The Silver Surfer Thread (iBurst 2Mbps Modem)

All well and good but P2P is still horrid on Iburst
 
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Pricing and incentives?

Question:
Why the huge price differential between the 'prepaid' http://www.iburst.co.za/neuvo.aspx?link=get_packages_prepaid and 'Modems' http://www.iburst.co.za/neuvo.aspx?link=get_hardware_modems pages on the web site?

Prepaid:
"USB modem starter pack = R399.00
1mb desktop modem starter pack = R699.00
2mb desktop modem = R1299.00"

Modems:
iBurst USB Modem = R1699.00
iBurst Desktop Modem = R2399.00
2mb desktop modem = (No price given on web site yet...)

So which is correct?
Can I use a 'prepaid' modem and then link my existing contract to that modem?

Secondly:
A friend who has a iBurst business contract account received a 'iBurst USB Modem' delivered by courier quite a couple of months ago, for free without even being aware of it or requesting it. The person naturally gratefully accepted it and it was automatically linked to their existing business iBurst account.
Why did I as a residential customer not receive the same?

Finally.
My 24 month contract has actually expired ages ago but I am continuing to make use of the service and assume that I am now on a month-to-month basis.
Currently there is no incentive for me to sign up for a new 12 (Yes I know it doesn't exist yet... but maybe it should) or 24 month contract.
If and when the new 2mb modems are released what incentive will be given to existing customers and will the pricing structure remain similar?
 
Gekco said:
Question:
Why the huge price differential between the 'prepaid' http://www.iburst.co.za/neuvo.aspx?link=get_packages_prepaid and 'Modems' http://www.iburst.co.za/neuvo.aspx?link=get_hardware_modems pages on the web site?
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Because the modem's cost is subsidized by the much higher cost of pre-paid bandwidth.

Can I use a 'prepaid' modem and then link my existing contract to that modem?
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More than likely, and would be the smarter thing to do. Check the fine print about modem ownership though.

Why did I as a residential customer not receive the same?
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Because it makes more sense to reward high end business partners to encourage further use of your product. The cost keeping the business using iBurst is alot less than the amount they'd make back from that business. To send every single person a free modem would be far to expensive and most users do no use enough to cover this cost.

I am continuing to make use of the service and assume that I am now on a month-to-month basis.
If and when the new 2mb modems are released what incentive will be given to existing customers and will the pricing structure remain similar?
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2Mb speeds are the incentive to get a 2Mb modem. From my guess, I'd say that the cost of bandwidth will remain the same, it just means you'll go through it quicker (and have to buy more). VAS might change.

My question is, will VAS work at 2x the speed as well? :D
 
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Thanks for the reply eltherza.

eltherza said:
More than likely, and would be the smarter thing to do. Check the fine print about modem ownership though.
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It would be nice to get some clarity on this yes.

eltherza said:
Because it makes more sense to reward high end business partners to encourage further use of your product. The cost keeping the business using iBurst is alot less than the amount they'd make back from that business. To send every single person a free modem would be far to expensive and most users do no use enough to cover this cost.
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My fault for not mentioning it in my original post (It was long enough as it was...)
The 'business' contract I was referring to is in fact the exact same package I am on and is definitely not high end. (Think less than 5GB...)

eltherza said:
2Mb speeds are the incentive to get a 2Mb modem. From my guess, I'd say that the cost of bandwidth will remain the same, it just means you'll go through it quicker (and have to buy more). VAS might change.

My question is, will VAS work at 2x the speed as well? :D
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Yes I agree that would be an incentive to buy a 2Mb modem.
My question still remains is what incentive is there to renew a contract once it expires and you move on to month-to-month?
 
Interesting. I'd also like to know whether the picture on the website is just for show or whether we can actually buy 1 of those bad boys and begin our new reign of download terror between 12-8 :p
 
Gekco said:
My fault for not mentioning it in my original post (It was long enough as it was...)
The 'business' contract I was referring to is in fact the exact same package I am on and is definitely not high end. (Think less than 5GB...)
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Not sure then, maybe a mix up who was meant to get a free modem, or just general policy for business contracts? It's still not financially reasonable to give all home users a free modem though (lets say R500 cost per device * +-50 000 is R25 Million - rather spend that money on better support pls.)

My question still remains is what incentive is there to renew a contract once it expires and you move on to month-to-month?
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The ISP industry moves very quickly and month-2-month will always be the better option in my view. Being stuck on the same package for 24 months is just too "risky" for the average home user. Even 12 months is a long time.
 
Gonna see lots of 1Mbps modems up for sale soon...

eltherza said:
The ISP industry moves very quickly and month-2-month will always be the better option in my view. Being stuck on the same package for 24 months is just too "risky" for the average home user. Even 12 months is a long time.
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Anyone know whats the cost of cancelling a low end contract?
 
If you want to use a prepaid modem on your contract I suggest you read this

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/194723-Price-of-USB-Modem

biena said:
Unfortunately at this point in time the pre-paid devices are unable to
be linked up to any contracts . Reason being is that those modems are
designed specifically just for pre-paid . Hopefully we are able to in
the nearest future but for now we won't be able to .If you have any
queries please feel free to contact me
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This was posted when the prepaid option was new, no idea if the landscape changed in the meantime.
 
RVQ said:
Anyone know whats the cost of cancelling a low end contract?
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Last time I checked there was:
1. Cancellation fee
2. Portion of the amount you would still pay for the term of the contract
3. Price of the modem if the modem was part of the package

But I think there is new legislation saying that the cancellation of contracts can now only impose the cost of the device [if it was offered as part of the package] to you.

Not 100% sure to be honest.

Quick check of the agreement:

4.12 The Service Provider reserves the right to charge a cancellation penalty.
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The Subscriber shall be liable to the Service Provider and hereby agrees to pay on demand, the full charges payable to the Service Provider for the remainder of the Initial Period or Renewal Period, as the case may be
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Seems you need to pay a cancel fee AND the amounts you'd be charged for the remainder of the contract. But in my clouded memory I think you can avoid the cost due to law - I could be wrong though.

EDIT: Ah, CPA will allow for the cancellation of contracts without paying the remainder out.
 
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SharkBait said:
Does the CPA not only apply to new contract taken out after the CPA act stepped into place?
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Would be nice if one could sign up for a contract and if the market changes and service providers don't adjust their contracts accordingly then you just cancel, pay for the remainder of the device and move on...
 
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