Customer Backlash on iPhone Rate Plans, Launch Approaches

[ebenbruyns]

Vodafone New Zealand shafting angle

The backlash is understandable, I would lash out too if I could actually get pricing information out of Vodafone New Zealand.

I've tried numerous times to get information out of them and they keep chanting that it will be made available on the 11th (WHAT?).

My current theory is that they are waiting till the device goes on sale, most people will just want to buy it by that time and they will charge a LOT more than they should do (they'd get away with it due to the fact that people have been waiting in line for a while by then). Apart from the fact that one of their store employees was extremely rude to me on numerous occasions, they throw this little insult my way too.

I've held off buying an unlocked device for almost a year now only to put up with this sort of service. This has got nothing to do with Apple, they are VERY good in NZ to their customers, this is purely a Vodafone issue.

I believe people should direct their anger at the service providers not at Apple.

I'd like to know if there are other providers that's doing the same - I know everybody in the interwebs have an opinion, this time I'm actually asking for it, let us have it!

 

[alcibiade]

Italians are signing their petition, too.
On www.iphoneaffossato.com (sounds like "Wasted iPhone") there are a almost three thousands sings despite the fact that Italy is the only country where two different carriers will offer the iPhone 3G simultaneously.

In this case competition didn't bring benefits to consumers.
Vodafone Italy cheaper plan is 60euros with only 600MB of data, Telecom Italia Mobile one's is 30euros without any minutes or sms and only 1GB of data.

 

[KindredMAC]

Anyone upgrading from the Gen 1 iPhone should get grandfathered in to be able to have the same rates as before, while all brand new AT&T accounts as well as new iPhone accounts.

Let the newbies take the brunt of the additional costs.

 

[nagromme]

I was quietly hoping that there would be a similar "backlash" here in the USA with AT&T because of the $15/month price increase ($10 data + $5) text. Well, especially for anyone who can't benefit from 3G in their area, but has been waiting for this new version to come out. Too bad they can't give you a discount based on your zip code. But, I assume that some people would figure out an easy way to abuse that loophole.

I don't think it would be abused: if you pay for an EDGE plan, and then secretly live in a 3G area... you'll still only be getting EDGE.

AT&T should offer the EDGE option--for people who live outside of 3G areas, OR for people who just don't care to pay for 3G speeds. No zip check needed: sell them EDGE if they want, and that's all they'll get.

 

[dmelgar]

$30 a month for unlimited data, I wish.

Here in AU I will have to pay $79 a month just to get 700 Meg of data a month (that includes phone calls on a cap plan) and if I only opt for a 12 month contract then PLUS an extra $27 a month for the Iphone handset payments, or 2 yr contract phone is free and just $79.

Gee I could go for the $59 a month 2 year contract plus $2 a month for the handset and I get a whopping 500 meg data a month.

Unlimited data .. you should feel lucky !

But it does seems we are luckier than a few other EU nations that have it worse than us, at least thats something.

If that $60 au for voice and data or just data? How much is a minimal voice and data plan? The $30 here is just data, voice is additional, SMS is additional.

 

[queshy]

Too bad rogers wont budge...maybe they will before launch.

 

[dmelgar]

I won't be touching SMS, that's for sure. A free AIM client (or more than one) is clearly on the way. And AIM can send to SMS phones. And apparently, their phone can reply, too! So the only thing I'll be missing (IIUC) is the ability to have someone ELSE initiate a text message to me without having one of mine to reply to? And I won't get instant notification until Apple's notification system is in place in a couple months.

None of that will hamper my IM needs, luckily. If you need to reach me urgently, from your phone to mine, try this technique: CALL ME Because I'll be calling AT&T to have SMS blocked from day one.

(It amazes me how computers are transitioning from primitive text IM to voice chat, while people are desperate to get their phones to work via multiple number-presses instead of voice Yes, I know SMS has its uses. I think those uses are running out, as phones gain the Internet. Good riddance.)

What is anyone doing when they're texting? I don't get why its useful. Why not call someone. If they're not there or busy, just leave a message?

Are folks just sitting around bored in class texting to each other? If you do computer work, you can msg using IM.

 

[toneloco2881]

Could not agree more. Was waiting, and waiting. Now it's renewal with a Blackberry Curve with Verizon.

Screw at&t. The 3G should be $299 and $399 with the same plan as V1.

Your all caught up in the frenzy while Apple gets more $ and at&t takes it from us.

Horse ****.

Ummm...am I missing something here? The Blackberry Curve with Verizon has the 'exact' same plan pricing structure as the iPhone! Maybe you're on a grandfathered plan from waaaay back that gives you a better deal, and if so that's not exactly a fair comparison.

People saying this is AT&T's way of increasing the data cost for 3g are somewhat mistaken. The $30 rate is for devices classified as an PDA/Smartphone, all of which are open to "third party programs". With the advent of the APP store and forthcoming applications able to take advantage of things like streaming radio,slingbox(potentially), etc'; there is obviously an opportunity for iPhone users to be sucking down waaaaaay more data.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, and all of you crying foul over the increased rate seem to have some over-inflated sense of entitlement. We're talking $360 more over the course of 2 years for a more capable device, with a supremely faster data connection! If that's too much for you to bear, and you say "I'm not in a 3g area' then dont buy it! Nobody is holding a gun to your head saying you have to upgrade to the new 3g or else? Sheesh...

 

[AppleMojo]

I'm not sure I understand why those who can't afford the iPhone feel as if they have some right to own one.

The price increase sounds very normal today, we live in a world where improvements come at a cost.

As time passes, you expect to get paid more, while paying more taxes and new technology will ALWAYS cost more.

However, the whiners in here -- expect to get the new iPhone and plan at a lower price point, but will demand higher levels of service quality from both Apple and AT&T.

Heck, if I were AT&T I'd be charging more if I knew I had to support a bunch of penny pinching whiners who should be using the free phone option anyway.

I have read numerous posts in here about $10.00 and $20.00 causing massive budgetary concerns. If $20.00 breaks you, then you have much larger problems then the data and texting plans of AT&T.

It's not a right, it's a choice! If you can't afford it and still do it, then it's irresponsible as well.

There are many things in life I can't afford and you won't find me posting online about it.

I can pretty much guarantee this is the same bunch of people who claim to be so poor, but are sitting in front of their LCD TV with cable and broadband Internet. Go check out the real world, they don't have that stuff and aren't in here whining about the price of a mobile data plan.

Now I expect to get all of the excuses why you feel justified and I am a rotten person for suggesting anything other than "you are right, and they are wrong".

 

[Bevz]

Jeez! About the only people who seem happy are we Brits because our price plans are pretty good actually.

I agree. Even though it's a bit pricey compared to regular plans, the best thing about the UK is that O2 have retained the exact same plan and pricing for the 3G phone as with the v1 model. Nice sadly other carriers have clearly taken the opportunity to rip off their customers

 

[dmelgar]

If that's too much for you to bear, and you say "I'm not in a 3g area' then dont buy it! Nobody is holding a gun to your head saying you have to upgrade to the new 3g or else? Sheesh...

In case you haven't noticed, there is no 2g iPhone for sale anymore. You can't decide to buy that instead. Its either iPhone 3G or iPod touch.

 

[MojoWill]

if you dont like dont buy!

 

[Chicane-UK]

Jeez! About the only people who seem happy are we Brits because our price plans are pretty good actually.

Agreed. I think the tariffs are fairly competitive

 

[dagamer34]

Ummm...am I missing something here? The Blackberry Curve with Verizon has the 'exact' same plan pricing structure as the iPhone! Maybe you're on a grandfathered plan from waaaay back that gives you a better deal, and if so that's not exactly a fair comparison.

People saying this is AT&T's way of increasing the data cost for 3g are somewhat mistaken. The $30 rate is for devices classified as an PDA/Smartphone, all of which are open to "third party programs". With the advent of the APP store and forthcoming applications able to take advantage of things like streaming radio,slingbox(potentially), etc'; there is obviously an opportunity for iPhone users to be sucking down waaaaaay more data.

There's no such thing as a free lunch, and all of you crying foul over the increased rate seem to have some over-inflated sense of entitlement. We're talking $360 more over the course of 2 years for a more capable device, with a supremely faster data connection! If that's too much for you to bear, and you say "I'm not in a 3g area' then dont buy it! Nobody is holding a gun to your head saying you have to upgrade to the new 3g or else? Sheesh...

Ditto. Now if AT&T were removing unlimited data and sticking in caps, THEN I'd understand. But it's the same as all other smartphones with AT&T. And other carriers in the states charge pretty much the same thing. And when you look at how much people will be paying in other countries, I simply count my blessings.

The iPhone is a luxury, not a right, and people should be treating it as such. And one thing that people often ignore is that AT&T is visibly increasing it's 3G footprint. My area just got 3G in preparation for the 3G iPhone. If it were obvious that they were pocketing all of this cash (and I've just given proof that their not) then people's outrage here would more than be understandable. But some people here don't have all their ducks in a row...

 

[Telp]

Not that I'm particularly happy with AT&T $30/mo when they have such lousy coverage in many areas.

However, if you do get 3G in your area its not a bad price for unlimited.

 

[bbyrdhouse]

Initially, I was going to get the 3G model on launch day but after seeing the price plans i think I will continue to use my limited edition 4Gb model.

 

[Matthew Yohe]

In case you haven't noticed, there is no 2g iPhone for sale anymore. You can't decide to buy that instead. Its either iPhone 3G or iPod touch.

The market will be flooded with new/like-new iPhones after the 3G release.

 

[toneloco2881]

In case you haven't noticed, there is no 2g iPhone for sale anymore. You can't decide to buy that instead. Its either iPhone 3G or iPod touch.

Actually, I have noticed. In that case go to ebay and get an iPhone 8gb for $350. Since you'll be paying an extra $150 as compared to the new iPhone 3g 8gb, your net savings over two years will be ~$200. If those are the kind of numbers that send you into an uproar demanding concessions from AT&T and boycotts; then as some else said: maybe you have larger concerns than a phone bill.

There's a cost/value ratio assigned to everything, and for myself the marginal addition in total outlay of monies, is insignificant compared to the greater user experience. People obviously have to decide that for themselves.

 

[AppleMojo]

In case you haven't noticed, there is no 2g iPhone for sale anymore. You can't decide to buy that instead. Its either iPhone 3G or iPod touch.

Oh... this really makes a lot of sense...

Yeah, I am really upset that I can't buy a first run RAZR anymore... And it's really not fair that they FORCED me to ditch my analog-only phone 5 years ago!

Why Ford isn't selling brand new 2004's is puzzling too.

 

[nagromme]

What is anyone doing when they're texting? I don't get why its useful. Why not call someone. If they're not there or busy, just leave a message?

Are folks just sitting around bored in class texting to each other? If you do computer work, you can msg using IM.

These seem to be the reasons to use SMS:

1. Your peer group uses it and so you must fit in. Voice calls are SO uncool.

2. Sometimes sound is not appropriate--like when you're supposed to be learning, or at a family funeral. Texting will relieve several seconds of boredom! Also good when a friend is talking to you and you don't really care. You can ignore them and text someone else.

3. Rare circumstances make sound non-functional. Like in the loud parties you always see on phone ads, that have locks on all the doors to quiet hallways. Or when you're out of range of a clear voice signal, but there is SOME signal and text still gets through. (I'll pay .20 cents if I'm ever in some deep desert emergency!)

4. Same reason anyone on a computer uses IM instead of voice or email: it allows a low-effort 2-way conversation (like voice) but is non-intrusive and non-demanding (like email). Of course, on a phone with only a numpad, low-effort is not the word. But people who have a phone but no computer with them may wish to send an SMS message so as not to "bother" the recipient with a voice call. (As though the person couldn't just let voicemail take it if they were too busy.)

#4 and #3 are legitimate, but to me they are VERY minor and not worth a dime. Especially not on a phone with email, AIM, and AIM-to-SMS all free!

#1 is immature silliness (but is the biggest draw, it seems), while #2 is downright obnoxious.

Now, if your peers use SMS and won't do anything else, it's not worth getting new friends over it And in rare cases it really meets needs that Internet messaging cannot. So I can see paying the $5. That's your choice--but for me, no way!

 

[50548]

3597 people have signed the Norwegian petition against Netcom's plans, too, a protest mainly against the ridiculously low number of monthly MBs on the data plans.

The only concession we've gotten so far is a cap on NOK 990,- per monts for data (for when you go over the 100/250/1000 MB on the NOK 399,-/699,-/1099,- plans (that's about US$79/138/216, per month! and still we don't get free data). Oh, and that 990,- cap is, of course, on top of the plan...



More details.

Well, considering that you guys have the highest cost of living in the world, I wouldn't be so surprised...perhaps when oil revenues stop feeding your economy, things will go down a little bit...

 

[Island Dog]

AT&T will continue to charge what they want, because obviously there are people who will pay whatever for the iPhone. Simple as that.

 

[cameronjpu]

Jeez! About the only people who seem happy are we Brits because our price plans are pretty good actually.

Plenty of people are happy... you just are unlikely to find the posting on message boards in all caps

 

[.:R2theT]

I think it is great that these petitions are popping up in these countries that value consumer rights to a higher degree. I often times wish we had a bit more of that in the United States. But we don't, what we do have is "caveat emptor".

An iPhone, however sexy it may be, is not a right or a need. People can choose to buy it or not. I am glad that my wife and I have the original iPhones as we do not need faster data nor do we need to spend the extra money on the more expensive plans of the new iPhones. This whining reminds me of the people driving V8 SUVs around and they are complaining about the price of gas. You can afford a $35-$50k SUV but you can't afford the fuel? If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

No one needs an iPhone. Anyone who talks about this being a monopoly is clueless as to what that really means. It's not like ATT and Apple are the only place to get a phone that offers internet, texting, mp3 and phone in the United States.

 

[nanoakron]

Bingo!

Jeez! About the only people who seem happy are we Brits because our price plans are pretty good actually.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I've currently got a Nokia 6300 - good phone actually. £35/mo for 600mins/500texts deal.

Minus the one-off £159 I'll be paying to get the iPhone, I'll only see an improvement in my plan with the addition of unlimited data for the same monthly tariff I'm currently on.

And at the end of the day, a one-off £159 is around what I'd be willing to pay for a 16Gb iPod Touch around this time of year anyway - current 30Gb iPod Photo needs updating.