XT 3GB Mobile Broadband

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › XT 3GB Mobile Broadband - Crappy deal

sson013

42 posts

Geek

#34878 31-May-2009 10:39

The new XT plans are disappointing. I have a business background so I'm well aware of the economics of it all but I was expecting XT to at least be on par with Vodafone price wise. As it is, Vodafone doesn't even have to lift a finger.

Right now, XT = better coverage. Which means it has a competitive advantage there, but the price is higher than Vodafone. So, the choice of provider depends on where you live and what price you are willing to pay. It isn't a clear cut case of XT > Vodafone.

But, anyways. The main reason I am writing this post is with regards to the 3GB mobile broadband plan.

I think it's kind of crap that it costs $85 per month and I can only buy an additional 1GB for $15 when Vodafone offers the same thing for $70 per month and an additional $10 buys me +3GB.

The ONLY reason I choose to go with XT (lol like i have a choice) is because Vodafone's 3G signal is crap here even after they completed their upgrade. This is barely even to cover me & my wife's general internet browsing and I have to turn off all automatic updates from all of my hardware/software incase I get owned by the 50cents per MB overuse charges. So that's 1 desktop, 2 notebooks, ps3, xbox360, itouch, wii i have to make sure never get an auto update.

I want to point out that I DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE to go fixed line. I live in Flat Bush, Manukau City. A relatively new sub division in Auckland. Probably less than 1-2KM away is where the new FTTH trials are being run. I was previously using fixed line DSL with 20GB's and use to buy the +20GB extension on a few occasions on Vodafone.

Compass Wireless = No

Woosh Wireless = No

Satellite = Really expensive

Due to Telecom's underinvestment. Pretty much anyone who has bought a new house in Flat Bush has to wait 6-18months to get DSL as there is a huge waiting list at the nearest exchange. The area is comprised of all new houses costing 500k up to 900k and almost every house wants broadband. It's not as if there isn't demand, but they seem to be taking their sweet time with the upgrade planned for 2011!! wtf.

FFS, either expedite the exchange upgrade in Flat Bush or change the 3GB plan to a 3GB extension for $15. I will begrudingly pay this damn premium over Vodafone just for usuable internet. As it is, I have to consider getting a 2nd XT prepaid SIM to buy ANOTHER 3GB for $85 just to cover our basic internet needs. Leaves a rather sour taste in the mouth to have to resort to this.

euanandrews

1528 posts

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#220076 31-May-2009 11:46

You should be ranting to Telecom and Vodafone, not Geekzone...

But yes, all true, Telecom's 3GB deal is a rip compared to Vodafones...Ive done my fait share of ranting too.

sson013

42 posts

Geek

#220079 31-May-2009 11:55

Telecom and Vodafone read these forums for some market feedback.

Also, just found out breaking a 24 month contract on the 3GB plan costs $700 for the first few months as it is a Tier 3 plan Wtf. You give a crappy 200-350$ subsidy on hardware and charge $700 for early disconnection? Was told by Telecom store employee it was $500 if cancelled within 3 months >_> Guess I shouldn't trust salesman =\

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

#220092 31-May-2009 12:27

sson013: Telecom and Vodafone read these forums for some market feedback.

Also, just found out breaking a 24 month contract on the 3GB plan costs $700 for the first few months as it is a Tier 3 plan Wtf. You give a crappy 200-350$ subsidy on hardware and charge $700 for early disconnection? Was told by Telecom store employee it was $500 if cancelled within 3 months >_> Guess I shouldn't trust salesman =\

I am sure getting sick of everyone whining and moaning about the new XT deals and I don't think I'd be the only one, why don't you all put all your frustrations into one single thread instead on drowning the forums with these individual rants and raves. If you're not happy, don't buy it. Simple.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

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#220110 31-May-2009 12:49

sson013: Telecom and Vodafone read these forums for some market feedback.

Also, just found out breaking a 24 month contract on the 3GB plan costs $700 for the first few months as it is a Tier 3 plan Wtf. You give a crappy 200-350$ subsidy on hardware and charge $700 for early disconnection? Was told by Telecom store employee it was $500 if cancelled within 3 months >_> Guess I shouldn't trust salesman =\

you should double check that. IIRC the general rule is that normally companies are only allowed to charge you a penalty to recoup their costs. This means that the penalty should usually only be the cost of the subsidy (or thereabouts).

This might have changed as it's been a while since I looked at these kind of things though.

scottjpalmer

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#220137 31-May-2009 15:18

Just don't take the subsidy, pay a couple of hundred more for the flexability.

As I've said elsewhere, you can extract some value by going prepaid as the bonus credit goes someway to offsetting some of the price difference.

sson013

42 posts

Geek

#220642 1-Jun-2009 22:33

Decimate:
sson013: Telecom and Vodafone read these forums for some market feedback.

Also, just found out breaking a 24 month contract on the 3GB plan costs $700 for the first few months as it is a Tier 3 plan Wtf. You give a crappy 200-350$ subsidy on hardware and charge $700 for early disconnection? Was told by Telecom store employee it was $500 if cancelled within 3 months >_> Guess I shouldn't trust salesman =\

I am sure getting sick of everyone whining and moaning about the new XT deals and I don't think I'd be the only one, why don't you all put all your frustrations into one single thread instead on drowning the forums with these individual rants and raves. If you're not happy, don't buy it. Simple.

Then don't read it. It's obvious what the post is about from the title and people have every right to complain about the new plans. Selective comparisons pointing out the odd times when XT is cheaper than Vodafone on their brochures doesn't change the fact that a lot of the plans end up costing the users more on XT than Vodafone.?

Like I said, I do not have a choice which provider I go with right now. XT is the only reliable broadband I can use other than installing a satelite dish.

{MOD EDIT : SP : Removed rather direct instruction to other member - keep it civil guys n gals}

zCelicaDude

171 posts

Master Geek

#220691 2-Jun-2009 08:11

Have you tried contacting Orcon, as they have there own phone/ADSL 2+ network throughout auckland, and are spreading to Wellington.

I do see on the website it doesn't have flat bush covered, but if you ring and explain your situation (that you can't get any other competitor connection) that may motivate them to get that customer base sorted in flat bush.

You could even try vodafone? But orcon provide much better data allowances then vodafone.

Regards,
Scott

Equinox IT

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sson013

42 posts

Geek

#220825 2-Jun-2009 12:55

Cheers for the suggestions. However, like I said I only have 2 options which is satellite or 3G.

Vodafone uses Telecom to service Flat Bush area, so neither of them are able to provide ADSL due to capacity issues.

Even if Orcon were to feel motivated to do something with the Flat Bush area, it would still take a decent amount of time to setup.

The major wireless providers also don't have transmission towers capable of serving Flat Bush.

May get a quote on Satellite soon and see how it goes. I think our whole street is lacking broadband so maybe can get some kind of deal.

zCelicaDude

171 posts

Master Geek

#221879 5-Jun-2009 07:47

Did you ring orcon, they have there own equipment installed in the exchanges... I assume you have phone lines, just no DSL capicity on telecom dslams... ring orcon and say your whole area doesn't have broadband.. that should light a fire under there a$$.