Vodafone leapfrogs 2degrees with new transtasman roaming cuts

UPDATE June 27: Vodafone has matched 2degrees' lowest Australian data roaming price of 50 cents per megabyte (MB), but gone better by offering it to pre-pay and post-pay customers across the board.

The cuts kick in immediately.

Last week (see below) 2degrees cut its rate to $0.95/MB for casual or pre-pay customers, or $0.50/MB for customers on a $59 or higher pay monthly plan.

Earlier, Telecom trimmed its rate to $1/MB - but the rate only applies to the first 100MB, after which data is charged at $2.50/MB (a $1/MB rate is also available for postpaid customers who buy 100MB chunks).

All three carriers are trying to head off transtasman roaming regulation, currently subject of a joint Australia-New Zealand government investigation.

2degrees makes further Aussie roaming cuts

June 21: Travellers continue to enjoy the fruits of phone companies' scramble to head-off transtasman roaming regulation.

The latest cuts come from 2degrees, which earlier sliced its casual data roaming charges from $30 per megabyte (MB) to $2.50/MB - or $1/MB in prepay blocks of 10MB, 50MB or 100MB chunks.

Today, the carrier, cut its rate further for pre-pay customers, whose casual rate is now $0.95/MB

The $0.95/MB rate also applies to those on $29 and $39 pay monthly standard plans, while pay monthly plans of $59 or higher get a $0.50/MB rate.

$0.50/MB, which translates to $500 per gigabyte, is still heart-stopingly expensive (domestically, 2degrees will give you a gigabyte for $20).

But we've come along way. 

The question now: is it far enough to head off the transtasman roaming regulation, currently subject of a joint Australia-New Zealand government investigation?

Last month, Vodafone cut its transtasman roaming rate to a blanked $1/MB.

Earlier, Telecom trimmed its rate to $1/MB - but the rate only applies to the first 100MB, after which data is charged at $2.50/MB (a $1/MB rate is also available for postpaid customers who buy 100MB chunks).

A 2degrees rep told NBR his company's cuts were not a response to the regulatory threat. 

Rather, it was taking advantage of its increased transtasman bargaining power as its customer base expanded.