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Technology news and Jobs 
Fuzzy Logic 3 launches iPhone plans for unlocked iPhone 3Gs
Fuzzy Logic 3 launches iPhone plans for unlocked iPhone 3Gs | 3 launches iPhone plans for unlocked iPhone 3Gs |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Thursday, 31 July 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 2 Noel Hamill, Director Sales, Marketing and Product, 3, and sadly, of no known relation to Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame, said: “3’s all about great voice and data value. With the 3G SIM and Data Starter Kit we think Apple’s 3G iPhone customers will be able to get more use of their iPhone on 3, with much more value to those living in our Broadband Zones.” 3 Mobile’s plans are on a 24 month plan, come with a $300 upfront credit (credited on the first or second bill), and includes calls, SMS and free talk 24/7 to anyone on 3. Of course, as the iPhone 3G has no video call capability or MMS, these are included in the plans but can’t be used, at least on the iPhone. Planet 3 not officially available either, although I’ve seen screenshots of unlocked users accessing the service on iPhones, so not sure why 3 Mobile isn’t enabling that officially. The $49 plan comes with $350 of “calls, SMS and more”, $240/300 mins worth of free talk 24/7 to 3 users, 1GB of included data, an excess data cost of 10c per megabyte, and $1.65 per meg when roaming on 2.5G. The other plans follow the same details, so I’ll just shorten it to the relevant numbers. The second plan is a $69 cap, $650 of calls/SMS, $350 (500 mins) of free talk, 2GB of data, 10c/MB in 3G and $1.65/MB in 2.5G. The $99 Cap gives $1,000 of calls, $1,750 (2500 mins) of free talk, and 2GB of data. The $129 Cap gives $1,200 of calls, $1,750 (2500 mins) of free talk, and 2GB. The $149 Cap gives $1,600 of calls, $1,750 (2500 mins) of free talk, and 2GB. The final plan is the $199 cap with $2000 of calls, $2,100 (3000 mins) of free talk and 2GB. Why some of the more expensive plans don’t give 3GB of data when X-Series gives 3GB of data for $40 per month is unclear, but my own personal opinion is that 3 Mobile should have done that. 3 Mobile advises that “standard rates apply once the cap is reached. Cap includes national & up to $100 of international voice & video calls, national and international SMS, voicemail, 13/1300/1800 numbers and directory assistance. Cap and Min monthly spend does not include content, calls to premium SMS and Video Calling. Standard international rates apply once the international cap value is reached.” Exact details on per minute or per 30 sec charges aren’t explained in the press release, but will no doubt be available from 3 stores. Ultimately I’ll need to do more research to see whether staying on an existing plan for a 3 customer and adding an X-Series package might be more attractive, or choosing one of 3 Mobile’s other plans and adding X-Series will be more attractive, and clearly these comparisons will soon be widely made. But for me, the biggest concern is roaming into 2G areas, even when in 3’s Mobile Broadband zone, and facing a $1.65 per megabyte roaming charge, something that Telstra, Optus and Vodafone members simply don’t have to worry about. Clearly 3 Mobile iPhone users will become hyper aware of this but it's the one major fly in the ointment that I wish didn't exist. That said, nice to see 3 Mobile competing in the iPhone space at last, even if "unofficially".
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