Thoughts on the new Prepay XT 3G Data plans...

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Thoughts on the new Prepay XT 3G Data plans...

Ashka

139 posts

Master Geek

#86630 10-Jul-2011 18:45

No longer can one keep money on a prepay 3G data plan for emergencies. The Big Telecom Hand is going to pinch the whole months amount, every month, used or not.
Yes they have slightly lowered the cost.. Couple of $$ if you have your home phone with them.

Not unlike taking away our non sim, prepay for when needed, CDMA phone next July..

My iPad is on the old micro sim XT 2GB Prepay Data where my money can stay safe till needed, pity about all the new users .... changed to make a killing on the World cup visitors with iPhones & iPads I expect.

My Mac has an on account 4GB XT Data plan... the 24 months are just up... the more powerful SW USB modem I looked at last week has also gone.

I only have 3G Internet, no other choice.
Will go and check out Vodafone ~ maybe they have improved since I gave them back their broken vodem & changed to XT..

billgates

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#491725 10-Jul-2011 18:53

Previously on XT, 500MB prepaid mobile broadband plan was $30 (10c/MB for first 300MB and next 200MB free). Now it's $25 for 500MB. $5 cheaper/month. Granted that 10C/MB pricing is gone and $25 will now be charged at start of the month anyway whether you use that data or not. Not a profitable customer for them is it then with the older pricing structure?

According to their FAQ, if you do not change your 10c/MB plan to the newer broadband plans then your account will be charged as per the older billing system. Not sure why would anyone complain for shutting down an old CDMA network at all?

Do whatever you want to do man.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

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#491729 10-Jul-2011 19:01

Ashka: No longer can one keep money on a prepay 3G data plan for emergencies. The Big Telecom Hand is going to pinch the whole months amount, every month, used or not.

yeah, it's a shame they removed the main thing that actually differentiated the plans from the others.

But that is the exact same way Vodafone and 2Degress work, and, AFAIK, every other carrier overseas.

(Voda is 2GB for $50, same as XT. 2Degrees is 3GB for $50, but only in main centres)

DjShadow

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#491731 10-Jul-2011 19:03

I noticed the 4gb option on prepay is now missing...

johnr

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#491733 10-Jul-2011 19:10

DjShadow: I noticed the 4gb option on prepay is now missing...

This was removed a while ago and I understand

scuwp

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#491739 10-Jul-2011 19:40

Ashka: Not unlike taking away our non sim, prepay for when needed, CDMA phone next July..

Why people are moaning about an old antiquated and costly phone network disappearing I just can't fathom. Still buy your music on cassettes?...I think not. It's called progress.

My iPad is on the old micro sim XT 2GB Prepay Data where my money can stay safe till needed, pity about all the new users .... changed to make a killing on the World cup visitors with iPhones & iPads I expect

I doubt a few weeks of extra users during the world cup has made any difference. Just trying to get the best returns as always. If the competition are all doing it then it's only logical Telecom will do it as well.

Will go and check out Vodafone ~ maybe they have improved since I gave them back their broken vodem & changed to XT..

Good luck with that, I hope you are one of the few lucky ones. We have just dumped VF at work for all our mobile data and moved to XT...what a breath of fresh air!

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

Ashka

139 posts

Master Geek

#491866 11-Jul-2011 09:01

Yes I know it's called progress but there is a limit.

4GB / 8GB Data T Stick on Monthly Account.... only internet available. Often shared via Airport with iPads. $111. Plus (on the new plan) another $50 for 2GB Prepay Micro sim for iPad 2.

Sounds as if some here are happy to pay $161 every month for 10GB Internet access or $211 for 12GB if the iPad needs a top up.

If that's easy for you try it on Super.

CDMA Emergency Prepay mobile phone.. No Sim. No account. Our peace of mind & DH's fishing phone ~ it just works, unlike 3G when school is out. We will miss it.

sbiddle

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#491876 11-Jul-2011 09:25

The old plans are being grandfathered but still exist unless you change away from them. I don't see why you will incur any additional costs unless you choose to.

SteveON

1917 posts

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#491877 11-Jul-2011 09:27

NonprayingMantis: 2Degrees is 3GB for $50, but only in main centres

Not for long.

eljefe

99 posts

Master Geek

#491898 11-Jul-2011 10:19

Why people are moaning about an old antiquated and costly phone network disappearing I just can't fathom. Still buy your music on cassettes?...I think not. It's called progress.

Coverage is a pretty good reason. XT coverage is rubbish where I live in Lower Hutt. It comes in and out over the course of a texting conversation, I have to resend half of my messages, and the phones dont work at all as far as "talking on them" goes. Progress my butt.

BarTender

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#491936 11-Jul-2011 11:03

eljefe:

Why people are moaning about an old antiquated and costly phone network disappearing I just can't fathom. Still buy your music on cassettes?...I think not. It's called progress.

Coverage is a pretty good reason. XT coverage is rubbish where I live in Lower Hutt. It comes in and out over the course of a texting conversation, I have to resend half of my messages, and the phones dont work at all as far as "talking on them" goes. Progress my butt.

So have you logged a call with 123 about it?

It could be your phone, rather than poor coverage.

and

johnr

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#491938 11-Jul-2011 11:06

eljefe:

Why people are moaning about an old antiquated and costly phone network disappearing I just can't fathom.??Still?buy your music on cassettes?...I think not.? It's called progress.

Coverage is a pretty good reason. XT coverage is rubbish where I live in Lower Hutt. It comes in and out over the course of a texting conversation, I have to resend half of my messages, and the phones dont work at all as far as "talking on them" goes. Progress my butt.

Sounds like you live on fringe 3G coverage and cell breathing under load is causing your issue

John