I have had so many people mention what they have heard or read about the iPhone coming to Canada to me in the past couple of days. 90% of it has been incorrect, or included speculation which is completely off base.

This morning I received an article via email from IT Business which purports to share "Canadian Technology News", which frustrated me, as the author clearly did not understand some of the points he was trying to make, and utilized sources who clearly are not qualified to talk on the subject.

The author states in the third paragraph that...

"BlackBerry's lock on the corporate smart phone market is assured until security issues and data transmission rates are sorted out, say local technology experts."

Now I agree with this statement, however it creates the basis for the article, which the author, Nestor E. Arellano, sets off to prove with poorly researched sources.

First of all Arellano states that

"The company was widely viewed as the most likely provider to offer the iPhone in Canada ever since the device was developed."

Widely viewed? Obviously he knows nothing about Cell Phone technology. The cellular radio in the iPhone works only on the GSM network, and until they release a model which works on TDMA networks such as Bell and Telus, Rogers as the only GSM operator in Canada, is the only provider that can run the iPhone in Canada. (Fido also operates on the GSM network, but it is owned by Rogers Communications, so really they can be considered one entity)

He then goes on to quote Michelle Warren

Canadian iPhone users are likely to fork out $80 to $100 a month for voice and data packages, said Michelle Warren, senior research analyst for Info-Tech Research Group, based in London, Ont.

That, she noted, is significantly higher than the $72.39 a month that Rogers' customers pay, on average, under their existing cell phone plans.

Based on our current data rates in Canada, which are much higher than other countries, a 10% - 20% increase in monthly cost to gain dozens of features which we currently don't have access to on existing devices is a very small price to pay.

Currently I pay $65 for my voice plan, and $60 for my 1GB data plan on a monthly basis. My costs would be much less if Rogers offers anything near what AT&T offers for iPhone plans in the US

Their plans start at $59.95 per month for 450 daytime and 5000 evening and weekend voice minutes, unlimited data (which includes email and full featured web browsing of any Internet site), 200 text messages, unlimited mobile to mobile minutes, visual voicemail, and oh yeah, your minutes you don't use in one month, rollover to the next.

Their most expensive plan costs $119.99 per month and includes unlimited voice calls in addition to all the features mentioned above. Family plans and corporate plans are also available, and unlimited data plans can be added to your existing voice plan if you have a really good deal for as little as $20 per month.

If Rogers matches these details, at costs within 25% I would be extremely happy!

The author goes on to quote Lawrence Surtees, a communications analyst for IDC Canada.

But the costs can be considerably more when the "per kilobit" charges are added once the user starts downloading data or surfing the Internet, cautioned Lawrence Surtees, vice-president and principal analyst, communications research for IDC Canada.

"Current data packages are becoming a major expense item for many companies," he said.

Mr. Analyst man, Apple has required cellular providers to offer Unlimited or very generous data plans in every country where they have launched the iPhone, why are you making reference to per kilobit charges when the iPhone will be offered with a data plan in Canada. And your example of a Blackberry user who used the GPS function on his Blackberry and had a $350 charge illustrates the stupidity that some people have. He didn't have a data plan but chose to use a data intensive application. Even on Rogers' existing plans, for $10 a month that $350 would not have been charged.

When the article goes on to discuss security issues for Enterprise customers, they compare the fact that data transmissions are not encrypted on the iPhone, unlike Blackberry. But the data from Blackberry devices route through servers owned by RIM, the manufacturer, to achieve this encryption, which has resulted in massive service outages for Blackberry users in recent years, when RIM has preformed "routine maintenance". As well Apple recently announced that the next version of the iPhone would include Microsoft Exchange Activesync technology to give a Blackberry-like experience for corporate users, without the need for additional costly RIM software and hardware, which prevents many Blackberry users from taking advantage of the added features in the small business environment.

The other security concerns that corporations have also will be satisfied by the next release of the iPhone as Apple has already announced that things like remote de-activation will be able to Corporate IT departments.

Bottom line is this. Apple will release a new iPhone this summer. Hopefully Rogers will offer this new phone, and not the old one. Rogers will create new iPhone plans which will satisfy most users, but will not be as inexpensive as those available in the US. These plans will suit the typical usage of the typical Rogers customer and will be applauded by 95% of their customers.

The article cited is about whether Blackberry has to worry about losing market share to the iPhone. The answer is yes. Their market share will decrease, but it will also spur innovation. To suggest that corporate users who already pay higher than normal data rates for their blackberry connectivity will balk at iPhone data rates is ridiculous.

Oh and by the way, tens of thousands of early adopters are already running the iPhone in Canada on the Rogers network. The high data rates haven't stopped us to this point! I just wish professional writers would not manipulate stories and sources to create a sensational headline and a sensational article. This doesn't inform the public, but rather creates a public who doesn't have all the facts at its disposal.

• Darren Mak's blog