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.
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...
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.
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.
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?
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).
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:
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.
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."
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!
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.
Comments
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.
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...
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.
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.
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).
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.
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...
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
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.
Plan #:
1. 188.00/month\t\t\t
2. 268.00/month
3. 328.00/month
4. 498.00/month
(HKD)
Plan1:
8,250.00\t\t\t
343.75 per month
Plan2:
8,970.00\t\t\t\t
373.75 per month
Plan3:
9,610.00
400.42 per month
Plan4:
12,090.00
503.75 per month
\t\t\t\t
(USD)
Plan1: \t
1,057.69\t
44.07 per month\t
Plan2:
1,150.00\t
47.92 per month\t
Plan3:
1,232.05\t
51.34 per month\t
Plan4:
1,550.00
64.58 per month
2 year cost based on 16gb model:
\t\t\t\t
(USD)
Plan1: \t
1,057.69\t
44.07 per month\t
Plan2:
1,150.00\t
47.92 per month\t
Plan3:
1,232.05\t
51.34 per month\t
Plan4:
1,550.00
64.58 per month
Are these the cheapest in the world?
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
wow....
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.
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."
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!
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.
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.
Remember the one that I said McDonald's uses?
That's called Y5Zone.
How many of the above do you think have an agreement with Y5Zone to provide the majority of their wifi hotspots?
Answer? ALL OF THEM except iCable, which has coverage in 3 shopping malls, and NOWHERE ELSE.
So basically there are two wifi hotspot providers:
PCCW and Y5Zone. Just like I said.
And the first one that's "free"?
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