Three or Vodafone which is better for iPhone?

donaloflynn

I have pay-as-you-go SIMs from both Three and Vodafone.
I want to get an iPhone very soon, either a locked one from Vodafone when they start selling them or a factory unlocked one to use with my Three SIM.

Three have a 1GB data add on for €9.99 per month. (Would that work for internet access on the iPhone or just for Planet 3 on a Three phone?)

vs.

Vodafone have a 500mb data add on for €9.99 per month. (Would that work for internet access on the iPhone or just for Vodafone Live on a Vodafone phone?)

The other option with Vodafone is to use their ISP connection point, which costs 19c per MB. (I'm told it's faster though).

Presumably Vodafone will have special offers for the iPhone when they begin selling it, but based on the information above, which network would you advise me to use?

All advice greatly appreciated, thanks!

blaz

If you wanted to use the phone on Three, you would need to get an unlocked iPhone, as Three don't sell it. So going with Vodafone would be cheaper/easier.

Mr.S wrote: »

Vodafone also supports EDGE, so if there is no 3G signal where you are, you can still connect to the internet via EDGE, its not as fast, but it does the job. With Three, its 3G or GSM, so if theres no 3G signal, you can't go on the internet.

Incorrect, Vodafone does not support EDGE, they only have plain old GPRS. Correct about 3, if you're out of their coverage and roaming on Vodafone you can't use the internet.

Note that Vodafone also has 1 GB ISP data add on. Also note that both the "Mobile Internet" addon (i.e. live.vodafone.com) and the ISP add on (i.e. isp.vodafone.ie and hs.vodafone.ie) now both support HSDPA, so they are the same speed.

Leiva

VF

Dopey

Vodafone have been unable to solve a problem with IPhone streaming over the past three weeks despite selling them (albeit through a 3rd party) since Decemeber.

See https://forum.vodafone.ie/index.php?/topic/1797-youtube-stopped-working-on-iphone-3gs/page__st__40__gopid__10809&#entry10809

This effects youtube, radio (RTE, todayfm, Newstalk etc through IPhone App) and other streaming applications.

This might influence your choice.

ThatGuyAgain

I'm using the iPhone quite happily on three pay as u go. Bought it at o2 and unlocked via blackrain. Personally I use almost the entire 1gb allowance each month, so vodafone would useless to me. Remember vodafones allowance is on bill pay only, afaik three is the only network offering pre pay Internet bundles. Vodafone are very expensive for calls/texts aswell.

If it's pay as u go you're after, three is your best bet.

donaloflynn

Dopey wrote: »

Vodafone have been unable to solve a problem with IPhone streaming over the past three weeks

Any update on this?

Dopey wrote: »

despite selling them (albeit through a 3rd party) since Decemeber.

Who are the third party?

Blaz wrote:

Remember vodafones allowance is on bill pay only, afaik three is the only network offering pre pay Internet bundles.

Really? Vodafone don't make that clear at all on their website!

TripleAce

On the Vodafone website I can't see any mentiond on the iPhone, any idea where can I find some info to buy the iPhone via them as I don't want to switch to O2....is it possible to buy it directly in the shop yet?

Thank you....

blaz

Mr.S wrote: »

VF don't have EDGE!?

Really? I could have sworn i used EDGE with them in the past

Never had, probably never will. They only have (very slow) GPRS, but no EDGE. Only two operators in Ireland that have EDGE are O2 and Meteor.

culabula

Three, no contest.

Why? Because you can use it outside the State in certain territories with no roaming charges, notably the UK.

And yes, their data is for the full Internet, not just Planet 3.

If you never intend leaving the State, then Voodoo might just be all right (although you can use their Live! APN @ 1€ a day for 50mb).

culabula

Buying an iPhone on O2/Voodoo is neither cheaper nor easier. You will pay through the nose for it in the long run. Irish prices for the handset and for bundles are outrageous.

While it may seem a big outlay, just buy it outright and unlocked in a territory like Italy where it is not locked at network level. Then bung a 3 SIM in it and wave your middle finger in the general direction of 18 and 24 month contracts, renewal of contracts to change a price plan and so on.

Sod that.

And remember -if you do go abroad, you may then put the SIM of your choice into the iPhone.