Prepay vs Postpay Mobile Broadband

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sson013

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#37165 8-Jul-2009 10:36

I had assumed it wasn't possible to use the larger mobile broadband plans on prepay. But it seems its entirely possible.

So it seems to me like there is absolutely no reason to be on a post pay plan?

Taking the 3GB $85 plan as an example and assuming we always use the $60 reload with +$20 bonus

Month by Month Basis

Post pay $85

Pre pay $63.75 ( $85 / 4 * 3 )

So I save $21.25 per month on prepay on the most expensive post pay plan, wtf?

24 Month Contract

Post Pay 85 x 24 = $2040

You get either a $200 subsidy if you choose the Telecom branded T-Stick or $350 subsidy with Sierra Wireless 885. So assuming you don't cancel contract early and get stuck with a huge termination fee, you pay $1690 with SW 885 or $1840 with the generic T-stick.

Prepay (buying 2 years worth of prepay credit, I don't know when the special prepaid credit bonus offer will expire).

2040 / 4 * 3 = $1530 (you get 33% bonus with the $60 +20 deal).

Breakeven Point assuming the special offer will expire at some point and you only bought prepay credit on a month by month basis when needed would be less than a year with the telecom t-stick vs going with post pay 24 month contract. So after a year on prepay, I would still be contract free and be saving more money than people on a 24 month contract from then onwards.

If this works exactly as I've described, then anyone signing a contract seems to be getting seriously screwed over.

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Behodar

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#232325 8-Jul-2009 10:54

sson013: So it seems to me like there is absolutely no reason to be on a post pay plan?

Roaming.

hellonearthisman

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#232342 8-Jul-2009 12:10

I would say per-pay, as I am concerned about problem with bulk data charges for going over the limits.

If the post-pay has an option to limit data use to a per-defined value, then I would not be handed a crippling bill.

NonprayingMantis

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#232379 8-Jul-2009 12:44

hellonearthisman: I would say per-pay, as I am concerned about problem with bulk data charges for going over the limits.

If the post-pay has an option to limit data use to a per-defined value, then I would not be handed a crippling bill.

Correct.
Theoretically excess data charges would be easier to avoid on prepay since you cannot go into debt. You simply make sure you have no credit once you have paid for your plan. That way if you go over the limit and end that particular data session, you won’t be able to reconnect until you top up.

e.g. top up $80 dollars and receive $105 (because of the bonus 60+20 and 20+5)
Use your $85 for the Data extra, then $15 for the further 1GB leaving you with $5 credit. Once you have used your 3+1GB, your are then limited to $5 of overage charges,

DanielNZ

31 posts

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#232595 8-Jul-2009 16:45

Behodar:
sson013: So it seems to me like there is absolutely no reason to be on a post pay plan?

Roaming.

Roaming costs $8.00/MB on any plan (in Australia) so you wouldn't want to use much data at that rate - Assuming we're still talking about mobile broadband only.

Behodar

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#232640 8-Jul-2009 17:52

I think Australia's a special case; in order to roam in the US you need to be on a plan.

nitrotech

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#232664 8-Jul-2009 18:30

I run my XT stick on pre-pay for this very reason, it's 33% cheaper than being on a contract by topping up with a $60 recharge.

Another advantage that I have discovered is that if you don't use any data in any particular month you are not charged the monthly fee.

While there is an initial outlay for the card it pays for itself pretty quickly.

Wouldn't worry about roaming at $8+ per MB, when in OZ in October I will get an optus sim and use that while i'm there as they have 2100 coverage where i'm staying.