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iPhone plans finally released for New Zealand on Vodafone!
vodafone.co.nz — NZD$199 for an iPhone... NZD$80/Mth for 120 minutes, 600 txts, and 250MB of data (only??!). etc. on sale from 00:01 Friday morning, New Zealand time. (Thursday everywhere else still)
samgab- 73 diggs
- digg it
- robsonde, on 07/07/2008, -0/+8so basicly NZ gets the Iphone a few hours before most of the world.
in return we get shafted on price.
$250 a month for 1Gb of data = Vodafone greed.- samgab, on 07/07/2008, -0/+3Yeah, $250 a month is ridiculous! At that plan, the Phone is $199, and the plan is $250 a month. Huh?!! And a two year contract, so that's $6000 in two years on the plan, ASSUMING you don't go over the 1GB limit, which I'm sure I would... Feeling pretty gutted right about now.
I guess I'll keep my First Gen.- demonic, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2and this is just for a phone? in NZ you'd good a good car for that money. What a f*(&king joke
- Aupajo, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1It's NOT $199 for an iPhone, it's $549 with the basic $80/mo plan.
For the Americans: that's US$414 for the iPhone, US$60/mo.
- samgab, on 07/07/2008, -0/+3Yeah, $250 a month is ridiculous! At that plan, the Phone is $199, and the plan is $250 a month. Huh?!! And a two year contract, so that's $6000 in two years on the plan, ASSUMING you don't go over the 1GB limit, which I'm sure I would... Feeling pretty gutted right about now.
- gbhall, on 07/07/2008, -0/+4Well thanks a lot Vodafone! You just have a knack at crushing everything!
- demonic, on 07/07/2008, -0/+4who the hell is going to afford that?
- tarley, on 07/07/2008, -0/+11this makes rogers look fantastic!
- revenz, on 07/07/2008, -0/+4and Canadians thought they had it bad. I was expecting around NZ$400 (US$535ish) for 16gb and NZ$80 per month for 1GB, their plans are just ridiculous.
vodafone suck big sticky monkey balls! - gbhall, on 07/07/2008, -0/+5I'm curious to see how this will actually play out in NZ. Vodafone seem overly optimistic.
- samgab, on 07/07/2008, -0/+3The trouble is, there are people who will pay that... I remember when we first started selling cracked 1st Gen iPhones, people were clambering to get them at NZD$1700!
- domfosnz, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2i think people will pay it too. I won't though. Vodafone can stick it.
- smashthat, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2HAHA seriously this was kind off expected. Vodafone has been ripping off new zealand since they started here.
wonder if this counts for the iphone?
"The use of Mobilise Data plans for Voice over IP (VoIP) is excluded." ????
pretty funny that vodafone is an ISP and their own website can't cope. fools.- samgab, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2Yeah, their website has been down and up and down again since 10am, and it's nearly 12. Get it together Vodafone! They aren't used to getting traffic on their 1980's-style website.
- samgab, on 07/07/2008, -0/+3I'm getting a bit worried about what will happen when I upgrade the software/firmware up to 2.0... Will it lock down? Or will it just think it's an official NZ iPhone and work... I'm guessing probably the former. I hope the iPhone Dev team will be quick to come out with a jailbreak/unlock solution if so.
- smashthat, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1.....because i'm definitely not upgrading to the 3G now....
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Exactly.
- dominicmck, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1ditto
- smashthat, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1.....because i'm definitely not upgrading to the 3G now....
- gigantor, on 07/08/2008, -0/+3It would be cheaper to buy the iPhone outright for 1129 NZ dollars.
Who would be stupid enought to buy the phone for 199 and then have a monthly contract for 24 months for 250 dollars? After four months you would have been able to afford to have bought the phone outright.
Cheaper to buy the phone and use one of the broadbands plans for mobile if you plan on using lots of data. - samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+8I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:
"Vodafone's Outrageous iPhone costs"
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iphone_rip_off_ ...
I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature and pass it on to everyone in your address book, too. It's free and takes less than 30 secs
Come on, do you bit for the everyday kiwi. - MarkoRagnos, on 07/08/2008, -6/+0Its funny, everyone up in arms over a device that Vodafone has no real control over price on.. You complain about the price of the plans, dont take them. Use the Wifi on the device instead. I feel most people are taking this to heart too much.. Theres nothing there to say you cant get the device and you were all expecting it to *not be cheap. As one guy says: "You can't expect Vodafone to drop their pants on prices just because of a brand new apple phone" Respect to that man and shame on you all for getting over excited
- demonic, on 07/08/2008, -0/+4"Its funny, everyone up in arms over a device that Vodafone has no real control over price on."
hahahah, your an idiot. - revenz, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2what 250MB for $80 a month is a good plan? i understand they need to have you in a contract to pay for the phone, and they want to make money, but 250MB is bugger all, and the fact that you have to pay an additionally $699 for the phone is far from reasonable, you're basically paying for the entire phone (im talking cost here, not the $1179 price for the unit without a contract) and then get shafted with a crap data plan.
I would have paid $700 for the phone and $80 a month if the plan was better, say 1GB a month, I doubt i would use all that traffic, but at least i know i dont have to constantly watch what I download on my iphone and worry if i have enough data allowance left.
and $250 a month for 1GB is ridiculous, vodafone have seriously pissed me off, I'm glad i didnt cancel my telecom phone already (I was planning on switching networks)- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2They have some old fashioned, behind the times people running the show there. Back when screens were 3cm, and "WAP" was the thing, with GPRS; then 250MB was heaps on a mobile. But this is "proper" Safari, and email etc. You can really chew threw the data fast. Include Google maps, and push email in there, and you're talking way more than 250MB a month.
- demonic, on 07/08/2008, -0/+4"Its funny, everyone up in arms over a device that Vodafone has no real control over price on."
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+4So here's the deal: Despite it being a horrendous rip-off, I'll still buy the 8GB on the 250MB plan (cos I'm a technology sucker), IF I can get the the "Local Zone" service added on. That's another 20 bucks, so $100 a month, and the iPhone will be my home phone when I'm home and mobile when I'm out. That's an alternative to Fifty-something a month for a home phone with Telecom plus 40 or 50 a month for a Vodafone standard mobile plan like I have now. I can live with that. And I'll mostly use WiFi whenever I can, but for GPS and mapping and weather and email etc when I'm out and about I'll use the 3G I guess.
Trouble is, the people at the Vodafone call center have very poor training, and the information stream is choked in there. They seriously know nothing at all about the iPhone, and they haven't been trained or informed. I know more about it than they do, just from reading their website. Anyway, they can't tell me if they're going to enable "Local Zone" on the iPhone. So I'm not going to be standing in the rain on Queen Street on Thursday night. Someone set up a web cam and I'll watch it from here. :)
I'm going to try to update my 1st Gen and hope that doesn't leave me without a working phone, and when I'll bide my time on the iPhone 3G till there's more info, because frankly I don't see them rushing out the door at those prices.
Oh, and FYI, NZ doesn't get Visual Voicemail, according to the Apple NZ website. Time will tell though.- mattie47, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2Dude! Seriously just wait a couple of months to see if there will be any changes in price. If not, by then there will be a hack for the 3G and you could just buy one off ebay + you could sell your current iphone (tbh I don't see why you NEED to upgrade, apart from 3G and GPS, what else is better in the 3G model?) then just get a cheap Vodaphone plan. Btw remember that Telecoms new WCDMA will be finished in I think November allowing iPhone use on their network meaning there could be some competition for it. Personally I think waiting is the best option, even for the geek :-)
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Yeah, I've decided to wait. Seriously, I've gone from a major Vodafone proponent to opponent in less than one day because of this. I've had my 021 number since before they were even Vodafone, or even Bell South, but the unthinkable: I'm considering switching to Telecom when they get their new network. Not that they're really any better...
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Oh, I forgot to add why I'm considering upgrading.
1/ I'd use the GPS a lot. I work with GPS systems and we're developing an in car iPhone solution, which I'll be beta testing. (Possibly).
2/ I want the faster data. Edge is so slow and expensive I've had it switched off, and only use data when I'm in a WiFi hotspot, which is really frustrating.
3/ The headphone jack isn't countersunk. I have a good V-Moda headset that works well, but I prefer my Shure headphones for music quality and comfort.
4/ I'm hoping the claimed improvements in sound quality from the speaker are true, because the built in speaker in the 1st gen leaves a lot to be desired.
Those are the only physical benefits, as far as I can remember. There are drawbacks too, however.
No dock, very slightly wider, thicker, and taller (not enough to notice though), and all plastic base rather than part plastic / part metal.
So swings and roundabouts.
Not NZD$959 better though.
- mattie47, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2Dude! Seriously just wait a couple of months to see if there will be any changes in price. If not, by then there will be a hack for the 3G and you could just buy one off ebay + you could sell your current iphone (tbh I don't see why you NEED to upgrade, apart from 3G and GPS, what else is better in the 3G model?) then just get a cheap Vodaphone plan. Btw remember that Telecoms new WCDMA will be finished in I think November allowing iPhone use on their network meaning there could be some competition for it. Personally I think waiting is the best option, even for the geek :-)
- spudsstuff, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2Vodafone New Zealand are ripping us off big time. Their plans are just a joke. Makes Rogers in Canada look good.
- WpDivAn, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Like someone said - Canada is amazing!
Gonna try and get Mega plan + Data Plan tbh!- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Who said that? What're you talking abooot?
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2A quote from geekzone.co.nz:
"The iPhone plans by Vodafone New Zealand are the worst seen yet worldwide."
Nice one Vodafone New Zealand. Your claim to fame? Being the WORST PRICED PROVIDER IN THE WORLD! - mattie47, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2Heres a vid from Campbell Live which was on tonight regarding it - http://tinyurl.com/5lvrxe
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Yeah, I saw that. John Campbell rocks. Shame on Paul, trying to explain why NZ has the most expensive plans in the world.
"Err, it's a great device, with really fast data... and ahhh... "
"Nobody has this phone yet"... "Yes but we do have the plan pricing from the internet to compare."
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Yeah, I saw that. John Campbell rocks. Shame on Paul, trying to explain why NZ has the most expensive plans in the world.
- samgab, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1Quick comparison, for the sake of interest:
AT&T USA plan offering in NZD at today's rates:
iPhone 8GB: NZD$265.90 (With 2yr contract) (compared to Vf. $549)
Monthly total fee, including data: NZD$93.53. (compared to $80)
This includes:
UNLIMITED 3G DATA!!! (compared to 250MB...)
450 anytime minutes to any number in USA. (compared to 120 minutes)
THE MINUTES ROLLOVER! (ours don't)
PLUS 5000 nights and weekends minutes. (we get no extra n&w mins)
PLUS UNLIMITED Mobile to Mobile anytime minutes. (we don't get this either)
Now I know they claim "data is more expensive in NZ etc" but Come ON!
Compare the above to our deals... - BigRedCube, on 07/08/2008, -0/+2thanks Vodafone....not buying one now
- smashthat, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1that guy on cambell live was a complete idiot. vodafone are typically trying to hype this like they actually have something to do with the iphone and they're 'bringing it to new zealand'. we all know how good the iphone is we don't need some douchebag from vodafone explaining that.... the iphone is great, vodafone is the problem. most of us with 1st gen iphones are happy using them on whatever plan we want ( prepay included ) and we're not signed into some horrendous contract either. Even if you pay the $1129 and 'buy the handset outright' its still locked to vodafone service plans! don't know why apple even bothered with them.
- samgab, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1I concur with all of the above. I'm keeping my first gen for now, and biding my time. I'm completely disillusioned with VFNZ right now. Let's see what Telecom comes out with in the next 6 months or so, and when my contract expires with VF, "See ya later", unless they come to their senses.
PS, did any one else get really annoyed with the stupid conspiratorial style of talking that Vodafone guy had with John in the interview? What an idiot.
- samgab, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1I concur with all of the above. I'm keeping my first gen for now, and biding my time. I'm completely disillusioned with VFNZ right now. Let's see what Telecom comes out with in the next 6 months or so, and when my contract expires with VF, "See ya later", unless they come to their senses.
- samgab, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Copy of an email I sent to the CEO of Vodafone NZ:
russell.stanners@vodafone.com
"Good Evening Mr Stanners.
I am writing to express my disappointment with Vodafone recently.
I was looking forward to the new iPhone, and was eagerly checking the various pricing plans on offer in various parts of the world prior to the announcement in New Zealand.
I thought it would be a great opportunity for Vodafone New Zealand to really kick off the mobile data explosion that is happening on a global scale, here in New Zealand.
Sadly, the pricing plans recently unveiled by Vodafone New Zealand for the iPhone have put a damper on all of that. The pricing is totally exorbitant in comparison with the rest of the world.
Vodafone New Zealand has the questionable honour of holding the title for the most expensive iPhone plans for any given level of benefits -- in the World.
I feel that this is a real missed opportunity.
What could have been a great marketing opportunity to establish Vodafone New Zealand as an innovator and market leader has rather enraged and disappointed informed customers and potential customers; not only nationwide, but has also given Vodafone a bad name Worldwide.
I'm sure that as a responsible CEO you've kept your finger on the pulse and are aware of the massive negative response there was in New Zealand, and in the overseas media when the price structure was announced.
I have myself been a loyal Vodafone customer, since they first took over the GSM network in New Zealand, but I find my loyalty has taken a serious blow. I find myself wondering if Vodafone as a group are simply interested in profiteering, and not interested in me as a customer at all.
What is more, I have found that the quality of service at the service centre has been very poor lately. I called several times with a question recently, only to be misinformed in several ways about the answer to my query, and by staff members who had obvious difficulty speaking and understanding the English language.
"What did you AKS?", for instance.
I really hope this this is just a stumble in the progress of Vodafone in New Zealand. If not, and if there are not some serious changes made soon to the value of the offered plans, I and many other like-minded New Zealanders will be seeking mobile voice, text, and data solutions elsewhere.
To indicate that I am not alone in my feelings on this, please refer to the linked forum: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iphone_rip_off_ ...
At the time of writing there were about 1500 "signatures" on this forum, and it's growing quickly.
Please take action quickly, to salvage what little good reputation Vodafone NZ has left, I implore you.
Best Regards,
Sam Gabriel." - samgab, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1Has anyone from New Zealand downloaded iTunes 7.7 and upgraded their first gen iPhone yet? If so, what happens? Is it locked? I'm worried :(
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