Mobile pricing reasoning flawed

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kiwitrc

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Topic # 32204 16-Apr-2009 09:30

I just read this article that summises that he 108% penetration by mobiles into NZ is because people carry two phones to save money calling the two current networks.

Now dont get me wrong, although I would love to see cheaper mobile costs (or cheaper anything for that matter) I doubt the research for this article has taken into account the huge number of people like myself who make extensive use of mobile technology as remote control devices and alarms etc, and I also wonder if mobile internet numbers are bundled into providers total customer tallys?

VFNZPaulBrislen

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Reply # 207254 16-Apr-2009 11:02

Yes, I couldn't agree more... Simon's completely missed the whole "3G data" concept.

I have a mobile phone.
I have a BlackBerry.
I have a VMC. So I'm three users...

I'm considering buying a netbook for my kids (although they'll fight, so I'll have to buy two, and if they're both getting a netbook I'll want one too...). That'll push me out to four or more.

And internationally, 108% is quite LOW penetration. Some European countries are up in the 120s... so I'm told.

There are many devices that aren't phones that do use 3G or even GPRS. The growth area in mobile is mobile data, yet this column seems stuck on the idea that all we users do is make calls and send TXTs.

Sigh.

Paul Brislen
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http://forum.vodafone.co.nz

RedJungle

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Reply # 207281 16-Apr-2009 12:43

Indeed, all of our vehicle tracking units use the Vodafone data network and would likely be lumped into this statistic as well I imagine.

Red Jungle: we make fantastic software

brentbart

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Reply # 207285 16-Apr-2009 12:52

PaulBrislen:
I have a mobile phone.
I have a BlackBerry.
I have a VMC. So I'm three users...

I have a work mobile
I have a little used personal mobile
I have a pool phone mobile
I have a Blackberry
I have a Vodem

Trying my best to get it up to 120%

sbiddle

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Reply # 207287 16-Apr-2009 13:00

Your family shows just the market Vodafone haven't yet tapped Paul - a true family plan that can be spread across multiple SIM's allowing combined voice minutes and data usage. One2One pioneered this years ago but only with voice minutes since data was unheard of back then.

Why should a user who has a SIM in their datacard and phone have to have seperate data plans for both? Being able to join both together would be very cool.

RedJungle

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Reply # 207291 16-Apr-2009 13:07

sbiddle:

plan that can be spread across multiple SIM's allowing combined voice minutes and data usage.

Likewise, we would love to aggregate the data used across all our tracking units rather than needing a plan for each. Not only would it make more sense (i.e. only paying for what we use), but it would save a lot of admin overhead for us.

Red Jungle: we make fantastic software

VFNZPaulBrislen

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Reply # 207317 16-Apr-2009 14:39

As would I... but while the difference in price between a fixed line MB and a mobile MB remains, I doubt there's much ability for any telco to offer a multi-user/multi-network one size fits all bundle.

Does anyone know of a telco anywhere that offers one size (eg 120GB) of data across mobile and fixed?

cheers

Paul

Paul Brislen
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sbiddle

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Reply # 207326 16-Apr-2009 15:41

PaulBrislen: As would I... but while the difference in price between a fixed line MB and a mobile MB remains, I doubt there's much ability for any telco to offer a multi-user/multi-network one size fits all bundle.

Does anyone know of a telco anywhere that offers one size (eg 120GB) of data across mobile and fixed?

cheers

Paul

There is probably nobody doing it - that's all the reason to do it but I suspect the fact it would be convenient for customers and would potentially result in a reduced revenue for the telco would be the exact reason why nobody would introduce it.

In a few years time when LTE is reality along with a fully unified IMS network delivered across both mobile and fixed lines and I bet you'll be launching such a service..

richms

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Reply # 207356 16-Apr-2009 18:52

They are forgetting about people that have multiple phones so they can leave some at home when they dont want to be bothered by certain contacts who have that number.

If they are counting connections then I am a 500%er - 600 at the moment since I am phonesitting for a friend who is overseas...

Richard rich.ms

ajw

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Reply # 207373 16-Apr-2009 19:56

PaulBrislen: Yes, I couldn't agree more... Simon's completely missed the whole "3G data" concept.

I have a mobile phone.
I have a BlackBerry.
I have a VMC. So I'm three users...

I'm considering buying a netbook for my kids (although they'll fight, so I'll have to buy two, and if they're both getting a netbook I'll want one too...). That'll push me out to four or more.

And internationally, 108% is quite LOW penetration. Some European countries are up in the 120s... so I'm told.

There are many devices that aren't phones that do use 3G or even GPRS. The growth area in mobile is mobile data, yet this column seems stuck on the idea that all we users do is make calls and send TXTs.

Sigh.

Paul perhaps you should refresh your memory by hitting this link which links to to the TUANZ blog.

http://www.tuanz.org.nz/blog/e379f711-b2b6-4423-9e32-4a8bf9f301db/7a0dc899-98c0-47b6-bfbf-a98cbb3a9fe0.html

richms

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Reply # 207374 16-Apr-2009 20:00

I must say that the recent data offerings by vodafone are a big step towards some sensible pricing - the voice mins are insane where they penelize you for spending more then you purchase each month by reverting to the insanely high rates on the you choose plan once the ones on the add on are used up..

With data we see some sanity in that the rate is remaining the same. While I would expect to see it drop when using high amounts, this is atleast not as insane as the voice pricing.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 207645 17-Apr-2009 17:09

RedJungle:

Likewise, we would love to aggregate the data used across all our tracking units rather than needing a plan for each. Not only would it make more sense (i.e. only paying for what we use), but it would save a lot of admin overhead for us.

You mean they can't? What in blazes is the "group data plan" that we have at work then? I thought the point of it was to pool all of our phones into one massive data cap (hence why we have a custom APN and everything).

I finally have fibre! Had to leave the country to get it though.