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Curious when iPhone will work in the Yukon?

iPhone in the Yukon?

by Trevor Mead-Robins, August 10, 2009

iPhone in Yukon

On a recent trip to an Apple Resellers Conference, I was fully exposed to the versatility and usability of Apple's iPhone. It really is as remarkable as all the hype. Fortunately the opportunity for this technology marvel to operate in the Yukon is slowly becoming a reality. As an Apple Reseller, one question I receive regularly is "When will the iPhone be available in the Yukon?"

At present, the only Canadian authorized iPhone carrier is Rogers. The primary reason for this is that Rogers began with the GSM network standard which is the technology on which the iPhone operates. There are presently two primary cel network standards: CDMA and GSM. Most of the world uses Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) which is touted as a better technology. Fortunately the popularity of the iPhone and the need for GSM has helped drive the larger cell companies such as Bell and Telus to begin upgrading their system to 3G which incorporates several standards including GSM and CDMA. The upgrades to 3G with Bell are available in some provinces and is targeted to be more widely available in 2010. For Rogers and US Customers that presently have an iPhone, this means that their iPhone will now have a network to connect to. Unfortunately, getting your hands on an iPhone if you are living in the Yukon is not so simple. Apple in Canada presently licenses only Rogers to sell iPhones. It's not like purchasing an iPod that you can pick up at several locations. At this time, Bell Mobility, which is the largest cell phone carrier in the Yukon, is not an Authorized reseller for iPhones, even though their upgraded network will eventually run them. Perhaps once their infrastructure is up and running, this will change. In the meantime, Yukon Residents will have to settle for an alternative smartphone manufactured by RIM (Blackberry®) or Palm®. These two companies make phones that will work with the Mac® OS. The Palm® Pre™ will be Available Aug. 27 and the new BlackBerry® Tour™ is available now as is the BlackBerry® Storm™ and other BlackBerry® models.

I checked with Bell Technical Support and was told It will be "some time before the 3G network is operational in the Yukon". Updates to 3G coverage can be viewed at http://www.bell.ca/coverage/ Once 3G Coverage is available, persons with an iPhone will be able to use it in the Yukon. Bell Tech Support can be contacted at 877-328-2123

Note: Please ensure you talk to an Authorized Cell phone agent if considering getting a smartphone. Some models are only 3G and will not work on the existing network in the Yukon. If you are using a Mac, I'd recommend sticking to Palm® or BlackBerry® which will work with the Mac OS, though it may not be as simple to configure as the iPhone.

BlackBerry Desktop Software is coming to Mac in September
http://www.blackberry.com/mac/

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