Data + Txt?

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Dtwo

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#74873 9-Jan-2011 11:58

Hi there,

I'm a vodafone customer thats thinking of going onto on Account. I'm primarily looking for large amounts of data (512MB+) as well as a lot of texts (2000+ to Vodafone NZ), however I can't seem to find a plan which suits both these needs. I only need around 20 minutes.

I've seen the smart plans which give a lot of data, but nowhere near enough texts (only 600), and I've seen the texter/you choose plans, but these don't have the option for data.

So my question is: is there any way to get lots of data AND Texts on the Vodafone network? Or do I have to stay a Prepay customer.

Another thing: The Cellphone prepay page only offers 50MB and 100MB options, where have the larger options gone?

Thanks

BarTender

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#425411 9-Jan-2011 12:19

If you live in the 2Degrees BB zone you will find that 2Degrees is cheaper for both options.

Dtwo

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#425414 9-Jan-2011 12:33

A little bit more digging at the website shows that I can have a smart plan with 2000 txt addon totalling to $50. However this is a little discouraging, for $50 I get:

20 Mins Calling, 2000 Vodafone Txt, 300 Any Network Txts and 3GB Data (Unnecessarily large)

Compared with 2 degrees, for $30 I could get:
2000 Any Network Texts (Much better deal), and 1GB Data (More than enough already)

+ The 20mins calling with no plan (Just normal rates) would be $8.80

So for $38.80 I get a much better deal on 2 degrees, and there is no reason whatsoever to go on Vodafone?

However, most of my friends are on the Txt2k plan so switching would be a huge disadvantage for all of them.

nzbnw

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#425427 9-Jan-2011 14:10

Or you could also look at the Telecom option which would allow you to use your Data from anywhere you have Telecom coverage at 3G speeds nationwide (no limited Broadband Zones, or 2G fall back speeds).

If you have a Telecom Land line, you could signup on the 'On The One Bill' plan which is zero access ($0.00 / month) and $0.59 per minute to any network; then get the Smart Phone Extra (either 240MB, with 2500 SMS, $28, or $38 includes 500MB and 2500 SMS, however both plans are doubled for one year if you take them before Jan 31. That would mean $28 for 480MB, 5000 SMS or $38 or 1,000MB and 5000 SMS to any-network. No contract on either options, just month to month.

http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/yourmobile/plansandpricing#otob

http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/special-offers/double-up-this-summer

You may need a new phone however for this option (Telecom uses the WCDMA 3G 850MHz frequency), however as always you can keep your number including the prefix.

http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/ournetwork/phonecompatibility

nzbnw

BarTender

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#425594 10-Jan-2011 01:15

Dtwo: So for $38.80 I get a much better deal on 2 degrees, and there is no reason whatsoever to go on Vodafone?

However, most of my friends are on the Txt2k plan so switching would be a huge disadvantage for all of them.

IMHO the only reason why many people still stay with Vodafone for prepaid is for either the Best Mate, the on-net SMS deal or both.

Maybe you should talk to your friends and see if they also could get a better deal elsewhere too.

At least Telecom have come to the party and realised that on-net only SMS plans are only good while you maintain critical prepaid customer mass and not the best way to stay compeditive and now offer the text anyone 2500... I suspect it will just be a matter of time before Vodafone follow suit.

One thing I didn't know (thanks nzbnw) was the On the one bill offering from Telecom..... That too is pretty sharp IMHO and considering you can do all the add-ons too. I was just about to sign my mother in law up to 2Degrees after her current Vodafone phone died I might recommend she goes for that instead since she uses her phone so infrequently and the convenience of having a zero cost post-paid on the existing Telecom bill sounds perfect to me.

nzbnw

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#425601 10-Jan-2011 02:02

BarTender: I suspect it will just be a matter of time before Vodafone follow suit.

I hope they do because then it will be a real choice as to who your provider is, rather that having to be with a provider because all your contacts are with that provider. You can then take the best bits of each providers offerings as to what is important to you, no need for 2 phones or refusing to send off net messages in addition of off net calling.

If 2Degree's makes their $10 text pack 2000 SMS permanent (rather than 1,000) then this will only apply more pressure to Vodafone considering there is no need to change phones to switch, only a new SIM card is required. While in the text market Telecom does offer the best deal based on volume ($6 for 300 SMS; normally 150 or $12 for 5,000 SMS, normally 2,500) you need an 850MHz phone. As people start to change phones they may consider this *if* Vodafone customers get over their off-net phobia

. The same can be said for 2Degree's per SMS rate.

Imagine being able to send an SMS to any network with out worrying who your friends provider is?

My thoughts only however.

nzbnw

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#425602 10-Jan-2011 02:22

nzbnw: As people start to change phones they may consider this *if* Vodafone customers get over their off-net phobia . The same can be said for 2Degree's per SMS rate.

Imagine being able to send an SMS to any network with out worrying who your friends provider is?

I can only agree with you fully here. And not worrying about who you SMS, isn't that what a work phone is good for

nzbnw

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#425610 10-Jan-2011 02:36

Work phones are great :-)

nzbnw

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quickymart

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#425617 10-Jan-2011 06:07

I agree it would be great if VF did "follow suit"...however, remember when $10 Text on Telecom CDMA came out (2003, wasn't it?) and there was talk and rumours for ages that VF was going to match it...which they never did. While it would be nice if they did, I'm not holding my breath.

Dtwo

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#425725 10-Jan-2011 12:41

The big problem I have is that I literally cannot switch to 2degrees, unless I want to have 2 numbers, which is just inconvenient.

This is because, Vodafone has basically every single person in my area (I'm still at school) on their network, with most of the people having only txt2k. You frequently need to contact people outside your group of friends, so unless we can convince EVERYONE in our area to make the switch, we are all locked into Vodafone.

As long as they got the on-net texting thing going, a lot of people aren't going to be leaving Vodafone anytime soon. I don't see any obvious incentive for vodafone to make their texting to all networks, because I'd imagine they'd lose more customers than they can gain (seeing as telecom and 2degrees both have better deals than them, I don't see any reason anyone would want to jump ship onto vodafone).

I don't know too much about this stuff, but couldn't it be regarded as anti-competitive behaviour?

boby55

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#425728 10-Jan-2011 12:45

Dtwo: The big problem I have is that I literally cannot switch to 2degrees, unless I want to have 2 numbers, which is just inconvenient.

This is because, Vodafone has basically every single person in my area (I'm still at school) on their network, with most of the people having only txt2k. You frequently need to contact people outside your group of friends, so unless we can convince EVERYONE in our area to make the switch, we are all locked into Vodafone.

As long as they got the on-net texting thing going, a lot of people aren't going to be leaving Vodafone anytime soon. I don't see any obvious incentive for vodafone to make their texting to all networks, because I'd imagine they'd lose more customers than they can gain (seeing as telecom and 2degrees both have better deals than them, I don't see any reason anyone would want to jump ship onto vodafone).

I don't know too much about this stuff, but couldn't it be regarded as anti-competitive behaviour?

To be honest, I personally wouldn't care, Port your number to 2degrees or Telecom and let them find out that you have changed networks for themselves :D