International roaming is quite expensive with 2D

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › International roaming is quite expensive with 2D

lchiu7

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#71589 13-Nov-2010 08:22

While I am happy with 2D service most of the time, I just noticed from this Herald article that 2D data roaming charges are probably the most expensive of all the carriers

TELECOM

Local: prices start at 2c/MB
Australia: $1/MB*
United Kingdom: $1/MB*
United States: $1/MB*
*$8/MB for first 12.5MB, remaining 87.5MB free.

VODAFONE

Local: prices start at 1.7c/MB
Australia: $5/MB
United Kingdom: $10/MB
United States: $10/MB

2DEGREES

Local: prices start at 1.2c/MB
Australia: $30/MB
United Kingdom: $30/MB
United States: $30/MB

Just look at Oz roaming on 2D vs VF or US roaming even. And Telecom has them all beat.

And I read somewhere on the 2D site that they haven't yet gotten international SMS to work from Verizon in the US yet which is a major omission given that Verizon are the largest or second largest cellphone carrier in the US.

So 2D is great in NZ but if you are roaming or need international connectivity, it seems to be a poor third.

I will be in the US over Xmas but I won't be roaming on 2D. I have already purchaed a GoPhone AT&T SIM card which offers US$2/day for unlimited calls and texts (domestically). And even though I will only be there for about 17 days I might add 100MB data for US$20. That's way better than any of the roaming plans.

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slippers

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#404310 13-Nov-2010 20:28

2 Degrees has demonstrated that their priority is providing full high quality service in the areas which their customers reside and building their market outwards from there. Hence the main centres first, then the smaller cities etc etc.

I'd expect global roaming to one of the last markets they'de be concerned about providing for.

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sbiddle

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#404314 13-Nov-2010 21:30

slippers: 2 Degrees has demonstrated that their priority is providing full high quality service in the areas which their customers reside and building their market outwards from there. Hence the main centres first, then the smaller cities etc etc.

I'd expect global roaming to one of the last markets they'de be concerned about providing for.

Roaming has nothing to do with building out a network in NZ. 2degrees could quite easily deploy a roaming service through a roaming hub and offer coverage in 200+ countries, but this isn't without catches.

And ignore roaming would be to ignore your customers - there are just on 1 million people from NZ alone who visit Australia each year.

Regs

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Snowflake

#404348 13-Nov-2010 23:46

werent the roaming prices at telecom and vodafone about the same as 2degrees only a few weeks back?

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NonprayingMantis

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#404363 14-Nov-2010 01:19

nope, 2degrees has been much more expensive for roaming ever since they launched.

lchiu7

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#404389 14-Nov-2010 08:42

Perhaps as a small local provider with no international connections like VF and/or the size and length of service of Telecom, they just have no clout when it comes to negotiating interconnect charges. But for me a huge omission is the apparent inability to accept international texts from Verizon in the US. I wonder what the problem is for that provider?

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quickymart

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#404403 14-Nov-2010 09:30

I thought about roaming on 2degrees last time I went to America, as (from memory) they don't charge to receive SMS's, but the other two do.

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johnr

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#404404 14-Nov-2010 09:32

quickymart: I thought about roaming on 2degrees last time I went to America, as (from memory) they don't charge to receive SMS's, but the other two do.

The other 2 do not thanks and never have

Please show me where Telecom or Vodafone state they charge for incoming SMS when roaming?

John

quickymart

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#404501 14-Nov-2010 15:33

I thought they used to, but it looks like I stand corrected - my apologies.

deltadelta

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#404505 14-Nov-2010 15:41

Unless you must retain your number, it's almost always cheaper to pick up a local pre-pay SIM overseas than use roaming

parnellee

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#406947 19-Nov-2010 23:06

useful post

shk292

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#407158 20-Nov-2010 19:32

Next time I travel internationally I'll be taking an old phone to receive 2D calls and texts, and will buy a local SIM to use in my Android phone for emails, web etc. I just can't get my head around why roaming data needs to be so expensive - is it just because business travellers have the bill paid for them and so don't care? Mobile data is so cheap in most countries.
Looking forward to my UK trip next year when I'll buy an Orange San Francisco (or two) for 100 pounds each...

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sbiddle

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#407173 20-Nov-2010 20:48

shk292: Next time I travel internationally I'll be taking an old phone to receive 2D calls and texts, and will buy a local SIM to use in my Android phone for emails, web etc. I just can't get my head around why roaming data needs to be so expensive - is it just because business travellers have the bill paid for them and so don't care? Mobile data is so cheap in most countries.
Looking forward to my UK trip next year when I'll buy an Orange San Francisco (or two) for 100 pounds each...

Changes are happening, the EU (who are probably the harshest telco regulators in the world) enforced a wholesale rate of €0.80 per MB maximum charge for roaming data, falling to €0.50 per MB in 2011. This may still sound significant but it's a significant reduction, and we'll hopefully see the same sorts of things happening elsewhere in the world.

n4

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#407197 20-Nov-2010 22:53

sbiddle:
shk292: Next time I travel internationally I'll be taking an old phone to receive 2D calls and texts, and will buy a local SIM to use in my Android phone for emails, web etc. I just can't get my head around why roaming data needs to be so expensive - is it just because business travellers have the bill paid for them and so don't care? Mobile data is so cheap in most countries.
Looking forward to my UK trip next year when I'll buy an Orange San Francisco (or two) for 100 pounds each...

Changes are happening, the EU (who are probably the harshest telco regulators in the world) enforced a wholesale rate of €0.80 per MB maximum charge for roaming data, falling to €0.50 per MB in 2011. This may still sound significant but it's a significant reduction, and we'll hopefully see the same sorts of things happening elsewhere in the world.

Only applies for other roamers from within Europe unfortunately...

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