Hi guys - haven't blogged in a VERY long time...

Being here in Australia and all, I've decided that I really needed my very own playground for my projects (for example, the stalled NZ Connections Plan Finder which has been a mess recently.)

So I'm now at manhinli.net! The hosting and domain only costs me ~AUD30/year, which is a nice price, and is located in Brisbane as far as I know, so it should be relatively fast for both Kiwis and Aussies :)

Talking about speed, I've also put up a Speedtest.net Mini on the server - so if you're willing to help me find out how fast it really is, go here and post a comment! A test on my 10mbps/2mbps fibre connection ended up maxing it out, so at least I know that it can handle that!

This also means that I now no longer will be using my blog on Geekzone - I'll keep it intact, but there won't be any new posts (apart from a copy of this post)

There won't be stuff on the new site for a little while longer as I start to get this running smoothly and uni work out of the way.

This signs off my first post on my own blog, on my own domain!

 

Well I haven't used this blog in quite a while... been busy over the last couple months studying, taking exams, and applying to universities! Good luck to all those who are too! (most of those who have probably have their offers anyway, so good luck on living the uni life then!)


Recently I lost (and found!) my Vodafone SIM and took the chance to port it to 2degrees just for the sake of it (did the same thing to my Dad's SIM when he lost his phone) - it always pays to keep your SIM packaging.

Right after it was ported (which was sometime near midnight on the same day) I got this random text. The number is on Vodafone NZ, so I'm guessing it's a case of mistaken number (as I've also got two other texts from the same number with legitimate content):

This January is very special, there are 5 saturdays & 5 sundays in 1 single month. This happens every 823 years! They r called The Money Sacs. Send this message to 9 good people and money will appear according to chinese Fengshui. Those who stop wont get anything. Good luck! Now you're on the clock. In 9 mins something will make u happy. Pls share this to 9 women u love. TAKE NOTE! 9 women.

In an attempt to make something out of this, I've made a few random points about this random text I got.

So:

• The text is false (5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays in a month happens quite often)


• You've lost money by forwarding this multipart text... not sure when Chinese Feng Shui's supposed "Money Sacs" will repay that back...


• I would have liked something to have happen to me in the 9 minutes that ensued, but unfortunately, I was asleep. Whoever forwarded it must have been either a night owl or something.


• I am not female! So I'm guessing whoever sent this thought the intended recipient was. But this raises another question...


• Why send this "to 9 women u love" if recipients of this SMS forwarding spam are meant to be female? Do all women have at least 9 other women that they have loving relationships with?

Did I go way too deep into this or what?


But of course the simple message to put out there is:

Got TXT spam? Delete it, man!





 

I quite like 2degrees' products and services - bringing fresh competition into our mobile market.

However, from day one (or actually, more like day -60 or so) I felt the page style structure had some peculiarities. One being the odd displacement of the page when the browser window is less than ~1040px.

So since I have nothing to do for the next 3 weeks, I decided to look into 2degrees' website today.

Who ever did 2degrees' website should really have a good look at themselves and think about what they've done.

One large example: Using position: absolute and left: 50% coupled with margin-left: -500px is not a good way to center pages, thank you very much. This is because the page content wrapper is set at 1000px wide, so shifting it by -500px from left: 50% shifts the page over to appear centered. This is also the reason why some people with mobile browsers can't use the site properly (or at least the Your 2degrees account management portal, why only that site I still need to find out)

So anyway, I quickly found an antidote CSS nibble and shoved it through via. jQuery (which is already present on the website).

I haven't made a lot of testing since I only have a netbook with me (I am technically on holiday...) so can't make sure if this has really affected the centering of pages, but use of the bookmarklet seems to work well on our IDEOS (Android 2.2).


Here's the bit you need to bookmark:

javascript:jQuery('#wrapper{position:relative !important;margin:0 auto !important;margin-left:0 !important;left:auto !important;}').appendTo('head')

To use it, create a bookmark first (anything will do, you'll edit the address later). Then go back to edit it, and paste the above into the address. Make sure the address is EXACTLY how it appears above - spaces might be introduced into it which might not make it work properly.

Go to Your 2degrees, let the page load, and hit the bookmarklet. The page should appear to reflow and the left hand menu should come into view. This has to be done on every page load as it's not actually done through the website - rather, a piece of Javascript executed on demand.




To 2degrees' web designer and/or maintainer: Please, please for the sake of your mobile customers with smart phones - change the bad CSS you have on there.

Before I got my 2degrees Mobile Broadband USB Modem today, I had done some research into what I could do with it... features that the Huawei dashboard software does have include voice and video calling, MMS, USSD, and even wild ones like GPS, though it's hard to say whether they are ready for use with this model of modem (the modem apparently has a chipset which actually supports A-GPS... so that's an interesting one...)



My attempts to get video calling failed and MMS is a bit buggy (more on that later) but here are the steps to get the sorely needed USSD and data connection history, and voice calling, only by adding a few lines to some XML files.


Go into \Program Files\2degrees Mobile Broadband\config\ and open up PluginsConfig.xml

Change the following lines:

<!--item name="NetInfoRecordUIPlugin" clsid="27A315A2-D587-498a-9FC5-7CF2738679DF"/-->
<!--item name="USSDUIPlugin" clsid="6ADFE6DA-E212-4087-8466-043AB06DF4EB"/-->

to

<item name="NetInfoRecordUIPlugin" clsid="27A315A2-D587-498a-9FC5-7CF2738679DF"/>
<item name="USSDUIPlugin" clsid="6ADFE6DA-E212-4087-8466-043AB06DF4EB"/>

and immediately after that, insert the following:


<item name="CallPlugin" clsid="8FC7A17B-EA76-4e6e-872D-9AAC222C8B03"/>
<item name="CallUIPlugin" clsid="58A0343A-93DB-4ea2-92B4-C51589629381"/>
<item name="CallLogUIPlugin" clsid="1FCAC0FF-9E87-450f-8258-1155D7696571"/>


This enables Data Connection History, USSD and voice calling respectively.



Then go to \Program Files\2degrees Mobile Broadband\plugins\XFramePlugin\ and open up Config.xml

Change the line:

<!--item type="NORMAL" module="XFramePlugin"  icon="ussd" icon2="UssdDisable"id="IDS_USSD_COMMON">43057</item-->

to 

<item type="NORMAL" module="XFramePlugin"  icon="ussd" icon2="UssdDisable"id="IDS_USSD_COMMON">43057</item>


This just makes the icon for USSD appear in the toolbar.



Enjoy!



Back to video calling and MMS, I had to "hack" some files off another dashboard set up to get it up and running.

I was able to enable the buttons and overall functions for video calling, but it never seemed to be able to go through, and the software would crash or somehow think I'm in a video call when I'm not.

For MMS, I could only use the special unbranded "Mobile Partner" dashboard to get it running. Trying to integrate it with the newer dashboard with the 2degrees Mobile Broadband USB Modem just made the software crash, so I've just left it out. But it does definitely work (with the right software)! 

You probably all know that I've been leaking quite a bit of detail of 2degrees' 3G plans and pricing of devices, but it was only until this morning did the mobile broadband pricing come up.

I've been quite excited for their 3G launch and I'm actually quite impressed with 2degrees' effort in the mobile broadband department - with seriously competitive pricing and extended validity periods.



Zoning

2degrees' "nationwide network" comprises of their own network of cell towers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, and a roaming agreement with Vodafone for coverage outside of these areas.

Probably in an attempt to keep prices low and to monitor reaction and activity, Mobile Broadband Zones were introduced where their new mobile broadband data packs are valid.

While understandable as they probably will have to bear higher costs if they were to deliver this over Vodafone national roaming, their lack of their own cell towers in quite large cities such as Tauranga, Hamilton, Napier/Hastings, and Dunedin mean that a lot of people will miss out. Most of them will probably be covered in the next roll out of towers which will happen next year.

Coverage areas for Mobile Broadband Zones can be found here.


I'll also cover more on the things you need to look out for about the zones later in this post.




Pricing

Pretty simple really:

• $20 for 512MB, valid for 30 days;


• $50 for 2GB, valid for 60 days;


• $150 for 10GB, valid for 90 days.

Again, they are only valid in Mobile Broadband Zones only. They also come with a reduced overage rate of $0.10/MB if you go over the data cap during their validity period, otherwise you'll be stung at the casual rate of $0.50/MB. However, you can buy as many of the packs as you need them - so if you're a heavy user, just load the packs up in bulk!

Those out of Mobile Broadband Zones only get offered the same old data pack, now renamed the "50MB National Data Pack" - which pretty much sums it up: 50MB for $6, valid for 30 days. You can't get their cheaper overage rate though - $0.50/MB casual rate, but you can buy as many as you can, when you want it.




Comparison

On the face of it, 2degrees' mobile broadband plans pretty much beat the pants off any other provider's mobile broadband plans (even postpaid ones!)

Let's have a look - I've also included MVNOs which have medium-large data plans too (it's quite a list!):


2degrees Mobile Broadband Data Packs

• $20.00/512MB ($40.00/GB)


• $50.00/2GB ($25.00/GB)


• $150.00/10GB ($15.00/GB)

Black+White (Postpaid)

• $49.95/1GB ($49.95/GB)


• $69.95/3GB ($23.32/GB)

Orcon (Postpaid, no term)

• $29.95/500MB ($61.34/GB)


• $49.95/2GB ($24.98/GB)


• $69.95/4GB ($17.49/GB)

Vodafone (Postpaid, No term)

• $39.95/512MB ($79.90/GB)


• $59.95/2GB ($29.98/GB)


• $79.95/4GB ($19.99/GB)

Telecom (Postpaid, No term)

• $29.95/500MB ($61.34/GB)


• $59.95/2GB ($29.98/GB)


• $79.95/4GB ($19.99/GB)

Vodafone (Postpaid, With 12 or 24 month term)

• $29.95/512MB ($59.90/GB)


• $49.95/2GB ($24.98/GB)


• $69.95/4GB ($17.49/GB)

Telecom (Postpaid, With home broadband discount + term?)  

• $49.95/2GB ($24.98/GB)


• $69.95/4GB ($17.49/GB)

Vodafone (Prepaid)

• $10.00/100MB ($102.40/GB)


• $30.00/512MB ($60.00/GB)

Telecom (Prepaid)

• $29.95/500MB ($61.34/GB)


• $59.95/2GB ($29.98/GB)


• $79.95/4GB ($19.99/GB)

2degrees pretty much wins in each category, except for the following:

• Comparing the 2GB Data Pack; Orcon wins (ever so slightly) when comparing to no term plans


• Telecom XT's Prepaid Mobile Broadband has an advantage - that it's charged at $0.10/MB up to the price cap. This is great in terms of flexibility - use whenever you want and pay for what you use.
  
  This means that people using less than 200MB should get the 500MB Prepaid plan since you'll only be charged less than $20, and only when you use it.
  
  There are also some small regions where this also has an advantage over other plans, but I'm not going into that detail today. Maybe a later time if I'm making a graph 
  
  This charging method doesn't apply to their Postpaid plans though.


• Also, Telecom XT One Rate Prepaid top ups come with bonus credit, effectively allowing a discount of up to 25%.
  
  We could then say that prices can effectively go as low as: 
  
  
  
  
  • $22.46/500MB ($46.00/GB)
  
  
  • $44.96/2GB ($22.48/GB)
  
  
  • $59.96/4GB ($14.99/GB) 
  
  
  
  This also means that it beats 2degrees in the 2GB category as well, as long as you top up every month.

There's a big but with my comments above though, because of 2degrees' extended validity periods.

Splitting the 2GB and 10GB into monthly increments respectively:

• $25.00/1GB each month for 2 months ($25.00/GB)


• $50.00/3.33GB each month for 3 months ($15.00/GB)


• $75.00/5GB each month for 2 months ($15.00/GB)

Which means that's it's highly competitive to compare to 3GB+ plans too!




Tips and notes

Well maximising value is pretty much what everyone wants, so here's a great deal when combined together:

Warehouse Stationery's currently selling 2degrees SIMs with $20 credit at $10 each (until August 28th).
Add to that a $20 512MB Data Pack, which currently gives 1GB (offer available till October 31st)...

... that's $10 for 1GB! That's way better value than any of the aforementioned plans! The 2GB -> 3GB offer won't work out as better value since you'll also need top up with an additional $30, so the per-gigabyte rate then would be $13.33/GB.


Load up on those SIMs and just add the packs on each as you go before October 31st. And even after that, if you've still got those half price SIMs, it'll be $20/GB - that's still better value than the standard 2GB pack!



If you travel outside of the Mobile Broadband Zone while having a Mobile Broadband Data Pack, any National Data Pack will be used first and then you'll be charged at casual rates of $0.50/MB.

However, from the first time you purchase/activate a Mobile Broadband Data Pack, you're locked into the zone which means that data will stop to prevent credit from being taken outside of your Mobile Broadband Data Pack (unless you've got a National Data Pack in which case it'll chew into that first before stopping).

Once "unlocked" from the zone, you'll be charged at casual rates while using data outside of the zones. 

The lock and unlock process can be done by texting Lock or Unlock to 233. However, it shouldn't really be necessary because you can load up with National Data Packs if data is really necessary.



If you are within the Mobile Broadband Zone but still have a National Data Pack left over, it might be best to use that up first before getting a Mobile Broadband Data Pack as they are used first before National Data Packs.




Conclusion 

2degrees has definitely made mobile broadband more affordable, but only for those in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

If you're out of the zones, then nothing has really changed.

Pretty simple really.


There are a few things that do need looking into though:

• Monthly Auto Top Up + Value Packs: MATU only happens on the nth day of every month, but Value Packs/Data Packs only last 30 days. This means that there must always be some buffer credit remaining for a truly worry free month-by-month experience.


• Auto Renewal: Because 2degrees' Mobile Broadband plans can now market itself as an Internet solution, the lack of auto renewal does worry some. While yes, there are notifications delivered by TXT, the fact is that people might be in the middle of say a simple transfer or webcam conversation and with it cutting off in the middle of it when there's no credit left (as it burns credit at $0.50/MB then!) is not such a great idea - or maybe they completely missed it as the notification might not have reached them (SMS validity period of a week I believe?). Plus it will help with the worry free month-by-month experience.

-- Additional comments added after inital post --

It also seems slightly ironic that 2degrees is offering such huge data allowances in places where most people might not necessarily need the freedom of mobile broadband - mainly because they're at home or holidaying where the zones don't cover them.

Maybe those:

• flatting/student living on mobile


• on frequent on-the-go business


• heading to baches or places like Piha


• etc,

... would be using them the most, but still, I think the people who really desperately need the use of mobile broadband are those who are less economically viable to reach. While giving them data might not necessarily do much on the surface (rural life is not boring! ) - some parts might benefit from it e.g. communication of data from farms... 

--


But I must congratulate 2degrees on their 3G launch a year after their initial launch. They've made huge inroads in the mobile industry in New Zealand.


... and my job of covering the 2degrees 3G lineup/launch is done - but I'm still eager to see what's coming next...