Current O2 Customers - thinking of iPhone 5 - beware!

keith_d99

O2's new smartphone plans are out - the new data allowance is 150mb?!?!?

That's mb not gb

Although if you decide to spash out on the €70 tariff - you get 700mb - pathetic!

Time to test a 3 sim in my iphone!

They also want to charge €5 a month for tethering your 150mb too!

Plans are here

brian2614

I am rite behind ya... when my contract is up!!!

guil

those plans are crap, emobiles unlimited plan has to be one of the best if you use the phone alot

Cork24

Eircom phones, their Crap to 3Ireland or Meteor at lest they give you 1Gb

o2 is a Joke,, o2 get more from Irish USERS then they do off English but yet English o2 users get the best Deals F***K U o2 im sticking with Meteor.

copacetic

keith_d99 wrote: »

O2's new smartphone plans are out - the new data allowance is 150mb?!?!?

That's mb not gb

Although if you decide to spash out on the €70 tariff - you get 700mb - pathetic!

Time to test a 3 sim in my iphone!

They also want to charge €5 a month for tethering your 150mb too!

Plans are here

I actually thought this was a wind up until I clicked through. They are absolutely ludicrous plans, are O2 deliberately trying to shed customers?

Darksaga87

Why are phone tarrifs in the UK so much better and cheaper than they are here? Everytime I see an add for three UK I die a little inside.

Luckycharms_74

This in an unbelievable announcement by O2. They have been doing nothing over the past few years but alienate their customers with their price plans, etc. I currently have an iPhone 3gs.
I have been holding off for an upgrade until the rumored iPhone5 is announced. This has finally pushed me over the edge regarding O2. I WILL be switching providers.
I have been a customer of O2 for the past 15 years since the esat days.
So long O2 thanks for nothing :mad:

jc84

So if I upgrade from my iPhone 4 to 5 il go from unlimited data to 150mb?????? Say waaaaaat

Eoin

Wow, that's a very poor show. I was just checking them out a few weeks ago, and I thought their base plan was 35 a month with 250mb allowance.

They also had a data add-on, but that's gone too.

I wanted to switch from Vodafone because their coverage is so poor, but won't be going to 02 now.

eMobile only looks good if you sent a few thousand texts a month, otherwise it doesn't seem to add up.

Heisenberg1

Shocking plans:mad: my 18 months is up in feb with iP4 i will be off to meteor

Eoin

Meteor looks very tempting - but it looks like a 24 month contract if you want an iPhone 4.

Three look good too, but there just seem to be too many horror stories.

Either way, there's no way I'm moving to O2 now.

Heisenberg1

With these new plans is there any loopholes to get out of your contract early like what happened in early 2010 i wonder ??

Eoin

I believe that there's a cooling off period of 2 weeks that you're entitled to by law if the service is no good. Not sure what happens if they change the terms of the contract, that might count as well.

I think I might get my current phone unlocked when my contract with vodafone is up, and try a pre-pay SIM from Meteor or Three and see what the coverage is like.

eeloe

Meteor give a 5gb allowance.

Thats absolutely shocking from o2, 150mb really is nothing.....

Dublinstiofán

Luckycharms_74 wrote: »

This in an unbelievable announcement by O2. They have been doing nothing over the past few years but alienate their customers with their price plans, etc. I currently have an iPhone 3gs.
I have been holding off for an upgrade until the rumored iPhone5 is announced. This has finally pushed me over the edge regarding O2. I WILL be switching providers.
I have been a customer of O2 for the past 15 years since the esat days.
So long O2 thanks for nothing :mad:

Hardly thanks for nothing, i'd day they served you well for the last 15 years if you stayed with them for so long!

No need for stupid statements like that just because their new plans are ridiculous :rolleyes:

120_Minutes

Mark my words all networks will follow suit, it used to be that time was money to them, now it's data...

keith_d99

I cannot see other networks going as low as 150mb in fairness!!
And trying to charge you €5 to tether that 150mb?!?!?

From what I can see Three are on a winner if they can keep the tariffs they have.

120_Minutes wrote: »

Mark my words all networks will follow suit, it used to be that time was money to them, now it's data...

Deep Thought

and I thought my VF plan of 400txt, 400min and 500mb for €40 was dodgy

Blazer

Eoin wrote: »

Three look good too, but there just seem to be too many horror stories.

I think a lot of these horror stories were when they initially launched the iphone 4...
I've been with them for 15 months and never been happier with a phone company. My bill is the same constant every month and with unlimited data I don't need to be watching what I'm downloading etc...
As for O2/Vodafone I wouldn't spit on them if they were on fire..VF wouldn't do me any deal for the iphone 4 when it launched so I left for 3...cue a week later and calls from VF reps asking me to reconsider and offering me deals...too little too late...

Eoin

Thanks for that. I'll try a pre-pay SIM for a couple of weeks and see what the coverage is like.

Tipsy McSwagger

Sc@recrow wrote: »

I think a lot of these horror stories were when they initially launched the iphone 4...
I've been with them for 15 months and never been happier with a phone company. My bill is the same constant every month and with unlimited data I don't need to be watching what I'm downloading etc...
As for O2/Vodafone I wouldn't spit on them if they were on fire..VF wouldn't do me any deal for the iphone 4 when it launched so I left for 3...cue a week later and calls from VF reps asking me to reconsider and offering me deals...too little too late...

I'm pre pay with 3 for years and will be getting an iPhone 4 or 5 soon. I could probably buy it pre pay as I'm wary of contracts. Do you think the 24 month contract for 40 euro is good value with 3?

Stephen P

I'm with O2 since 2008. Contract is up since August and I have a silver upgrade on my account. I'm hanging on to see what the next iPhone will be like before I use the upgrade. I got a call from O2 last week offering me a new tariff. I was offered a 6 month contract with 10% discount off line rental so my bill would be about €54, I currently pay €60 p/mth. I asked if there would be any new tariffs out when the new iPhone is announced and she said no as they only released new tariffs about 3 months ago.
I didn't go with the plan as I probably will change network as their new plans are awful. I was very very surprised at being offered the 6 month contract and on top of that she said I can upgrade at any time! I'm a bit dubious about it as I never heard of such a move by O2, she must of meant that because I have a silver upgrade on my account at the moment I can upgrade at any time??

Blazer

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

I'm pre pay with 3 for years and will be getting an iPhone 4 or 5 soon. I could probably buy it pre pay as I'm wary of contracts. Do you think the 24 month contract for 40 euro is good value with 3?

How do you find their reception/broadband where you are at this moment?
I'm very happy with my bill but then again I use it very little for calls as I've a work mobile as well..
If I was you I'd pick up a 2nd hand iphone 4 and just use the €20 top a month feature...that way you get unlimited data as well..

But if you're happy with 3, don't plan on moving etc for a few years (reception could be bad where you go) then go for the 18month-2 year plan with a iphone 5..prob available Jan here

DMG_49

I'm really disappointed in 02 they were top network in Ireland not so long ago
(my words). They had best coverage, best tariffs and best choice of phones always the one out of the few networks to get the iphone when it came out. There customer service was brilliant.

Now they are losing customers all because of there data allowance. Why can three offer so much and 02 are the complete opposite.

Tipsy McSwagger

Sc@recrow wrote: »

How do you find their reception/broadband where you are at this moment?
I'm very happy with my bill but then again I use it very little for calls as I've a work mobile as well..
If I was you I'd pick up a 2nd hand iphone 4 and just use the €20 top a month feature...that way you get unlimited data as well..

But if you're happy with 3, don't plan on moving etc for a few years (reception could be bad where you go) then go for the 18month-2 year plan with a iphone 5..prob available Jan here

The reception is good but my broadband is with UPC which works great on my iPad. My phone is old and I don't go online on it. I think il wait for the iPhone 4 to drop in price and buy it new on pre pay.

swampy353

DMG_49 wrote: »

I'm really disappointed in 02 they were top network in Ireland not so long ago
(my words). They had best coverage, best tariffs and best choice of phones always the one out of the few networks to get the iphone when it came out. There customer service was brilliant.

Now they are losing customers all because of there data allowance. Why can three offer so much and 02 are the complete opposite.

I would guess that O2 is now part of such a big global brand they are changing tariffs to try and leverage as much as they can from their current subscribers, possibly to try and offset the markets that aren't performing so well.
Also think that the demographic of the network would be slightly older and they would be relying on a certain amount of inertia from people who have been with them for years and not willing to move to the unknown. The other possibility is that a lot of people on their network may not be heavy data users, may have just have the iPhone as a style statement.

Eoin

150MB sounds dangerously close to affecting people who don't even use their smartphone all that much.

DMG_49

Eoin wrote: »

150MB sounds dangerously close to affecting people who don't even use their smartphone all that much.

Yeah like people who used facebook, twitter and youtube will be very close to going over.

Dades

Stephen P wrote: »

got a call from O2 last week offering me a new tariff. I was offered a 6 month contract with 10% discount off line rental so my bill would be about €54, I currently pay €60 p/mth. I asked if there would be any new tariffs out when the new iPhone is announced and she said no as they only released new tariffs about 3 months ago.

They know your contract is up, so they've offered you 10% discount on a contract just long enough to stop you jumping ship when, say, the new iPhone comes out.

You could still upgrade alright - but you can't leave O2! Doesn't surprise me at all this tactic - glad you told them where to go and left your options open regarding networks.

keith_d99

Eoin wrote: »

150MB sounds dangerously close to affecting people who don't even use their smartphone all that much.

And that's exactly their strategy - catch the regular surfers. They must have analysed the old plan (250mb) - and realised they weren't catching enough people out!

Anybody seen Vodafone's "create your own package"? It's still sh*te - but at least you can have some degree of flexibility.

Eoin

keith_d99 wrote: »

And that's exactly their strategy - catch the regular surfers. They must have analysed the old plan (250mb) - and realised they weren't catching enough people out!

Sounds risky though - 40 a month should be more than enough for a decent data package. If people have to up their package to get normal-ish use out of their phone, will they be too complacent to move networks? Maybe I'm in the minority, but I am now totally and utterly put off moving to them.

DMG_49 wrote: »

Yeah like people who used facebook, twitter and youtube will be very close to going over.

Emails can be a killer as well. Add in a few picture signatures and attachments, and that racks up the usage quite a lot.

eeloe

Seriously, with all the horror stories of 3, and vodafone and o2 cutting their data plans to limits which are barely useable....

Meteor is the best of the bunch at the moment, probably the fastest 3g network around, and they give you 5gb a month, even on the low 40euro a month tarrif!

culabula

Darksaga87 wrote: »

Why are phone tarrifs in the UK so much better and cheaper than they are here? Everytime I see an add for three UK I die a little inside.

Why? 3 IRL is far, far better than 3UK.

Eoin

Is Three not unlimited data (within reason) for many of their plans?

eeloe

Eoin wrote: »

Is Three not unlimited data (within reason) for many of their plans?

yeah, but in my opinion, they are the least reliable of the networks, and at some time or another i've been on all 4 networks with an iphone!

jenno86

Where does it say they are charging for tethering??

Eoin

eeloe wrote: »

yeah, but in my opinion, they are the least reliable of the networks, and at some time or another i've been on all 4 networks with an iphone!

Oh - their plans and prices looked great.

Just rang Vodafone and I'm out of contract now, so good to move.

So you'd recommend Meteor then?

TheZohanS

eeloe wrote: »

yeah, but in my opinion, they are the least reliable of the networks, and at some time or another i've been on all 4 networks with an iphone!

Well I've had Vodafone and 02 phones for a long time, have had an 02 phone since 95 and I find Three to be every bit as good as 02 in Leinster and that includes driving in the wilds of Wicklow and Wexford too. In a lot of instances Three have better coverage.

If my home broadband ever goes down I just tether off my iPhone with three, that 15gb allowance means I won't be getting any crazy bills like you get with 02.

Have never had to deal with Three's Customer Service but o2's have gone downhill rapidly over the last 2-3 years.

keith_d99

Meteor only offer 24 month contracts @ €45 a month

Three are €40 a month - choice of 18/24 month contract

With a 24 month contract there is a good chance that you't get an upgrade for 2 years

My choice would be Three for 18 months (and not get the free phone).

I also doubt once iPhone 5 comes out - I'm guessing that no network will offer it for free.

Three offer free tethering also, do Meteor?

Eoin

Good points there.

I can only see a 24 month contract with Meteor which puts me off.

Their FAQ page says that using your smartphone as a modem is fine, but they recommend that you're on the appropriate data plan. That's fine. But their iPhone page says they expressly forbid tethering! Not a massive deal for me, though I would like the option.

On paper, Three does seem to be the best deal, but I'm just not convinced about their service, looking at their forum here.

keith_d99

Eoin wrote: »

Good points there.

I can only see a 24 month contract with Meteor which puts me off.

Their FAQ page says that using your smartphone as a modem is fine, but they recommend that you're on the appropriate data plan. That's fine. But their iPhone page says they expressly forbid tethering! Not a massive deal for me, though I would like the option.

On paper, Three does seem to be the best deal, but I'm just not convinced about their service, looking at their forum here.

I think Three are worth a punt - as far as I know, you can back out of a contract within 2 weeks if you are not happy with service.

guil

i'm on the top package on emobile and don't get charged for tethering, unlimited calls, unlimited texts and unlimited data for 84 per month with a 10 discount cos i have eircom bb
FUP is 45,000 mins 10,000 texts and 15GB and i got a free 32GB iphone 4 on that plan

guil

i'm on the top package on emobile and don't get charged for tethering, unlimited calls, unlimited texts and unlimited data for 84 per month with a 10 discount cos i have eircom bb
FUP is 45,000 mins 10,000 texts and 15GB and i got a free 32GB iphone 4 on that plan

jaykay2

I am out of my contract with O2 but was planning on signing up again to get my hands on the iPhone 5. Unlikely now. Emobile look great compared to O2.

Just one question though, I still have O2's "unlimited" 3G package that they were offering with 3GS a year or two ago, and would stay with them if I could just buy the phone outright. Now, anyone know what price the 5 is going to be to buy a 32 gig outright? How much did the 4 cost at launch to buy without a contract?

Oh, and another question, will other networks (emobile etc) have the 5 on launch?

120_Minutes

jaykay2 wrote: »

I am out of my contract with O2 but was planning on signing up again to get my hands on the iPhone 5. Unlikely now. Emobile look great compared to O2.

Just one question though, I still have O2's "unlimited" 3G package that they were offering with 3GS a year or two ago, and would stay with them if I could just buy the phone outright. Now, anyone know what price the 5 is going to be to buy a 32 gig outright? How much did the 4 cost at launch to buy without a contract?

Oh, and another question, will other networks (emobile etc) have the 5 on launch?

answering your questions:

1. we dont know, but use current prices as a starting point
2. dont think you could buy a sim free 4 from launch, could be wrong though.
3. we dont know.

naasrd

eeloe wrote: »

Seriously, with all the horror stories of 3...

Say what now...? I've been with 3 for over a year and never, ever had a problem. We've never fully interogated what these "horror stories" are. How can some 3 customers have faultless service and others countless problems? Or is it just the same dozen or so people whinging on and on and on and subsequently creating the popular myth, well intentioned, but a myth none the less, of horror stories with 3. But to make it worse it's then peddled and pushed by other members who've NEVER personally experienced 3's service, yet feel free to waffle on like experts. Like it or not folks, many of us here have never had any problems with 3 and for the sake of balance this should be aknowledged.

Eoin

naasrd wrote: »

Say what now...? I've been with 3 for over a year and never, ever had a problem. We've never fully interogated what these "horror stories" are. How can some 3 customers have faultless service and others countless problems? Or is it just the same dozen or so people whinging on and on and on and subsequently creating the popular myth, well intentioned, but a myth none the less, of horror stories with 3. But to make it worse it's then peddled and pushed by other members who've NEVER personally experienced 3's service, yet feel free to waffle on like experts. Like it or not folks, many of us here have never had any problems with 3 and for the sake of balance this should be aknowledged.

That's good to hear - but there do seem to be a lot of people posting in the Three forum saying they've had problems with porting accounts, as well as specific problems using 3G on their iPhone. I'd be delighted if it's been over stated, as it's the best deal for me on paper.

Oafley Jones

Eoin wrote: »

That's good to hear - but there do seem to be a lot of people posting in the Three forum saying they've had problems with porting accounts, as well as specific problems using 3G on their iPhone. I'd be delighted if it's been over stated, as it's the best deal for me on paper.

Half the time I pick up my phone the reception is gone or stuck on GPRS and this is in Cork city centre. Same with the GFs phone and everyone in work whose with them. I'm moving to meteor when I/if I get the 5, which is annoying as 3s plans can't be beaten and I've had bad experiences with customer support on meteor.

whiterebel

keith_d99 wrote: »

I think Three are worth a punt - as far as I know, you can back out of a contract within 2 weeks if you are not happy with service.

No, you can't. They will only release you in the first 14 days, if THEY agree there is no signal in your area. Have a look at the 3 forum to see the hoops people have been put through to cancel through lack of service.

paddyjoe183

keith_d99 wrote: »

O2's new smartphone plans are out - the new data allowance is 150mb?!?!?

That's mb not gb

Although if you decide to spash out on the €70 tariff - you get 700mb - pathetic!

Time to test a 3 sim in my iphone!

They also want to charge €5 a month for tethering your 150mb too!

Plans are here

Have to agree its total crap!!

swampy353

whiterebel wrote: »

keith_d99 wrote: »

I think Three are worth a punt - as far as I know, you can back out of a contract within 2 weeks if you are not happy with service.

No, you can't. They will only release you in the first 14 days, if THEY agree there is no signal in your area. Have a look at the 3 forum to see the hoops people have been put through to cancel through lack of service.

If you buy online or with telesales you have a guaranteed 14 day cooling off period under the distance selling act. If you buy in store you have to prove there are issues with coverage.