The most basic plan begins at $60/month and allows users 400MB of data usage, with over-usage fees running 50¢/MB for the first 60MB and 3¢/MB thereafter. The top-of-the line option offers 2GB of usage - purportedly worth about 16 000 pages of data, but decreasing steeply when using video or high-memory sites - and starts at $115/month. With an activation fee of $35, the monthly system access fee of $6.95, and a monthly 50¢ Emergency Access fee costs continue to mount. Thus, even with the base package with barebones features (call display would be nice, wouldn't it?) your first bill will hit at least $102.45, much more if you begin make long-distance calls, text too much, or go over the data parameters. Furthermore, the contract ensures that you remain tethered to the high tariffs for three years.

Significantly more affordable, Rogers' American counterpart, AT&T has unlimited data plans beginning at $69.99 a month and requiring only a two year contract. Though the base price seems comparable, American users receive substantially more anytime voice minutes, cell to cell immunity, no system access fees, affordable long distance, complimentary caller ID, and the all-important infinite data usage.

Amidst the growing controversy, rumours of reduced shipments had perspective buyers worried. At many outlets, excited cell-fans lined up as early as Thursday afternoon. In many major markets, the lines swelled well into the hundreds by the time doors finally opened. While Rogers has not released a tally of available phones, the units are expected to sell out by day's end. The crowds continue to assemble.

The 3G iPhone entered twenty-one additional international markets today, with many more to follow in the subsequent months. A New Zealander expectedly picked up the first phone at 12:01am, New Zealand time, with similarly rapid sales playing out across the globe. -S.T.