Mobile broadband battle continues

It's going to be a busy year for all networks, but especially Vodacom. New products and services are being constructed at a serious rate. I can't keep up just reading the Product Description documents.

Any ideas on cool new products? PM me or create a thread in the VC forum and we can discuss.

On topic; I noticed in the MTN sub-forum, no-one has yet posted getting the MTN 3.6 service.

Does this mean that MTN 3.6 users are not members of myADSL? ;)
 
Good news for consumers is that most current HSDPA devices – both mobile phones and data cards – are already 3.6 Mbps enabled which means that users should have no problem experiencing the higher speeds.
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I am sorry I can't agree with this statement. Not many of the current phones can do 3.6 and the E220 is pretty much the only data device Vodacom have sold in numbers that will handle 3.6.
 
vodacom said:
The Vodacom service upgrade from 1.8 Mbps to 3.6 Mbps will be free for the first three months, after which a charge of R 49.00 per month will apply for subscribers who want to continue using the service.
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so if you want 3.6 you pay extra now too? mtn this sin't the case.so whats going on here?
 
Tns said:
so if you want 3.6 you pay extra now too? mtn this sin't the case.so whats going on here?
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MTN actually said they must still publish their new rates.

MTN said that the tariffs for the new 3.6 Mbps service will initially be the same as for 1.8 Mbps HSDPA, but that this is a promotional period and that new tariffs will be announced within the next three months.
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With both networks, it's free for the first 3 months, after that you pay a Value Added Service (VAS) fee on Vodacom. On MTN we don't know yet what they're going to charge.

Vodacom decided on the VAS model so you can opt-in or out at any time so only users with a 3.6 device who need (and see) an increase in speed, can subscribe to the service.

If you don't have a 3.6 device, you don't feel the need for speed or the backhaul in your area sucks, then you don't subscribe. Pretty much your choice.
 
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Tns said:
so if you want 3.6 you pay extra now too? mtn this sin't the case.so whats going on here?
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Both MTN and Vodacom have a 3 month promotional period where there is no extra cost for 3.6.

Vodacom's charge after the 3 months will be R49/month.

MTN almost wet themselves trying to launch their "service" before Vodacom and couldn't give a price at that time:D.
 
Saule said:
MTN almost wet themselves trying to launch their "service" before Vodacom and couldn't give a price at that time:D.
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lol ja they probably have like 1 tower at 7.6 and two at 3.6 and heard a little birdie say vodacom gonna launch so they figured just tell people they have it so they can be first, will figured out later how much to charge...

/me waits for Telkom to upgrade his adsl... surely adsl will have a faster speed within the next month or two also? thoughts on that?
 
As we suggested in earlier columns, 2008 looks set to be a great year for broadband – and the battles have begun.
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Yep. And there can be only one winner. The consumer! :D
 
With MTN announcing 7.2 and high speed upload, now is not the time to rush out to buy a new Datacard or USB Modem.
I am a Vodacom subscriber and live 800 m from their Sunward park tower. I must use an external Yagi antenna (erected by Vodacom) to manage a 2 bar signal on my Novatel 740 Datacard. The bulk of their signal is available in an open veld on the one side of the tower. How's that for planning!!!
So before Vodacom shouts about the widest coverage on 3.6 mb, let them first attend to poor planning. ( I have had communications with them for at least 12 months now without results.
Please network operators, sort out the basics first.

Edit: A reply from Vodacom3G would be appreciated.
 
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The second national operator recently said that their ‘Fast Internet’ pilot service is progressing well and that they are still on track for a commercial launch in the next few weeks. While the company is touting a true converged service – a combination of voice and Internet services – pricing remains a closely guarded secret.
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Lol. I think that they are going to be the next CellC. They won't do well and will blame the larger guys but it would really be their fault for taking so long. They will have slower, older technology while the big boys have newer, faster stuff so everyone will stay with the incumbents. CellC all over again...
 
i have a nokia n90 and 6110 both does support hsdpa, i didn't apply for 3,6 service.and there is now ways i am going to pay extra, i am paying too much already!
 
Am i the only guy that would rather have a larger cap at the moment instead of all the whizzbang speed on offer?
 
Agreed with Gru

Better a larger cap and stable (slower) speeds than a small cap and whizzbang (unstable) speeds...
 
Should have a poll on it.. Speed or cap? and forward the results to MTN and the Smurfs :D
 
Saule said:
Uh, you probably missed this part:

THE FIRST THREE MONTHS ARE FREE

:D:D:D
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lol didn't miss that one!

ok so after that do you have to tell them in writing that you don't want it or will (they would) happily charge you that fee
 
Tns said:
lol didn't miss that one!

ok so after that do you have to tell them in writing that you don't want it or will (they would) happily charge you that fee
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Actually they won't, but could make an exception in your case ;)

Everyone will automatically be de-provisioned after the 3 month period.
 
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