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kiranmk2

macrumors 68000
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Oct 4, 2008
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from the presentation the UK watches will get support from EE & Vodafone (expanding from EE). Hope it expands to the other networks soon now they’ve seen the watch grow in popularity.
 
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It’s more to do with the backend infrastructure and if carriers can support sharing numbers. Was only EE, but looks like Vodafone have sorted themselves out too.
 
Yes but last year none of the networks apart from EE was interested in e-sims. Things might be changing...
 
I’d be interested on the cost anyone found anything posted from Vodafone. The link on the Apple site goes to a dead Vodafone site when I tried it earlier. :rolleyes:
 
from the presentation the UK watches will get support from EE & Vodafone (expanding from EE). Hope it expands to the other networks soon now they’ve seen the watch grow in popularity.
I really hope Three are upgrading their systems for Apple Watch
 
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I really hope Three are upgrading their systems for Apple Watch

Me too. At launch, I didn't see the point of Apple Watch LTE when I carry my phone. After having the watch for 6 months it does actually appeal. Still annoyed that there is any extra cost (although £5 isn't completely unreasonable). If I'm paying for a set of minutes and data, why does it matter how many devices I'm using it across - especially as the carrier doesn't even need to supply any extra SIMs.

At some point, a provider will allow you to use your mobile plan across multiple devices via e-sims without an additional charge per device (even if the base contract price goes up) and the others will have to follow suit.

e.g. I'm paying £8/month for unlimited mins and 4 GB data from 3. I would happily pay £10/month for the same if I could add other devices via an e-sim (e.g. Watch, iPad, connected car etc).
 
e.g. I'm paying £8/month for unlimited mins and 4 GB data from 3. I would happily pay £10/month for the same if I could add other devices via an e-sim (e.g. Watch, iPad, connected car etc).

That's exceptionally generous of you …. an extra £2 PM for all of that :)
 
I don't really see the issue - the network provides no additional SIM hardware, no additional numbers are required and no additional data is used. Perhaps there may be some additional bandwidth if the phone, watch and iPad are all using data at the same time (would this really happen beyond small amounts for notifications)? I see a fee of £5 per extra device as a bit of a freebie for the providers.
 
I don't really see the issue - the network provides no additional SIM hardware, no additional numbers are required and no additional data is used. Perhaps there may be some additional bandwidth if the phone, watch and iPad are all using data at the same time (would this really happen beyond small amounts for notifications)? I see a fee of £5 per extra device as a bit of a freebie for the providers.

they run a business ...... it’s not just about what happens when you use the device ... how has this all been made possible ? ... they have invested time and money making the integration possible .... how much should they charge ?
 
how much should they charge ?
Well they're certainly charging an arm and a leg right now for Mericans at least; $10/month for basically no additional work on their part (or certainly not after the initial setup) is a bit steep.
 
Just spoken to Vodafone and they were quite informative.

They said that there will be a flat charge of £5 per month alongside your current phone contract and the plans will work out at the device cost over the length of the contract.

So in theory £799 / 24 months would be about £33 per month + £5 per month accessory connection fee.
 
I don't really see the issue - the network provides no additional SIM hardware, no additional numbers are required and no additional data is used. Perhaps there may be some additional bandwidth if the phone, watch and iPad are all using data at the same time (would this really happen beyond small amounts for notifications)? I see a fee of £5 per extra device as a bit of a freebie for the providers.

Well technically an additional number is required... Your watch will get an additional number in the back-end and your current number gets shared to your watch. Think of it as call forwarding etc.
 
they run a business ...... it’s not just about what happens when you use the device ... how has this all been made possible ? ... they have invested time and money making the integration possible .... how much should they charge ?

Exactly - if a network were to up the price of all it's contracts by £2/month (and advertise that use of Apple Watch/iPad etc was free) then they would likely make more money than from the few 100k people taking up the £5 extra per device. It's like how Three have basic and advanced plans - plenty of people take out the advanced plan even thought they rarely use hotspot or travel abroad - essentially free money for Three most months.
 
Exactly - if a network were to up the price of all it's contracts by £2/month (and advertise that use of Apple Watch/iPad etc was free) then they would likely make more money than from the few 100k people taking up the £5 extra per device. It's like how Three have basic and advanced plans - plenty of people take out the advanced plan even thought they rarely use hotspot or travel abroad - essentially free money for Three most months.

You clearly have a better insight into customer numbers and backend costs than I do ..... what I would say is if my carrier increased costs of a contract across the board by £x per month for devices I didn’t use I wouldn’t be very happy.
 
Not saying I'm right, but I could see someone like Three adding Apple Watch e-sim ability to their advanced plans - meaning you can still opt for a basic plan with the same minutes/data for a lower monthly cost. It's the same way other networks bundle things like Spotify or BT sport on some plans - great if you want it, but a no-frills plans available if you don't.
 
Not saying I'm right, but I could see someone like Three adding Apple Watch e-sim ability to their advanced plans - meaning you can still opt for a basic plan with the same minutes/data for a lower monthly cost. It's the same way other networks bundle things like Spotify or BT sport on some plans - great if you want it, but a no-frills plans available if you don't.

I think this is what YOU want rather than what makes sense for Three. There’s no sign that Three are adopting the AW let alone change their plans :)
 
It is what I want :) but it's an example of how providers already offer two levels of plan.
 
Three and O2 have no plans to support the LTE Apple Watch. Sorry. I’m pleased Vodafone are how onboard. I’m moved to EE last year for AW support and find it to be a terrible network.
 
I also think the money is silly, but for me its a lot more than an extra £5.
I’m on pay as you go with a regular £10 a month top up.
EE have told me there is simply no way I can stay on that. I would have to switch to a contract that would be more like at LEAST £18pm and with less data, then the £5 for the watch on top.
So to get the watch on cellular I would need to have less data and pay £23 a month rather than £10, well over double!
Thanks, but that’s insane.
 
Do we know the Vodafone sim only price yet? The website is a little confusing.

If I purchased an LTE watch from Apple directly am I able to get a contract and if so how much? (still in two mind if i will bother activating the cellular function).

**UPDATE**
Seems you can add a watch to existing plans for £5 a month. I am on a rolling month contract and seemingly the watch contract will be the same.

The data comes out of your existing allowances - i.e no additional just for the watch (not sure if that is a good or bad thing; feels a little tight, would have been nice for something a little extra for the £5 a month, the charge is essentially an admin to enable the link the devices/numbers).
 
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It’s all a bit of a mess, I’ve ordered a SBSS from Apple as Voda don’t sell the SS. All it says is Vodafone OneNumber can be added to any eligible red pay monthly plan.

Hopefully my SIM only Red plan is eligible?? Also no mention of cost but id guess £5 a month as they are having that off for 6 months on the watches from them.
 
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