Bell and Telus to Get iPhone Next Month

Hurray!

The Globe and Mail has broken the story that Bell and Telus will be able to offer the iPhone starting net month, eliminating Rogers’ monopoly on the device in Canada.

We can probably look forward to some lower prices on data plans, and with the inclusion of several small new telcos opening shop in Canada, we could be in for some nice surprises in the next year. How much lower we can expect prices is not certain though, as the article states:

Even though the two carriers are breaking Rogers’ hold on GSM and the iPhone, the fact does not necessarily mean there will be discount deals on Apple’s device.

Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., demands strict terms from wireless companies carrying the iPhone, which limit the carriers’ ability to cut prices or differentiate their subscription plans significantly. But for consumers, the news will, at the very least, mean greater supply of the device as well as more choice in terms of service providers and bundled offers for other services, such as home phone, Internet or television connections.

Oh well. At least we can look forward to competition on the customer service front.