New Plans??
One of our most active users, Camtab, has spotted some possible new Vodafone data plans while using the site today. Camtab says he was in the ‘my add on’ section of the site and saw two new plans which were both greyed out. Luckily, he managed to screen grab them and send them our way! Hit the ‘read more’ for the details and the screenshot
UPDATE: We can confirm that the new plans are in fact data plans for the iPad and they are available from Friday 23rd. Full press release after the break.
Vodafone New Zealand today announced it will offer dedicated data plans for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G in New Zealand beginning July 23, 2010. The data plans for iPad will be available on a month by month basis, providing users with the freedom to activate or cancel a plan at any time.
iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.6 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and deliver up to ten hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web using a 3G data network.*
“We’re delighted to offer dedicated data plans for the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G on New Zealand’s most reliable mobile network,” said Kursten Shalfoon, Vodafone New Zealand’s General Manager of Consumer Marketing. “More and more customers want to access the internet wherever they are and iPad Wi-Fi + 3G will allow them that freedom in over 97% of where New Zealanders live, work and play.”
3G Data Plans for iPad Wi-Fi + 3G
Data Fee
250MB $20
3GB $50
New plans or mix-up?
As you can see in the above screenshot, the plans being teased here include a 250MB plan at $20 per month and an ‘extreme’ 3GB plan at $50 per month.
It’s not clear whether this is all just a big mistake or whether some new plans are about to be unleashed – but let us know what you think in the comments. Do these plans rock your world?
The official page is up and details how you can set-up your new plan, looks nice and easy to do…. plus you can view your usage from there too:
VF iPad plan page (click to enlarge)
So… now we have an announcement that confirms that the earlier announcement announcing the announcement was true. But does this announcement announce plans that meet your expectations? Announce your feelings in our announcement recording facility below, please.
They only excite me if Telecom follow suit on XT. Vodafone really do suck for the iPhone 3G and iPad.
(djrichard has made 19 comments)
Hmmm – being able to get a 3GB a month plan would make me seriously think of getting a Wifi+3G iPad instead of the wifi only one.
(ALFA has made 25 comments)
I imagine the conversation in the Voda office when deciding on these plans going like this: “2degrees and XT have backed us into a corner” ” we have no choice but to stop ripping NZ iPhone users off” “it’s a last resort but we are going to have to offer competitive DATA plans” “We can’t complain though. We have had a good couple of years ripping off NZ iPhone users, but when we put these DATA plans out they will forget all about that.”
(Paul has made 323 comments)
They are iPad prices… Just announced. http://cot.ag/bCB9jo
(visionarymedia has made 66 comments)
Paul wrote:
No Paul, No, we won’t…
(Allan has made 42 comments)
They say the plans are dedicated iPad plans. So is it possible to make the micro-sims iPad only? So they won’t work on any other device?
(ALFA has made 25 comments)
The 3GB for $50 is ok if you always use close to 3GB but I still find the XT approach of billing 10c a MB until you hit the data cap way more user friendly as it allows for some months where you might not need it all so only pay as you go. So it took until Thursday (the day prior) for Ipad pricing…who can see a Thursday 29th 7pm announcement of Iphone pricing. You are right Vodafone..we do trust that you will fail us over and over again
(camtab has made 468 comments)
Vodafone Aust charged me AUD$15 for 1GB. I don’t need 3GB and $20 for 250MB is too expensive.
(abirch has made 5 comments)
@ incubus: Nice. Nothing Vodafone do can be seen as a guide to what they might do next..other than it will come..disappoint..and they will tell us “but wait theres more”. Hopefully we get Iphone 4 details more readily than the Ipad. They said “within a week” last Friday so tomorrow let the hounding begin
(camtab has made 468 comments)
Well I took this screenshot from my super prepay account login, so assuming that I can (or should) be able to use this add on with my iphone and vodem.
Thanks camtab for pointing out it was me (haha) that found this
Currently cant get home pphone broadband, wireless or satalite (without cutting down some trees) so 3G is the only way I can connect out here in rural NZ, I go through at least $120 a month (4 x $30 512MB addons) so If I can get 3gig for $50 it’s a bonous for me!!
(RAV3N has made 22 comments)
Will be interesting to see how this pans out. Just as an aside I should point out it was a forum poster RAV3N (first time caller, long time listener haha) that first noticed the plans and then I went and screen shot/confirmed for myself.
(camtab has made 468 comments)
Here's hoping they'll also be updating the iPhone plans to keep them competitive as well.
(B Gallagher has made 71 comments)
Totally agree Paul. VF have been so greedy for so long I'm going to stick with an 'untrusted' (lol) network for good!
(falcogeorge has made 13 comments)
hahaha love it. When flamed for the useless plans and pricing on twitter, good ol Mr Brislen fires back with 'As I said, more to come. We're not done yet'….them are the words of someone who is struggling after just announcing "their latest and greatest" plans…."ohh ummm no they are not the good ones…we have better" (quick drawing board team)
(camtab has made 468 comments)
I'm announcing that this announcement that Vodafone has announced, has made me think that it doesn't really make a difference for me as I'll just stick with my current 100MB plan. But would Vodafone announcing this announcement for the iPad data plans mean they could also be announcing better plans for the iPhone 4?
(incubus has made 32 comments)
camtab wrote:
It's not Vodafone that control the release dates of Apple products and plans. It's all down to Apple.
The hardware prices have already been set by Apple, the iPhone plans won't change it will only be the hardware rebate that will be different dependant on the hardware cost.
As for the iPad data plans, they are what they are. Considering there is only 3 models of iPad that Vodafone can support and with it only being a data revenue stream, the maximum network revenue would be $600.00 per annum, and the hardware margin would be minimal, if Vodafone will sell the iPad, which is unlikely, looking at the profit margin (which by the way is why everyone is in business).
(Topes has made 66 comments)
@ Topes: Fair call.
Pretty sure Vodafone can announce their Iphone plans whenever they want (they dont need to announce handset subsidies/price) but true Apple control the release details so will throw some angst their way as well (cant let Vodafone off the hook completely as by their own admission "they are two peas in a pod and have a very close trusting relationship")
Will just sit back and wait on Vodapple to make their next move
(camtab has made 468 comments)
@ camtab:
Can't see the plans changing, they have only slightly changed since the introduction of the 3gs which was more around the Smartphone plans as opposed to the a new iPhone.
I suspect, it will just be a release with the new handset pricing based on the iPhone 40, 60, 80, 130, 250 plans.
(Topes has made 66 comments)