Question[s] regarding new pricing from 2006-06-01...

[ettubrute]

This is a question directed at Vodacom...

With the newly suggested pricing structures, with different rates for HSDPA, 3G, and GPRS, how is Vodacom going to differentiate between the different types of connection?

Reason I'm asking is the following: I bought an HSDPA enabled card, but have not been able to get better speeds than approximately 250kbps! Thus, I have never experienced true HSDPA. Now, if the price is going to be based on the type of card, or type of contract, then obviously I am going to loose quite a lot of money! And that just isn't acceptable! I would then want to cancel my contract, without any penalties being applied!

So, v3g, could you find out, and answer this for me please?

 

[Tallies]

GPRS vs HSDPA

Another question:

I work in a building with very bad reception, I use the external antenna to get GPRS (without it NADA). At home I use HSDPA. How will I be billed?

I spend 60% of the time connected via GPRS, not HSDPA.

Suggestion: Why not assign a cost per Mb for HSDPA (eg. 350/500) and a lower cost (80%*350/500) for GPRS and then simply charge you extra once R350 has been exceeded? (Instead of having the Itemised Billing report all costs as 0.00 )

 

[Nokkie]

What stuff do you need to buy if u have a desktop pc if you wan't to use HSDPA cards etc?

(how does it work?)

 

[Speedster]

Aspersie, all you need is a pcmcia adaptor (and the HSDPA card)

 

[vodacom3g]

You'll be limited in your uplink and downlink speed.

So if you go for the "3G-Only" package, you'll pay the lower tariffs but won't be able to get more than 384/64Kb/s. Even if you put your SIM in a HSDPA card.

If you opt for the "normal" HSDPA package you'll get up to 1.8Mb/384Kb/s speeds.

There won't be differentiation on the actual bearer you're connecting with, in other words if you're on the HSDPA package and you fall out of HSDPA coverage (say into GPRS), your tariff won't change.

ettubrute, we need to fix your setup. It's obviously not right. I had to clear out my PM in-box, so won't you send me your contact details?

 

[HiltM]

So does that mean a 500meg Hsdpa data package will cost R350/month and a 500meg 3G data package will cost R280/month or will they both be the same but will get 600meg on the 3G package.???

 

[vodacom3g]

So does that mean a 500meg Hsdpa data package will cost R350/month and a 500meg 3G data package will cost R280/month or will they both be the same but will get 600meg on the 3G package.???

A 500meg Hsdpa data package will cost R350/month and a 500meg 3G data package will cost R280/month.

It's a pure price reduction.

 

[SJB]

A 500meg Hsdpa data package will cost R350/month and a 500meg 3G data package will cost R280/month.

What will happen if you have a HSDPA contract, but can only use GPRS as HSDPA is disconnecting after only a couple a seconds?

V3G, you don't REALLY have to address the above question if you can assist in resolving my irritating problem of continuous disconnects on HSDPA/3G

 

[vodacom3g]

V3G, you don't REALLY have to address the above question if you can assist in resolving my irritating problem of continuous disconnects on HSDPA/3G

Will get the guys to make contact with you on Monday. Will mail you.

 

[SJB]

Existing contracts with new rates

You'll be limited in your uplink and downlink speed.

So if you go for the "3G-Only" package, you'll pay the lower tariffs but won't be able to get more than 384/64Kb/s. Even if you put your SIM in a HSDPA card.

If you opt for the "normal" HSDPA package you'll get up to 1.8Mb/384Kb/s speeds.

There won't be differentiation on the actual bearer you're connecting with, in other words if you're on the HSDPA package and you fall out of HSDPA coverage (say into GPRS), your tariff won't change.

ettubrute, we need to fix your setup. It's obviously not right. I had to clear out my PM in-box, so won't you send me your contact details?

You are really confusing me now to the implementation of this pricing system. For instance, I have a 2 yr contract since April 2005 on a 3g500 ie R350 pm. Received the upgraded free HSDPA card a month ago.
1) What will happen on the first of June to my contract costs?
2) Am I allowed to change my option, ie move to 3G or HSDPA?
3) Can I have a free test site to allow me to verify if my location is sufficiently HSDPA enabled?
4) How often am I allowed to change/swop?

BTW: Tried to find more info on the vodacom website but to no avail.

 

[vodacom3g]

You are really confusing me now to the implementation of this pricing system. For instance, I have a 2 yr contract since April 2005 on a 3g500 ie R350 pm. Received the upgraded free HSDPA card a month ago.
1) What will happen on the first of June to my contract costs?
2) Am I allowed to change my option, ie move to 3G or HSDPA?
3) Can I have a free test site to allow me to verify if my location is sufficiently HSDPA enabled?
4) How often am I allowed to change/swop?

BTW: Tried to find more info on the vodacom website but to no avail.

This is my current understanding:

If you've got a HSDPA card, you'll stay on the HSDPA tariffs. If you have a 3G card, you'll automatically move to the 3G rates.

If you upgrade your 3G card for a HSDPA card, you'll move to the HSDPA tariffs.

Not to sure how if and often you can move between packages. Details are still sketchy at the moment.

 

[craig_jhb]

Same Problem

I just recently subscribed, and was given an HSDPA card. I get 1 or 2 bars on 3G connection at about 230kbps. Surely, I should be able to change my contract to a reduced 3G charge until my area is HSDPA enabled????

Must I call customer care and see or how do I get clarity on this?

 

[3G4me]

I just recently subscribed, and was given an HSDPA card. I get 1 or 2 bars on 3G connection at about 230kbps. Surely, I should be able to change my contract to a reduced 3G charge until my area is HSDPA enabled????

Must I call customer care and see or how do I get clarity on this?

Are you looking at the bottom right pop up which says you are connected at 230400 kbps? If so, that is a bug in the software which will be corrected in the next firmware upgrade. If you run a speed test you will see that you are getting hsdpa speeds, as long as you have 3g coverage. All 3G towers have been upgraded, so if you get 3g with an hsdpa card, you are getting hsdpa.

 

[vodacom3g]

3G4me is correct, all 3G towers are HSDPA enabled. You should see a triple blue flash or get decent download speeds with the HSDPA card.

If you're not getting speeds much faster than 3G, we should rather treat it as a fault and sort it out.

 

[ettubrute]

Ok, so here's another question...

What are the speeds to be expected with HSDPA, 3G, GPRS/EDGE? What should we aim for?

 

[stormwalkerza]

i see theres pricing as per speed, what will the costs be for gprs only since thats all i can get in napier sofar ....

 

[vodacom3g]

i see theres pricing as per speed, what will the costs be for gprs only since thats all i can get in napier sofar ....

Currently the same as for GPRS.

 

[rehd]

... If so, that is a bug in the software which will be corrected in the next firmware upgrade. .....

And any idea where we can get the firmware??

 

[HiltM]

V3G
Do the cost reductions also apply to the bolt on bundles (150Mb for R149) etc etc?

 

[buz]

V3G
Do the cost reductions also apply to the bolt on bundles (150Mb for R149) etc etc?

Am surprised about your lengthy discussion about HSDPA or GPRS cost structures etc. Highly theoretical and hypothetical ...

Let's get Vodacom to sort out the constant disconnecting and the constant drops to GPRS first (see the forum current 3G problems, 22 pages up to now and growing by the hour!!!). Once they can supply a proper service and at 3G your discussion would make sense!!

What do you think ???