Norman gadget geeks, rejoice: Rogers Communications has announced that it will be launching wireless services in Thompson and other areas sometime in 2010, giving consumers in Manitoba's North their first chance to get their hands on - and use - the ballyhooed Apple cell phone.
"We're really excited about that announcement," said Laura Kwiatkowski, general manager for Rogers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. "We're excited to come up to Thompson."
Rogers, which already offers service in Winnipeg and southern Manitoba, is expanding coverage along Highway 6 and Highway 10 and into communities including Flin Flon, The Pas, St. Theresa Point and Grand Rapids. The launch of the high-speed packet access (HSPA) network means Norman residents will be able to choose from a variety of wireless devices, including models from BlackBerry and Android as well as Apple's iPhone and the recently introduced iPad.
"Right now, we have about 20 phones that work on this network," said Kwiatkowski, adding that while Android may not be a household name, the company that produces its software is. "I think everyone's quite familiar with Google."
The HSPA network launch in Manitoba is unique in Canada, as it will be offered throughout the province simultaneously, something Rogers hasn't tried elsewhere.
"We're actually doing something here in Manitoba we're not doing anywhere else in Canada," said Kwiatkowski. "When the network goes live it will be all across the province. In Manitoba, we're going to roll it out everywhere."
Apart from cell phone service, Rogers will also be offering residents of Norman the option to receive home phone service through the Rocket Hub, which offers mobile broadband voice and data services.
"They'll have a mobile Web surfing experience that's equal to DSL," said Kwiatkowski.
The mobile Rocket Stick will also be available, providing anyone who uses it with their laptop wireless Internet access from anywhere within the network's coverage area, at speeds of up to 21 megabits per second.
Kwiatkowski, who uses an iPhone as well as a BlackBerry, says the Apple product is a tech-lover's dream.
There's so many apps on the iPhone that consumers would be thrilled to have," she said. "It's all there in your hand. The screen is beautiful to look at when you're browsing the Web."
It can't. however, predict the future, including when or where they will be available in Northern Manitoba.
"I don't have an exact date," said Kwiatkowski, who says Rogers is still working out details on who will be selling their devices and the actual launch date.
