Question for Virgin Mobile

[Piesang]

Here is a few questions asked in PM's and on the forum. I forwarded this to Virgin Mobile and got the answers.

1. When will the MYVZONE be up and running?
- Toward mid Septembers
2. When will we be able to access the V.SPOT on the WAP portal?
– It should be working it was down earlier in the week
3. When 3G is launched will the rates still be 50c/MB just like GPRS/EDGE or will it be higher? If its going to be higher, how much?
– Unfortunately that info is not ready fro distribution yet
4. Will Virgin Mobile also have Data and SMS Bundles available in the future?
– No, our pricing is as low as our competitors bundle pricing without having to take a bundle
5. Will there also be a online map where you can search a street name in a specific suburb to see if there is coverage for GPRS/EDGE/3G?
– Eventually, but we will have a call in service before we launch that offering

 

[Elfreako]

Nice, I really hope they can keep their data prices down its the best thing they have going for them right now. Also I hope they make a pre-paid 3G option from the get go.

 

[divv]

Their data prices may be the best but their SMS prices are far from it - how can they say that 60c per SMS is as good as (for example) 100 SMS's for R39 bundle from CellC (who they piggyback on anyway!!)???
And incidentally, while the data may only be 50c per Meg, I am getting really tired of being unable to connect - seems like virtually every day there is a struggle to get online. This evening it took me over 1/2 hour to connect... Then everything kept timing out so I disconnected and then couldnt get back in again!
So what price do you put on your own WASTED TIME trying over and over to connect?? If they can't provide the service they should notify us so we stop wasting our time!
I have over R100 airtime loaded, so I am stuck here for now but COME ON VIRGIN PLEASE!!!!!

 

[Piesang]

Their data prices may be the best but their SMS prices are far from it - how can they say that 60c per SMS is as good as (for example) 100 SMS's for R39 bundle from CellC (who they piggyback on anyway!!)???

If you buy a 100 sms bundle and you only use 60, what happens then?? You loose the other 40 sms's.

The first 5 sms of the day is 60c and then for the rest of the day it is 35c per sms. So it is not that bad if you think you don't have to buy bundles.

And the other thing is we are talking prepaid here.

Cell-C Prepaid
Peak 80c Off-Peak 34c

Vodacom Prepaid
Peak 80c Off-Peak 35c

MTN Prepaid
Peak 75c Off-Peak 35c

Virgin Mobile Prepaid
Same rate for Peak and Off-Peak

If I really had the time I could make a few sums but I'll do that later.

Cheers

 

[divv]

If you buy a 100 sms bundle and you only use 60, what happens then?? You loose the other 40 sms's.

In my experience, no you dont lose them.
But that's not my real concern, my real concern is not getting decent connection...
Wasted over an hour today alone in bad connection.
While I really appreciate all of your input Piesang, I think someone from the network needs to tell us what's going on with this?

 

[Piesang]

In my experience, no you dont lose them.
But that's not my real concern, my real concern is not getting decent connection...
Wasted over an hour today alone in bad connection.
While I really appreciate all of your input Piesang, I think someone from the network needs to tell us what's going on with this?

Well, I haven't had any trouble logging on to the net since 2weeks ago when there was network problems. When I wake up in the morning I check my e-mail on my Jasjar with my VM sim. In the afternoon I go on the net and everythings fine. When I go to bed in the evening I go on the net for a few hours. I use about 5MB per day just for browsing. Thats only checking e-mail and visiting MYADSL. Not downloading any files.

Tonight I'm not able to connect with MTN but my Virgin Mobile connection is excellent. The reason whey I wanted to use MTN is because I wanted to use my Data Card with my Notebook. So now I'm back on my Jasjar with my VM sim.

If you have problems connecting to the net then I think you should check your settings and maybe find out if you have decent Cell-C coverage.

Oh yes, and by the way. The input I give is the info I get from Virgin Mobile.

 

[Elfreako]

I get very poor coverage in some areas connecting with VM, but been pretty good (Although not excelent) alse where.

 

[Budza]

If I really had the time I could make a few sums but I'll do that later.

Do some sums. in almost all the above, except the Virgin one, the sms Rate is 35c off peak. Many of us make use of this cheaper option, and it is worth it. This does not even take sms bundles into account.

To pay 60c*5 and only then get 35c smses is not good. Period.

The unlimited p/m bundle is expensive for the average user. At R150p/m (quoted over the phone from the ever inspiring call centre) it does not compare to the other networks offerings. I can get a bundle of 500 for R114, or 200 for R50. I think the average user will find this more than sufficient. They are inviting abuse with that charge, as you have to send a shart load to "Get your money's worth".

The MTN 200sms bundle goes for R50, thereafter each sms is 25c.

Virgin needs to pull up its socks over this issue- it is a big value let down. They have the cheap data rates, they have the cheaper call rates, they have the cheap call centre staff, why can we not get cheap sms bundle on top of all that??

Piesang, work some magic here...