Rogers Erases the Border for Frequent Wireless Roamers With New Low Cost North American Wireless Data Roaming Plans

High value North American One Rate data plans offer wireless roaming peace of mind and cost certainty across North America

TORONTO, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Rogers Communications today announced new North America One Rate wireless data plans, the latest additions to the company's affordable North American wireless roaming solutions. Recognizing the evolving needs of its business and consumer customers, Rogers has created the new North American One Rate wireless data plans to provide additional cost certainty to customers travelling to the United States, along with the flexibility and convenience to use their device's data capabilities (email, mobile web surfing, downloading documents) the same way they would at home, without incurring roaming fees when using data within their monthly allotment.

According to Statistics Canada, in October 2009 Canadians made 3.3 million trips to the United States, making it Canada's most frequent destination for travel. With more than 30 per cent of current Rogers postpaid wireless customers using data-enabled smartphones, up more than 10 per cent from early 2009, the North American One Rate plans, along with a number of other wireless voice and data roaming options already available, offer customers the greatest selection of high value U.S. and international data roaming solutions, at the most affordable advertised rates in Canada.

"Our customers have told us they are uncertain as to whether to use their smartphones while travelling in the United States, and as part of Rogers' ongoing commitment to make wireless roaming easier and more cost-effective, we are pleased to introduce breakthrough North American One Rate wireless data plans," said John Boynton, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Rogers Communications. "As Canada's leading wireless carrier and smartphone leader, we are thrilled to offer even more innovative roaming solutions. These plans provide cost certainty to the frequent business traveller, Canadian snowbird or cross-border vacationer to the United States who wants to keep in touch with work, family and friends. These new offers shatter people's perception of wireless data roaming when visiting the United States."

Rogers North American One Rate plans are available across a wide range of plan sizes and generally cost only $10 more a month than their Canada-only equivalents. Any data usage in the U.S. deducts from the customer's overall monthly data allotment, offering cost certainty and peace of mind for customers spending substantial amounts of time south of the border.

Rogers' North American One Rate wireless data plans are the latest evolution in offering data-centric travelling customers the most competitive rates and roaming solutions to suit their needs. Depending on the amount of travel and usage, One Rate wireless data plans could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year in U.S. roaming fees.

"Traditional methods of avoiding overages while travelling in the U.S. - ranging from turning data service off entirely to skipping from one WiFi hotspot to another - have defeated the purpose of having a smartphone in the first place," said Carmi Levy, Independent Technology Analyst. "Smartphone and mobile internet stick customers want predictability in their billing no matter what side of the border they're on. They've made it clear that they're not terribly fond of end-of-month surprises on their bill. North American One Rate plans take the worry out of using data while travelling. It's encouraging to see a carrier like Rogers introduce offerings that focus on specific customer needs, and provide greater value that lets smartphone and mobile internet stick owners unlock the potential of their devices no matter where they are."

    Wide variety of roaming options
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These plans are the latest additions to accompany the range of wireless roaming solutions from Rogers, including Travel Packs for text messaging, voice and data to the U.S. and other countries around the world. While One Rate plans are designed for frequent U.S. travellers, Rogers' Travel Packs are designed for wireless customers who want to use their devices to the fullest while in other countries, and can be added to existing plans for a single month at a time.

For more information on North American One Rate wireless data plans, please visit www.rogers.com/roaming. For helpful travel tips and instructions on how to use a wireless device while out of the country, visit www.rogers.com/travel.

    Worry-free data roaming within Canada
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In addition, Rogers has always had one general data zone from coast-to-cost. Unlike some competitors, Rogers customers in Canada don't have to pay high roaming rates to use wireless data outside of where they live or work.

About Rogers Communications Inc

Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are engaged in wireless voice and data communications services through Wireless, Canada's largest wireless provider. Through Cable, we are one of Canada's leading providers of cable television services as well as high-speed Internet access and telephony services. Through Media, we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com

SOURCE Rogers Wireless