Three says Hong Kong iPhone plans to start at $24 per month

[AppleInsider]

Hutchison Telecom, which operates the "3"- branded mobile network in Hong Kong, announced Monday that monthly service plans for Apple's iPhone 3G will start at just $24, significantly less than the cheapest plan offered stateside by AT&T.

Subscribers who sign up for a 24-month contract can purchase an 8GB iPhone 3G for about $377 ($2938 HKD) or a 16GB model for around $479 ($3738 HKD) when choosing a $24 ($188 HKD) per month service plan that includes 500 basic minutes, 500 heart-to-heart minutes, 25 multimedia content messages, 15 text content messages, 500 MB of data usage and unlimited Intra SMS messages.

A $34 per month plan subsidizes the 8GB iPhone to $233 ($1738 HKD) and the 16GB model to $326 ($2538 HKD) and includes 800 basic minutes, 900 heart-to-heart minutes, 40 multimedia content messages, 25 text content messages, 500 MB of data usage and unlimited Intra SMS messages.

Stepping up to a $42 per month plan reduces the cost of the 8GB iPhone to $128 ($938 HKD) and the 16GB model to $223 ($1738 HKD) and bundles 1500 basic minutes, 1200 heart-to-heart minutes, 50 multimedia content messages, 35 text content messages, 500 MB of data usage and unlimited Intra SMS messages.

Subscribers who opt for 3's top-tier plan at $64 per month get an 8GB iPhone for free, or a 16GB for less than $20 ($138 HKD). The plan includes 2200 basic minutes, 1500 heart-to-heart minutes, 150 multimedia content messages, 50 text content messages, unlimited data usage and unlimited Intra SMS messages.

Readers can compare these plans to those recently announced by Rogers of Canada, TeliaSonera of Sweden, and Netcom of Norway.

iPhone 3G service plans offered by "3" in Hong Kong.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[bradpliner]

Interesting - The phone plan mentions media content, presumably MMS messages. Either they haven't updated their phone plans to account for the fact that the iPhone lacks this feature, or they just leaked a feature not yet announced. Hoping for the latter, but I'm tired of hoping for features for the iPhone that never come.

[dagamer34]

500MB of data is worse than Rogers. Why do carriers ignore that the iPhone is a phone THAT BROWSES THE WEB. Sigh.

At least with AT&T, they have a 5GB soft-cap that would require epic web-surfing to use up.

[craigciccone]

Is it possible that a carrier could write an APP for the phone that could send MMS over it's own network?

[Pachomius]

Fact is that HK has such high population density that the whole 3G data thing isn't important. They have WiFi EVERYWHERE - if you're signed up for internet in your home then you generally have WiFi access anywhere and everywhere in the city.

the benefits of living in big, dense asian cities :-)

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by dagamer34

500MB of data is worse than Rogers. Why do carriers ignore that the iPhone is a phone THAT BROWSES THE WEB. Sigh.

At least with AT&T, they have a 5GB soft-cap that would require epic web-surfing to use up.

Yeah but the $64/month plan gets you both a free iPhone and unlimited data. That's far better than AT&T, let alone Rogers.

[whuzza]

Originally Posted by dagamer34

500MB of data is worse than Rogers. Why do carriers ignore that the iPhone is a phone THAT BROWSES THE WEB. Sigh.

The cheapest iPhone 3G plan on Rogers Wireless is $75 USD (300MB/150 minutes), after the system access fee and sales taxes are added in. 3's iPhone 3G plan is $24 USD (500MB/500 minutes), period. There is no sales tax in Hong Kong.

So explain to me, how a plan that gives 200 MB more access with 350 more minutes for $50 less a month is worse?

At the highest tier, $64 USD, you get unlimited data access at a cost even cheaper than AT&T's iPhone plans. I'm assuming a $30-40 plan + $30 data access + sales taxes.

At least 3 is giving customers the option of choosing a capped plan or an unlimited one. And at a better rate than what a U.S. AT&T customer would pay, too.

Rogers, on the other hand, gives us no options, data access rates that are among the highest in the world, and no unlimited plans to speak of.

[min_t]

can someone explain why multimedia content is not considered data, so it shouldn't be included with the unlimited data? Is there such a thing as a multimedia router that routes multimedia signal? Are they using different packet headers? what?

[bigmc6000]

I wonder what's up with the lack of text messages. I mean even on the unlimited plan they are virtually non-existant. I think I've sent/received 50 text messages this morning alone!

Do people just not text message unless you're on the same network (I'm assuming that's what Intra SMS means)?

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by whuzza

The cheapest iPhone 3G plan on Rogers Wireless is $75 USD (300MB/150 minutes), after the system access fee and sales taxes are added in. 3's iPhone 3G plan is $24 USD (500MB/500 minutes), period. There is no sales tax in Hong Kong.

So explain to me, how a plan that gives 200 MB more access with 350 more minutes for $50 less a month is worse?

At the highest tier, $64 USD, you get unlimited data access at a cost even cheaper than AT&T's iPhone plans. I'm assuming a $30-40 plan + $30 data access + sales taxes.

At least 3 is giving customers the option of choosing a capped plan or an unlimited one. And at a better rate than what a U.S. AT&T customer would pay, too.

Rogers, on the other hand, gives us no options, data access rates that are among the highest in the world, and no unlimited plans to speak of.

So the parent poster flunked basic math, nothing new here.

[odaiwai]

Originally Posted by bigmc6000

I wonder what's up with the lack of text messages. I mean even on the unlimited plan they are virtually non-existant. I think I've sent/received 50 text messages this morning alone!

Do people just not text message unless you're on the same network (I'm assuming that's what Intra SMS means)?

People here don't send too many SMS because typing in Chinese is a pain in the butt.

[odaiwai]

Originally Posted by Pachomius

Fact is that HK has such high population density that the whole 3G data thing isn't important. They have WiFi EVERYWHERE - if you're signed up for internet in your home then you generally have WiFi access anywhere and everywhere in the city.

the benefits of living in big, dense asian cities :-)

No, there isn't Wifi everywhere. There's the main telco's wifi at some places, if you've paid for it, but it's not secure and it's not cheap. If you've signed up for PCCW (the old Hong Kong Telecom) you can get wireless, but you also get possibly the world's worst support and you will not be able to cancel your service.

There's a government Wifi system if you're in Government premises.

[ksec]

Even though you got it right in the Table. But you manage to get it ALL wrong inside the article.
It is Heart to Heart Minutes, Not Heart to Hear. Funny this typo keep repeating itself.

And this so called Heart to Heart min are basically minutes for when you are calling the same network.

[odaiwai]

What I want to know is: what kind of plan can the hundreds of thousands of existing iPhone owners here get?

I've got an unlockd V1 iPhone, and I'm a Three customer. I want an unlimited data plan without paying for a 3G iPhone.

[sho38]

Originally Posted by dagamer34

500MB of data is worse than Rogers. Why do carriers ignore that the iPhone is a phone THAT BROWSES THE WEB. Sigh.

At least with AT&T, they have a 5GB soft-cap that would require epic web-surfing to use up.

But at $64/mth, you get unlimited data...and NO TAX on top.

Talk about affordable! At $24/mth...you get all these!

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by sho38

But at $64/mth, you get unlimited data...and NO TAX on top.

Talk about affordable! At $24/mth...you get all these!

Free 8GB iPhone (~$200 value)
2200 minutes (5x the minutes AT&T $70/mo plan)
50txt (low but can be upgraded)
unlimited intra-network TXT
unlimited data
$64/mo

Excellent deal after you add some extra txt messages!

[aaarrrgggh]

Boy, get ready for people complaining with carriers not giving unlimited data plans. I use about 1.3GB/month on Edge, but about half my use or better is on WiFi. The whole idea of 3G is to be able to use the network.

People are going to be surprised when they get their bills!

[bigmc6000]

Originally Posted by odaiwai

People here don't send too many SMS because typing in Chinese is a pain in the butt.

Ah - good point - hadn't really thought about that. So what do people do instead? Is the culture just to call them or are they far more engrained into sending e-mail than we are?

[chiubill]

Originally Posted by bigmc6000

Ah - good point - hadn't really thought about that. So what do people do instead? Is the culture just to call them or are they far more engrained into sending e-mail than we are?

well... this situation is only suitable for iphone thou... becuz i spend whole 15mins to type a 30words chinese sms on iphone but thousand n thousand words of n95(yea...i know...my typing is too slow...) actually $28 is fuXking expansive for the plan as it only have 500mins. i m not sure about us but in uk u will receive phone calls for free but not in hk. i m a 3 user as well, a normal 3G price plan is 128HKD(16USD) for 1200 normal mins and 800 same S.P. mins *without contract* of cuz u can sign up a contract with this price plan with other phone.


O, By the way...we dont have any tax yet in HK.

[johnson167]

Originally Posted by bradpliner

Interesting - The phone plan mentions media content, presumably MMS messages. Either they haven't updated their phone plans to account for the fact that the iPhone lacks this feature, or they just leaked a feature not yet announced. Hoping for the latter, but I'm tired of hoping for features for the iPhone that never come.

To clarify:
3 offers content of their own such as news, weather, traffic, music, sport related news, etc., and they could be video (news report, music video, sports highlight, etc...) or text messages (traffic condition, lottery numbers, etc...). that's what the media contents are, not mms / sms msg.

One thing I couldn't help wondering though is how much they are going to charge for sms msg that are sent to networks outside of 3. So I have unlimited Intra sms, what about my friends who are not using 3? Btw, sms is very common in HK esp for teens here.

[Pachomius]

Originally Posted by odaiwai

No, there isn't Wifi everywhere. There's the main telco's wifi at some places, if you've paid for it, but it's not secure and it's not cheap. If you've signed up for PCCW (the old Hong Kong Telecom) you can get wireless, but you also get possibly the world's worst support and you will not be able to cancel your service.

There's a government Wifi system if you're in Government premises.

depends on what you mean by cheap - compared to the US? I can't find my last bill for internet service, but BBWiFi is everywhere and fast/good - Can you tell me anywhere in the US where you get "good" support? I can cancel my service after the service time is over. Besides - what kid of "support" do you need? I've never needed anything.

Anyway - I can't imagine that I'll ever need a data plan for my phone since it's got WiFi - HK is pretty hooked up - but I will admit... it's not as good as Korea or Japan

[retroneo]

Three in Australia is ridiculously cheap too.

There's a petition from Three Australia to convince Apple to carry the iPhone. If you're a Three customer text "iPhone" to 333000 to register your interest and click the free web link in the return message.

[wanchaiman]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Subscribers who opt for 3's top-tier plan at $64 per month get an 8GB iPhone for free, or a 16GB for less than $20 ($138 HKD). The plan includes 2200 basic minutes, 1500 heart-to-heart minutes, 150 multimedia content messages, 50 text content messages, unlimited data usage and unlimited Intra SMS messages.

This is not bad... considering they are giving the phone free. If you subtract the price of an 8GB iPod Touch and a cheapo phone then the ownership price over 2 years is pretty cheap.

A comparable unlimited data and 2000 odd minutes talk in HK would be about $38 (HK$300) but without a phone to go with it...

[wanchaiman]

Originally Posted by odaiwai

No, there isn't Wifi everywhere. There's the main telco's wifi at some places, if you've paid for it, but it's not secure and it's not cheap. If you've signed up for PCCW (the old Hong Kong Telecom) you can get wireless, but you also get possibly the world's worst support and you will not be able to cancel your service.

There's a government Wifi system if you're in Government premises.

There isn't wifi everywhere, but compared with the rest of the world HK has pretty dense coverage.

And the other guy is right - many telcos will bundle in free wifi if you sign for their broadband service.

[tonton]

Originally Posted by wanchaiman

And the other guy is right - many telcos will bundle in free wifi if you sign for their broadband service.

What are you talking about? There is only ONE company that has wifi hotspots in public places (PCCW), and they charge you extra for wifi access on top of your broadband plan. There are only THREE companies that provide broadband service (PCCW, iCable and HKBN). There is another company that provides wifi for a fee at McDonald's. Smartone also has a HDSPA dongle option for laptops.

If you want public wifi access, basically your choice is PCCW (Starbucks, Pacific Coffee, malls, the airport, a few other restaurants), McDonald's (whatever company it is that they use) or nothing. Or stick to Government facilities like libraries, sports grounds and government offices.

The 3G data plan is going to be important, and I'm totally disappointed with these plans. They are by far the most expensive plans in Hong Kong.

[SaintG]

I am moving from the US to Hong Kong in a month. I will probably be in HK about a year for school. After that, who knows? I noticed they want a 2 year contract. Anyone have any recommendations for me. I would like to have an iPhone over there, but I am not even sure when they are going to start selling it in HK. Anyone know?

[Mendosi]

Originally Posted by SaintG

but I am not even sure when they are going to start selling it in HK. Anyone know?

They're going to be sold in HK immediately - 11 July.
I think that most people (not young people perhaps) in HK and Macau just call each other rather than using SMS, because it costs practically nothing to call, only 5 US cents per minute in Macau (on prepaid).

[wanchaiman]

Originally Posted by tonton

What are you talking about? There is only ONE company that has wifi hotspots in public places (PCCW), and they charge you extra for wifi access on top of your broadband plan.

.

Sorry, but I think you are wrong! Wifi is available from multiple carriers in HK territory-wide (telco and broadband providers):

These are some of the other companies (apart from PCCW) that provide WIFI:

http://www.hkbn.net/bb1000/vas_wifi.html

http://promo.hgc.com.hk/e_mail/eDM/eDM.html

http://one2free.hkcsl.com/jsp/mobile...escription.jsp

http://www.peoples.com.hk/p_vas_wifi_hotspots_iso.jsp

http://1010.hkcsl.com/jsp/other_1010..._a_hotspot.jsp

http://www.i-cable.com/nomadix/e-home.html

The first one is free... the others are cheap - from HK$38/month (US$5) unlimited, though the last is the most expensive.

Other companies do provide similar services.....seems they are all trying to lure switched on consumers.

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by tonton

The 3G data plan is going to be important, and I'm totally disappointed with these plans. They are by far the most expensive plans in Hong Kong.

Then don't get an iPhone! Jeeez...

[Jakk]

What is the Prepayment mean?

[wanchaiman]

Originally Posted by Jakk

What is the Prepayment mean?

Its the amount you have to pay upfront when you sign the contract and they give you your new baby.

Typically this is a percentage of the handset cost plus a months subscription + govt fees in advance.

The rest of the handset cost is on the "never never" over a few months....

It means you don't have to shell out all your dosh at the beginning and makes you feel quite happy! I mean you are getting an iPhone for $1742

NB .. They are only allowing you to buy one iPhone/person & you have to prove you live in HK with a utility bill /ID card

[wanchaiman]

Originally Posted by odaiwai

If you've signed up for PCCW (the old Hong Kong Telecom) you can get wireless, but you also get possibly the world's worst support

IMHO PCCW customer service is far better than the other telco providers in HK... They answer their phones and emails efficiently and politely.

They are more expensive than other providers but you get what you pay for.

[theoverlord]

2 year cost based on 16gb model:

Plan #:
1. 188.00/month
2. 268.00/month
3. 328.00/month
4. 498.00/month



(HKD)
Plan1:
8,250.00
343.75 per month

Plan2:
8,970.00
373.75 per month

Plan3:
9,610.00
400.42 per month

Plan4:
12,090.00
503.75 per month

(USD)
Plan1:
1,057.69
44.07 per month

Plan2:
1,150.00
47.92 per month

Plan3:
1,232.05
51.34 per month

Plan4:
1,550.00
64.58 per month

[wanchaiman]

Originally Posted by theoverlord

2 year cost based on 16gb model:

(USD)
Plan1:
1,057.69
44.07 per month

Plan2:
1,150.00
47.92 per month

Plan3:
1,232.05
51.34 per month

Plan4:
1,550.00
64.58 per month

Are these the cheapest in the world?

[theoverlord]

Originally Posted by wanchaiman

Are these the cheapest in the world?

If my math is right, then it is cheaper than the US cost with AT&T.
http://gizmodo.com/5015540/iphone-3g...price-compared

[chiubill]

*note that...3 HK announced that iPhone sold in Hong Kong won't have any SIM-LOCK with it!!!
wow....

[retroneo]

Originally Posted by min_t

can someone explain why multimedia content is not considered data, so it shouldn't be included with the unlimited data? Is there such a thing as a multimedia router that routes multimedia signal? Are they using different packet headers? what?

Yes, traffic via the MMS server and the telco's web content portals is usually not counted as data. That's how it is here in Australia on all four 3G networks.

I presume they do it via IP address range.

[tonton]

Originally Posted by wanchaiman

IMHO PCCW customer service is far better than the other telco providers in HK... They answer their phones and emails efficiently and politely.

They are more expensive than other providers but you get what you pay for.

I've had the exact opposite experience. There is no 24-hour customer support. The support line people don't know anything. They are polite, but they cannot help. I even called the sales line -- to ask for an SMS package... and THAT took over an hour to resolve. They don't tell you about any SMS package online. They prefer people to pay the per-message fee, so they use this method to make people avoid getting a package.

I had Sunday for years before PCCW bought them. Service was freaking fantastic. WAY better than PPCW. Packages were better (fortunately I have a grandfathered package). Handset discounts were better. In-shop service was better.

I miss Sunday! :'(

I will be changing to Hutchison for the iPhone, and I'll end up paying more, but at least I'll be able to give PCCW the final "fuck you".

One time I was so frustrated on their telephone line after an hour that I screamed at the operator, "Your service is terrible. I know it's not your fault. It's your company's fault. The only way they can retain me as a customer is to HIRE MORE PEOPLE!!!! Not add 'automated' help lines."

[wanchaiman]

Originally Posted by tonton

I've had the exact opposite experience. There is no 24-hour customer support. The support line people don't know anything. They are polite, but they cannot help."

Sorry about your experience.

The worst I had was with HGC when I signed up for a business line.... It took 3 weeks to install... PCCW can do that in a day......

Hope 3 know a little more about the ins and the outs of the iPhone!

[johnson167]

Originally Posted by wanchaiman

Sorry, but I think you are wrong! Wifi is available from multiple carriers in HK territory-wide (telco and broadband providers):

These are some of the other companies (apart from PCCW) that provide WIFI:

http://www.hkbn.net/bb1000/vas_wifi.html

http://promo.hgc.com.hk/e_mail/eDM/eDM.html

http://one2free.hkcsl.com/jsp/mobile...escription.jsp

http://www.peoples.com.hk/p_vas_wifi_hotspots_iso.jsp

http://1010.hkcsl.com/jsp/other_1010..._a_hotspot.jsp

http://www.i-cable.com/nomadix/e-home.html

The first one is free... the others are cheap - from HK$38/month (US$5) unlimited, though the last is the most expensive.

Other companies do provide similar services.....seems they are all trying to lure switched on consumers.

are you sure HKBN (the first link) is free or you have to be their customer to enjoy the free wifi??? I checked out the link and there is nowhere on their web site that mentioned free wifi. I found the service plan though. Could you pls tell me where to sign up for the free wifi. thank.