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Dolphin 35, an 18 month contract, £35 a month for 18 months with the option of 5 months free. That brings the total cost to £455, only £55 more than the Sim free cost of the phone and you get unlimited web browsing and unlimited texts and 600 minutes.
Orange may have a poor reputation, but that deal is unbelievably good.
See here: http://www.mobiles.co.uk/orange-htc-touch-diamond.html#MobilePhoneTariffs
Edit: My mistake, there's no unlimited data with that deal. It looks like you have to buy through orange for unlimited data which comes to a total of £540, £90 quid more. Still not bad though.
The standard warning applies with the above offers and all like it. You are likely to not get that money due to obscure overcomplicated rules on redeeming the cashback, normally involving goats, virgins, and lunar eclipses.
It's been scientifically proven that people too evil to be a seal-clubber or second-hand car salesman go on to run discount phone websites.
The original deal direct from Orange is still good though. In fact, it's the one I signed up for earlier.
Or you could get all that and a free ipod or projector or whatever you want, done it with my last phone and an xbox 360 and it all worked fine.
joey7415963 said:
Or you could get all that and a free ipod or projector or whatever you want, done it with my last phone and an xbox 360 and it all worked fine.
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You pay more though, the original deal i quote was £455, to get a 'free' Xbox Arcade it would cost £720. That's £265 more for a console thats worth £150 - So you're wasting £115! Hardly free ey?
i just got a upgrade
they have given me 650 cross network
unlimited landline calls
unlimited texts
"unlimited" data
18 month contract...which i don't mind.... £30
this was direct from orange....no funny middle men
Free direct from orange on £30 pm
Just bought mine on upgrade, direct from orange for £30 pm 600mins + unlimited text and web, phone was free!
I suspect you can get it for free on the £25pm but I wanted unlimited web.
ljames28 said:
Dolphin 35, an 18 month contract, £35 a month for 18 months with the option of 5 months free. That brings the total cost to £455, only £55 more than the Sim free cost of the phone and you get unlimited web browsing and unlimited texts and 600 minutes.
Orange may have a poor reputation, but that deal is unbelievably good.
See here: http://www.mobiles.co.uk/orange-htc-touch-diamond.html#MobilePhoneTariffs
Edit: My mistake, there's no unlimited data with that deal. It looks like you have to buy through orange for unlimited data which comes to a total of £540, £90 quid more. Still not bad though.
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Click to collapse
Oranges' deals are not that good at all.
First of all 18 month contracts for any WM Device enthusist are terrible. You want to try the new forthcoming WM7 HTC devices, you will want a 12 month deal.
Secondly Orange's unlimited data isnt unlimited. Its a 500MB fair use policy (too little) that - according to their website (and there has been some confusion about this) is limited to 2 months. After 2 months, you pay for the data package.
You need to check if these 3rd party dealers are giving the unlimited mobile data. I just ordered with M2YD on a Dolphin 35 18 month contract, free handset and this DOES include the unlimited mobile browing (confirmed with M2YD and Orange CS on the phone). £35 per month with £210 back on redemption and £55 cashback with quidco. This means my total cost for the 18months will be £365
Me too
I've ordered from m2yd.
Dolphin 35 .... £210 cashback, unlimited internet and texts. £55 back from www.quidco.com
In all, over 18 months it will cost me £20.28 per month
Best deal currently available over 18 months ... I think I've searched them all!
darthbane2k said:
Oranges' deals are not that good at all.
First of all 18 month contracts for any WM Device enthusist are terrible. You want to try the new forthcoming WM7 HTC devices, you will want a 12 month deal.
Secondly Orange's unlimited data isnt unlimited. Its a 500MB fair use policy (too little) that - according to their website (and there has been some confusion about this) is limited to 2 months. After 2 months, you pay for the data package.
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Click to collapse
The contract may be 18 months but i was simply looking at the total cost. As in, if a phone comes out in 12 months that you want, buy that also. There's nothing to stop you running two contracts concurrently. If you've seen a better deal from another network, post it, just because it's an 18 month deal doesn't make it bad.
Also, show me a network that does unlimited data that doesn't have a fair usage policy? Hell, every ISP has one, why wouldn't a phone network who has to send data over a massive infrastructure of cell towers
Btw, im not an Orange fan, im a Tmobile fan, no bias here.
I don't worry about the 18 months thing. For heavily subsidied expensive phones, it often works out that the TCO over 18 months is just a few more £ than over 12 months.
Way back when I got my Wizard with Vodafone, the 18 month contract was about £20 more than with a 12 month contract. I still got my Vario II 12 months later, but then had a spare contract phone for 6 months for £20.
As for the whole "unlimited" thing, it's not just in regards to data, they also wrap "unlimite texts" etc. in similar weasel words. I'm surprised that they're all allowed to get away with it still. It's pure false advertising, and they all do it.
ljames28 said:
The contract may be 18 months but i was simply looking at the total cost. As in, if a phone comes out in 12 months that you want, buy that also. There's nothing to stop you running two contracts concurrently. If you've seen a better deal from another network, post it, just because it's an 18 month deal doesn't make it bad.
Also, show me a network that does unlimited data that doesn't have a fair usage policy? Hell, every ISP has one, why wouldn't a phone network who has to send data over a massive infrastructure of cell towers
Btw, im not an Orange fan, im a Tmobile fan, no bias here.
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Click to collapse
sounds like bias to me.
At least T Mobile offer 1GB fair use. 500MB is way too limited.
Also with T's web n walk plus, you get free GLOBAL T Mobile hotspot access.
Also T have a brilliant HSDPA network. How extensive is Oranges?
Also with orange - you seen that cost to non orange mobiles outside of your air time?
As for contract length.. let me put it this way..
12 months ago I bought a brand new HTC Touch.
Slightly OT, but does the Orange unlimited internet allow for using the phone as a modem? Is it unlimited internet or unlimited data?
Likewise does it allow for VOIP?
I can see how Opera will quickly eat into the data instead of pocket IE and its cut down pages
Back on topic, Orange allow a downgrade to the next lower tariff after 9(?) months -so a bit more saving. Not sure if this impacts on the cashback offer though
PaulusUK said:
Slightly OT, but does the Orange unlimited internet allow for using the phone as a modem? Is it unlimited internet or unlimited data?
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The unlimited package on orange does not allow tethering or VOIP...
Have done quite a bit of VOIP over 3G with Skype using an Orange 250mb data plan with my old Tytn 2 and never got charged for it, when I check my usage all it shows is I used a few megs, done that for months
Not tried tethering though as I have no need to.
They may say we don't allow you to do it but doesn't mean they banned it
Sorry, whats tethering?
ljames28 said:
You pay more though, the original deal i quote was £455, to get a 'free' Xbox Arcade it would cost £720. That's £265 more for a console thats worth £150 - So you're wasting £115! Hardly free ey?
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Ok for 6 months extra you get a FREE projector and £80 or pay £30 and get £20 and a free projector!
http://www.beepy.co.uk/mobile-phone...hin-35-24-month-home-cinema-gaming-projector/
Or get a FREE iPod so .... yeh it is free when you compare it with your deal
Recieved my orange UK diamond!!
Wooo!
I've got my diamond today through the m2yd and quidco cashback offer.
There's no discernable customisation to the interface and a very discreet orange badge on the rear cover.
Here are some unboxing pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/fareedoon/20080711Diamond
Also to add, it is sim-locked.
Got mine too!
Don't forget, first thing to do is look right at the bottom of the box and get the screen protector, and fit this before doing anything else
PaulusUK said:
Got mine too!
Don't forget, first thing to do is look right at the bottom of the box and get the screen protector, and fit this before doing anything else
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Click to collapse
thanks, just noticed it!
just been looking at some posts and seen the price some of you guys pay in the usa,how come its so much.
If I recall market coverage I've read correctly, the US contracts reflect higher bundled minutes per month and subsidies for purchasing a phone. Both of these "features" aren't typical in other parts of the world (most notably Europe) where the minutes/month is either lower or non-existant and the carriers don't provide a discount for the phone that you pick up.
Many analysts expect the US model to migrate more towards the European model as time passes due to market pressures.
so for a average price plan what do you get for your money,here in the uk you get a free phone eg the diamond 600mins and say free web for 18months and for 35 uk£
Over here in the UK, phones are certainly subsidised. As for, higher minutes? I'm paying T-Mobile £37/month, for an 18 month contract. For that, I get 1000 voice minutes, 'unlimited' texts, 'unlimited' web, and a free MDA Vario 3 (Kaiser).
Big US companys are incredibly greedy, care nothing about the customer, don't care about improving the customer expirience, and only really care about the money.
that's why!
Edit:
For a US individual AT&T customer, you'll run...
$40 - 450 talk minutes... not even unlimited *5000* night and weekend minutes
$35 - unlimited data/ internet usage
$20 - unlimited texting
so for an individual who wants to text and use his tilt that even with a REBATE he spent 200 dollars on, for internet usage, he pays 95 us dollars per month. this is using the edge network most places in the US *only get HSDPA in metropolitan areas* which is quite slow :-S
sdconvoy said:
Big US companys are incredibly greedy, care nothing about the customer, don't care about improving the customer expirience, and only really care about the money.
that's why!
Edit:
For a US individual AT&T customer, you'll run...
$40 - 450 talk minutes... not even unlimited *5000* night and weekend minutes
$35 - unlimited data/ internet usage
$20 - unlimited texting
so for an individual who wants to text and use his tilt that even with a REBATE he spent 200 dollars on, for internet usage, he pays 95 us dollars per month. this is using the edge network most places in the US *only get HSDPA in metropolitan areas* which is quite slow :-S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is a fact...and a very sad one at that.
o2xdaexec said:
so for a average price plan what do you get for your money,here in the uk you get a free phone eg the diamond 600mins and say free web for 18months and for 35 uk£
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Click to collapse
this might be a stupid q, but are the 600 mins per month or for the whole 18 months?
AthenaLod said:
this might be a stupid q, but are the 600 mins per month or for the whole 18 months?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
600 minutes per month
sdconvoy said:
Big US companys are incredibly greedy, care nothing about the customer, don't care about improving the customer expirience, and only really care about the money.
that's why!
Edit:
For a US individual AT&T customer, you'll run...
$40 - 450 talk minutes... not even unlimited *5000* night and weekend minutes
$35 - unlimited data/ internet usage
$20 - unlimited texting
so for an individual who wants to text and use his tilt that even with a REBATE he spent 200 dollars on, for internet usage, he pays 95 us dollars per month. this is using the edge network most places in the US *only get HSDPA in metropolitan areas* which is quite slow :-S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Corporate greed knows no borders, we have T-Mobile in the U.S., they are a German corporation, and Verizon Wireless, Vodafone has a big stake in them. I get HSDPA in my area, and it's VERY rural, so you'd be wrong about HSDPA only being available in metro areas, I live in a county (Mendocino, NW CA) that is HUGE at 3800 sq.miles in size, has a population of 88,000 and is very mountainous and rural. The nearest Metropolitan area to me is San Francisco, 115 miles south of where I live.
Edit-To be fair, while many of the bigger carriers, like AT&T and Verizon may not be as customer oriented as they should be, you have to remember the U.S. has many smaller and regional carriers as well, like US Cellular, Golden State Cellular, Inland Cellular (to name a few), and they are often VERY customer oriented, and tend to provide more personal service to their customers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_mobile_phone_companies
Try here (Switzerland).
Prices are approximate due to conversion but gives an idea:
For $30/month:
250MB data/month
NO free calls, $0.45/min to other mobile networks (there are 3 so the chance the other person isn't on the same as you is quite high), $0.45/hour (you pay that amount regardless whether the call lasts 1 min or 59 mins) to same network or landline.
NO free texts ($0.15 each).
And as the retail value of a Kaiser is $1100 here, youl'll still pay it $650 with a 1-year contract or $450 with 2 years.
The billing model for all phone providers have now gone to that "per hour" fee on landlines and same network, and same amount per minute for other networks.
The one network that is usually always a bit in advance regarding their offers has gone for plans where your monthly fee becomes a credit and you can use it up, basically removing the base monthly fee IF you use it up entirely. But free minutes/texts are basically non-existant apart for the top ($70/month range) plans.
It is probably worth mentioning that, at the current exchange rate, one US dollar is worth approx. .6844 Euro.
Call that a buck and a half per Euro.
So a 40 EU contract is worth $60.
I pay $73USD per month to AT&T. For that I get:
450 Peak Minutes
5000 Nights and Weekend Minutes
Unlimited Data
1000 Messages (any combination of message types)
Weird Al's Canadian Idiot greeting my callers until I answer.
I don't see how this is such a bad deal. In order to exceed the 5000 minutes of off-peak time, you would need to be on the phone 1 minute for every 4.94 minutes during the off-peak periods. Let us also remember that AT&T has Rollover, so our unused peak minutes hang around for 12 months.
NotATreoFan said:
I pay $73USD per month to AT&T. For that I get:
450 Peak Minutes
5000 Nights and Weekend Minutes
Unlimited Data
1000 Messages (any combination of message types)
Weird Al's Canadian Idiot greeting my callers until I answer.
I don't see how this is such a bad deal. In order to exceed the 5000 minutes of off-peak time, you would need to be on the phone 1 minute for every 4.94 minutes during the off-peak periods. Let us also remember that AT&T has Rollover, so our unused peak minutes hang around for 12 months.
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Click to collapse
I get a tad of a discount so mines a bit less. I pay 120 USD for the following
National Family plan 700 mins ( I can go anywhere with 0 roaming fees here in the states )
Unlimited data PDA Connect for one line ( believe me I use it more than ATT might like lol )
1500 sms/txt per line
Longer Free nights and weekends
I bought 1 tilt from Ebay and 1 from the retail store. Even though I paid almost 700USD for the 1 from the start ( when it first came out ), I don't regret a second of it. I feel the prices for the plans themselves are quite fair.
wron wrong WRONG!!!
Comjon now! stop complaining about how high our monthly contracts are!! (My wife's idiot brother in law once had a $900 bill come to him--his wife was happy) but that's besides the point. How else are we going to contribute to our gov'ts 1.7 TRILLION bail out? lol
telegraph0000 said:
Comjon now! stop complaining about how high our monthly contracts are!! (My wife's idiot brother in law once had a $900 bill come to him--his wife was happy) but that's besides the point. How else are we going to contribute to our gov'ts 1.7 TRILLION bail out? lol
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Click to collapse
India is pretty cheap when it comes to mobile usage...Vodafone charges me 13$ per month upto 1GB data plan free per month and about 0.02$ per minute outgoing and free incoming with some text msgs free per month dont remember how many now...here you need to buy the phone seperately a decent WM device can cost upto 200$ appx but its a one time buy and you can switch SIM cards (i.e the phones are unlocked so you free to switch service providers) My average bill for a month comes upto 32$ including the rental charges.
Cheers
FCC plays a big part of why contracts are so much. Just look at the last auction they had for the 700mhz spectrum. If you want cheap rates, Sprint had a SERO plan for $30 a month for 500min anytime, $50 for 1250 min, $100 for 2500 min, all plans include Unlimited Text Messaging, Unlimited Data, Free Nights & Weekends Starting at 7pm. SERO is no longer offered but instead Everything Plus. $60 for 500 min $80 for 1000 min both plan include what SERO had.
MetroPCS also has pretty cheap plans.
For me I have 700 min/mo rollover family plan shared with 5 phones. My phone has PDA data plan and 1500 txt/sms. 2nd phone has unlimited medianet and 200 txt/sms. Rest just voice. I pay $137 a month for all 5 lines because I have a FAN account. I got about 1500 minutes of rollover minutes so it doesnt cost anything if I go over my minutes. Besides if I ran out of minutes, theres always Skype on my tilt and on my N75.
PerfAlbion said:
If I recall market coverage I've read correctly, the US contracts reflect higher bundled minutes per month and subsidies for purchasing a phone. Both of these "features" aren't typical in other parts of the world (most notably Europe) where the minutes/month is either lower or non-existant and the carriers don't provide a discount for the phone that you pick up.
Many analysts expect the US model to migrate more towards the European model as time passes due to market pressures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm, I paid the most I have ever paid for a phone for my Tytn II, 85eur for the phone, 35 Eur (250 outgoing minutes (all incoming calls are free)) a month plan, 10 Eur for unlimited FUP 3G internet. I pay just under 45 Eur a month for a 2 year plan.
I hope people in the US go towards a EU type policy. I cannot believe people still pay for local incoming calls.
Hmmm
How far do you get to call without paying extra? We get all of the USA, which is pretty big. Maybe we pay more to get more, our network is a bit large.
Here in the UK, mobile numbers don't have area codes (which I believe is the case in the US, although I stand prepared to be shot down in flames if I've got that one wrong).
Therefore, we don't pay more to call 'further'. Fixed lines, however can be geographic (with area codes), or non-geographic (freephone and premium rate numbers), so call can vary there. Calls to mobiles and geographic numbers usually are taken off the minutes bundled with the tariff before being charged; non-geographic numbers are generally charged.
As a result, I can call my brother who lives at the other end of the UK from me, and it comes out of my free minutes. If I had used all of those, however, it wouldn't cost me any more than if he were down the street.
Do any of your europeland companies let you keep your anytime minutes if you don't use them? That was my draw to AT&T when I first signed up.
My current plan is $68/month. approx 46.25 euros a month
Tilt came free to me for being a professional
450 anytime minutes, 5000 n&w
Unlimited data
1000 texts/mms/etc
I hate Bell with a passion. After two short 1 week vacations in the states, I was charged for nearly $200 of money I didn't use, apparently for roamer packet data.
I never want to put myself in any situation where my phone sucks money out of my wallet without me knowing.
After installing Android (Thanks Myn!) on my HTC Touch (From Bell), I've been using it for a day and I wonder whether or not my internet access will cause my extra charges.
I used to have an unlimited data plan on my HTC Touch running WM 6.1, but is that transferred when I use Android? Essentially my phone now thinks its American, yet runs via Bell Mobility.
Should I stop using internet?
I too am on Bell's network with the unlimited mobile browser plan and do not get charged extra fees using any data on Android (while within Canada). This also goes for tethering. Although this is the vogue forum, I want to save confusion and let you know i am on an HTC Touch from Bell (Vogue).
I have the fun 15 bundle with Bell and have never been charged for data. From what I understand, Bell does not consider the Vogue to be a smartphone, and therefore allows you to take the Fun 15 (or other unlimited mobile browser package).
Cheers
shadoslayer said:
I have the fun 15 bundle with Bell and have never been charged for data. From what I understand, Bell does not consider the Vogue to be a smartphone, and therefore allows you to take the Fun 15 (or other unlimited mobile browser package).
Cheers
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Click to collapse
Seriously? I've been paying extra for data... I'm with Bell and have the Touch.
I just need to put this out there. This question has been answered MANY times. If you had searched you would have found the answer
ThomasHW said:
Seriously? I've been paying extra for data... I'm with Bell and have the Touch.
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Click to collapse
If you have Unlimited Mobile Browser and the Touch, then you shouldn't be paying any extra for data from Bell.
Liko said:
If you have Unlimited Mobile Browser and the Touch, then you shouldn't be paying any extra for data from Bell.
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Click to collapse
I don't have unlimited browser, but I'm assuming a plan with that would be far cheaper than the $65 I'm paying?
ThomasHW said:
I don't have unlimited browser, but I'm assuming a plan with that would be far cheaper than the $65 I'm paying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can add the Unlimited Browser option for $10 to any current plan. For $15 you can add Fun 15 Bundle which includes the Unlimited Browser, Call Display, Voicemail and 250 text sent.
I have to Touches with Bell both with unlimited, one is a postpaid and the other is prepaid and never get charged extra EXCEPT for one time I was in Niagara Falls right on the border, I ended up getting charged about 20 dollars for one day extra in Data fees they said because I was on the US towers, weird but I never left canada and still got charged.
Bell are horrible in everything except the unlimited data for the vogue lol.
Yep, as everyone stated, there should be no charges with UMB. For some its reason enough to try and get every last drop out of the vogue. I do look at some of the devices out there and wonder though.
I too was charged roaming data rates when in the South part of Vancouver Island (good old Sooke, BC). I guess I was on the US towers and checked my email a few times. I think charges were around $25. Be careful when close to the US!
Yes, I am on the $7 unlimited data plan and also have not paid a cent extra
bobjr said:
Yep, as everyone stated, there should be no charges with UMB. For some its reason enough to try and get every last drop out of the vogue. I do look at some of the devices out there and wonder though.
I too was charged roaming data rates when in the South part of Vancouver Island (good old Sooke, BC). I guess I was on the US towers and checked my email a few times. I think charges were around $25. Be careful when close to the US!
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Click to collapse
masalma said:
I have to Touches with Bell both with unlimited, one is a postpaid and the other is prepaid and never get charged extra EXCEPT for one time I was in Niagara Falls right on the border, I ended up getting charged about 20 dollars for one day extra in Data fees they said because I was on the US towers, weird but I never left canada and still got charged.
Bell are horrible in everything except the unlimited data for the vogue lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can contest those charges. Let them know where you were and they'll remove the fees.
prairiefire said:
You can contest those charges. Let them know where you were and they'll remove the fees.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trust me I did, no go.
Off topic: I once had added 500 long distance minutes for $30 I think from bell, and towards the end of the month I felt like I was getting close, so I called in to ask if I can add more, and the lady on the phone said since I am a student I can get a plan where I can make/receive unlimited nationwide calls from/to 10 numbers, all I have to do is go into a store and show my id and ask them to add the plan.
Next day I head down to a Bell store, tell them I want the student plan, and to add to my plan 40 long distance minutes for $7 just in case I call or receive any long distance calls outside of these numbers.
Well what the girl did, she added the student plan, and the $7 plan, but she took off the 500min for $30. When I got my phone bill it was close to $400 for that month because they ended up charging me for the 500 minutes of long distance. Lets just say it took about 3-4 months to get them to issue a refund, and with so much time spent on the phone, at the store, with managers.
basically screw Bell, if they didn't have this unlimited browser for the Vogue, I wouldn't even touch them.
rant over
I feel your pain. Any time they screw up, it's a guarantee you'll be spending time measured in days for them to correct it. I love it when you call back and find out that the previous person on the phone didn't keep any notes in their system and you have to start from scratch.
Unfortunately I think every other provider is equally crappy.
pretty much every time I call bell for anything I immediatly tell them I want to talk to 'retentions'. When the rep asks why I say cause I'm going to cancel my plan, pay it out a switch carriers.. They transfer me to retentions who is much more organized to deal with.
lol
Well.. I phoned Bell and asked why they were charging me for data when my phone wasn't considered a "smart phone" and why they didn't tell me this when I switched phones (I called in to switch). They gave me some garbage, and I said "yes... but I could have been paying $15 less a month and would of had the same service." He went and talked to his manager and they're reimbursing me for a few months and are switching my plan.
don't use data in the States
NEVER use your Touch in the States.
I was in Vegas for a week and a few checks of my email and a few Twitter updates (everything that automatically used data- push mail, MyPhone backup, weather- was disabled) and I've used 67 meg of data.
And $2000 tab from Bell Canada....
For the entire year of 2009 Bell reported to me that I used 120 meg, they falsely report your unlimited mobile browser usage to you by capping each mobile packet data session (check your bell bill, each session has the same total).. But when you go to the states (or another country that supports Bell CDMA) the provider that you are piggy-backing service from is reporting back to Bell what what your actual data usage is (like you were using any data device -blackberry, iphone etc.)..
it gets better..
Bell bills this, out of plan, mobile browser foreign usage at $30 per megabyte - it bills actual data phone foreign usage at $6 per megabyte.
I had naively bought the 2meg $20 US mobile browser thinking this should cover my usage while in the states..oops
I've talked to a dozen different people at Bell from CSR's, supervisors, managers to different people in the executive office; they all say after consulting with their "data expert" that there was nothing wrong or abnormal about my usage in the states. 100% true I used my phone data normally, they are looking for a one time large or abnormal usage.
But as we're not getting billed normally, we are not able to make informed decisions about a) pre-buying a US mobile browser package or b) monitoring mobile browser usage in the US. And getting forced to pay 5X what other data phone users are paying for their data usage in the US.
Zadabest said:
I hate Bell with a passion. After two short 1 week vacations in the states, I was charged for nearly $200 of money I didn't use, apparently for roamer packet data.
I never want to put myself in any situation where my phone sucks money out of my wallet without me knowing.
After installing Android (Thanks Myn!) on my HTC Touch (From Bell), I've been using it for a day and I wonder whether or not my internet access will cause my extra charges.
I used to have an unlimited data plan on my HTC Touch running WM 6.1, but is that transferred when I use Android? Essentially my phone now thinks its American, yet runs via Bell Mobility.
Should I stop using internet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahh there is a god..
I finally got resolution to my $2000 bill from bell for US mobile browser usage.. they had offered a 50% reduction..
I finally got a sane person at the Executive Office who charged me $45 for the new US 1GB package and has wiped out the outstanding US browser charges. The 'data-expert' that was to return my call is no longer with Bell... and NO body at Bell understands the difference between mobile browser usage (capped) and Data usage (uncapped).. even better when you bill says "roamer data usage"
... good timing too as the accounts receivable bastards had disabled both my phones with Bell Mobility and I had borrowed $1500 to reactive them.
Be polite, but persistent..
Now on my next trip to the US should I try and pre-purchase the 1GB US data package for $45.. LOL
wow. that is a horror story if i've ever heard one. i have seen how the UMB shows capped packet data but never understood why they would do that. It doesn't make sense. Are they not recording the correct data internally or just not reporting it correctly?
10$ for it? damn... i'm glad I got in before the price hikes... it might only be a couple dollars but it adds up. When I signed up, it was 5$, and I was enrolled for some promo that knocked it down to 3$ a month. About a year ago I got a letter saying it was going up to 7$, but the promo's still on my account knocking off 2$ every month so I only pay 5 for it... Kinda wondering what to do when my contract finally expires in 6 months, since I'm quite enjoying the vogue with android for 40$ a month after taxes... (200 minutes, 500 texts, unlimited data etc etc) and I know they won't renew my contract at that rate :/
The original HOT deal has ended. See below for the latest 25% discount. I've been meaning to post this for a couple months now and kept putting it off thinking that a) the promo was about to expire and b) most people might find this too much of a hassle. I however think this is a steal and I'm willing to move to Ptel while it's this price and switch elsewhere if the deal ends. The joys of using Google Voice means I don't really care if the phone number associated with my SIM changes. If you fall in to the same camp, read on.
*********
Plans
Ptel offers two "unlimited" plans:
$40 unlimited talk and text. First 250MB at 4G speeds then throttled.
$50 unlimited talk and text. First 2GB at 4G speeds then throttled.
Both plans include unlimited international text, MMS, and 411. Also, unlike all other prepaid companies I've tried, Ptel includes conditional call forwarding so Google Voicemail is not a problem.
Promo Codes
PTELG25 = 25% off ($4.99 SIM Card & Free shipping) = upfront cost of $41.24 for the unlimited 2GB plan -OR- $33.74 for the unlimited 250MB plan
This code requires you to buy a sim/top-up card combo each time, unfortunately. I don't see any way to use the coupon code when simply topping up.
Expired Codes
PTELSLICK20 = $20 off (Free SIM Card & shipping) = $30.00 upfront cost
-OR-
PTEL25BRAD = $25 off (Free shipping) = $29.99 Final upfront cost
-OR-
PTELSTUD25 = 25% off your order and free shipping (not really useful IMHO unless you're buying a phone)
Additional Savings (Cashback)
Befrugal changed their policies effective July 2013. No more cashback from them when buying minutes. If you find another site that will do so, please share! In addition to getting their unlimited deal for $30 $41.24, you can get 20% cashback via BeFrugal making the final cost $24 $32.99! BeFrugal will only allow you to cash out after your account reaches $25. For those of you that are new to cashback sites, just know that in order to qualify, you must click through on the cashback site before you go to the carrier's website. I will often open up a different browser, just to make sure I don't mess anything up. For other cashback options, see here:
http://cashbackwatch.com/store.php?store=PlatinumTel
Buying Multiple Months
The deal has been going on since December at least. So, while it's not "guaranteed" $30 service, it has effectively been that for a few months now. Another option to consider is buying several months worth of SIMs if that makes sense for you. Some might consider this to be counter to the premise of buying an unlocked Nexus. My brother is one of those people that thinks buying a years worth of service up front is a bad idea. "I guess it comes down to principle. Buying 13 months is like having a 13 month contract, more or less. I'm not cool with that."
Either way, it's your call. I bought enough for 3 months and as long as the promo continues, each month I buy one more SIM.
Here are more details which I found out from a Ptel customer service rep:
1) You must order a new SIM each time you use the coupon. There's no way around that.
2) The "Activation PIN" that comes with the SIM card can be applied to your original SIM. No need to change numbers each month by using the new SIM they send you.
3) Top-up cards in any denomination are good for a full year, but...
4) Once you activate the card, you must use it up within a certain period of time. For the $50 card, the term is 180 days. Totally fine if you're just using it for the unlimited plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, the max number of cards you can buy at once would be 13, I think. Feel free to correct me if my math is off.
Odds & Ends
Other things to keep in mind:
They send you a standard size SIM card. It's too big for the Nexus 4 so you'll need a SIM card cutter. Or you can always ask someone at a Tmobile store to cut it for you (if they have a cutter one available). I bought mine on eBay for a couple bucks. EDIT: As of April 2013, Ptel now sells Micro SIMs too (labeled as Combi Card 2FF/3FF).
Ptel has been around since 2001, but only just switched to GSM (SIM-based) service in December. It seems this promotion is their way of drumming up business on their new plans/network.
I've been on Ptel since January 2013 and have had great luck so far. Good customer service. Fast HSPA+ service in Boston. 16mb down. Zero complaints. If you have any questions, just ask.
Just figured I'd give this post a bump. Just bought another month's worth of Ptel service. The PTEL25BRAD code still works. So, $29.99 service is still in effect (before the $6 cashback).
I don't understand why no one else jumping on this? Give it a try people!
Definitely giving this a try. Thanks for the info.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Thanks again for the tip. Picked one up last night. My total was only 20 not bad for a whole month of service. Certainly beats my old Verizon plan
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
bkarlsen said:
Thanks again for the tip. Picked one up last night. My total was only 20 not bad for a whole month of service. Certainly beats my old Verizon plan
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear it! How'd you get it down to $20? Or are you doing the first tier of 4G that throttles after 250mb?
Conditional call forwarding works on Straight Talk.
Op you sound like you work for them buddy.
adamr240 said:
Conditional call forwarding works on Straight Talk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't realize that. I was on Tmobile's $30 plan before and had to call and ask them to disable voicemail altogether for GV voicemail to work well.
Underground_XI said:
Op you sound like you work for them buddy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha. Well, if my XDA account was a new one, then maybe that'd be a red flag. That and and if I wasn't finding ways to pay nearly 50% what they charge per month...that too. I'm just a penny pinching mf.
It does sound too good to be true though, I admit. I hope it lasts for a while longer. At this rate, the savings will pay off my N4 by September. The only thing keeping me from buying even more cards at a time (well one of the reasons at least) is that it might be nice to have LTE at some point. It's still not clear if Tmobile will allow MVNO's to use that network.
how is tmobile's own unlimited everything for $50 any worst than this? considering you'll probably get better customer service, choice of buying a new phone and making payments, no contract or buying upfront, discount monthly bill if you're a student or have corporate discount, and last but not least like you've mentioned, simplicity?
Great tip. Ordering
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
khanh1289 said:
how is tmobile's own unlimited everything for $50 any worst than this? considering you'll probably get better customer service, choice of buying a new phone and making payments, no contract or buying upfront, discount monthly bill if you're a student or have corporate discount, and last but not least like you've mentioned, simplicity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At Ptel's normal monthly fee, the only benefit would be 2gb of unthrottled service instead of 500mb. With the coupon codes in the OP, plus cash back, Ptel's a no brainer in my opinion.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Yeah I went with the first tier. In their terms it only throttles to 3g after 250mb. Can't beat 20 bucks for a full month of unlimited everything even if it is at 3g speeds. I really appreciate the tip.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
bkarlsen said:
Yeah I went with the first tier. In their terms it only throttles to 3g after 250mb. Can't beat 20 bucks for a full month of unlimited everything even if it is at 3g speeds. I really appreciate the tip.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's 2G, at least according to their official twitter account.
https://twitter.com/ptelmobile/status/285848003506483201
adamr240 said:
Conditional call forwarding works on Straight Talk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only for Straight Talk AT&T SIM....
it does not work on Straight Talk T-Mobile.
khanh1289 said:
how is tmobile's own unlimited everything for $50 any worst than this? considering you'll probably get better customer service, choice of buying a new phone and making payments, no contract or buying upfront, discount monthly bill if you're a student or have corporate discount, and last but not least like you've mentioned, simplicity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just another option offered up by the OP. I personally think it will work out better for me, but if it doesnt I can just toss the sim and go back to Tmobile. But for $20 I felt it was at least worth trialing. That is one of the benefits of using my N4 with prepaid carriers. I can try out whomever I like or switch plans if I wind up needing more 4G data later on. For right now though I use mostly wifi at home and work so I just needed the data for times in between those two.
---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 PM ----------
nomadism said:
I think it's 2G, at least according to their official twitter account.
https://twitter.com/ptelmobile/status/285848003506483201
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My error, I thought I had seen a note on their website about it being throttled back to 3g if I use up the 250mb. Still I dont mind the slower speed for now. And I can always switch up to their 2gb plan if their services is adequate after my test run with them. Thanks for the info. I will try to put a quick update in a week or so after I have had some time to test out their service.
khanh1289 said:
how is tmobile's own unlimited everything for $50 any worst than this? considering you'll probably get better customer service, choice of buying a new phone and making payments, no contract or buying upfront, discount monthly bill if you're a student or have corporate discount, and last but not least like you've mentioned, simplicity?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because PTel's $50 plan gives more data, and with the coupon alone it costs significantly less. Plus you can save even more with the cash back.
If they ever stop having the coupons, then you can always switch to TMobile, but as long as you can save $20 to $30 per month over TMobile, why not go with PTel?
You can get TMobile refills at a discount as well, but I haven't seen any for effectivly 60% off.
More info here:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1793983-Took-the-plunge-spent-600-real-money-in-credit
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
I went on to buy a few more and it looks like they are now offering micro Sims and the promo codes are still working. I am still stunned that I can get service for 16 a month after befrugal. Thanks again OP
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
bkarlsen said:
I went on to buy a few more and it looks like they are now offering micro Sims and the promo codes are still working. I am still stunned that I can get service for 16 a month after befrugal. Thanks again OP
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. Thanks for the update. I wouldn't mind a proper micro SIM. Didn't do a very good job cutting mine down and I'm honestly worried it may not come out without a fight. We'll see!
Oh, and I noticed they're selling the N4 now too, albeit for $399.
Sent from my Nexus 4
OK10 said:
I wan to buy a few too, and it seems to good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought so too but tested out the service this week and it works everywhere T-Mobile does. Plus unlimited phone ,text,and data for that price is amazing. Already bought 6 months worth of cards just in case promo changes. Definitely recommend buying through the befrugal link to save the extra 20%. At this rate switching to my nexus 4 will more than pay for itself.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
Just bought another month. Still working.
http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/7/1...-price-of-its-unlimited-plans-to-80-per-month
I don't quite understand it... Seeing as how my bill is $89 everything with insurance. Could you smarter guys explain?
Sent from my HTCONE
XaoSilentrzk said:
http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/7/1...-price-of-its-unlimited-plans-to-80-per-month
I don't quite understand it... Seeing as how my bill is $89 everything with insurance. Could you smarter guys explain?
Sent from my HTCONE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guess it won't affect you but for me yes.
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk 2
I believe they're gonna get rid of the "Everything Data Share" plan and stick with this one... makes sense. And they're bringing the 5gb wifi hotspot for 30/mo.
Go SoftBank!
via sexy phONE.
Sprint must be kidding. I have the Family plan 1500 and 4 of my lines are only $30 a month with unlimited data and text and we get no wheres near 1500 minutes. It would stupid on my part to switch where the cheapest line would be $50 a month with unlimited data. I hate to think that they think i am that stupid to fall for it.....lol
Where are the limited minutes? You already get unlimited mobile to mobile + nights and weekends, so...?
These new plans are waaayy to expensive.
Wait.. does Sprint's website reflect the changes? I see no price changes (for family).
For the math challenged, here's a breakdown for a family of 5 smartphones:
Before:
$150 (lines 1 & 2) + 3 x $20 (lines 3,4,5) + $10 x 5 (Premium data fee) = $260 not including taxes.
1500 peak non-mobile minutes, mobile to mobile is free, off peak is free, unlimited data
After:
$50 + $40 + $30 + $20 + $20 + $30 x 5 (Unlimited data) = $310
Unlimited voice, data
So, you're trading $50 /mo for the unlimited calls. Sounds like a pretty raw deal for Everything Data Family users with max members. For a family of 2 smartphones its:
$150 + $10 x 2 = $170
vs.
$50 + $40 + 2 x $30 = $150
It's cheaper here, because Sprint charges so little for the 3rd, 4th and 5th members.
So this has no effect on me basically? I'm the only one on my plan so this news means nothing to me? Here I thought the price war was on too lol... The race to the bottom
Sent from my HTCONE
XaoSilentrzk said:
So this has no effect on me basically? I'm the only one on my plan so this news means nothing to me? Here I thought the price war was on too lol... The race to the bottom
Sent from my HTCONE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have everything 450 for $80 right now, so if I switch to the new plan, I can get unlimited minutes...
sounds decent, but I don't really use 450 a month anyway.
nerv8765 said:
I have everything 450 for $80 right now, so if I switch to the new plan, I can get unlimited minutes...
sounds decent, but I don't really use 450 a month anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me neither so this plan is basically useless to us?
Sent from my HTCONE
Something to pay attention to with the new Sprint plans.....Fine Print:
"While using your device outside of Sprint's coverage area, (ROAMING) you are allowed 100MB of data per month. Should you bypass this limit, Sprint "may discontinue service."
Source
I know not that long ago my plan was $119 and that included my first 2 lines. Now its only 1 line and a extra $10 for the premium data and the 4 other lines are $29.99 each. I dont know how that happened because i thought sprint allowed you to upgrade your phone without changing your plan but now i see thats not true. Maybe i just understood it wrong....lol
Very interesting. This makes my hand squeeze a lil more on the trigger to add a line and get the ONE instead of upgrading my wife's phone.
Then I would have the ONE and the wife would have S3
Because as of right now, I get worst service on my Virgin mobile(S3 and Evo)then on my wife's Sprint s2(go figure) and now VM is under new terms/agreement as of 8-13-13.
Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using xda app-developers app
quicksilvergts said:
Very interesting. This makes my hand squeeze a lil more on the trigger to add a line and get the ONE instead of upgrading my wife's phone.
Then I would have the ONE and the wife would have S3
Because as of right now, I get worst service on my Virgin mobile(S3 and Evo)then on my wife's Sprint s2(go figure) and now VM is under new terms/agreement as of 8-13-13.
Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VM don't let you access LTE do they? Don't they only sell WiMax phones?
Sent from my HTCONE
I'll just stick with my SERO-P.
XaoSilentrzk said:
VM don't let you access LTE do they? Don't they only sell WiMax phones?
Sent from my HTCONE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct. They sell LTE phones like my S3 but.......
If they do then it has to be very limited.(as I have been to Phoenix, southern California and Las Vegas. Have only got WiMAX ). WiMAX is the highest data I have received yet from then on my s3.
Also, about 1.5 months I called about my
Bogus service. The lady said." We are undergoing a lot of new changes and I am sorry for the inconvenience" I then asked, "is Virgin Mobile Going to be similar to Straight talk" ? I got a pause then she said, " like I said, Virgin Mobile is undergoing a lot of changes "
This gives me a excuse to get the HTC ONE I have been wanting so long lol :thumbup:
Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using xda app-developers app
I have 2 lines, first line is $110 + $10 and the other is 19.99 + $10 that's $149.99 plus tax and insurance, if I get the unlimited my way, it's $90 for the two lines plus $60 for data, that's $150 but I'm getting unlimited minutes, which I probably don't need, but might as well get it.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda premium
Another difference is switching to one of the new plans will lock it in for life where as staying on my 1500 min 4 line everything plan is subject to sprint changing at their will if they choose to do so in the future. On each of the 4 phones we never reach 1 gb of data usage in a month ever. We are always on wifi, home and work so I don't know what I should do in my situation.
benny3 said:
I know not that long ago my plan was $119 and that included my first 2 lines. Now its only 1 line and a extra $10 for the premium data and the 4 other lines are $29.99 each. I dont know how that happened because i thought sprint allowed you to upgrade your phone without changing your plan but now i see thats not true. Maybe i just understood it wrong....lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they screwed you...I've upgraded my wifes last Christmas & I still have the $110 everything data family plan....but that only includes the 1st line. Lines 2-5 are $20, plus $10 for premium data for smartphones (unless grandfathered). Having a 21% discount helps
they updated the plan awhile back, it was changed to $150 for 1st & 2nd lines, 3-5 are $30/mo, no premium data charge....I was just about to update to this plan, now it's gone
oh, and I like this part....
I have a discount through my employer. Does my employer discount work with the new plans?
Discounts apply to the monthly data charge rather than the primary rate plan for lines on the Unlimited, My Way plan. The My All-in plan is non-discountable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the Everything Data 450 plan iirc, with my 22% discount I end up paying like $84 a month with insurance/tep. If they give me the discount on the new plan it should be right about the same but what I dont like is the small print of "Other plans may receive prioritized bandwidth availability . Streaming video maybe limited to 1mbps". Who knows if they are gonna cap everyone over a certain limit, thats what I dont want.
I just called and the sprint rep told me they dont offer any employer discounts on these plans, so I wont be switching.
x714x said:
I got the Everything Data 450 plan iirc, with my 22% discount I end up paying like $84 a month with insurance/tep. If they give me the discount on the new plan it should be right about the same but what I dont like is the small print of "Other plans may receive prioritized bandwidth availability . Streaming video maybe limited to 1mbps". Who knows if they are gonna cap everyone over a certain limit, thats what I dont want.
I just called and the sprint rep told me they dont offer any employer discounts on these plans, so I wont be switching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just staying on my plan. I'm too confused about these plans. I hope it ain't no caps with this slow ass network.
Sent from my HTCONE