iPhone 3G plans to start at $47 in both Portugal and Italy
Vodafone has announced that its monthly rate plans for iPhone 3G will start at $47 (29.90 euro) in Portugal and $93 (59 euro) in Italy. Separately, Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) has also announced its own monthly rate plans for Italians that start at just $47.
Vodafone of Portugal
Vodafone is offering Portuguese subscribers three distinct monthly service plans alongside 24-month contracts. An introductory plan called Best iPhone 100 includes 100 minutes, 100 text messages and 250MB of data for $47 (29.90 euro) each month. A 8GB iPhone is priced $469 (299 euro) with the plan, while the 16GB is priced at $610 (389 euro).
A second plan called Best iPhone 230 includes 230 minutes, 230 text messages and 250MB of data each month for $70 (44.90 euro). With this plan, the 8GB iPhone is priced at $344 (219 euro) and the 16GB model at $485 (309 euro).
For $102 (64.90 euro) each month, customers can subscribe to the top-tier Best iPhone 500 plan that includes 500 minutes, 500 text messages and 250MB of data. The top-tier plan prices the 8GB iPhone at $202 (129 euro) and the 16GB at $344 (219 euro).
Additional minutes cost between $0.15 and $0.23 (0.09 and 0.149 euro) and all prices include tax. Vodafone is also offering the iPhone without a contract for $783 (499 euro) for the 8GB model and $940 for the 16GB model. An "add-on" for internet access under this model will cost $31 (19.90 euro) per month for 250MB of data.
Vodafone of Italy
In Italy, Vodafone announced a similar three-plan lineup with much higher monthly costs but cheaper handset pricing. An Easy Medium plan priced at $93 (59 euro) offers 400 minutes, 400 text messages and 600MB of data each month. It prices the 8GB iPhone at $312 (199 euro) and the 16GB model at $422 (269 euro).
A Special Edition plan runs $124 (79 euro) per month and includes 250 minutes to outside carriers, 250 text messages to outside carriers, 7000 minutes to Vodafone subscribers, 7000 text messages to Vodafone subscribers, and 600MB of data. With this plan, the 8GB iPhone is priced at $155 (99 euro) and the 16GB is priced at $265 (169 euro).
The top-tier Easy Large plan costs $155 (99 euro) per month and includes 900 minutes, 900 text messages, and 600MB of data. Customers who subscribe to this plan can purchase an 8GB iPhone for $77 (49 euro) or a 16GB iPhone for $187 (119 euro).
TIM of Italy
Separately, TIM of Italy announced its own set of five monthly iPhone plans. A $47 (30 euro) starter plan prices the 8GB iPhone at $312 (199 euro) and 16GB iPhone at $422 (269 euro). It includes 1GB of data each month but does not bundle any voice minutes or text messages.
A TIM 250 plan is costs $78 (50 euro) and includes 250 minutes, 100 text messages and 1GB of Data. Under this plan, the 8GB iPhone costs $297 (189 euro) and the 16GB model $406 (259 euro).
Stepping up to the TIM 600 plan requires a monthly payment of $126 (80 euro) and includes 600 minutes, 200 text messages and 1GB of data. It prices the 8GB iPhone at $234 (149 euro) and the 16GB model at $344 (219 euro).
A TIM 900 plan is priced at $173 (110 euro) each month for 900 minutes, 200 text messages and 1GB of data. Under this plan, the 8GB iPhone fetches $155 (110 euro) and the 16GB model costs $265 (169 euro).
Finally, a TIM Unlimited plan is available for $314 (200 euro) each month and includes 4500 minutes, 1200 text messages and 5GB of data. It also bundles an additional 300 minutes and text messages for use in communicating with 3 Italia wireless customers. Customers who subscribe to this plan get an 8GB iPhone for free or can trade up to a 16GB iPhone for $109 (69 euro).
Vodafone of Portugal
Vodafone is offering Portuguese subscribers three distinct monthly service plans alongside 24-month contracts. An introductory plan called Best iPhone 100 includes 100 minutes, 100 text messages and 250MB of data for $47 (29.90 euro) each month. A 8GB iPhone is priced $469 (299 euro) with the plan, while the 16GB is priced at $610 (389 euro).
A second plan called Best iPhone 230 includes 230 minutes, 230 text messages and 250MB of data each month for $70 (44.90 euro). With this plan, the 8GB iPhone is priced at $344 (219 euro) and the 16GB model at $485 (309 euro).
For $102 (64.90 euro) each month, customers can subscribe to the top-tier Best iPhone 500 plan that includes 500 minutes, 500 text messages and 250MB of data. The top-tier plan prices the 8GB iPhone at $202 (129 euro) and the 16GB at $344 (219 euro).
Additional minutes cost between $0.15 and $0.23 (0.09 and 0.149 euro) and all prices include tax. Vodafone is also offering the iPhone without a contract for $783 (499 euro) for the 8GB model and $940 for the 16GB model. An "add-on" for internet access under this model will cost $31 (19.90 euro) per month for 250MB of data.
Vodafone of Italy
In Italy, Vodafone announced a similar three-plan lineup with much higher monthly costs but cheaper handset pricing. An Easy Medium plan priced at $93 (59 euro) offers 400 minutes, 400 text messages and 600MB of data each month. It prices the 8GB iPhone at $312 (199 euro) and the 16GB model at $422 (269 euro).
A Special Edition plan runs $124 (79 euro) per month and includes 250 minutes to outside carriers, 250 text messages to outside carriers, 7000 minutes to Vodafone subscribers, 7000 text messages to Vodafone subscribers, and 600MB of data. With this plan, the 8GB iPhone is priced at $155 (99 euro) and the 16GB is priced at $265 (169 euro).
The top-tier Easy Large plan costs $155 (99 euro) per month and includes 900 minutes, 900 text messages, and 600MB of data. Customers who subscribe to this plan can purchase an 8GB iPhone for $77 (49 euro) or a 16GB iPhone for $187 (119 euro).
TIM of Italy
Separately, TIM of Italy announced its own set of five monthly iPhone plans. A $47 (30 euro) starter plan prices the 8GB iPhone at $312 (199 euro) and 16GB iPhone at $422 (269 euro). It includes 1GB of data each month but does not bundle any voice minutes or text messages.
A TIM 250 plan is costs $78 (50 euro) and includes 250 minutes, 100 text messages and 1GB of Data. Under this plan, the 8GB iPhone costs $297 (189 euro) and the 16GB model $406 (259 euro).
Stepping up to the TIM 600 plan requires a monthly payment of $126 (80 euro) and includes 600 minutes, 200 text messages and 1GB of data. It prices the 8GB iPhone at $234 (149 euro) and the 16GB model at $344 (219 euro).
A TIM 900 plan is priced at $173 (110 euro) each month for 900 minutes, 200 text messages and 1GB of data. Under this plan, the 8GB iPhone fetches $155 (110 euro) and the 16GB model costs $265 (169 euro).
Finally, a TIM Unlimited plan is available for $314 (200 euro) each month and includes 4500 minutes, 1200 text messages and 5GB of data. It also bundles an additional 300 minutes and text messages for use in communicating with 3 Italia wireless customers. Customers who subscribe to this plan get an 8GB iPhone for free or can trade up to a 16GB iPhone for $109 (69 euro).
Comments
250 MB per month to use on a device like the iPhone 3G, I never thought Vodafone could give such a week service!
It's sad to see so many differences in tariffs and, as always, Portugal has to be the leader...
Well, I must I say I was excepting similar iPhone prices for the Vodafone carrier in Portugal! However, the data plan it's totally absurd!!!
250 MB per month to use on a device like the iPhone 3G, I never thought Vodafone could give such a week service!
It's sad to see so many differences in tariffs and, as always, Portugal has to be the leader...
Que sacanas! Aqui no estados unidos e parecido. Ladroes em todo o lugar.
Que sacanas! Aqui no estados unidos e parecido. Ladroes em todo o lugar.
Tu pelo menos irás ter a oportunidade de usufruir de Data ILIMITADA através da AT&T! Quem me dera poder ter um desses tarifários, nem me importava nada de pagar mais....
Mas pronto é o que temos...
Fica bem e Abraço!
Man, how is it that the UK has such better prices than basically EVERYWHERE? I mean, I don't mind the mins for the price in the Portugal plans (compared to AT&T) but 250MB??? WTH??? That's highway robbery!
I second that! With 250 MB I might use it in one day...
Man, I'm so pissed off.... I've been waiting this for about one year, and know we get this horrible plans!
21% IVA (sales tax) here in sunny Portugal btw.
Wrong! I's 20%, since 1st July!
Regards
Apple sure is blowing this opportunity, could have had millions of more people on Apple products... now... only the extremely wealthy.
Oh well, iPods for us peasants. At least we will inherit the wealth when the rich die from head cancer...
check out this scary video
http://www.koreus.com/video/telephon...s-popcorn.html
Wrong! I's 20%, since 1st July!
Regards
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
That's some more cents we can save per year!
And here Apple stated that they wanted to change the landscape of the cell industry... well, they sure are doing that... we are getting raped harder then ever.
Apple sure is blowing this opportunity, could have had millions of more people on Apple products... now... only the extremely wealthy.
yeah, I couldn't agree more. I wonder how much is Apple getting from making the iPhone to unique carriers.
In this test, I'm focusing on the data use from normal web browsing. I am ignoring every other use of data on the iPhone.
I only ran the test on randomly-choosen *subpages* of the websites AKA NOT THE LONG AND GRAPHIC HEAVY FRONT PAGES, and the chosen sub-pages usually consisted of an
article page or forum page, and most had zero flash elements. Just look at how large the average page size is for these popular websites I go to:
engadget.com (blog post subpage) 420KB
yahoo.com (news article subpage) 585KB
nytimes.com (news article subpage) 345KB
seedmagazine.com (article subpage) 223KB
discovermagazine.com (article subpage) 731KB
livescience.com (article subpage) 438KB
tgdaily.com (article subpage) 253KB
technologyreview.com (article subpage) 247KB
macrumors.com (forum page) 217KB
tmz.com (blog post subpage) 433KB
Average sub-page data size: 389KB/page.
So, using an iPhone with different 3G browsing limits, you can view:
250MB /30 = 8.3 MB per day = 21 web pages per day
300MB /30 = 10 MB per day = 25 web pages per day
600MB /30 = 20 MB per day = 51 web pages per day
1.0 GB /30 = 33.3 MB per day = 85 web pages per day
5.0 GB /30 = 166.7 MB per day = 428 web pages per day
Think of how fast you can zip through different webpages with a 3G phone getting 600-1200 kbps. You could easily view the 21 pages per day of the 250MB/month data plan in 10 minutes!
And remember, this doesn't even include all the other things people will be doing that use data:
* Google Maps (especially now with GPS!) - Very easy to use many MBs in one quick session of scrolling around a map. Have a route-following GPS navigation for 15 minutes could easily use 25MB.
* Sending and Receiving Email and attachments - Remember, No MMS for pictures! Other office-type and PDF documents will be sent around as well.
* Uploading Photos - Flickr, MobileMe etc.
* Online Chat via AIM/MSN/SKYPE
* Viewing Youtube, MMS-type video, and other online video - video can quickly use A LOT of bandwidth. 3-7 seconds per MB.
* Downloading applications and games
*Online multiplayer gaming
* Internet radio streaming
* Downloading music and video
Not to even mention all the native applications that will require internet access and server access to function....
I hope that many of these countries are able to get a better allotment of data usage on their plans in the future. I'm sure all the telecom companies just aren't used to hardly any data being used on their networks so they've kept prices high. Hopefully that will change with the iPhone and they'll realize how popular data usage will be and lower the rates as the volume of users using data increases.
And here Apple stated that they wanted to change the landscape of the cell industry... well, they sure are doing that... we are getting raped harder then ever. Apple sure is blowing this opportunity, could have had millions of more people on Apple products... now... only the extremely wealthy.
Oh well, iPods for us peasants. At least we will inherit the wealth when the rich die from head cancer...
check out this scary video http://www.koreus.com/video/telephon...s-popcorn.html
Oh god, If that's the video clip I think it is (won't load), it's total BS. It's been debunked already as a "viral marketing" prank from a foreign advertising firm. Not that people should EVEN NEED CONFIRMATION for god sakes. Microwaves use hundreds of watts of power --- cellphones use fractions of a watt, the resonant frequency band for a water molecule is vary narrow and common cellphone frequencies don't pass through it, cellphones have a omni-directional antennae -- not a narrow targeted one and they aren't located at the top, etc etc etc.
Stepping up to the TIM 600 plan requires a monthly payment of $126 (80 euro) and includes 600 minutes, 200 text messages and 1GB of data. It prices the 8GB iPhone at $234 (149 euro) and the 16GB model at $344 (219 euro).
I am currently on the equivalent of the TIM 600 plan, which costs ?60 + government tax of ?12 a month, so I understand that if I choose this I will be charged more.
But the fun part is that my current contract includes a 3G phone free of charge for two years. The person I talked to yesterday said if I want the new iPhone I will have to sign up for an additional line (whose additional cost is not marginal, but as much as the first line ? or, in this case, possibly even more). If I want to get an iPhone for my current cell line, I have to wait until my current phone plan expires on Sept. 19.
While that seems outright stupid (who is ever going to activate a second line just to get a new iPhone? Not me, since my company consists of just me), it also sounds like a very TIM-like thing to do. I wonder how many people who would buy the new iPhone will be forced to put it off for the same reason.
I have to say, though, that the person I talked to yesterday put me on hold for quite a bit while she looked for information, so it might as well be that she was wrong about it. Or at least I hope she was. I will be back with more details as soon as they are available.
it's 100 minutes *or* 100 text messages, in Portugal, or whatever number of minutes you choose (230 or 500 also). So if we have the 100 minutes pack and send one text message, we now have only 99 minutes. Isn't that great?
Actually, I thought this would work like you said. However, you have 100 minutes and 100 messages... Those are two separated things...
Actually, I thought this would work like you said. However, you have 100 minutes and 100 messages... Those are two separated things...
Also take into consideration that those minutes are only for calling, not for receiving like in the US.
There are a few situations we can resort to in order to live with such minimal plans but 250MB of data really is unacceptable. Why?
Because it places the iPhone as a cellphone that can do internet like all the Nokias and HTCs.
Vodafone is showing Apple and the world they don't get the product they are selling.
The iPhone is a handheld computer that also takes calls, not otherwise!
So the plans should better be based in equal voice/sms numbers and different scaling MBs of data such as 200 minutes/sms with 250MB, 500MB and unlimited / 1GB of data for the heavy / small business user.
They don't do that, they try to impinge on the customer the smart-ass trick of 250MB and then charging ?0.06/MB. This means that, if the client spends another 250MB he'll have to pay an extra ?15.
Orange's Optimus offers the same plan but with 500MB of data - so Optimus gets the iPhone AND is ?15 cheaper per month than Vodafone on the 500 plan! That is ?360 after 24 months!
There are a few turnarounds to this situation but they all lead to you being stuck for 24 months in a straightjacket that doesn't let you use the iPhone as the internet centric handheld computer with phone as well as many other capabilities that it is:
This way the iPhone won't serve its greatest purpose - to set you free from your office or home network and have you wonder around anywhere with always-on net access. 250MB of data per month won't let us users turn the iPhone into the center of our computing life - which is precisely the goal thought out by Apple's Steve Jobs for the iPhone!
The turnarounds are:
- to buy a family pack where calls between two (i)Phones are free. That's ?10/month extra. If both are iPhones that's ?25 extra per month (presumably due to both getting 250MB data);
- setting up an Airport network at home AND office connected to a landline net access;
- resorting to iChat or GTalk instead of sms;
- neither using Google Maps nor any other data driven application (WTF?!)
- praying that your out-of-office and out-of-home iPhone data usage won't exceed 250MB!
But it obviously will! And that's the rape deal!Vodafone is simply being outrageous. They have offered cheaper plans in Portugal than in Italy maybe figuring that the Portuguese are poor or simply more sympathetic with cheaper entry prices and would shun plans starting at ?60. Well, they were right on that one, we would reject it indeed!
Or maybe they thought that most Portuguese people will want the iPhone just to show off at their next classy restaurant dinner but the stupid Portuguese bloke/gal won't make much use of the net on it, won't use the Google Maps, won't get any email attachments, won't download any YouTube videos while on the road, won't won't won't because they are too retarded to do that. Well, guess what, for many years we've shown that it is totally the other way around - Vodafone knows that very well!
Or maybe it was that they've gotten fat and corrupt, fed up of being competitive and being seen as a serious company, and started enjoying conning their clients! Because to issue ALL-250MB plans is obviously a scam to suck the blood out of them by having them inadvertently pay at least ?15 extra every month or ?360 extra after 24 months!
Why do I keep insisting on the extra 250MB? Well, Orange of France has defined their unlimited data plans with a 500MB fair usage and their portuguese affiliate Optimus offers the 500MB plan for the same price as the 250MB Vodafone plan. Notwithstanding, I really believe the average iPhone user will easily outgrow 500MB of data transfer because the numbers have been out there for quite a while - record-breaking internet usage by iPhone users - and it really is exciting to have the internet and all the stuff like GMaps, email, YouTube videos etc. in your pocket anywhere you go - heck, that is the purpose of having an iPhone!
So it is obvious that Vodafone expects you to lose sight of your data usage, sign up for the iPhone plans on an emotional basis and find yourself with ?100 bills at the end of the month. And then you'll realize you're stuck with that lousy 24 month contract with no where to run!
It's the 900 porn numbers syndrome all over again. But this time it won't be the teenager kid that called the porn number on his dad's back, this time it'll be the dad with raging fury stomping at Vodafone's counters "heck, how is this %/%#&() bill possible?!"
And that guy will be blaming Apple and the iPhone alright!
I tell you, El Jobso should do something about this! Because, last but not least, buying the iPhone with 250MB of data and being forced to use it on a constricted basis such as this will take all the FUN out of it.
Having an iPhone will be NO FUN!
And it will NOT give users any enthusiasm what-so-ever to upgrade when the next model comes out!