According to The Boy Genius Report, Rogers Wireless is changing the terms of its Hardware Upgrade Program (HUP) for customers wishing to upgrade their smartphone. The current eligibility period is changing from 12 months to 24 months for customers who have a data only or voice and data plan. The changes went into effect yesterday, according to the leaked internal bulletin. The HUP tenure rule will remain at 12 months (for now) for voice-only customers upgrading to a data device.
Rogers Wireless sells devices at a significantly lower price than that which we pay the manufacturer. This update to our Hardware Upgrade Program is necessary in order to allow us to continue offering the best devices at the best value in a fair timeframe for our customers.
The HUP allows customers to upgrade their device to a new one for a reduced price which is based on factors such as the time since their last upgrade.
Only last week, Rogers Wireless increased the price of a number of BlackBerry devices, including the Bold now being offered for CA$299.99 and the Curve 8900 at CA$224.99.