Vodafone data mobile pricing

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asianbro

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#11736 9-Feb-2007 10:01

Hi all,

anyone else think that the current data mobile pricing is expensive? $10 for 1MB last time I checked. I also don't really understand how they charge, it says in vodafone website:

Billing increments are in 10KB blocks with a minimum 10KB charge.

Does it mean if I connect, use the internet, then disconnect, I will be charged a minimum of 10KB charge (10c)?

I've tried to contact vodafone about this with no luck, may be someone here has some knowledge of this.

Kind Regards,

Sid

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#60222 9-Feb-2007 10:31

Mobile data gets considerably cheaper when you are on a plan.

$29.95 (24 month term, add $10 if open term) for 200mb of data, $10 for 200mb of additional data then regular data rates apply.

$49.95 (24 month term also, add $10 if open term) for 1GB of data, another $10 for 1GB of additional data then the regular data rates apply (50c a mb).

Unfortnately there is no relief for prepaid customers who have the casual rates which you have described above.

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Filterer

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#60241 9-Feb-2007 12:11

What is up with charging extra of you are not on a 24 month plan, don't see that on voice plans.....
Seems a little over the top really, it didn't use to be like that did it?

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tonyhughes

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#60247 9-Feb-2007 13:23

The non-contract pricing is better than what preceded it, and there is a *further* discount should you take up the contract.

Vodems are $99 on contract and $429 odd dollars without, but no-one would say you 'you get charged extra'.

Its very common in business to offer more attractive pricing to customers who arent just *loyal* from the customers point of view, but whom actually commit to further loyalty in writing by way of fixed terms.

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#60256 9-Feb-2007 14:21

Yes but...,

If I sign up to a 24 month 1Gig plan like you said I could get a Vodem for $99.
Now I just bought a V3xx which would be just as fast as the Vodem and way more convenient being able to do bluetooth etc.

So I could either sign up to a 24Month 1 Gig plan for $50 a month = $1200 less value of included Vodem = $430 plus cost of vodem $99. In a similar way, ordered in increasing cost

24 Month Plan With Purchase of Vodem
Effective Value = $869 ($50*24-$430+$99)

24 Month Plan Without Purchase of Vodem
Effective Value = $1200 ($50*24)

Open Term Plan Extrapolated for 24 Moths without Purchase of Vodem
Effective Value = $1440 ($60*24)

Open Term Plan Extrapolated for 24 Moths with Purchase of Vodem
Effective Value = $1870 ($60*24+$430)

My gripe is that I have a device that is better then the Vodem but I would only save $200 over two years to go on a fixed term plan, not worth it! However if I had to purchase the Vodem effectively I would have saved $1000 - Now that would be worth it.

Now I understand that Vodafone will be paying no where near retail prices for a vodem, but as a customer thats not the end of the deal that I see.

So how about a plan (12 or 24 month) that is discounted by the amount that the vodem costs ie

24 Month Plan with no vodem
$869 ($50*24-$430+$99) instead of $1200

My 2c worth

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sbiddle

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#60261 9-Feb-2007 14:40

asianbro: Billing increments are in 10KB blocks with a minimum 10KB charge.
Does it mean if I connect, use the internet, then disconnect, I will be charged a minimum of 10KB charge (10c)?

Yes. If you are not on a plan you will pay $10/MB. If you are on a plan you will pay a lot less but will still pay the minimum 10kb charge every 20 mins.

asianbro

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#60267 9-Feb-2007 15:07

Hi all, thanks for all the info!

BTW sbiddle, how/where did you find out that it's every 20 mins?

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#60269 9-Feb-2007 15:26

asianbro: Hi all, thanks for all the info!

BTW sbiddle, how/where did you find out that it's every 20 mins?

Or for that matter any of the small print on vodafone's website!

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sbiddle

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#60275 9-Feb-2007 16:13

asianbro: Hi all, thanks for all the info!

BTW sbiddle, how/where did you find out that it's every 20 mins?

It's mentioned on the Vodafone website on the data plans page. This has been the case since Vodafone launched GPRS and Telecom have similair session rounding but I believe they may round per 30 mins (somebody can probably correct me on this).

mike

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#60298 9-Feb-2007 21:59

Back on the old Mobilise plans it was cheaper to be open term than a fixed term contract as the handset subsidy was recouped through higher monthly. Charging open term customers more is really just a punch in the face.

The new $49 incl. GST 1GB plan is only marginally cheaper than the old $49 excl. GST 1GB promo. Of course depending on usage the 200MB and 1GB + 1GB $10 Bundle Insurance add good value.

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#60322 10-Feb-2007 10:39

Yea I was thinking of the mobilise plans, where it would have been $56.25 inc GST on the 1 Gig plan, so it would have been cheaper for me.

Currently it would make the most sense for me to sign up to a 24month plan, buy a vodem and sell it, they are going for $250-$300 new on Trademe.

If I managed $300 then I would effectively get the first four months free ($200 / $50 month)

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weatherman

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#60464 11-Feb-2007 20:31

Leaving aside Vodems etc, to get a reasonable-ish deal on mobile data, I simply added a Mobilise Data 3 plan to my You Choose account. That way I get 3 megs for $10/month, and pay $2 per meg if I overun my 3 meg allowance. Much cheaper than casual rates, no fixed term, and can be discontinued or increased without penalty. This suits me fine for internet, email and occasional wap use through my SE P900i, but would be too costly if I were using the phone as a modem for the laptop! Just a thought, anyways.....

Cheers,

George

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