Suggestion as to how Vodafone could increase its uptake of Mobile Broadband

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Suggestion as to how Vodafone could increase its uptake of Mobile Broadband

grant_k

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#9763 11-Oct-2006 16:41

This post is specifically directed at TimmyH and JohnR but maybe there's someone else at Vodafone who would also like to comment...

I have a Vodafone "On Account" mobile, having done so since 1998.

Every few months, I have the need to use some Mobile Data, in particular during June at the Mystery Creek Fieldays. So, what I have been doing is signing up for xx Megs of data in advance of Fieldays, then downgrading back to Casual again afterwards. This year I used about 80MB of data on the $49 / 1GB promo, so it was great, I could use it as much as I wanted without fear of going over the cap

However, there are other times when I'm on a road trip and it would be handy to use a few Megs. Because of the extremely high price of Casual Data at $10 per Meg, I'm loath to use it and try to head for a Telecom Wireless Hotspot which gives me as many Megs as I want for a very reasonable price (free at present

). However, it's inconvenient as those hotspots are infrequent outside the main centres, and I know the free usage won't continue indefinitely.

Now, here's the thing:

It would be really cool if Vodafone offered a "PREPAY DATA PLAN" where I could throw $50 at the plan, which I would hope would buy me 50 or 100 Megs of data, that could be used whenever I want. When it runs out, top up again with another $50... You get the idea.

In my case it would mean I used Mobile Broadband a lot more often. Basically I can check my e-mails whenever I'm out, whereas at present I don't feel like paying $10 - $20 just for the privilege so I leave it till I get home.

Would Vodafone be prepared to look at this idea???
Thanks for your time.

Cheers,
Grant.

psychrn

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#48334 11-Oct-2006 17:39

Up untill recently with the proliferation of larger plans with higher speed I always thought there was a bit too much of a gap between the VF 3 mb to 15mb data plan.
Im currently on 3 which I find not quite enuf but 15 mg would prob be too much if you see my meaning
Mind you as they say the more you have the more you are likely to use

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grant_k

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#48345 11-Oct-2006 18:46

psychrn: I always thought there was a bit too much of a gap between the VF 3 mb to 15mb data plan.

Yeah, there is a big jump there...

3MB for $10 = $3.33/Meg
15MB for $19 = $1.27/Meg

I guess I could sign up for 15MB per month, but as you say, it's too much and I frequently wouldn't use it. Yet 3MB is not enough, so I don't bother signing up for anything, just use Telecom Hotspots whenever possible and pay $10 per Meg only as a last resort.

I would rather have the convenience of being able to use 1 or 2 Megs a few times a month whenever I want to, hence the Prepaid Data idea would be great and probably wouldn't cost me as much as $19 per month for the 15MB plan, while providing much greater flexibility.

alasta

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#48346 11-Oct-2006 18:47

I have also been guilty of data plan hopping from month to month, as I tend to only use mobile data when I go on holiday, during which time I tend to churn through a reasonable amount of data. One of the reasons why I'm thinking of dumping Woosh in favour of 3G broadband is that doing so will eliminate the need to keep juggling my Vodafone plan like this.

Jed

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#48348 11-Oct-2006 19:20

Maybe with Vodafone's recent purchase of iHug we'll see a different billing system, especially with HSPDA rolling out and LLU.

Maybe. If we're lucky. I hope.

nix

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#48350 11-Oct-2006 19:58

I agree.

In the last six weeks I have been away from home four times. Only one of those times was for a 'holiday' or where I could be away from a data connection.

I upgraded to a 1GB connection for that period and will downgrade to the 15MB plan tomorrow. I do this plan hopping two or three times a year.

I understand there is a 200MB for $29 plan now? At least it's an interim measure - if it can be used.

tonyhughes

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#48352 11-Oct-2006 20:39

Grant17: This post is specifically directed at TimmyH and JohnR but maybe there's someone else at Vodafone who would also like to comment...

I have a Vodafone "On Account" mobile, having done so since 1998.

Every few months, I have the need to use some Mobile Data, in particular during June at the Mystery Creek Fieldays. So, what I have been doing is signing up for xx Megs of data in advance of Fieldays, then downgrading back to Casual again afterwards. This year I used about 80MB of data on the $49 / 1GB promo, so it was great, I could use it as much as I wanted without fear of going over the cap

However, there are other times when I'm on a road trip and it would be handy to use a few Megs. Because of the extremely high price of Casual Data at $10 per Meg, I'm loath to use it and try to head for a Telecom Wireless Hotspot which gives me as many Megs as I want for a very reasonable price (free at present ). However, it's inconvenient as those hotspots are infrequent outside the main centres, and I know the free usage won't continue indefinitely.

Now, here's the thing:

It would be really cool if Vodafone offered a "PREPAY DATA PLAN" where I could throw $50 at the plan, which I would hope would buy me 50 or 100 Megs of data, that could be used whenever I want. When it runs out, top up again with another $50... You get the idea.

In my case it would mean I used Mobile Broadband a lot more often. Basically I can check my e-mails whenever I'm out, whereas at present I don't feel like paying $10 - $20 just for the privilege so I leave it till I get home.

Would Vodafone be prepared to look at this idea???
Thanks for your time.

Cheers,
Grant.

They already have this in the form of prepaid sim cards with the casual rate, so I see you are asking two things - 1. for cheaper casual rates, 2. prepaid data on a postpaid voice plan.

Your idea is great, but somehow i doubt you will see it happen. The telcos dont see to like offering -too- much good value to their customers... (being that they have shareholders to answer to and provide revenue for).

For what its worth, i do think $1 or $2 a meg would be a much fairer casual rate, and would make people more likely to use casual...

grant_k

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#48353 11-Oct-2006 20:42

nix: ...and will downgrade to the 15MB plan tomorrow. I do this plan hopping two or three times a year.

The last two times I have downgraded back to the Casual Data plan, Vodafone have somehow managed to disable my ability to send Text Messages at the same time. At first I thought it was something wrong with my phone but each time the staff at Vodafone have admitted that whoever did the downgrade had left my Text Messaging disabled as well. It has been time consuming and very annoying to have to phone up and wait while this got sorted out.

Has anybody else had this experience?

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chiefie

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#48356 11-Oct-2006 20:46

200MB for $29 for 24-months term. else it is $39 for open term.

I have 1GB for $49 which lately I seldom use, but because it is a 24-months term. My other account has 3MB which I do use on rare time.

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grant_k

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#48358 11-Oct-2006 20:50

tonyhughes: For what its worth, i do think $1 or $2 a meg would be a much fairer casual rate, and would make people more likely to use casual...

Agreed, $1 or $2 a Meg on the Casual Plan and I wouldn't have a problem with it. I would tend to just use it as the need arose.

Probably would still change to the 200MB or 1GB plan once a year during the Fieldays.

nzbnw

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#48359 11-Oct-2006 20:57

nix: I agree.

In the last six weeks I have been away from home four times. Only one of those times was for a 'holiday' or where I could be away from a data connection.

I upgraded to a 1GB connection for that period and will downgrade to the 15MB plan tomorrow. I do this plan hopping two or three times a year.

I understand there is a 200MB for $29 plan now? At least it's an interim measure - if it can be used.

I would think before you move off that 1GB plan ($49 plus GST), as they will no longer offer this promo due to Vodafones new Mobile Broadband Plans. The disadvanage is of course you pay $10 more to be open term, so if you go back to a 1GB plan you will be charged $59.95incl GST. In saying that at least you can double your download for another $10.

Same with the 200MB plan. I know its only a mater of about $5, but just pointing it out.

Kezzainc

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#48367 11-Oct-2006 21:35

My usage sounds just the same as few who have posted here. Goes up and down hugely from month to month. Last month i used 2.3mbs of my 15mb plan. Month before i had to hold back abit. There is no way i will ever use 1mb for $10 as that is such a huge price when GPRS is slower than most Dialup modems. Then they come out with the 1gig for $49 plan which is a great deal but an amount of data not most data hungry people would need as mobile data.

I brought this huge difference to Vodafone a few months ago and they gave me something for free. Great to see a backbone but they also agreed by giving me something that something is not quite right. (Sorry not going to say what they gave me) Also harder for me as i have no data cap on my WiMax connection at home. Be great when WiMax can be in your pocket.

How much more does it cost supplying Mobile services over copper / coax lines? Could it be less in the way we dont have lines to mantain but just Access Points?