Bell launches new network, iPhone

Bell Canada has launched Apple's iPhone in conjunction with its new cellphone network, ending rival Rogers' exclusive run with the hot device.

Bell on Wednesday announced the iPhone 3GS with 16GB of memory was available for $199 on a mandatory three-year contract, while the 32 GB version was $299. Pricing plans start from $45 plus system access and 911 fees.

The $45 plan includes 150 voice minutes, free evenings and weekends starting at 9 p.m., unlimited calling and text to five local numbers and 500MB of data usage. Features such as visual voicemail are extra.

Telus will become the nation's third iPhone provider on Thursday when it launches its new cellphone network. Bell and Telus jointly built the new HSPA network, which they say is capable of data transfer speeds up to 21 megabits per second, at a cost of $1 billion.

Bell said its network covers 93 per cent of the population and has four times the coverage area of Rogers' HSPA network.