Vodafone NZ to launch iPhone 3GS July 10
An iPhone 3G S launch page has gone live on Vodafone's site site this evening, with off-contract prices.
They are:
Pricing for iPhone 3GS (handset only)
16GB : $1,179.00
32GB : $1,379.00
Plan pricing and handset subsidies will be available closer to launch date, the page says.
Aussies get $0 up front deals
With Apple's three Australian telcos - Telstra, Optus and Vodafone - now all offering the iPhone 3G S for zero dollars up-front on plans priced from $A69/month including 1GB of data, the pressure is on Vodafone NZ to follow - or for Apple to appoint a second or third carreir here.
Optus has introduced a surcharge for tethering (using the iPhone 3G S as a modem); Telstra and the 5% Telecom-owned Vodafone Australia do not.
Vodafone NZ says more details will be announced closer to launch.
Click a carrier below to see its iPhone 3G S pricing and plans across the ditch:
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Comments and questions19
When will Telecom offer the iPhone 3GS, I've waited for the new network - July 10 is deadline for me and the $100K we spend with Telecom
Telecom should really start having a decent think about offering the iPhone 3G S to customers. Now they have a "great" network that would fit the iPhone like a glove, why not?
I am however very tempted to just pay the full price of a prepay iPhone from Vodafone and shove an XT sim card in it. Change a couple of settings and i'm away laughing.
Unless, of course, Vodafone decide to lock their iphones down to prevent this.
I'm sure it will come to New Zealand eventually. When you're giving away phones at subsidised prices you can't go on for long if customers just take them and go to another network. That's what keeps prices high for handsets. Why would Vodafone bring down the RRP if a customer will buy it and move straight to Telecom? Instead, I'm surprised they didn't put the RRP up more.
If you want to put an iPhone on XT then buy now because Voda Online store has great deals on 16GB 3G while stocks last.
There's no guarantee that 3G s will be available on Prepay immediately - it's common practice for Vodafone to give On Account a head start, just like they did with the Broadband Lite data deals.
XT don't have call/txt/data plans to match smartphones. Voda do, now for all smartphones not just iPhone.
Vodafone still leading the way, Telecom still trailing.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Vodafone does not handsets.
Vodafone feels it doesn't need to because once customers get a taste of their products and services they won't want to leave. They have faith in themselves, I like that attitude.
No locking necessary.
I'm going to get one of those PXT phones, no more txts for me, match that IPHONE, think your so clever!!!
I can do PXT's with Telecom?
Dude, Since iPhone 3.0 firmware the iPhone has been able to PXT (MMS) So I guess... the iPhone is so clever!
I have heard the iphones work better on the XT network...I since then had a chance to have one for a weekend on the XT network - it was very quick.
Vodafone hardly "gives phones away at subsidised prices." Have you seen the early termination fees? It always costs more to cancel early than to just pay the RRP. Even after 12 months.
If you buy them at RRP you can immediately take it to Telecom's network and use it over there. I'm surprised Vodafone hasn't made the RRP $5m a phone frankly.
vodafone tried to lock their phones and were told by the commerce commission that this wasnt a good idea. Was then they came up with the crap about their products and services.
http://stuart.amanzi.co.nz/2008/05/02/vodafone-nz-to-lock-handsets-to-their-network/
Any update on when Voda will provide Visual Voice Mail? It's now available at Voda OZ.
Vodafone Oz offers for $69 a month:
• free iphone
• 1 gig data plan
• $400 credit for calls (calls cost 40 cents a min)
• 100 txts
XT offers currently for $74 a month:
• pay $449 for Samsung F480 (comparable to iPhone)
• 100 mins
• 120mbs
• 500 txt's
what a rip!
It is probably not up to Telecom to decide whether or not they get the iPhone. I read something a month or 2 back where it stated that Telecom and Apple were in deep talks about getting the iPhone. But then again if Telecom were willing to pay enough for the iPhone I guess they'd also get it.
cost for 3gs in nz twice rrp in usa, can i buy 1 their and use it here
In performance terms, the iPhone far more compatible with Telecoms XT network than it is with Vodafones network.
Here's three key reasons why:
1) The XT network uses 850Mhz spectrum whilst Vodafone use 900Mhz and 2100Mhz.
2) The iPhone supports 850Mhz & 2100Mhz for 3G but only supports 900Mhz for 2G
3) Lower frequencies 850Mhz and 900Mhz give superior coverage and building penetration compared to higher frequencies such as 2100Mhz
What does this mean in plain English?
Whilst you can get 3G on the iphone on the Vodafone network, you're limited to getting 3G on Vodafones 2100Mhz spectrum which limits 3G to main centres and can be patchy compared to lower frequencies such as the 850Mhz used by Telecoms XT network which provide superior coverage and more 3G.
If you dont live in one of the major cities there's also another reason to consider using an iPhone on telecoms XT network. Where Vodafone offer 2100Mhz 3G with some 900Mhz 3G in cities, they only offer 3G over 900Mhz in the regions - the iPhone doesnt support 900Mhz 3G so rural/regional iphone owners will be stuck with 2G unless they're visiting a main centre. Telecoms Xt network is 3G only and uses 850Mhz (which the iPhone supports) up and down the full length of NZ so no matter where you are, chances are you'll get 3G on your iPhone.
and it went like a dog, spending much of the day on 2G (which made email go like a snail and forget about surfing the web)... On a good day it might switch constantly between 2G and 3G, but all that did was run the battery down...
I got an XT and are on their $1 day data rates and have never looked back.
Its time Voda had decent competiton and now its here - Apple needs to realise that XT and potentially 2Degress will need to offer iphone to get the price in NZ to a decent level - sick of being rorted...
You're comparing phone plans between two different companies based in different countries with entirely different markets, which makes it a worthless comparrison.
As someone who has an iphone 3G on the XT network (in central CHCH XT is far better than Vodafones '3G' network speed and coverage-wise) I am pretty disapointed with the price points for the iphone in NZ considering they remained the same in the USA but Vodafone decided to charge the same amount for the new 16GB 3G S as the 3G, and then to also create a new price point for the 32GB.
I was planning on upgrading but will now just probably wait until next July when the next iphone is released, hopefully with a forward facing secondary camera.
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