MTN Anytime vs Vodacom Talk

[superskully]

Dear memberz
I am not impressed with MTN and was ready to port but they have made an offer i cannot refuse.
They offered a BB 8900 on Mtn 200 Anytime with R500 pay-in. A saving of more than 1k.
But i am not impressed with Anytime due to the flat rate off-peak and on SMS's (as compared to Talk on Vodacom).
I use the phone both on and off and usually R200 would cover me for a month.
But once in awhile i tend to go over quite abit.
3 Months ago, my total calls were 250mins, subtract 85 for Anytime 200, and for out of bundle, it would have cost me about R600 (R2.75 pm).

Any comments.
My feeling is that i would feel restricted for off-peak calls on anytime.

 

[Ockie]

The peak rates on the MTN Anytime is a bit cheaper than the Vodacom Top Up 200 (comaparible package)....but if you look then you will see that the Vodacom Top Up 200 has much much lower off peak rates. There is a diff of R1.22 per minute in Vodacoms favour.

On the Top Up 200 you can get the the below deal.

BLACKBERRY 8520 @ R 469 CASH ON TOP UP, 200s (BHIP VAS) BIS

Bis is charged @ R59.00 extra on top of your Sub...so you looking @ R268.50 per month. R9.50 for caller line ID.

 

[superskully]

So the point is that i will get screwed over from MTN for out of bundle rates.
I am not really looking for top-up though, maybe a talk 75 is equivalent.

I guess MTN will offer slightly better phones than vodacom, so it is a trade-off. But that could also be cos they trying to keep me as a customer.
I just think that this Anytime contract is meant for people who talk during business hours, while off-peak is for, well, of-peak.
So they is no contract that caters for both. Looks like i will be porting (espec. after their last competition fiasco).

 

[Astound]

Rumour has it ....

Someone made a post on GSM Arena that it is free (phone) @R149pm on VC Weekender, not sure how true it is.

See here:

http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_curve_8520-2889.php

No 3G but it may not be important for Blackberry as all their data is compressed and uncompressed on the phone.

 

[Ockie]

Call rates on the Talk 75 is much cheaper than the MTN Anytime 200. Sub is R189.00 per month excluding BIS and CLIP. Only call rate that is higher than MTN is peak calls -to other network.

Blackberry 8900 @ R1599 cash on Talk 75.

 

[Ockie]

@ Astound.
Not sure what deal that is....I copy and pasted the deal I got off my system. Could be a Vodaworld exclusive or one of the other service providers.

 

[superskully]

So, the difference is 1k for the BB 8900, which i am getting probably as MTN want to keep me as a customer.
But i dont like that feeling where i have to check my balance all the time. I make calls as i please and will pay for them, but dont want to get screwed over at R2.75 pm on off-peak.
Thanks

 

[Ockie]

Well, at those rates they will make their money back chop chop. At the end of the day superskully....it is up to you. If you are unhappy with MTN then move over and give Voda a try. Perhaps you will be a happier chap with us?

 

[Akafreakazoid]

You can get the same deal on mtn top up package.

 

[superskully]

@Akafreakaziod. Dont want top up contracts. If MTN had their old Procall, then i would be interested.
Just that once in a couple of months, i do go overboard due to emergencies, and dont want to run looking for airtime.
Thing is, i am one of thos lucky customers who has never had problems with MTN.
But MTN's ethics are at a low, with this Anytime contract and the recent competition.

I mean, why is it they have to charge so much for off-peak calls.
So with me deciding to goto Vodacom, my questions is the BB or iphone, but thats another thread.

 

[Ockie]

Blackberry!....but that is my personal opinion. Blackberry 8520 really looks nice and for a good price.