By David Topping

The announcement is a few days old, but you can blame the Labour Day weekend. The CBC is reporting that Rogers has unveiled new data plans for all smartphones (including the iPhone) and is extending the $30 6 GB data deal till the end of September. Under Rogers’ new plans, 500 MB of data will go for $25 a month and 1 GB for $30—so long as you plop them on top of a voice plan, as usual. Also surprisingly well thought out: “The company is also rolling out a ‘peace of mind protection plan’ on Oct. 1….Customers will get periodic free incoming text messages warning them when they cross certain usage thresholds, such as when they have downloaded 80 per cent of their monthly data allotment.” And: “excess usage charges…will be capped at $100.” Rogers may have actually gotten this whole iPhone thing mostly right, and what, only five months or so late?