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PREPAY: NEW DEVELOPMENTS by John Verling

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We live in a very fast changing world and the world of mobile phones moves faster than most. Since my last article on the subject of prepay price plans and offers there have been a few changes so the time has come to try update you on what’s now available. The adage “the more things change the more they stay the same” is still true, you still prepay for your mobile phone use and the phone companies are still falling over themselves to get your business. A big advent in the market is the push by 3 to take a considerable slice of the existing pie. This month alone 3 are spending nearly €500,000 on advertising aimed at the prepay market so they mean business! Vodafone who have the largest share of the prepay market haven’t reacted as of date of going to publication whilst Meteor are beginning to offer a bigger bang for your buck. An attempt no doubt to hold on the hard won market share they gained in the last few years. The mobile telecommunications market is different than a lot of other ones as the profit margins for the providers are massive once they have you on their books. Getting you on their books is where costs are! So I can see a lot of skin and hair flying over the next few months as the providers fight to keep their existing customers from leaving on one hand and on the other trying to steal ones from their rivals! The adult market, i.e. over 16 years of age, is saturated; the only newcomers are the 10-16 year olds who haven’t yet got a phone!

What’s out there for those of you trying to save some money or at least get better value for the money you spend? The basic premise is still the same, you need to top-up by €20.00 every 30 days to avail of any prepay plan offer and if you find yourself spending more than €40.00 per month you should consider post-pay or a simply plan.

Current offers are as follows:

Vodafone: The largest operator in the Irish market is still offering the same plans as previously. They obviously feel for the moment their plans are strong enough to stand up to any attack but time will tell. Vodafone offer two monthly prepay plans, for your €20.00 every thirty days you get a choice between all your Vodafone calls and texts for free or unlimited texts to any network.  Calls are charged at 29c per minute for all off-network calls and landlines and the same rate for on-network calls and landlines if you choose the unlimited texts offer. Off-network texts are at a rate of 13c per text if you choose the free Vodafone call and text option. Voicemail is 15c per minute regardless of which plan you take. 50MB internet access costs 99c per day. For those of you who reckon they don’t spend €20.00 per month calls are charged at 25c per minute on-network and landlines and 45cent per minute for all off-network calls. Texts are 13c per text sent. If you switch you number to Vodafone they will give you €10.00 per month for 12months providing you top-up by €20.00 every 30 days. The same €20.00 will cover you for your choice of price plan.

Meteor: No longer the new kid on the block and probably the most vulnerable to any moves by 3. This would be because customer loyalty may not be great among the younger age groups, where they made substantial inroads in the last few years. With that in mind they have added internet access to their plans. When you now top-up with the €20.00 every 30 days you get a choice of three plans. The existing free Meteor to Meteor calls and texts, the existing any network texts and the new free Meteor to Meteor texts with 250MB of internet access. Off-network calls and landlines are 29c per minute and when you choose a free on-network text plan texts are 12c off-network. If you don’t choose the 250MB of internet access plan it will cost you 99c per day for 50MB of access. Voicemail is free. If you don’t opt-in to one of these plans all calls are 29c per minute and all texts are 12c each. Meteor will give you €150.00, €10.00 per month over 15 months when you move your number to their network and top-up by €20.00 every 30 days.

3: Very much the new mover in the Irish prepay market and now that they’ve upgraded their infrastructure 3 are competing on a level playing field. 3 offer just the one price plan. For €20.00 every 30 days you get unlimited any-network texts, unlimited any network calls at the weekend, and unlimited internet access. In addition to this you also get free bebo updates, free Google, free Skype access and free Windows Live Messenger. Calls to any Irish network and landlines are 35c per minute, Monday to Friday. Voicemail is 10c per minute. If you don’t choose the plan all calls are 35c per minute 7 days and week and texts are 12c per text. Three will give you €5 per month for 10months when you move your number to their network, dependent on you topping by €20.00 every 30 days.  All phones from 3 are the latest 3G giving you direct access to Skype etc straight from home screen, 3 are also offering reduced purchase price on all mobiles at the moment.

An important thing to factor into changing network is your phone. All mobile phones come “locked” to the network that supplies the phone. When you move your number to another network you will have to buy a new phone or else get your existing phone “unlocked”. The networks will subsidise the cost of your new phone by giving you bonus credit. If you want to hold on to your phone you will need to get it unlocked, which in most cases costs around €15.00.

Regardless of which network you choose always beware of additional call charges. These are charges not included in you price plan and include such calls as directory inquiries, 1890/ 1850 numbers, all premium rate lines and of course international calls. Basically any number not to a mobile or a standard landline will cost you extra, in most cases a lot extra. Directory enquiries can cost you €1.25 per minute!

I hope I haven’t confused you with what’s currently available and please contact me on 0669152939 for any more information or advice.

John Verling

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