappointment. Rogers Wireless, the only Canadian company with a network compatible with Apple's iPhone, is now denying that it will be selling the highly anticipated handset, calling reports that suggest otherwise "speculation." (Source: appleinsider.com)

In an email to CBC News Online, Rogers' manager of corporate communications Odette Coleman said "we haven't announced whether we will carry the iPhone. Everything in the media has been speculations to this point. The only fact is that we are the only GSM carrier in Canada. That's the only fact." (Source: cbc.ca)

The announcement comes as a shock to many, who thought that Rogers had more or less confirmed their involvement. Back in January, Rogers customers reported receiving an email that included statements like "Rogers is actively working with Apple to launch the iPhone in Canada" and "Rogers will be offering the iPhone exclusively in Canada." (Source: arstechnica.com)

Market research analyst Ronald Gruia warns that Rogers' resistance to admit involvement is likely not just the company putting on its poker face; rather, costs and other considerations may have given Rogers a compelling reason not to carry the iPhone. (Source: appleinsider.com)

For example, Rogers is currently upgrading to a next-generation (3G) network, and its current contracts with cellular phone manufacturers are not up.

Gruia also suggests that Rogers may want to wait to see how the iPhone does in the U.S. before committing their involvement. (Source: appleinsider.com)

Another possibility is that Rogers may wait until Apple releases a 3G Apple iPhone. Currently, the iPhone is a so-called 2.5G phone, bridging the gap between older generation handsets and the new smartphones. (Source: cbc.ca)

In the meantime, die-hard Apple fans have signed contracts with U.S. carriers, showing that whether or not Rogers signs on, some iPhones will find there way to the Great White North.