Rumor: Rogers Gets Pounded By Apple With Fewer iPhone 3G Shipments

Reports have begun to surface that Rogers may be facing a stiff consequence from Apple in the form of iPhone 3G sanctions only days before it's official worldwide launch as a result of unfair price gouging imposed by Rogers on the cult of iPhone in Canada.

A blogger is claiming inside reports coming from Rogers saying; "A senior Rogers rep confirms that Apple has decided to divert a large percentage of their planned Canadian shipment to Europe and that each Rogers store may now be getting as few as 10-20 units, ostensibly due to Apple's displeasure over Rogers' high data and voice rates." Reported by Daniel Smith as a plausible rumor on his wildly popular blog, Smithereens.

It's also being reported that Apple may be unhappy with pre-launch negative attention as a result of main stream media suggesting that Canadians should forgo purchasing an iPhone 3G if their unhappy with pricing (Vancouver Sun). The now legendary RuinediPhone.com backlash against Rogers has gathered more than 45,000 on-line signatures in a petition saying no to Rogers unfair pricing. Even though the site has changed authors at least twice since it's launch, they continue to gain momentum.

If these unconfirmed rumors are true, a powerful precedent will be set by Apple, sending a serious warning to other carriers who try to follow the lead of Rogers. Apple has the gravitas to leave them standing dumbfounded, knee deep in their own greasy puddle of greed, short a few hundred iPhones come launch day. Fewer iPhones means panic in the Rogers boardroom. This entire shiteree has whipped up a massive PR nightmare for Rogers regardless if the rumor is true or not. We hope to have more on this Canadian David and Goliath saga of sudden death very soon. Go Canada!

[via MacNN via Smithereens]   [Open Letter to Steve Jobs]