Rogers Loses Exclusive iPhone Deal in Canada

iPhone owners in Canada looking for more choices are about to get just that now that Bell Canada and Telus have struck deals with Apple, ending the exclusive arrangement Rogers enjoyed since the combination iPod and smartphone first launched in the country.

Both carriers are set to begin offering iPhone service in November, and that they will sell both the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS. Neither has offered information about pricing plans.

The news comes after a joint effort by the Bell and Telus to roll out a shared 3G network to better compete with Rogers.

Rogers isn't the only cell carrier in recent weeks to see its exclusive iPhone agreement disappear. O2 in the United Kingdom is going to find itself in competition with Orange and Vodafone in the near future, too.

The announcements from Bell Canada and Telus will likely come as good news for many iPhone owners in Canada since Rogers left a bad taste in their mouths with early service contracts with heavy restrictions and high prices. Adding additional carriers to the market may help spur competition, and ultimately better prices and service for customers.