Comments on: O2 and the iPhone 3G S disappointment #o2fail

By: simon blackburn

simon blackburn — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:14:12 +0000

AT&T are pulling the exact same BS in the states too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdDzarMmhMI&feature=channel_page

7m 30s into the video.

By: Richard Pearson

Richard Pearson — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:06:19 +0000

I’ve been doing some maths.

Now an iPhone 18 month £35 a month contract gives you:

600 minutes, 500 texts, unlimited internet and wifi

A Simplicity 1 month £20 a month contract gives you:

600 minutes, 1200 texts, unlimited internet

Over 18 months the corresponding cost of these are:

iPhone Contract: £630
Simplicity Contract: £360

A difference of: £270

To get an iPhone on the contract costs: £185
To get an iPhone on pay as you go is: £440

The difference between these is: £255

So by going on simplicity you save £270 but have to fork out £255 initially. So a total saving over 18 months of £15.

You do lose WiFi access to Cloud/BT Openzone but at the same time you gain the freedom to upgrade whenever you want.

Come the end of my 18 month contract I’ll change to Simplicity and wait to see what comes out next June.

By: Phil Long

Phil Long — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:28:32 +0000

Indeed, it’s very much a failure in foresight and marketing. I haven’t even touched on the price-hike for the ‘phones themselves.

Apparently the 3G S is not as heavily subsidised as the 3G. One hopes that means they’ll have some upgrade plan in place for new users this time next year… but judging from their silence on this matter I’m not counting on it.

By: Paul Glavin

Paul Glavin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:41:20 +0000

Very nicely written article.

At least it show how one badly thought out decision can destroy your customer base.

Pay & Go handset and not being tied to a contract seems to be the best option to me.