Posted by brix25
Saw those figures on the news wire last night. MTN will announce their's and no doubt it will be up bit I'm a bit sceptical about all these numbers. I've got two sim cards, how many ppl buy a sim card and use it only once? Would the networks still count me as a user
Posted by Kryptik
So true, Brix, i was thinking the same thing since i use at least 2 of each network. I wonder if my 02 simcard, which i've used but once, counts at all? Still got quite a few quid on it too...
Posted by JK
if u have an active sim card u are a user!! even if u activate a card use the airtime and throw it away (remember cell c's intro) it stil counts!!
Posted by amawanqa
Greetings from an overcast CT.After a flight on a Dash7, 747-400 and then a MD82,the Mother City is a sight for sore eyes.
The O2 simcard quickly found O2-de when we landed at Frankfurt's colossal airport.
When I switched the handsets on in Jozi,the T-Mobile & Orange sims switched to their roaming partner MTN,whereas O2 and Vodafone(obviously!)switched to Vodacom.I had these all these sims after getting a few very cheap unlocked UK PAYG handsets for friends and family, as I always do.
The 7600's unique form still turns more heads than even some of the newer handsets temporarily accompanying me,this fact obviously amplified by the 7600's relative absence on the local scene.
I am really,really stoked to see how much SA has caught up,over the past 2 years,with regards to local availability of most handsets that are also currently available in the EU at the moment.Hopefully ICASA's proposals won't stem this trend too much...
I managed to get 2 Vodacom PAYG Super 6 Starter Packs from the Pick n' Pay in Melkbosstrand for a whole whopping R3.99 each,of course not with any credit pre-loaded at THAT price! I see the airtime window on these is 6 months.
After I checked in at domestic departures in Jhb and visited the Vodashop there, the lady behind the counter told me that they do not stock the 'Passport' 2-year airtime voucher,only the International Arrivals/Departures Vodashop does.As we were about to board,I didn't have time to sprint back down to that shop, and thought I would get it at CT's International terminal. They did have it in stock in CT, but I was told that I had to buy a standard Vodacom sim from them for R50, then the Passport pack,which is R365,loaded with R265 airtime.
The frugal bugger that I am, I decided to leave it and will just activate the extra Super 6 Pack that I bought at Pick n' Pay next time I'm down!(I must also start seeing prices in Rands and not the bloody Queen's currency...!)
BTW, as I was expecting,the rate of property development around here seems nothing short of phenomenal...Bloubergstrand has changed so much!
Posted by Kryptik
Since that statement does make sense, i wonder what a realistic figure would be, in terms of actual active users i.e. folk who actually use their simcards on a continual basis
Posted by Siosal
It's a shame we are so far behind the rest of the world (although we are getting better)
I mean you look at the 6680, it's brand new over here, but look around overseas and they are getting ready to release the 81 and 82 versions, not to mention the N series. And that's just nokia. Still no word over here about the SE K750i.
But hey, we are better off than a few years ago. Now we just need orange, o2 and t mobile to start over here. The price war will only do us good.
[ This Message was edited by: Siosal on 2005-07-26 11:36 ]
Posted by JK
SIOSAL i tawt you were dead...
no offence..
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id say mtns is more realistic...
they use active users and if a sim is dormant for 6 mnths its not counted where as voda counts it up to a year!!
[ This Message was edited by: 786KBR on 2005-07-26 11:42 ]
Posted by Siosal
Hey 786KBR, missed ya bud.
Yeah, I had to go away for a while. Still in love with my k700i. Still trying to stay up to date with the latest news. Glad to see that vodacom's prices have gone down since vodafone came in. R59 weekender contracts? For 24 months? On vodacom? Who would have thought?
But It's good to be back and thx for noticing 786KBR.
Posted by Kryptik
@ Siosal, i agree with you re- price war. Yes, we stand to lose somewhat on network support possibly, but the gains should outweigh the losses. Regarding the 6680, i fully agree. It's terrible how outdated we are wrt new phones, althoug we act as if we're fully first-world at times.
Posted by JK
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how will the gains outwiegh the losses??
Nokia sa releases phones every 1/4.. we only in the 2nd 1/4 of the year.
We are only around 3-4 mnths behind europe.
I can live with that.
Posted by Kryptik
I refer to the whole cellular scenario i.t.o pricing. We're paying far too much for calls and texts, as compared to elsewhere. The same applies to phones. Yes, we're into the 2nd quarter, but look at what's available abroad, then compare our pricing structure. It doesn't seem quite equitable.
Posted by Siosal
Agreed Kryptik.
Like I said, we aren't anywhere near the years behind we used to be, but we are unecessarily behind.
If you look at Australia who have about 6 mobile carriers, they pay about 20c for an international sms(forgive me if I'm a few cence off) we are paying about R1.74.
How much are they paying local? Lets face it, the cheaper it is the more we will use it. Case in point being gprs. Now it's down to about R2 a meg the networks are struggling to keep up with the demand.
Imagine the amount of sms's that would be going around if we were paying 10c for a peak local sms. Thats not to mention calls. The only way the prices will come down is competition. The more carriers we have, the lower they set prices and the quicker we get new phones (3g anyone?) to outbid the competitors.
What fun!
Posted by JK
I like it!!
But... I dont see that happening in the next 5 years unfortunately!
We would need O2, vodafone or orange, an international SP, coz a new one wont survive(cell c).
Posted by Siosal
That's why I said, orange, tmobile, whoever else. But definetely not a new company. Cell c have done brilliantly thus far thanks to marketing. But we definetely need an established brand to make the current carriers sit up and take notice.
Vodafone is already here with vodacom, which is why we now have cheaper rates and contracts available. It can only do us good.
5 years is way too long though. All we have to do is get the carriers to see the potential market over here.
Time to start a petition I think. *jk*
Posted by JK
Vodafone is already here with vodacom, which is why we now have cheaper rates and contracts available. It can only do us good.
mmm vodafone has nothing to do with vodas rates and contracts...
the contracts have been the same for the past 2 years now... the rates(data) dropped coz of the usage increase with the introduction of blackberry and 3g... coz 3G customers were paying up to R2500(data only) the first month when 3g was launched!!!
the benefit of vodafone would be cheaper phones, though there is still only a slight difference.
BTW ... the cheapest 'decent' package is R19 x 24mnths on fam top up!!
[ This Message was edited by: 786KBR on 2005-07-26 14:05 ]
Posted by Siosal
Vodacom are now doing the weekender packages at R59p/m for 24mnths. Although you have a much smaller variety of phones to choose from. (I know this as I have family memebers moving to this package)
This was not heard of on Vodacom. Also vodacom's off peak sms rate is 33c per sms. I think mtn's is 35c. Yes it's 2c diff, but it's vodacom, and they are *shock* Cheaper!
Either way it's good for us as consumers.
Posted by JK
vodas cheapest weekend package is R9 X 24 mnths!! though like you said, its crappy phones!! also 3g calls are charged same as normal calls. and till oct cheapest off peak rates ever!! from 10pm onwards!!
Posted by Siosal
I'm glad we agree.
Man it's good to be back.
Posted by Kryptik
Out of interest's sake, does anybody know what the situation in Zim is regarding cellular costs, etc?
Posted by Siosal
Nope. Next question. He he... this is fun.
Joke, sorry man, no not me.
Posted by JK
never crossed my mind...
found this...
http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=85515
[ This Message was edited by: 786KBR on 2005-07-26 15:38 ]
Posted by Siosal
I have to admit, thats a better reply than I gave. But about as much help.... I guess the best thing is to post a reply there and ask.
Posted by Kryptik
Spent an entertaining few minutes perusing that thread. Pity there's no real feedback from Zim tho. I mean, we see one thing on telly (those of you who watch) but i'm certain it's not a terribly accurate reflection of what really occurs there.
Posted by sIssIs
Are txts really 33c on Voda?
Telkom should just sell a few shares to Vodafone to take over then... it's just a ride along the other.
Posted by brix25
@slssls: Texts are really 33c...not that I use it a lot. Vodafone taking over Vodacom ain't likely to happen in the foreseeable future due to the fact that Vodacom is cashcow for Telkom.
I think I explained this previously in this thread
Posted by brix25
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Yeah, colleagues who've moved to that part of the world...Blouberg, Parklands, etc complain about the peak-hour commute...I think they need a subway...LOL.
If I was really desperate for a phone(K750) would probably have bought one off you.
Posted by Kryptik
Amawanqa, good to see you made it here despite the strike. Wrt Voda expecting you to fork over R50 for a simcard, what a bloody ripoff.
Posted by amawanqa
@ Kryptik,
I first thought that perhaps I heard the CT International Vodashop sales assistant incorrectly, ie. R15 and not R50,but this was clearly not the case. I'm quite happy with my R3.99 Super 6 Starter Pack cheapies from Pick n' Pay,which will suffice for the month that I am in SA. Tomorrow I must get Vodacom to send their settings to my P900 via sms and can already see myself on Nokia's official site later in the day,to get settings for the 7600;rather than possibly trying to explain to anyone at Vodacom customer care that such a handset actually exists...
Off topic,only SAA flights are affected;even Kulula and 1 Time are still fully operational.However,I do feel for SAA passengers stranded here and abroad,due to some of the cancellations and the very apparent lack of information,clarity or suggestions given to them by SAA check-in & flight control personnel,both at Frankfurt & Jhb.
@ brix,
It is tempting when prices are so good, but I am also not 'desperate' for a new phone right now,thus I too have refrained from purchasing a k750i for myself. I like the handset, but it ain't enough to make me put my very capable P900 into retirement.
My next phone might be the 3G N70 or the new P-series handset...let's see what is announced in September...
Posted by Kryptik
Was on the verge of downloading AgileMessenger to a mate's phone when i saw the announcement on Agile's site... Henceforth, end users will pay a monthly fee directly via the phone account. They also say the max charge will be Euro 2.99
Posted by Siosal
I am on voda contract. I get 2 hours free off peak minutes and a 200 sms bundle. Due to electricity and wiring problems at my house i used every thing I had and ran up the phone bill from hell (I'm no electrician). So to let my free minutes compile again and let that bill subside i went and bought a prepaid sim. Just so I could keep an eye on my finances.
I paid about R3.00 for the sim card. What? It's hanging with the sweets at the till? I see Cell c pre paid sim cards for .99c! What the heck? Are these things disposable? "Oh bugger, I left my phone at home and it's an emergency!". Quickly buy a prepaid sim, use up the R29 rand or whatever detailing your emergency over the phone and then throw the bugger away!
All I need now is to invent a cheap and nasty disposable cell phone that you can buy at the till...use and then bye bye. Holy cow, what a world.
Posted by amawanqa
Had a good look around the cellshops at the Tygervalley Shopping Centre,to compare with what the UK offers.
Firstly,the screen-swivelling Samsung Z130 seems to be freely available at MTN shops, yet no UK network carries this 3G handset.Personally, it looks a bit too much like a cheap silvery plastic Action Man accessory for my taste,compared to say, the far more suave and sophisticated-looking non-3G D500. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,I guess.
Secondly,it was encouraging to see quite a few Nokia 3230's at the MTN shops as well,for R129x24 months.
Thirdly,and for what it's worth,some of the Vodashops I visited have a good range of LG phones,including the Bluetooth-equipped 2400 clam.Apart from some of the 3G LG models(8120,8130,8150 etc.),there seem to be even fewer non-3G LG models in the UK than in SA. For instance, Orange have the 2400 for 99 Pounds and T-Mobile have the lower-spec 2050 for 39 Pounds, and that's just about it.
Fourthly,I was surprised to find one of the 'Body Glove' skins/cases for the unusual 7600 at the Auto-Page Cellular shop. The guy said that they only ever had a few 7600 handsets, and are no longer stocked as they have obviously been surpassed with the likes of the 6680 etc.
I'm also impressed to see that handsets are gradually becoming more realistic in price in SA compared to what they used to be,but is still a notable price difference, for example: the old Bluetooth-equipped Motorola V620 is R2349 in one of the Vodashop store I visited, but is 119 Pounds from CPW.
http://www.carphonewarehouse.[....]PAYGO&filter_partModel=MOTV620
I think it's fair to say that SA has certainly come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years,not just with handsets, but with 3G,EDGE etc.
Now then SA, you have the 3G capable 6680, but a certain non-3G SE handset, selling particularly well in the EU at the moment, became available roughly at the same time as the 6680..
The myriad of different cellphone handsets now available to the SA public,proudly displayed in glass show-cabinets in SA cellshops, have swelled in their ranks, but the K750 is still MISSING on these shelves....why?!
Posted by JK
its in testing at the moment...
the d600 will be out before it!!!
Posted by gilani
Went to a mtn shop the other day and he told me that they're expecting the entire n series soon- he had no dates though
Posted by amawanqa
Just noticed that Tesco,(basically Pommie Pick n' Pay),have the Nokia 6230 (on PAYG) on special at the moment,at a very reasonable 135.97...
http://www.tescomobile.com/de[....]33186&pkg=293968&st=1&offset=0
Posted by WirelessMonkey
I'm pleased to report that I am now the proud owner of a Sony Ericsson W800i Walkman phone. And, yes it does live up to my expectations and it is a real music phone.
Posted by amawanqa
Oh keeeewwwlll,WM! Me SE-green with envy.
Now we can all start bugging you for another comprehensive review!
Glad it sounds all positive so far.
[ This Message was edited by: amawanqa on 2005-07-27 18:35 ]
Posted by brix25
I need a music player...got lots of CD's and they're getting scratched from everyday handling.
Posted by Kryptik
Guys, i think i've narrowed my search for a replacement for my 6600 down to these... 6630 K700i 6680 P-series and D500, in no particular order. Opinions? I want something versatile, good sound quality, preferably Symbian although its not an over-riding factor.
Posted by brix25
@Kryptik: All I can say is that the K700 is good value-for-money phone...it's a bit outdated with the pending release locally of the K750. D500 is also a nice phone...it's got almost similiar features of the K700 with good BT implementation. 6630 don't know much about it apart from the fact that many ppl bitched about a missing 2nd camera. 6680 for now is the best S60 phone on the market...don't know if you want 2 make a committment with imminent release of the N-series.
Posted by Kryptik
Hmmm, point well-taken. I'm biding my time, heard from a few dealers that some attractive releases/packages are imminent. @Wireless, any chance of a review on that snazzy new W soon?
Posted by mario2002
Brix, is the N91 going to be realised in SA ? To buy a non 3G/EDGE/WIFI new phone today is a complet waist. To move from a 6600 to anything als then a S60 won't feel like a upgrade buddy ! Especialy after the first 'wow' week of a new device is gone.My wife has a D500. Nicebut, if you are a demanding user does'nt feel right.
Posted by brix25
@mario: ppl on myadsl.co.za forums have also been complaining about the slow release of phones onto the local market by the networks/Icasa due to testing... Although the first N-series phones should released in Europe next month we should expect it 2wards the end of the year...just a guestimate.
Posted by Siosal
One thing that I feel the K700i has over the d500 is the ability to record during a call. But I agree that to "upgrade" to anything other than one of the latest models is a waste.
Not that I think anyone would use the newer functions for at least a year, but you might as well take advantage.
On the subject of the n series, although I have minimal respect for nokia (being a former user), I have to say that the n series look great. But i would not upgrade to them, because I am interested to see what SE, samsung and motorola bring out in reply to those phones. And if you ask me, the only things that are going to come out as a result of the n series, are kick ass.
Thanks to nokia, the other manufacturers are going to put nose to grindstone and make something even better.
Now that's what I want to see.
Posted by JK
Id like to see what other manufacturers come up with!
I do think the K700 has held its ground since it came out in aug last year, it hasnt outdated that much!
Posted by brix25
@Siosal & 786KBR: The K600 or the K608 which we're likely to get is IMO the natural successor to the K700...brilliant screen, 3G, full screen video playbak and improved 3D java implementation. Only downside is the 32MB dynamic memory.
Posted by Kryptik
Yep, i agree that a move to anything not Symbian would be a bit of a regression... I'll wait and see what becomes available...
Posted by WirelessMonkey
It's here and it's awesome - truly folks. The Sony Ericsson W800i definitely exudes the Sony Walkman tradition and this is a fitting attack on the Apple iPod brand of players that lack tech convergence. Where as the iPod remains the undisputed king or portable music players, the W800i is not just a music player but a whole lot more. It's roughly the same as the K750i with the real difference being the design and the music functionality. The W800i is a stylish player, with its retro-chic looks and classic curves. It's plastic, but then I've learnt from the Moto designers that companies think very carefully about the materials used. If it had been a metal casing this little baby might have failed the weight test - the iPod mini weighs just 109g while the W800i tips the scales at 99g. Compared with the soon-to-be-released Samsung SGH-i300 130g, the Moto E1 iTunes 107g and the Nokia N91 156g, the W800i carries itself lightly making it usable for those who like myself tune into their music why being rather active at the gym. more to come...
Posted by brix25
@Siosal & 786KBR: The K600 or the K608 which we're likely to get is IMO the natural successor to the K700...brilliant screen, 3G, full screen video playbak and improved 3D java implementation. Only downside is the 32MB dynamic memory.
Posted by Kryptik
Thanx Wireless, it certainly sounds all it's been touted to be... Can't wait for the next instalment :-) @Brix, you seem stuck... Wap mucking you about?
Posted by JK
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nope the K750 is! I read it somewhere... Im also very aware of the specs of both.