OECD often quoted figures

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Jama

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#6263 11-Jan-2006 09:29

I am not saying that all is rosy and well with NZ communications - internet, mobile, etc. It does interest me that there is constant focus in the media on things like NZ's broadband standing and the price of landline to mobile calls. After having a look at the OECD website myself it seems to me that the government is using the state of NZ comms to deflect attention from the real issues.

Seriously how important are things like broadband and our standing in the OECD when we have things like the highest interest rates and some of the lowest wages in the OECD? We are also up there for violent crime and suicide. Not something to be proud of.

Surely broadband adoption is linked with low wages meaning that people will prioritise their spending and broadband is probably seen as a luxury. The government could and probably will regulate broadband pricing at some stage, apparently their goal is broadband for '$1 p/day'. But is that enough? After all it is still $30 p/month.

Given that NZ is small and only a limited market with relatively low discretionary spending doesn't the government run the risk of discouraging investment in alternative broadband technologies by companies other than the big 3 Telcos? After all if there is no return why would you invest?

As Geeks we want fast internet, big or unlimited caps and we want it cheap. But seriously does the average Joe Consumer really care?

paradoxsm

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#26205 12-Jan-2006 00:59

And CAN IT BE PROVIDED for our limited customer base at these bargain prices?
I wonder whether the OECD population counts are listed underneath?
I ignore any news story stating "NZ is compared to XXXX on OECD" as I find it an unfair comparison.

I find services Good value for money but a inflexible, free minute plans are so 1996., Our SMS rate is one of the cheapest in the wworld, our MMS rate is also among the cheapest, Off peaks calls on plans at 15c a min aren't too bad. prepay daytime calling "on net" is 50c a minute... not too bad really compared to some but you have to have 3 phones to get decent rates all over. (2 prepays and an on-account)

our Broadband needs to have another option whereas you DONT have a phoneline or rent a line at $26 like the old homeline economy rates and pay for all local calls..

just needs some flexibility....

cokemaster

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#26207 12-Jan-2006 02:33

Yes, comparing countries is difficult due to a seemless infinite array of things to take into account. Apples to oranges they say.

Personally, I think the situation in New Zealand is far from perfect. I'd really like to see some actual pricewars rather than this offer matching scheme(seems to be more or less matching call prices etc) that seems to be happening (ie Let yourself go vs 3 minute hour, $10 text vs Free text weekends) . Matching each others promotions or at least creating a similar scheme is ok but I'd personally like to see a bit more blood with the competition.

Regularly undercutting each others calling rates and SMS rates is perferable. Undercutting each others plans as well would be fun both for the consumer and to watch.

Some people will disagree with my views - no doubt to some they will be seen as unrealistic. No doubt they are unrealistic.

It'd be nice to have the option of just ADSL (plus a minimal connection fee for the landline) rather than having to pay for the full rental PLUS ADSL. But I don't see Telecom doing this unless they are regulated or have their hand tied behind their back. They are in for the money.

They [Telecom and Vodafone] probably won't do much as the status quo is probably perferred to reducing each others profit margins.

Anyway... you can call me a troll now or unrealistic.

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Grantis

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#26311 12-Jan-2006 20:51

cokemaster: Yes, comparing countries is difficult due to a seemless infinite array of things to take into account. Apples to oranges they say.

Personally, I think the situation in New Zealand is far from perfect. I'd really like to see some actual pricewars rather than this offer matching scheme(seems to be more or less matching call prices etc) that seems to be happening (ie Let yourself go vs 3 minute hour, $10 text vs Free text weekends) . Matching each others promotions or at least creating a similar scheme is ok but I'd personally like to see a bit more blood with the competition.

Regularly undercutting each others calling rates and SMS rates is perferable. Undercutting each others plans as well would be fun both for the consumer and to watch.

Some people will disagree with my views - no doubt to some they will be seen as unrealistic. No doubt they are unrealistic.

It'd be nice to have the option of just ADSL (plus a minimal connection fee for the landline) rather than having to pay for the full rental PLUS ADSL. But I don't see Telecom doing this unless they are regulated or have their hand tied behind their back. They are in for the money.

They [Telecom and Vodafone] probably won't do much as the status quo is probably perferred to reducing each others profit margins.

Anyway... you can call me a troll now or unrealistic.

I agree with everything you have written, it makes a damn good realistic post & I'm sure a few people would agree with what you have said. Well done. Weather the networks agree, well, that's a different story altogether. :-)

Jama: Seriously how important are things like broadband and our standing in the OECD when we have things like the highest interest rates and some of the lowest wages in the OECD? We are also up there for violent crime and suicide. Not something to be proud of.

I agree, the government should be focussing more on health related issues, rather than broadband/mobile pricing. After all your health is probably your best asset & New Zealand does have some of the highest Teenage Pregnancy/Suicide/Smoking/Alcohol abuse rates in the world. A good point to bring up Jama, well done.

paradoxsm

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#26315 12-Jan-2006 21:38

Bring on the $49 cap!!!!!!! that's the real "you choose" Vodafone would have t'com crying if they did this. I'd love to see plan wars, like back in 1998, where Telecoms "go everyday" was $5 cheaper than Vodafones Talk200 all played to Fatboyslims "praise you like I should. vodafone didn't budge and yep, the price went back up.. just like Telecom "adjusting" it's pre pay pricing to
vodafones in 4 steps (was 99c peak)

I don't care too much for the price reductions, lovely as it would be but it's great to watch what each other come up with! bungled bits and al ;-)