New MTN Data package to be announced 17 Feb 07?

[nitro53]

Dont bother about telkom and their non sense that skype is illegal.did you see their new email add about dsl ? Thegreatestbroadband my foot ! Lol

 

[Dont]

By the way why cant mtn setup their own im service ?

Answer is they can and so can the others, but they wont because that's commercial suicide.

The great thing about mxit is that the data charges are rock bottom ! Now that's what i call great prices

Answer:

MXIT doesn't set the data charges, MTN does (then ICASA must approve them)
MXIT is nothing more than turning SMS into a "text" with a little application on the phone, then sending it over the GPRS data channel, which creates an arbitrage situation on GSM networks. Logic dictates that it wouldn't be the case if they were charging reasonable prices for SMS from the start. When SMS became popular "they" decided on a tariff that the market would "bear" (not what is reasonable) and charged it. Now there are other means of sending that same bit of data, they are not happy. Well that's understandable, they are a listed company and the profit margins they have enjoyed for so long on SMS, are required to keep the share price steady and the shareholders happy. MXIT grows every day, as did their SMS service when that was all the rage (and while there was no other way of doing it) If rumours are true (hopefully MTN DATA DUDE will squash it) and "instant messaging" data gets punished the same way as VOIP data, ie R25 per meg, the Networks have killed their decline in profit, through the loss of SMS traffic. Essentially the networks have grown reliant on the profits from SMS, which was a mistake in that it was "not a sustainable model" based on IM and always on GPRS.
Data revenue and new data services like TV etc are supposed to bolster the declining growth in new "Voice customers". Most GSM networks across the globe have declared this fact. You can continue to dream up new Data apps (FOR THE MOMENT) for additional revenue growth, but most are running out of ideas to increase the habits of users and Voice usage. MXIT does not help this formulae does it? Essentially what the Networks cant afford to loose, is bread and butter data, what do replace that with??

The question is why should an SMS cost any more than a Text message sent over the Data channel, essentially its the same amount of Bytes???
Another question best answered by the MTN DATA DUDE.
( Hello, Mr MTN DATA Dude, when you get a minute we could do with your help to sort out the confusion Im starting)

BTW: Im no economic expert, and only in GRADE 7, but following a recent history lesson and understanding the basics of the new constitution, giving me the right to voice my opinion, I'm just trying to get an early start in life, as irritating as it may be, for more learned and experienced folk. As young as I am, I'm mentally prepared to deal with being wrong. Please help straighten out my deranged way of thinking.

 

[Gecko]

@ Dont

Valid points and good questions (from someone your age).

MTN, scholarship for this guy one day?? I would if I owned my own company

 

[Gecko]

@ Dont

BTW, if you are indeed now only in Std.5, you're way past your bedtime!

 

[hanno p990i]

 

[nitro53]

Thanks for the explaination dont R25 per meg is just crazy for VoIP !

 

[Skeptik]

@Don't
DO.
You are on the right track. SMS uses spare network capacity so the charge is 99% profit. Gawd, they don't even guarantee to get it to the other end within 24 hours.

 

[YelloFever]

I heard today that MTN will be penalising anyone that uses "MXIT" with the R25 per meg pricing.
Essentially this closes down MXIT. Do they know yet and how do you think they will react?? How do you think 800 000 MTN MXIT users are going to react?? I wonder how many of these users will now fast track their Number portability over to VC. Mmmm "The one hand giveth the other slappeth".

@Dont

I can tell you now all the mobile providers are in the same boat as far as MXIT is concerned - MXIT is not being charged at R25 as yet

I will advise offically once anything changes in terms of charging for MXIT

MTNDD

 

[YelloFever]

BTW I called ICASA today and they said they have not approved any VOIP tariffs on 3G for any GSM Network. (Don't shoot the messenger) This leads to the question, how and who gives them the right to charge R25 Per Meg for VOIP, ( which is allegedly Illegal, but there is no evidence supporting this) and "normal" HTTP traffic is charges at R2 per Meg. Data is Data.
ICASA approved the original R2 per Meg for Data, they did not specify what data it covered all Data. So if MTN want to specify VOIP data at a different price they must go to the authority and specify why. Thats how it works.

Good day,

We have a approval from ICASA on peer to peer, VOIP and so forth please give me the name of the person @ICASA I'll get our legal team on this

MTN currently are not charging R25 per Meg for VOIP and I will advise as soon as we do

MTNDD

 

[Dont]

I will advise offically once anything changes in terms of charging for MXIT

So are you officially squashing the rumour that the implementation is immanent?
Essentially http traffic is fine, but IM and Voip is an issue? Please confirm.

Thanks.

 

[YelloFever]

So are you officially squashing the rumour that the implementation is immanent?
Essentially http traffic is fine, but IM and Voip is an issue? Please confirm.

Thanks.

We will charge R25 for Voip sometime in June, July don't worry to much about p2p and Mixit

MTNDD

 

[ginggs]

We will charge R25 for Voip sometime in June, July don't worry to much about p2p and Mixit

Hopefully Virgin Mobile will have their teething problems sorted out by then.

Please read the article You've been Voiped! on the Mail & Guardian's website.

Vodacom and MTN claim to have submitted specific Voip tariffs almost two years ago, which were approved by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).

However, Icasa says this is not the case. “Icasa, as a regulatory body, has never permitted any practice that could give rise to discriminatory or dual pricing,” said Icasa spokesperson Jubie Matlou. “According to our records there is no approval of that nature.”

There still seems to be some doubt as to whether these VOIP tariffs were ever approved (see this post by Dont as well), however I do not put it past ICASA to have just lost these applications. They couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery.

 

[Dont]

We will charge R25 for Voip sometime in June, July don't worry to much about p2p and Mixit

MTN_DATA_Dude, thanks for this but somehow I just cant stop worrying about the p2p and the MXit. PS:The easy way for you to clear up that MTN has the Voip tariff sorted, is simply post you approval documentation here, for all to see. If ICASA cant find the paperwork help them and the rest of us out.
The Voip at R25 per Meg is a separate and long outstanding debate, the p2p and IM is a new issue I raised and a big concern. As I said, I heard a rumour. You telling me not to worry makes me worry even more.

 

[caspa]

Hopefully one day we can all stand together on this Forum and boycott Data on Mtn's network for 1 day, and then vodacom's the next, Or if someones got the nuts to start a Mtn/ voda website similar to Hellkom....just to rev them up alittle.......The South African consumer just gets taken for a Ride.

VIRGIN GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER

 

[Sony_3G]

But what do one put on such a website? Our mobile data rates (which is what most of us are interested in) are very low compared to most international operators.

 

[Oupoot]

I support those saying data is data and as a subscriber it is my decision what I want to use it for. Why would MTN want to prevent better efficiency of the existing infrastructure, i.e. more usage at less cost to the consumer (e.g. it would appear MXit and Skype are far more efficient at sending text or voice data than existing software used by cell companies). Yes, it would eat into your profits based on your existing business model, but get with the times and change your business model. VOIP, IM, P2P, live streaming video/audio, etc are part of internet culture today and is certain to grow rapidly in the next few years. Thus, if you want to provide broadband, then provide packages catering for this, and not punish those of us who will be using it. In the medium to long term you will do much more damage to your company's profits, as users will simply change to providers that do offer these services.

I use Skype to chat with friends and family overseas a few times a month, something I would not do using my cell phone, or only once a year using a landline. If I were to get charged extra for using Skype to chat with these friends / family over the MTN data network, I will happily stay with iBurst despite the poor level of coverage in SA.

 

[Jinks]

MTN misleads

MTN DD

With the millions of customers that are now using Mxit and other technologies that are developing around the world it seems you and your directors feel they can suddenly choke consumers with an egregious charge for Mxit users. When the back lash comes.....and it will you will find every radio DJ, every night club DJ and many Tv hosts as well as all the newspapers will blast you for your greed and the deceit with which you intend to bring in this charge. And when the technologies arrive that allow us to be rid of you.......people will move in droves

Be careful MTN DD you are dealing with millions of people who when you screw them will launch the best anti dumping program of MTN sims. How .....simple with IM platforms the owners can communicate with their base for free. What will they tell them. Dump MTN. ah ah......connections for the next year at MTN....in the minus.

Really you guys need to go to business school for teenagers. That is the market who will decide where your job you should go.

In the dustbin

 

[JNT]

But what do one put on such a website? Our mobile data rates (which is what most of us are interested in) are very low compared to most international operators.

This might be true for business users, but it is not true for private consumer use here in Sweden.
Here Telia (one of the main players: www.telia.se) offers the following contract aimed at consumers:
http://www.telia.se/privat/produkte...r_internet_tradlost_internet_tradlostinternet
"Telia Trådlöst bredband
• Startpaket: 595 kr (ord. pris 2395 kr)
Inkluderar pc-kort/usb-modem
• Engångsavgift: 0 kr (ord. pris 250 kr)
• Datatrafik inom Sverige: kvällar kl 19-07 och helger 0 kr/MB
• Datatrafik inom Sverige: övrig tid 15 kr/MB
• Månadsavgift: 89 kr "

Buy the USB modem (or data card) for about R600 (special price)
Pay about R90 per month for 12 months (normal price)
Data rate is about R15 per MB during office hours (M-F 07-19)
BUT is FREE 19h00 to 07h00 weekdays and the complete weekend!

This is not a solution for business use, but for private users this is great.
So, how about it MTN???

Regards
Johannes

 

[caspa]

• BUT is FREE 19h00 to 07h00 weekdays and the complete weekend!

This is not a solution for business use, but for private users this is great.
So, how about it MTN???

Regards
Johannes

YEH how about it Mtn?????

Another thing i cant understand is the fact that the only place you can get 3G coverage in Durban is in the middle of Durban City Center.......who the hell ever goes into the middle of Durban City???? Thats not 3G coverage....Thats 2 or 3 base stations that are 3G. A few of my Mates have signed Data contracts with Mtn only to find they cant get 3g or HSDPA speeds.....Cause theres no coverage.....if only they had done there homework

 

[Syndyre]

MTN DD

With the millions of customers that are now using Mxit and other technologies that are developing around the world it seems you and your directors feel they can suddenly choke consumers with an egregious charge for Mxit users. When the back lash comes.....and it will you will find every radio DJ, every night club DJ and many Tv hosts as well as all the newspapers will blast you for your greed and the deceit with which you intend to bring in this charge. And when the technologies arrive that allow us to be rid of you.......people will move in droves

Be careful MTN DD you are dealing with millions of people who when you screw them will launch the best anti dumping program of MTN sims. How .....simple with IM platforms the owners can communicate with their base for free. What will they tell them. Dump MTN. ah ah......connections for the next year at MTN....in the minus.

Really you guys need to go to business school for teenagers. That is the market who will decide where your job you should go.

In the dustbin

Didn't Naspers just buy a stake in Mxit anyway? I'd like to see their response...