New Vodafone data plans with HSDPA launch

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freitasm

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Topic # 9376 12-Sep-2006 11:51

Is just me or there is no way Vodafone New Zealand can seriously think they can compete in the broadband market by offering 1GB at $49 and $10 cap insurance?

I think people would consider changing from DSL and landline to a mobile and data plan if they had something such as 5GB (or even 10GB) for $49.

I mean, really, with the current coverage, there's no way Vodafone can think this is a landline broadband replacement. Not even with the funky USB modem.

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Reply # 45867 12-Sep-2006 12:24

Probably not to win ADSL customers over but it certainly is a great deal for up to 2GB of traffic on just $59+GST on mobile data connection. that in itself is enough to win a good round of low to moderately mid usage customers.

for me, when i'm out about and need to get on net, that plan should be sufficient for my usage, and if i am expecting heavier usage, i will wait till i get home to my cable connection.

Perhaps you can say there's a lot of wastage, but i'm willing to pay more for plenty (for multiple connection type), than low for penalty (of overage)

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cranz

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Reply # 45868 12-Sep-2006 12:25

I think you just said it yourself, With current coverage there is no way Vodafone can even think of taking on ADSL anyway, but as this expands and network is pushed to 7.2mbit maybe we will see some non "mobile business" plans coming out with cheaper devices.

It is a let down so far, and horrendously overpriced (devices+startup etc) for consumer but I can see that all changing in the future - perhaps once they have seen what more than 2 connections on a cellsite delivers..

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sbiddle

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Reply # 45871 12-Sep-2006 12:35

My thoughts exactly.

I wonder how much of a factor their lack of network backhaul really is? Vodafone still have 3G sites running off 2Mb links which are a big problem for them and the reason the 1.8Mbps speeds will only be available on some HSDPA enabled sites.

It seems to be a case of having a network that they are scared of people really using..

cranz

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Reply # 45872 12-Sep-2006 12:46

Vodafone's media release if anyone is interested:

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/aboutus/media_releases/20060912.jsp

Pernod

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Reply # 45875 12-Sep-2006 12:59

Personally I am hanging out for the devices to arive in store. My Woosh coverage has been very average for the last month and they just can't seem to fix it - but up until now it has been the only real option for me.

I don't have a landline (I think $42 a month is a joke), so to get ADSL broadband I have to add a 'telecom line rental' on top - which makes these plans and woosh look pretty competitive.

Plus, add in the fact I can take it away with me whenever I head out on a photo shoot, or when we go away so I have a connection on the laptop to upload my latest photos etc - I'm sold! As an aside, personally don't mind that it may drop back to dialup if i'm out of the city etc, after all its a mile better than a laptop without a connection which is the other option (my current woosh is useless the moment I get out of civisilation) ;-)

Plus, we are only flatting so theres no issues if we move flats etc - just take it with us, and if we move overseas (which is on the plan) we still own the modem so can take it with us etc.

juha

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Reply # 45876 12-Sep-2006 13:03

I understand it that the way the "insurance" works is that you get another block of data as per your plan. So if you're on the 200MB plan, $10 more buys another $200MB; 1GB means 2GB in total.

If that's the case, why not just have 200MB, 400MB, 1GB and 2GB plans?

Maybe you're not permitted to go over the allotted data volume every month, even with insurance?

And 50¢ per MB excess.... yowch. OK, it's not as bad as WAP, but if it's supposed to be a fixed-line broadband replacement (and yes, that is how Vodafone markets it), there needs to be rethink on both data caps and excess charges.

Unless of course sbiddle is right about the network infrastructure?

Juha

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Reply # 45884 12-Sep-2006 13:30

juha: If that's the case, why not just have 200MB, 400MB, 1GB and 2GB plans?

I understood it to be you only pay the $10 if you go over the normal cap. So on the months I use less than a gig, I'll pay the $50, and if I happen to go over that one month I'll pay $60.

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Reply # 45885 12-Sep-2006 13:44

Has anybody heard any speculation yet of a date for Vodafone's homeline service? I've heard some other speculation today that the launch of this will see the home users targetted and that todays HSDPA launch was never supposed to be about offering anything substancially new.

freitasm

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Reply # 45911 12-Sep-2006 15:33

Just back from my meeting with Vodafone, and I will post this in the blog, but...

- Apparently no intention of going to wholesale landline DSL - yet. Unlike Vodafone UK
- More plans are coming out, based on usage. The initial 1GB + 100% plan is based on average usage, which apparently was from mostly business users
- UMTS 900MHz from next year is part of their projects
- Picocells and small cell sites is part of their projects - for those shopping centres and small towns where UMTS is bad...

More later.

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BrentR

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Reply # 45931 12-Sep-2006 17:36

I personally thing the plans are bang on for the current market.

Telecom Jetstream Basic (tolls not with TCNZ) is $39.95 which gets you 200MB of traffic 256 down 128 up.

VF Broadband starter is $39.95 no term 200MB 1.8 down 384 up.

On top of that price with TC you have to pay $40pm for a phoneline. Although you do have the initial outlay for the device.

Of course they won't suit the g33k who's d/ling Vista Beta 55588964585 patch etc. But for the road warrior and light traffic user its not too bad.

alasta

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Reply # 45937 12-Sep-2006 18:52

I'm getting the feeling that Vodafone are soft launching HSDPA so that they can iron out the bugs before eventually offering plans that are more likely to have mainstream appeal. Until then, I agree with everyone else here in that the current plans are good for anyone who really values mobility, but they're no replacement for ADSL, cable, or even Woosh.

liam

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Reply # 45938 12-Sep-2006 18:55

I guess they will increase the datacaps incrementally over time.
Chances are they may monitor traffic usage - particularly peak /avg data rates per cell site
(if they're that clever).

Last thing VF need is to launch a 'broadband' service that delivers poor performance because of overloading....

Anyone know what bandwidth HSDPA is capable of dishing out per cell site? (shared amongst users)

Pernod

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Reply # 45952 12-Sep-2006 21:28

alasta: but they're no replacement for ADSL, cable, or even Woosh.

Interesting view ;-) It took me about 30sec to to convince my partner that we would swap from woosh ;-)

MobileChung

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Reply # 45958 12-Sep-2006 22:20

I agree with Pernod about the advantage of being landline free, immediate saving of $40/month which is $480/year. I don't have an issue with the initial plan, as long as quality of signal is good enough to use VoIP on it. At work, we use Woosh VoIP and the quality is ok, slightly worse than talking on cell-phones. The disappointing thing about Woosh is the line drops rather often, dropped about 3 times in the last month or so and each drop last for about 3 to 4 days, no VoIP, no internet, very disappointing. So, I think this 3G broadband may appeal to those disappointed Woosh customers, I wonder what will happen to Woosh?

BTW, any comments of using VoIP on these types of broadband technology?

jesseycy

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Reply # 45960 12-Sep-2006 22:29

I think it's good for the occasion surfer, or someone who needs to constantluy check emails and go online...

But for me... Tried a usage of 3Gb, yikes! Almost $900/mth..... It'll be so much better if they just allow you to "buy 1Gb for $10" everytime.... The 50c/mb charges after the second limit are quite scary...

Oh, just a small note... But the compatability list they have for all their 3G broadband devices? I think they've got it wrong way around....

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