If you haven’t been following iPhone news, Rogers Wireless is one of the few carriers not offering an unlimited plan for the iPhone. Internet sources have stated that Rogers feels that this is best because it will end up saving consumers money as the carrier wouldn’t need to charge more for unlimited data that many of its consumers wouldn’t need or use.

In response to the high cost of data and the lack of an unlimited plan, potential iPhone users created a petition to Rogers for an unlimited plan. Furthermore, it seems that Apple may be hearing the cries of Canadians wanting unlimited mobile internet according to the internet blog smithereens.

The blog cited that Apple has taken action against Rogers. Smithereens is stating that Apple is diverting iPhone shipments intended for Rogers for the initial July 11 launch date to Europe.

–First, an employee of Apple Canada sends a text message to my source that says something to the effect of: “You guys are screwed for iPhone,” but will not respond to multiple replies asking for clarification.

–Next, an employee at competing handset manufacturer RIM (Blackberry’s parent) sends my source a text soon after saying there are rumours of an Apple-Rogers fallout.

–Then, my source receives a call notifying him that all the part-time staff who had been hired for next week’s launch have been fired without notice. (UPDATE 07/06: Apparently, only certain dealerships took on additional staff for the launch, although most urban locations did. Also, some dealerships may not have let all their iPhone help go, but others definitely have. It’s important to clarify that any decisions to let staff go were made at the individual dealer level, and not by Rogers corporate…at least not directly.)

–And finally, a senior Rogers rep confirms to my source that Apple has decided to divert a large percentage of their planned Canadian shipment to Europe and that each Rogers store may now be getting as few as 10-20 units. This is ostensibly possibly due to Apple’s displeasure over Rogers’ high data and voice rates. (UPDATE 07/06: Although no per-store numbers can be confirmed, the verbiage used by head office is apparently that numbers will be “significantly reduced” and that stores should “exercise caution” not to over-promise. Europe has also been reconfirmed as the destination for the allegedly diverted units.)

I am all for Canada getting an unlimited plan for their iPhones and all other wireless devices, including other smartphones, but Apple diverting shipments of iPhone to Europe only seems to hurt Canadian consumers. Consumers who want the iPhone now won’t be able to get the phone and the few who do are still being penalized with high internet data fees. Then again, because the iPhone is such a high profile device, perhaps Apple does have clout over Rogers to implement an unlimited plan in the future if the carrier wants a relationship with Cupertino.

What do you think? You can also help support our Canadian friends in search of an unlimited plan by signing the petition.