iPhone on 3?

Looking at a new smartphone, probably the iPhone 3GS.

3 Mobile has a plan which doesn't seem too bad:

http://mobile-phones.theage.com.au/MobilePhones/Carriers/Three/Cap/Three-$39-iPhone-Cap?phone=Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB

So, it's around $49 a month.

Then I look at Telstra's plan, the cheapest of which is this:

http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/pho...e/pricing.html

$395 up front for the phone on a $49 cap.

Or

$349 up front on a $30 standard plan.

Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you look at the minimum
amount spent over 24 months?

Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam onto NextG if on a 3
capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those details up yet. But it may be
something to consider if its comparable or cheaper than me being in a NextG area
permanently.

On Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:36:09 +1000, Marts wrote:

> Looking at a new smartphone, probably the iPhone 3GS.
>
> 3 Mobile has a plan which doesn't seem too bad:
>
> http://mobile-phones.theage.com.au/M...ers/Three/Cap/
Three-$39-iPhone-Cap?phone=Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB
>
> So, it's around $49 a month.
>
> Then I look at Telstra's plan, the cheapest of which is this:
>
> http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/pho...e/pricing.html
>
> $395 up front for the phone on a $49 cap.
>
> Or
>
> $349 up front on a $30 standard plan.
>
> Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you look at the
> minimum amount spent over 24 months?
>
> Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam onto NextG
> if on a 3 capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those details up yet.

I bet if you looked the details up, and then sat quietly and thought for
30 minutes, you'd be able to answer your own questions.

Farts wrote

> Looking at a new smartphone, probably the iPhone 3GS.

> 3 Mobile has a plan which doesn't seem too bad:

> http://mobile-phones.theage.com.au/MobilePhones/Carriers/Three/Cap/Three-$39-iPhone-Cap?phone=Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB

> So, it's around $49 a month.

> Then I look at Telstra's plan, the cheapest of which is this:

> http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/pho...e/pricing.html

> $395 up front for the phone on a $49 cap.

> Or

> $349 up front on a $30 standard plan.

> Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you look at the
> minimum amount spent over 24 months?

Because they are the least profitable mobile telco,
and are attemping to avoid going broke, stupid.

> Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam
> onto NextG if on a 3 capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those
> details up yet. But it may be something to consider if its comparable
> or cheaper than me being in a NextG area permanently.

Could be.

Jaleel Habib wrote:
> On Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:36:09 +1000, Marts wrote:
>
>> Looking at a new smartphone, probably the iPhone 3GS.
>>
>> 3 Mobile has a plan which doesn't seem too bad:
>>
>> http://mobile-phones.theage.com.au/M...ers/Three/Cap/
> Three-$39-iPhone-Cap?phone=Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB
>>
>> So, it's around $49 a month.
>>
>> Then I look at Telstra's plan, the cheapest of which is this:
>>
>> http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/pho...e/pricing.html
>>
>> $395 up front for the phone on a $49 cap.
>>
>> Or
>>
>> $349 up front on a $30 standard plan.
>>
>> Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you look at the
>> minimum amount spent over 24 months?
>>
>> Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam onto
>> NextG if on a 3 capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those details
>> up yet.
>
> I bet if you looked the details up, and then sat quietly and thought
> for 30 minutes, you'd be able to answer your own questions.

Not a chance, ear to ear dog shit doesnt work like that.

On Sat, 8 Aug 2009 15:17:00 +1000, "Rod Speed"
<rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote:

>Because they are the least profitable mobile telco,
>and are attemping to avoid going broke, stupid.

It's by no means certain that Hutchison Communication ("3") will go
broke


http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communi...9296847,00.htm

Vodafone, Hutchison complete VHA merger
Liam Tung, ZDNet.com.au
10 June 2009 11:33 AM

Vodafone and Hutchison yesterday completed the 50-50 joint venture to
create VHA Pty Limited.

Hutchison Australia issued a statement this morning via the Australian
Stock Exchange detailing the transaction. Vodafone Australia will now
become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison's Australian operations,
which itself will be renamed VHA Pty Limited.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) late last
week opted not to oppose the merger on the basis that long-term
competition between the two was not sustainable.

The merger will see Nick Read, chief of Vodafone's Asia Pacific and
Middle East region appointed as chairman of VHA, while Nigel Dews,
chief of Hutchison Australia, will become CEO of the new entity.

While the Australian Telecommunications User Group said "it regards
the potential loss of Hutchison pressure in this market as very
negative", the view of the merger from competing mobile provider Optus
was more upbeat.

Last week, Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan agreed with the
ACCC's decision that over the long term the two companies' operations
were not sustainable, but issued a threat to the new entity. "I'll
promise that we're going give the new guys from Vodafone a really
exciting and interesting welcome," he said at a TransTasman Business
Circle briefing last week.

Optus is also yet to enter discussions with VHA about what will happen
with the network it owns together with Vodafone. "At this stage we've
made no definitive decision on network. We expect to be able to engage
in the next few months to get a good outcome," said O'Sullivan.

Flashback 2003

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communi...0273730,00.htm

3's a company...finally
James Pearce, ZDNet Australia

15 April 2003 03:40 PM

Hutchison launched its '3' mobile service in Australia today,
unveiling an aggressive pricing scheme which could possibly lead to a
price war.

The network is available in Sydney and Melbourne, with Brisbane,
Adelaide and Perth scheduled for third quarter availability. It allows
real-time video phone calls, a feature only Hutchison offers.

At present, a slight latency is evident during calls, and a
split-second difference between hearing a person's voice and seeing
their lips move, but the company expects the service to improve over
the course of the year.

Hutchison's network has a theoretical speed of 386 Kbps, compared with
Telstra's 144 Kbps, but Russell said the data rate currently
fluctuated between 50-250 Kbps, and this was likely to improve over
the year.

The viability of Hutchison's 3G network has been questioned, with many
analysts pointing out the company will need deep pockets to last until
they see a return on investment. During the launch of its Mobile Loop
service, Telstra spokesperson Ted Pretty pointed out the cost to roll
out its system was well below Hutchison's, and intimated the incumbent
telco giant expected that to be reflected in the price of services
offered.

At the launch, Hutchison CEO Kevin Russell tackled these issues head
on: "Our global parent, Hutchison Whampoa, is a multinational...in
1999 it was the most profitable company in the world," he said. "At
December 2002, Hutchison Whampoa had cash and cash equivalents of
AU$28 billion." This is the "deep pocket" that Russell said would be
providing funds as they are needed, until the Australian unit achieves
positive cash flow.

========================

Blob NoBrain wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>> Farts wrote

>>> Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you
>>> look at the minimum amount spent over 24 months?

>> Because they are the least profitable mobile telco,
>> and are attemping to avoid going broke, stupid.

> It's by no means certain that Hutchison Communication ("3") will go broke

No one ever said it was certain, fuckwit.

> http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communi...9296847,00.htm

> Vodafone, Hutchison complete VHA merger
> Liam Tung, ZDNet.com.au
> 10 June 2009 11:33 AM

> Vodafone and Hutchison yesterday completed the 50-50 joint venture to
> create VHA Pty Limited.

> Hutchison Australia issued a statement this morning via the Australian
> Stock Exchange detailing the transaction. Vodafone Australia will now
> become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hutchison's Australian operations,
> which itself will be renamed VHA Pty Limited.
>
> The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) late last
> week opted not to oppose the merger on the basis that long-term
> competition between the two was not sustainable.
>
> The merger will see Nick Read, chief of Vodafone's Asia Pacific and
> Middle East region appointed as chairman of VHA, while Nigel Dews,
> chief of Hutchison Australia, will become CEO of the new entity.
>
> While the Australian Telecommunications User Group said "it regards
> the potential loss of Hutchison pressure in this market as very
> negative", the view of the merger from competing mobile provider Optus
> was more upbeat.
>
> Last week, Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan agreed with the
> ACCC's decision that over the long term the two companies' operations
> were not sustainable, but issued a threat to the new entity. "I'll
> promise that we're going give the new guys from Vodafone a really
> exciting and interesting welcome," he said at a TransTasman Business
> Circle briefing last week.
>
> Optus is also yet to enter discussions with VHA about what will happen
> with the network it owns together with Vodafone. "At this stage we've
> made no definitive decision on network. We expect to be able to engage
> in the next few months to get a good outcome," said O'Sullivan.
>
> Flashback 2003
>
> http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communi...0273730,00.htm
>
> 3's a company...finally
> James Pearce, ZDNet Australia
>
> 15 April 2003 03:40 PM
>
> Hutchison launched its '3' mobile service in Australia today,
> unveiling an aggressive pricing scheme which could possibly lead to a
> price war.
>
> The network is available in Sydney and Melbourne, with Brisbane,
> Adelaide and Perth scheduled for third quarter availability. It allows
> real-time video phone calls, a feature only Hutchison offers.
>
> At present, a slight latency is evident during calls, and a
> split-second difference between hearing a person's voice and seeing
> their lips move, but the company expects the service to improve over
> the course of the year.
>
> Hutchison's network has a theoretical speed of 386 Kbps, compared with
> Telstra's 144 Kbps, but Russell said the data rate currently
> fluctuated between 50-250 Kbps, and this was likely to improve over
> the year.
>
> The viability of Hutchison's 3G network has been questioned, with many
> analysts pointing out the company will need deep pockets to last until
> they see a return on investment. During the launch of its Mobile Loop
> service, Telstra spokesperson Ted Pretty pointed out the cost to roll
> out its system was well below Hutchison's, and intimated the incumbent
> telco giant expected that to be reflected in the price of services
> offered.
>
> At the launch, Hutchison CEO Kevin Russell tackled these issues head
> on: "Our global parent, Hutchison Whampoa, is a multinational...in
> 1999 it was the most profitable company in the world," he said. "At
> December 2002, Hutchison Whampoa had cash and cash equivalents of
> AU$28 billion." This is the "deep pocket" that Russell said would be
> providing funds as they are needed, until the Australian unit achieves
> positive cash flow.
>
> ========================

On Sun, 9 Aug 2009 04:37:11 +1000, "Rod Speed"
<rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote:

>Blob NoBrain wrote

>>> Because they are the least profitable mobile telco,
>>> and are attemping to avoid going broke, stupid.

>> It's by no means certain that Hutchison Communication ("3") will go broke

>No one ever said it was certain, fuckwit.

I know you didn't. I know I didn't either.

What is unclear is the future of the "3" brand which under the
original merger proposal was to be progressively withdrawn from the
market - presumably to be absorbed into the Vodafone brand.

As Vodafone now effectively becomes part of the Hutchison group a few
question marks remain regarding whether the "3" brand will remain on
the market.

There also seem to be issues with Optus who seemingly have a stake in
the infrastructure.

As you were the moderator of the Fidonet "echo" Australian Audio
Visual Technology "Avtech" I recall the high esteem the late Theo Bee
held your views even though your moderation wasn't all that perfect
given that you permitted almost anything and everything to be posted
other than anything remotely connected with audio visual technology.

( Theo passed away Monday week )

In article <4a7c03a6$1@extreme.x-privat.org>, Marts <marts@ymail.com>
wrote:

> Looking at a new smartphone, probably the iPhone 3GS.
>
> 3 Mobile has a plan which doesn't seem too bad:
>
> http://mobile-phones.theage.com.au/MobilePhones/Carriers/Three/Cap/Three-$39-i
> Phone-Cap?phone=Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB
>
> So, it's around $49 a month.
>
> Then I look at Telstra's plan, the cheapest of which is this:
>
> http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/pho...e/pricing.html
>
> $395 up front for the phone on a $49 cap.
>
> Or
>
> $349 up front on a $30 standard plan.
>
> Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you look at the minimum
> amount spent over 24 months?
>
> Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam onto NextG if on
> a 3
> capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those details up yet. But it may be
> something to consider if its comparable or cheaper than me being in a NextG
> area
> permanently.

As well as the cost of roaming re phone calls, you also need to check
the cost of data when roaming - might be a shocker. Tho the 1 gig of
free data 3 give is tempting if you never leave the city

I think they have low cost plans because they only cover a very very
limited area - not much use if you break down on a trip or go on holiday.

Also, I think their 3g is on a different frequency to Telsta nextG so
with a 3 sim????

But beware the data trap

David

Blob NoBrain wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote
>> Blob NoBrain wrote

>>>> Because they are the least profitable mobile telco,
>>>> and are attemping to avoid going broke, stupid.

>>> It's by no means certain that Hutchison Communication ("3") will go broke

>> No one ever said it was certain, fuckwit.

> I know you didn't. I know I didn't either.

Pathetic.

> What is unclear is the future of the "3" brand which under the
> original merger proposal was to be progressively withdrawn from
> the market - presumably to be absorbed into the Vodafone brand.

The problem is about a hell of a lot more than just that brand, fool.

> As Vodafone now effectively becomes part of the Hutchison
> group a few question marks remain regarding whether the
> "3" brand will remain on the market.

The problem is about a hell of a lot more than just that brand, fool.

> There also seem to be issues with Optus who
> seemingly have a stake in the infrastructure.

> As you were the moderator of the Fidonet "echo" Australian Audio
> Visual Technology "Avtech" I recall the high esteem the late Theo Bee
> held your views even though your moderation wasn't all that perfect
> given that you permitted almost anything and everything to be posted
> other than anything remotely connected with audio visual technology.

That was the whole point of my moderation.

> ( Theo passed away Monday week )

What did he die of ? Was it the heart problem that was a significant problem then ?

On Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:22:29 +0000, David wrote:

> In article <4a7c03a6$1@extreme.x-privat.org>, Marts <marts@ymail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Looking at a new smartphone, probably the iPhone 3GS.
>>
>> 3 Mobile has a plan which doesn't seem too bad:
>>
>> http://mobile-phones.theage.com.au/M...ers/Three/Cap/
Three-$39-i
>> Phone-Cap?phone=Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB
>>
>> So, it's around $49 a month.
>>
>> Then I look at Telstra's plan, the cheapest of which is this:
>>
>> http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/pho...e/pricing.html
>>
>> $395 up front for the phone on a $49 cap.
>>
>> Or
>>
>> $349 up front on a $30 standard plan.
>>
>> Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you look at the
>> minimum amount spent over 24 months?
>>
>> Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam onto NextG
>> if on a 3
>> capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those details up yet. But it may
>> be something to consider if its comparable or cheaper than me being in
>> a NextG area
>> permanently.
>
> As well as the cost of roaming re phone calls, you also need to check
> the cost of data when roaming - might be a shocker. Tho the 1 gig of
> free data 3 give is tempting if you never leave the city
>
> I think they have low cost plans because they only cover a very very
> limited area - not much use if you break down on a trip or go on
> holiday.
>
> Also, I think their 3g is on a different frequency to Telsta nextG so
> with a 3 sim????

If your handset operates on UMTS 850 (as well as UMTS 2100), it'll roam
onto the NextG network. Otherwise, it'll roam onto Telstra 2G GSM.

David wrote...

> But beware the data trap

Since posting the note on this I have had time to peruse the info regarding 3's
services.

And you're right, it's not worth it, as I live outside of a 3 coverage zone. So
I'd be roaming all the time.

Funnily enough a workmate is notorious for being a tightarse and careful with
his dough. He has a phone (dunno which one) with 3. He claims that it's the best
deal that he could strike with any of the carriers. But he doesn't use the data
side of things. So maybe he's happy being on Telstra's GSM and paying the
$29/mth cap fee.

I'd probably think the same except that if I had a cheap enough data plan I'd
probably use it a bit more if I had a phone that could make the best use of it.

Currently I have a Motorola V9 on NextG. It's on a $40 plan and $5 of data,
which I use only occasionally. Mostly to email photos that I take with the phone
that I want to send to someone in an untrimmed format. Or to occasionally check
my email if I'm away from home overnight or whatever.

But that's about it. As a web browser the phone makes an excellent brick.

In article <4a808969@extreme.x-privat.org>, Marts <marts@ymail.com>
wrote:

> David wrote...
>
> > But beware the data trap
>
> Since posting the note on this I have had time to peruse the info regarding
> 3's
> services.
>
> And you're right, it's not worth it, as I live outside of a 3 coverage zone.
> So
> I'd be roaming all the time.
>
> Funnily enough a workmate is notorious for being a tightarse and careful with
> his dough. He has a phone (dunno which one) with 3. He claims that it's the
> best
> deal that he could strike with any of the carriers. But he doesn't use the
> data
> side of things. So maybe he's happy being on Telstra's GSM and paying the
> $29/mth cap fee.
>
> I'd probably think the same except that if I had a cheap enough data plan I'd
> probably use it a bit more if I had a phone that could make the best use of
> it.
>
> Currently I have a Motorola V9 on NextG. It's on a $40 plan and $5 of data,
> which I use only occasionally. Mostly to email photos that I take with the
> phone
> that I want to send to someone in an untrimmed format. Or to occasionally
> check
> my email if I'm away from home overnight or whatever.
>
> But that's about it. As a web browser the phone makes an excellent brick.

Now having had my iPhone for a few weeks I am feeling much less worried
about data use.

Although I have a $10 data pack with Telstra, apart from some mms I
haven't used any data as I do all my downloading when I am connected to
wifi

When I have tried to do something some required data use I get a message
saying 'cannot access the net' - it seems I telstra have to switch
something on at their end to allow data use.

But that is ok with me at the moment, although I am wasting that $10
data pack

I have also discovered that you can quite easily prevent the iPhone from
accessing data, but reconnect quickly if you want

So, overall I am very happy with my iPhone and the way it is connected -
I just use the NextG sim I had in my old phone and it works fine

David

Marts wrote:
> Looking at a new smartphone, probably the iPhone 3GS.

Get an HTC touch diamond 2 then you are not tied to that apple place.
You can even change the batteries yourself.
>
> 3 Mobile has a plan which doesn't seem too bad:
>
> http://mobile-phones.theage.com.au/MobilePhones/Carriers/Three/Cap/Three-$39-iPhone-Cap?phone=Apple-iPhone-3GS-16GB
>
> So, it's around $49 a month.
>
> Then I look at Telstra's plan, the cheapest of which is this:
>
> http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/pho...e/pricing.html
>
> $395 up front for the phone on a $49 cap.
>
> Or
>
> $349 up front on a $30 standard plan.
>
> Why is 3's offer so much cheaper, particularly when you look at the minimum
> amount spent over 24 months?
>
> Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam onto NextG if on a 3
> capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those details up yet. But it may be
> something to consider if its comparable or cheaper than me being in a NextG area
> permanently.
>
>

In article <4ab4a3e6$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au>,
F Murtz <haggisz@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Marts wrote:

> >
> > Also, with 3's 3G coverage I wonder how cheap it is to roam onto NextG if
> > on a 3
> > capped iPhone plan. I haven't looked those details up yet. But it may be
> > something to consider if its comparable or cheaper than me being in a NextG
> > area
> > permanently.
> >
> >

If you are thinking of roaming onto NextG make sure you have your house
deeds handy and you will need to take out a mortgage to pay the bill.

3 offers very good plans for people who never leave the city, but
otherwise...

David

David wrote...

> If you are thinking of roaming onto NextG make sure you have your house
> deeds handy and you will need to take out a mortgage to pay the bill.
>
> 3 offers very good plans for people who never leave the city, but
> otherwise...

Yeah. I've since given up on that idea. Looked at Vodaphone and its new 3G
network but it's the same as Optus on 900/2100, with 2100 coverage restricted to
where I won't normally be.

But it supposedly has Edge, which not 3G is faster than the GPRS service that
Optus uses when you're not in a 3G service area.

Plus the Voda plans are too expensive for my budget. Optus ones are good but not
much chop if you can't fully use them.

Looks like Telstra NextG will be it.