One rate plans out, smartphone plans in

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › One rate plans out, smartphone plans in

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Ultimate Geek
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#444561 1-Mar-2011 20:06

I like that you don't have to sign up for a fixed term contract that is the main issue I had when going on to my Smart plan with vodafone is that you had to sign onto a 24month contract weither you got a new phone or not.
In the end I got a new phone as it was not worth signing on for two years and not getting anything for doing so.

Saying that Vodafone has been treating us well with Data but I have to say I don't use many PXT more calling would of been good.

O well when the Samsung Galaxy S II comes out and I have the money it will mean I can hop between networks as long as there is no massive canceliation fees that need to be paid.

Stupid question but has Telecome got more than just Christchurch and Auckland for its main mobile network hubs now or in the next earthquake will the network fall over south of Taupo?

Dion

old3eyes

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#444575 1-Mar-2011 20:49

ahmad:
old3eyes: I hope that they don't go the way of the US carriers and make data plans mandatory for smartfones..

Well it's not like you have to buy your smartphone from them..?

Maybe you should do some US research on carriers and smartfone detection.. You don't have to buy one from the carrier for them to know that you have one.

Regards,

Old3eyes

joff_nz

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#444713 2-Mar-2011 11:12

IMO They almost should, what is the point in having a smartphone and not having any data? It's like buying a murcielago and putting a piece of wood behind the accelerator so you can't use too much gas.

Just splash out on the whole $6/mth and make proper use of your phone.

Behodar

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#444771 2-Mar-2011 13:35

Personally I believe that any plan should be available with any phone. You're paying for a service and should be able to make your own decision. Forcing people to pay for "extras" is, in my opinion, the wrong approach.

nitrotech

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#444775 2-Mar-2011 13:46

Behodar: Personally I believe that any plan should be available with any phone. You're paying for a service and should be able to make your own decision. Forcing people to pay for "extras" is, in my opinion, the wrong approach.

But these plans are a significant step forward in terms of pricing - eg. one of my phones is on the one rate 180 plan at $80 per month but I have to pay extra for data and text so for the 240mb plan it's $18 and text another $12 that's added $30 to the price - telecom also didn't take the extra $30 into account when considering phone subsidies either so a double blow.

It wasn't long ago that I was paying $50 for 1gb data on my CDMA data card now for $60 you can get data calls and text messages.

All in all I think a great step forward and for me may halt what was an impending move to 2 degrees.

NonprayingMantis

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#444791 2-Mar-2011 14:16

Behodar: Personally I believe that any plan should be available with any phone. You're paying for a service and should be able to make your own decision. Forcing people to pay for "extras" is, in my opinion, the wrong approach.

I beleive that although those are 'smartphone' plans, that is just a name for them and you can take them on any phone you like. (why you would want to is another question)

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Behodar

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#444806 2-Mar-2011 14:48

NonprayingMantis: I beleive that although those are 'smartphone' plans, that is just a name for them and you can take them on any phone you like. (why you would want to is another question)

Indeed, you can, and I'm happy with that. My comment was in response to the one about forcing smartphone users to get a data plan.

To clarify: I'm perfectly happy with the current plan lineup. You can choose any plan and use it on any phone. You're not forced to get a smartphone plan if you own a smartphone (except Blackberry, but I believe that's a RIM limitation).

joff_nz

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Ultimate Geek
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#444814 2-Mar-2011 15:01

Yeah hence my 'almost', at the end of the day, offering choice is the only way to go. But I think some people need to be pushed into seeing what can be achieved with an appropriate data plan.

ahmad

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#445166 3-Mar-2011 13:58

corksta: When Internet Tethering was first announced that was also operator dependent but all three support it.

I personally expect all three to continue to support it.

I'm increasingly nervous about this feature not making it in the form we are expecting it to...

corksta

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#445228 3-Mar-2011 17:28

I don't know why!

http://www.iphonewzealand.co.nz/2011/all/ios-4-3-personal-hotspot-is-it-any-good/

I realise things may have changed between the betas and the GM, but I'll still be surprised if it doesn't work how it's expected to from day one.

ahmad

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#445232 3-Mar-2011 17:46

Dare I say it it may require a specific plan.

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DeroyBoy

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#445233 3-Mar-2011 17:51

Don't know why it would, it is just an extension of the existing tethering.

ahmad

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#445234 3-Mar-2011 17:53

Ok that's slightly reassuring. So what's the deal with "tethering plans" overseas then???

ahmad

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#445236 3-Mar-2011 17:55

Makes me nervous even mentioning it.

corksta

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#445237 3-Mar-2011 17:59

ahmad: Dare I say it it may require a specific plan.

But why do you think this?! I know they do in the US but Australia never has, our three never have so what makes you concerned they might start doing it here?

Telecom's new plans seem perfectly suited to using this feature on the iPhone.

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