A tipster on Howard Forums has suggested that Canadian carrier Rogers Wireless is preparing to announce updated ‘Value Packs’ which can be added to a monthly subscription to enable cheaper SMS and MMS messaging as well as, in some cases, unlimited mobile web browsing from certain handsets.  The plans – which start at $5, although unlimited browsing only features in those $7 a month upwards – are limited, however, to non-smartphones, with Rogers using the handset’s unique IMEI to check whether you’re abusing the service.  It’s a move which has refreshed suspicions that the carrier is set to launch Apple’s iPhone, which is available in other regions with similar unlimited data packages.

Put a qualifying SIM in, say, a standard Nokia cellphone bought from Rogers and, once the IMEI has been verified with their system, all browsing on the device will be free; swap it to a smartphone such as a Blackberry or something from HTC’s stable and the network will automatically charge you the pay-per-use rates.  Unlocked handsets not supplied by Rogers – i.e. those they have no record of the IMEI for – will always be charged pay-per-use.

The changes are being seen as paving the way to the introduction of the iPhone in Canada, bringing Rogers’ data rates more in line with the unlimited packages AT&T offer.  According to the tipster, the refreshed plans will be available from February 5th.

Value Packs Update:
$5 Community Value Pack
500 SMS
50 MMS
3 months unlim. SMS and MMS

$20 Updated Communicate Pack
Caller Id
Name Display
Voicemail
Who Called
2500 SMS
1000 MMS
Unlimited On-Device Mobile Browsing

$7 Vision Internet Package
50 Video Calling mins
Unlim On-Device Mobile Browsing
Unlimited Video calling for 12 months

New Data Plans
$7 – Unlim On-Device Mobile Browsing
$15 – 2MB Blackberry Package

[via Electronista]