3G data tariffs - feedback from Vodacom

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vodacom3g

Vodacom Representative
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Following customer demand, Vodacom designed and deployed a 3G network and initial offer in a timeframe unmatched by other operators. Initial offerings are continuously improved in accordance with feedback received from customers. This is an on-going process to keep the service in step with customer requirements, and customers will immediately experience the benefits of such enhancements. To this end we welcome forums like mybroadband.co.za and take their content very seriously. As part of this standard product enhancement and development process, we are already addressing some of the concerns raised therein:

1. “Bill shock” caused by the out of bundle tariff on the 3G one contract. Going forward, out of bundle tariffs will be reduced to R2/MB. This benefit will automatically be passed on to both our current and new subscribers. In addition, multiple bundles of 1Gig is also available to 3G one contract customers.

2. The concerns expressed about the non-availability of intermediate ranges of data bundles - particular in the range between 10MB and 1 GB - are being addressed and the following bundles will be on offer shortly (all of which will also benefit from the R2/MB out of bundle tariff):

- 20MB – R35 per month
- 75MB – R110 per month
- 150MB – R149 per month
- 250MB – R200 per month
- 500MB - R350 per month
- 1GB - R599 per month
- 2 GB - R1198 per month
- 3GB - R1797 per month
- 5GB - R2995 per month
- 10GB - R5990 per month
 
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Hi Vodacom3G

I think this is good news for 3G users…definitely a step in the right direction! It is particularly pleasing to see that your Vodacom take its customers seriously…I am certain it will stand you in good stead in the future.

Regards,

RPM
 
This is a step in the right direction. The bundle 4 helps to bridge the price gap between ISDN/dialup and always on such as ADSL, Sentech and Iburst. Granted, 250 MB is very little, but for those who do browsing and emails who do want to dial up a number of times a day, this offering might help. One might combine bundle 3 and 4 and get 400 MB for R350. That's quite a lot of emails and browsing.

I do most of my downloads at work (where we have a 320 kbps Diginet line) but at home I want to e.g. read this forum 3 times a day, do my private emailing, banking, etc. For this need, bundle 4 is quite tempting. My 64k ISDN costs me R300 a month MINIMUM before any dialup calls.

A drawback though is that this is only on contract. I HATE contracts. Vodacom, I really hope you will be offering this on prepaid soon.

Ajax
 
Whatever, bloody irritating, but my original reply centered around a :-

Bundle 6 : R699 = 3gig a month
 
At last, they have smartened up and are giving their users some options. This is certainly a step in the right direction.

bb_matt said:
Bundle 6 : R699 = 3gig a month
Click to expand...

Makes sense to me. Vodacom is going to have to at least compare to the present broadband offerings if they want a nice big slice of the pie. I'll be waiting and watching.
 
Now this is a good idea on Vodacom's part! I wish Telkom would come here and start talking sense... it's good to wish ;)
 
My post was also deleted.

RPM can you confirm the authenticity of this again please?

Anyway assuming its for real: Well done Vodacom! Being responsive to your customers needs is going to stand you in good stead. Happy customer = more profits for you!

I really think Vodacom/MTN/CellC's 3G is eventually going to capture most of iBurst's target market.
 
hmmm lost my post too...I think rpm was over-eager with the editing after checking the authenticity;)

hArTh said:
I really think Vodacom/MTN/CellC's 3G is eventually going to capture most of iBurst's target market.
Click to expand...

I am really looking forward to what MTN are going to offer. I have heard some rumours that they may launch EDGE instead of 3G, but I think it depends on the availability of handsets etc. EDGE is evidently easier and cheaper to rollout on the existing GSM backbone....

EDIT: After a bit of research, seems the rumour is only partly true. Evidently EDGE can be used in conjunction with WCDMA 3G. (i.e in rural areas)
More: http://www.ericsson.com/press/20041210-111408.html

What is EDGE?:
EDGE is a 3G-compliant wireless technology that enables high-speed (384 kilobits per second) transmission of large amounts of data. EDGE can be deployed in existing GSM 800, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands and complements UMTS (WCDMA) technology. EDGE uses the same TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) frame structure, logic channel and 200kHz carrier bandwidth as today's GSM networks, which allows existing cell plans to remain intact. This means that operators can offer high-speed multi-media services with total protection of their initial network investment. To learn more about Ericsson's EDGE solution, please visit http://www.ericsson.com.
Click to expand...
 
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MTN said in a talk I attended a while ago, they'll launch 3G middle of this year. In the mean-time they'll roll-out EDGE, which will give speeds higher than GPRS but not as high as 3G, as it's still GSM based.

In the mean time Vodacom announced HDSPA (http://www.mybroadband.co.za/nephp/?m=show&id=69) which could provide multi-megabit data rates, claiming the same timeframe, i.e. middle of this year.

If Vodacom cannot saturate with 3G, it'll be a good idea to also deploy EDGE, replacing GPRS on those cells.
 
PCW, which story do you refer to?

MTN's EDGE rollout? - They've announced this a few times in press releases, including at GSM Africa end of last year. I attended a talk by their CTO where he confirmed the rollout.

Vodacom''s HDSPA rollout? - See URL in my previous mail. Just imagine: 2Mb/s on your laptop or PDA!

In a publication I read last year (will try and find it and post here), the MD of MTN said he'll eat his hat if Vodacom could roll out 3G before year-end.

I wonder if he takes his hat with milk and sugar. :)
 
Hi guys

I can confirm that the post is authentic!

Regards,

RPM
 
R599... still way over-priced, but at least it's a step in the right direction
 
rpm said:
Hi guys

I can confirm that the post is authentic!

Regards,

RPM
Click to expand...

Ja. The initial post. Sorry for confusion.

Is it just me, or does it seem to good to be true??

Price reduction in SA :D :mad: :mad:
 
ic said:
Have you got a suitable hat to eat :p - if not I'm sure the MTN dude can provide you with his, after all he wasn't required to eat his bcos his prediction was accurate ;)
Click to expand...

---------------------------------------------------
"In fact, ITWeb reported that, at the MTN demonstration of 3G technology, MTN Group CTO Karel Pienaar said: "I'll eat my hat" if Vodacom has a commercially-viable solution before the end of the year."
---------------------------------------------------

ic, are you saying MTN was 'accurate' in that Vodacom could not roll out before year-end? (i.e. end of December 2004)

I got both my 3G data card and video phone middle of December from a Vodashop and they both worked the first day. So, on that, they were correct, i.e. the network was operational before year end.

Or are you saying that MTN is correct in that Vodacom's 3G is not commercially-viable? This is something only time will tell but I can't see it any other way:

1) True mobility - your broadband connection goes where you go.
2) 3G provides coverage in areas where other broadband solutions (at least yet) are not available. This alone makes it a no-brainer for some people.
3) Instant on - no waiting for weeks/months for Telkom to install ADSL.

3G might not become the solution for the masses, but it's here, it works and it'll find a market.

I also believe the (3G) cellular providers have an edge (pardon the pun) in rolling out wireless data services. They have the experience in quickly deploying large numbers of base stations and understand the process. After all, it's their business.

Sentech and iBurst does not have this yet and it shows in their rate of rollout. Sentech especially seems to battle to get their sites up. I can actually see the local Sentech office from where I live, yet no MyWireless.
 
Get rid of the 24 month contract
3 Gig cap
R700 a month

I know for a fact that there will be a lot of business people who will use the above package. Logging into remote desktop, etc.

VODACOM: MAKE THE ABOVE HAPPEN.

Chow, Nick
 
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