In a sign of things to come as Telecom counts down to “T-Day”, Vodafone is offering half a million of its mobile customers more megabytes for their money. But it's still not enough.

While still pricey compared to landline broadband, Vodafone has introduced a new $10 for 100MB monthly plan (which complements its casual $1 a day 10MBdeal) - making it, for now, the cheapest non-contract mobile data plan in town.

While 10MB a day beats 100MB a month in terms of capacity, the new plans are cheaper, and will make it less likely that a casual mobile user will bust their data cap

Vodafone says around 500,000 customers are on its $1-a-day broadband plan.

Kursten Shalfoon, Vodafone’s GM of Internet and New Media, says “With 100MB customers can download 30-40 full track music singles, download the entire works of Shakespeare twenty times over or post thousands of updates to Bebo, Facebook, Twitter or another of the other social media pages from wherever they are in the country.”

No data is counted for some Vodafone services, such as its mobile Sky TV feed.

However, as Mr Shalfoon also points out, some people also use their mobile as a tethered mobile, or pop their cellphone’s SIM card into their laptop’s Vodafone Connect card.

And while cellphones typically make lean, efficient use data, with a laptop the tap is turned on, and a user could easily bust their 100MB cap; Vodafone recommends heavy mobile data users go on one of its 200MB, 1GB or 3GB mobile broadband plans, which cost from $29.95, $49.95 and $69.95 a month respectively.)

NBR would like to see mobile data rates come down more.

With Telecom set to launch its new 3G network in June, matching Vodafone’s technology for the first time (and NZ Comms also lurking in the wings) there’s no doubt they will.

“Nobody else comes close to offering these kinds of rates in New Zealand and we’re not done yet. There’s more to come in the months ahead,” says Mr Shalfoon.

Excess data charges
To correct the original post's comment on data charges in regard to the new $10/100MB a month plan: A Vodafone rep clarifies:

"If you’re Prepay it’s another $10 for another 100MB… keep adding them till you’re blue in the face.

For On Account customers, you default to the casual rate of 10c/MB which just happens to equal $10/100MB. That gives OA customers slightly more flexibility in that if they exceed the 100MB limit they don’t have to add another 100MB, they can just add what they use."

For high-end (200MB+) plans, Vodafone says:

Our 3G broadband Starter/Everyday and Pro plans come with bundle insurance. If you go over your included data allowance, we'll automatically double your data for just $10 more. You don't need to do a thing, we'll double you data automatically if you need it.

If you hit your limit again, extra data costs 50c per MB.