Rogers Communications has announced the first unlimited data wireless plan from a major national carrier in Canada, a move that some say will likely trigger a response from rivals Bell and Telus and that follows increased pressure from Ottawa to provide more affordable cellphone services.The Toronto-based company said its new unlimited Infinite plans, which will launch on Thursday, will start at $75 for up to 10 gigabytes of full-speed data usage per month, followed by unlimited data at reduced speeds but without additional fees for going over the limit.If customers, who are also able to pool data from family and friends, need more high-speed data they can buy a “Speed Pass” to add 3 gigabytes for $15. Rogers also said new lower-cost financing options will be available later this summer.“It’s an unlimited plan, sort of,” said Duncan Stewart, director of technology, media and telecommunications research for Deloitte Canada. He said carriers around the world are moving to raise or remove data caps in preparation for the launch of 5G networks that will offer far faster download speeds and presage a boost in data use. Stewart said most major carriers that offer unlimited plans include some limits on data or download speed, calling truly unlimited offers the exception.In a statement, Rogers CEO Joe Natale said the new plans “will help our customers unleash the full potential of 4G wireless services today and 5G wireless services tomorrow.” A Rogers spokesperson added that the plans are designed to ignite growth. “We expect data usage and penetration to continue to grow.”Canada’s three national carriers have been slower to adopt unlimited data plans than U.S. wireless networks, although unlimited data plans have been available from Shaw Communications-owned regional competitor Freedom Mobile, which operates networks in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.Read more: Opinion | Jennifer Wells: Canada has a n ...
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