3g is dead, long live 2.5g

It's official, 3g is dead. The network operators have all given up on 3g and
are now basing their business models around delivering telephone calls. It
is true, just look at their website adverts on the way up to Christmas. They
are trying to convert users to their networks on the basis of phone call
packages, and there is very little to differentiate one from another. If you
are thinking of buying a 3g phone this Christmas; DON'T. Most people will
never use a 3g phone's true capability. It's a shame.

I blame the network operators for 3g's death. As a Vodafone user, I am
particularly frustrated by their business decision. Vodafone used to allow
users to convert text messages into data transfer capacity. This allowed you
to use WAP and look at external sites such as BBC mobile without worrying
about being charged. Since September, Vodafone has dropped this conversion,
and now if you move off their rubbish Vodafone Live site you are charged for
it. This is NOT a step forward.

All of the network operators are moaning about the cost of their 3g
licences, and the fact they are not making any money. Well is it surprising
if their business models are flawed ?

If the operators ever decide to go back to 3g, then believe me, it will only
work on a similar basis as the internet broadband model: Charge users a
monthly fixed fee and allow them unlimited access to whatever they want. If
there is a shortfall in revenue, start advertising and use the Google
business model.

Ok, please all stand, lower your heads, and let's have a minutes silence for
3g. It was a good idea, ...........ONCE..

---

› See More: 3g is dead, long live 2.5g

> If the operators ever decide to go back to 3g, then believe me, it will only
> work on a similar basis as the internet broadband model: Charge users a
> monthly fixed fee

Isn't this what 3 have announced with their 'X-Series' handsets/add-ons.

There is no possibility for killing of 3g with the amount of money they have
spent on their licences. They'll figure out what people are willing to pay
for it the crap, video calls are just laughable gimmicks no practicality at
all.

> It's official, 3g is dead. The network operators have all given up on 3g
> and are now basing their business models around delivering telephone
> calls. It is true, just look at their website adverts on the way up to
> Christmas. They are trying to convert users to their networks on the basis
> of phone call packages, and there is very little to differentiate one from
> another. If you are thinking of buying a 3g phone this Christmas; DON'T.
> Most people will never use a 3g phone's true capability. It's a shame.
>
> I blame the network operators for 3g's death. As a Vodafone user, I am
> particularly frustrated by their business decision. Vodafone used to allow
> users to convert text messages into data transfer capacity. This allowed
> you to use WAP and look at external sites such as BBC mobile without
> worrying about being charged. Since September, Vodafone has dropped this
> conversion, and now if you move off their rubbish Vodafone Live site you
> are charged for it. This is NOT a step forward.
>
> All of the network operators are moaning about the cost of their 3g
> licences, and the fact they are not making any money. Well is it
> surprising if their business models are flawed ?
>
> If the operators ever decide to go back to 3g, then believe me, it will
> only work on a similar basis as the internet broadband model: Charge users
> a monthly fixed fee and allow them unlimited access to whatever they want.
> If there is a shortfall in revenue, start advertising and use the Google
> business model.
>
> Ok, please all stand, lower your heads, and let's have a minutes silence
> for 3g. It was a good idea, ...........ONCE..
>
>
>
>

Vodafone are still rolling out 3G across the country, along with HSDPA.
They have just changed their priceplans. And data is included on extras
packs that were added before September the 1st, 2006. After this date
it is only included on the maximum pack (£40 p/m)

y-o-y-o-y wrote:
> It's official, 3g is dead.

Tell that to my datacards with T-mobile and Vodafone.

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:28:09 GMT, y-o-y-o-y wrote:
> It's official, 3g is dead. The network operators have all given up on 3g and
> are now basing their business models around delivering telephone calls.
....
> Most people will
> never use a 3g phone's true capability. It's a shame.
>
> I blame the network operators for 3g's death.

I blame the impossibly small screens and pathetic user interface. Let's
face it. Laptops are promoted on the size of their screen (amongst other
attributes) and BIG IS GOOD. C.f. phones, the marketing people seem only
to have a single tune they can whistle: make them smaller.

Yes, yes. I know about Blackberry phones etc. but between them they
aren't going to repay the 22B or so that the phone companies spent
on 3G licenses. Plus they're a pale reflection of even the most basic
lappy.

On reflection: the 3G license fees went to the govt. who in turn
offset this income against tax, so us grown-ups got to keep more
of our money. To recoup the 3G license fees, the phone companies
increase call charges, which are voluntary (a tax on talking?) so
I'm quite happy with that!

Pete
--
...........................................................................
.. never trust a man who, when left alone ...... Pete Lynch .
.. in a room with a tea cosy ...... Marlow, England .
.. doesn't try it on (Billy Connolly) .....................................

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:28:09 GMT, "y-o-y-o-y" <[email protected]> wrote:

>It's official, 3g is dead. The network operators have all given up on 3g and
>are now basing their business models around delivering telephone calls. It
>is true, just look at their website adverts on the way up to Christmas. They
>are trying to convert users to their networks on the basis of phone call
>packages, and there is very little to differentiate one from another. If you
>are thinking of buying a 3g phone this Christmas; DON'T. Most people will
>never use a 3g phone's true capability. It's a shame.
>
>I blame the network operators for 3g's death. As a Vodafone user, I am
>particularly frustrated by their business decision. Vodafone used to allow
>users to convert text messages into data transfer capacity. This allowed you
>to use WAP and look at external sites such as BBC mobile without worrying
>about being charged. Since September, Vodafone has dropped this conversion,
>and now if you move off their rubbish Vodafone Live site you are charged for
>it. This is NOT a step forward.
>
>All of the network operators are moaning about the cost of their 3g
>licences, and the fact they are not making any money. Well is it surprising
>if their business models are flawed ?
>
>If the operators ever decide to go back to 3g, then believe me, it will only
>work on a similar basis as the internet broadband model: Charge users a
>monthly fixed fee and allow them unlimited access to whatever they want. If
>there is a shortfall in revenue, start advertising and use the Google
>business model.
>
>Ok, please all stand, lower your heads, and let's have a minutes silence for
>3g. It was a good idea, ...........ONCE..
>
Once the phone companies wise up to the fact that they charge way too
much for their data services (T-Mobile already have, to be fair, and 3
are on the way) you will see a marked increase in the amount of data
usage. Once people are used to having MSN on their phone, this will
drive 3G phone sales and so the cycle will continue.

Once people start to see phones with built in GPS devices that can
hook up to Google Maps to stream realtime satellite mapping imagery of
your current location; tracking of a friend's location using the same
method; streaming live and pre-recorded TV to your phone from home;
set the video from wherever you are; datebooks that link to your
online calendar so friends and family can see where you'll be when you
put a note in the diary on your phone; VOIP and VidOIP services
becomes more prevalent; the move from SMS to MSN; streaming radio from
the net or from your own music collection stored on a device in your
home: once these things become ubiquitous, what we currently call '3G'
usage will rocket.

3G is just a method of data delivery, nothing more. To say that 3G
will not survive is to suggest that people will no longer be
interested in connecting to the net.

This change in charging will happen next year. It has to, or Voda and
Orange will start to lose market share. I know 3 people who've left
Orange this month to join T-Mo for exactly this reason.

Lee.
--
lee at w2designs dot co dot uk

If I have one flaw, it's that I'm a perfectoinist.

"Faza20" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Vodafone are still rolling out 3G across the country, along with HSDPA.
They have just changed their priceplans. And data is included on extras
packs that were added before September the 1st, 2006. After this date
it is only included on the maximum pack (£40 p/m)

This is NOT correct. Vodafone DO NOT give free data transfer on maximum
packs (£40/m) They may give 6 months free TV, but this is not true data
transfer and you start to pay for it after 6 months

Current text packs on Vodafone Anytime priceplans are on the website as
follows:
http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc...ageID=PPP_0005

Working for Vodafone, if you do require a GPRS allocation in your text
pack on an Anytime priceplan, Vodafone still offer the old £40.00
extras pack, which will include either 1000 texts or 51.1MB of data (no
MMS will be included, as this has since been removed). If anybody needs
clarification on this then please contact us by going to
www.vodafone.co.uk, selecting 'contact us' then 'email', if you leave
the short code FIT135 in the body of your email this will route through
to somebody who'll be able to help.

New internet and MMS packs are in the pipeline at present, although no
official launch date has been announced.

Incidently, text and data allocations are available if you take out a
Small Business priceplan rather than an Anytime priceplan, more details
are available on the Vodafone website at the following link:

http://www.vodafonebusinessshop.co.u...tractLength=18


y-o-y-o-y wrote:
> "Faza20" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> Vodafone are still rolling out 3G across the country, along with HSDPA.
> They have just changed their priceplans. And data is included on extras
> packs that were added before September the 1st, 2006. After this date
> it is only included on the maximum pack (£40 p/m)
>
> This is NOT correct. Vodafone DO NOT give free data transfer on maximum
> packs (£40/m) They may give 6 months free TV, but this is not true data
> transfer and you start to pay for it after 6 months

i think 3g enabled phones will come into there own in about 5 years time
when the price of a video call is about the same as a voice call today then
it willtake off big time ---
"y-o-y-o-y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It's official, 3g is dead. The network operators have all given up on 3g
> and are now basing their business models around delivering telephone
> calls. It is true, just look at their website adverts on the way up to
> Christmas. They are trying to convert users to their networks on the basis
> of phone call packages, and there is very little to differentiate one from
> another. If you are thinking of buying a 3g phone this Christmas; DON'T.
> Most people will never use a 3g phone's true capability. It's a shame.
>
> I blame the network operators for 3g's death. As a Vodafone user, I am
> particularly frustrated by their business decision. Vodafone used to allow
> users to convert text messages into data transfer capacity. This allowed
> you to use WAP and look at external sites such as BBC mobile without
> worrying about being charged. Since September, Vodafone has dropped this
> conversion, and now if you move off their rubbish Vodafone Live site you
> are charged for it. This is NOT a step forward.
>
> All of the network operators are moaning about the cost of their 3g
> licences, and the fact they are not making any money. Well is it
> surprising if their business models are flawed ?
>
> If the operators ever decide to go back to 3g, then believe me, it will
> only work on a similar basis as the internet broadband model: Charge users
> a monthly fixed fee and allow them unlimited access to whatever they want.
> If there is a shortfall in revenue, start advertising and use the Google
> business model.
>
> Ok, please all stand, lower your heads, and let's have a minutes silence
> for 3g. It was a good idea, ...........ONCE..
>
>
>
>

On Thu, 14 Dec 2006, LeeJS wrote:

>> Ok, please all stand, lower your heads, and let's have a minutes silence for
>> 3g. It was a good idea, ...........ONCE..

> Once the phone companies wise up to the fact that they charge way too
> much for their data services (T-Mobile already have, to be fair, and 3
> are on the way) you will see a marked increase in the amount of data

And why do the charge way too much, because they bid a stupid amount of
money to the goverment to run the service in the first place.
--
Chris Johns

Usenet User wrote:
>> If the operators ever decide to go back to 3g, then believe me, it will
>> only
>> work on a similar basis as the internet broadband model: Charge users a
>> monthly fixed fee
>
> Isn't this what 3 have announced with their 'X-Series' handsets/add-ons.

T mobile seem to have the idea right with 'web'n'walk............

Gaz

Why do I get the feeling a Vodafone employee is trying to correct a
statement I made earlier, with false statements:

1. £40/m text/ data contracts are NOT available to Joe Public. It would
appear that Minerva is identifying a possible way of getting this through
Customer Services that isn't out in the public domain.

2. Minerva states New internet packs and MMS are in the pipeline. We'll wait
and see !!!!!!

3. Joe Public CANNOT sign up to a Small Business Contract with Vodafone.








"MinervaUK" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Current text packs on Vodafone Anytime priceplans are on the website as
follows:
http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc...ageID=PPP_0005

Working for Vodafone, if you do require a GPRS allocation in your text
pack on an Anytime priceplan, Vodafone still offer the old £40.00
extras pack, which will include either 1000 texts or 51.1MB of data (no
MMS will be included, as this has since been removed). If anybody needs
clarification on this then please contact us by going to
www.vodafone.co.uk, selecting 'contact us' then 'email', if you leave
the short code FIT135 in the body of your email this will route through
to somebody who'll be able to help.

New internet and MMS packs are in the pipeline at present, although no
official launch date has been announced.

Incidently, text and data allocations are available if you take out a
Small Business priceplan rather than an Anytime priceplan, more details
are available on the Vodafone website at the following link:

http://www.vodafonebusinessshop.co.u...tractLength=18


y-o-y-o-y wrote:
> "Faza20" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> Vodafone are still rolling out 3G across the country, along with HSDPA.
> They have just changed their priceplans. And data is included on extras
> packs that were added before September the 1st, 2006. After this date
> it is only included on the maximum pack (£40 p/m)
>
> This is NOT correct. Vodafone DO NOT give free data transfer on maximum
> packs (£40/m) They may give 6 months free TV, but this is not true data
> transfer and you start to pay for it after 6 months

I'm signed up for a small business 100 contract with Vodafone with 40
mb of data and a Nokia 9300 on a £52 a month deal so it's certainly
possible

Vodafone confirmed the 50 mb with a £40 add on back in october when I
discussed a second contract. Instead I went for 40 mb for £30 as part
of a small business contract which works out better for me. It can be
used as 600 texts on small business time but I use only data


y-o-y-o-y wrote:
> Why do I get the feeling a Vodafone employee is trying to correct a
> statement I made earlier, with false statements:
>
> 1. £40/m text/ data contracts are NOT available to Joe Public. It would
> appear that Minerva is identifying a possible way of getting this through
> Customer Services that isn't out in the public domain.
>
> 2. Minerva states New internet packs and MMS are in the pipeline. We'll wait
> and see !!!!!!
>
> 3. Joe Public CANNOT sign up to a Small Business Contract with Vodafone.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "MinervaUK" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> Current text packs on Vodafone Anytime priceplans are on the website as
> follows:
> http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatc...ageID=PPP_0005
>
> Working for Vodafone, if you do require a GPRS allocation in your text
> pack on an Anytime priceplan, Vodafone still offer the old £40.00
> extras pack, which will include either 1000 texts or 51.1MB of data (no
> MMS will be included, as this has since been removed). If anybody needs
> clarification on this then please contact us by going to
> www.vodafone.co.uk, selecting 'contact us' then 'email', if you leave
> the short code FIT135 in the body of your email this will route through
> to somebody who'll be able to help.
>
> New internet and MMS packs are in the pipeline at present, although no
> official launch date has been announced.
>
> Incidently, text and data allocations are available if you take out a
> Small Business priceplan rather than an Anytime priceplan, more details
> are available on the Vodafone website at the following link:
>
> http://www.vodafonebusinessshop.co.u...tractLength=18
>
>
> y-o-y-o-y wrote:
> > "Faza20" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > Vodafone are still rolling out 3G across the country, along with HSDPA.
> > They have just changed their priceplans. And data is included on extras
> > packs that were added before September the 1st, 2006. After this date
> > it is only included on the maximum pack (£40 p/m)
> >
> > This is NOT correct. Vodafone DO NOT give free data transfer on maximum
> > packs (£40/m) They may give 6 months free TV, but this is not true data
> > transfer and you start to pay for it after 6 months

y-o-y-o-y wrote:

> "Faza20" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> Vodafone are still rolling out 3G across the country, along with HSDPA.
> They have just changed their priceplans. And data is included on extras
> packs that were added before September the 1st, 2006. After this date
> it is only included on the maximum pack (£40 p/m)
>
> This is NOT correct. Vodafone DO NOT give free data transfer on maximum
> packs (£40/m) They may give 6 months free TV, but this is not true data
> transfer and you start to pay for it after 6 months


If you are on the maximum text at a cost of £40 p/m, and it was added
after the 1st September, you are able to use 51.06 mb (equal to a cost
of £120). Bearing in mind text messages also come out of this bundle,
that figure will depend on a persons other usage.

If you are on a text bundle which was added prior to the 1st September,
data will come out of it at the rate of £2.35 per mb