Whirlpool

Hello all,

The more I look into the current wave of 3G / next G phone data plans, the more appalled I am at how blatantly out "beloved" telco's are ripping us off.

So, last nite I tried to provide this feedback to Tel$tra – but alas, their website is pretty useless when it comes to this sort of feedback.

So I wanted to ask you all if anyone is aware of how best to lodge balanced feedback to any / all of the Telco's voicing my dis-appointement / frustration / exasperation at the price gouging data plans on offer (especially the next G ones!).

Any thoughts / views appreciated.

Prof. Wiggley writes...

So I wanted to ask you all if anyone is aware of how best to lodge balanced feedback to any / all of the Telco's voicing my dis-appointement / frustration / exasperation at the price gouging data plans on offer

yep don't use thier service. if you don't like what they charge for it, don't use it.

Just because you looked at next G how does that mean the current wave of plans isnt a good deal.

I gave very specific links in a post a few weeks ago.
But Optus, 3 and Voda all have mobile data plans that rival some companies home ADSL offerings.

$49 for 6gb from 3

http://www.three.com.au/cs/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=Three%2FPage%2FBusinessVideoCallingTemplate&cid=1202087417565

$69 for 5gb from internode

http://www.internode.on.net/residential/internet/home_adsl/plus/pricing/

whinge-whinge writes...

yep don't use thier service. if you don't like what they charge for it, don't use it.

How is this reply useful..?...sigh.....

I want to use the service, but I dont expect to be gouged..

I am seeking a way to voice my frustrations with the telco's – I have tried to do this but its not easy and so am seeking advice.

Timpa writes...

$49 for 6gb from 3

Thanks fore this – but I was referring to mobile phone data plans for likes of HTC touch Diamond, Samsung Omnia, iphone etc..

I am amazed at how (looking at the iphone for example), australian consumers can be soo keen to grab a piecew of hardware, that no one stops to think / worry / complain about the obsenely high data costs being charged..

Am I alone in thinking this?

Prof. Wiggley writes...

......that no one stops to think / worry / complain about the obsenely high data costs being charged..

Am I alone in thinking this?

Not in the slightest, there just hasn't been a full billing cycle yet.....

Prof. Wiggley writes...

Am I alone in thinking this?

http://whirlpool.net.au/go.cfm?article=5765

as to next g, it is hard to compare it with others as there is no one else selling it.

cost is high as telstra are swinging on the coverage that no one else is matching (short of satillite).

as to not using it, that is the only option as telstra do not care, they offer a product at a price, pay it or leave is their aproach to it. if it is not selling well they will lower the price (possibly). until then, talk with your wallet.

as to a place to leave feedback, there is their propaganda site, but a post like yours is too negitive to stay so would be deleted I would suspect.

http://www.nowwearetalking.com.au/

Thanks for the input.

This is really frustrating.. it always saddens me to see the Australian consumer being ripped off – but alas, this happens all too often and what is worse, we dont seem complain too much..

The problem is a catch 22. Many consumers don't use data from their handset due to the high prices but carriers will not reduce the price until more people use it. The more people use the service, carriers can then spread out the costs of operating the service.

Prof. Wiggley writes...

This is really frustrating.. it always saddens me to see the Australian consumer being ripped off

How do you reach a decison that consumers are being ripped off? It doesn't matter what product you look at. It is simple supply and demand.

A compnay supplies goods or services and consumers decide whether they wish to purchase or use them.

this happens all too often and what is worse, we dont seem complain too much..

Complain through your wallet.... choose not to use those companies.... if enough people do that then those companies may change their pricing due to falling customer base and usage.

whinge-whinge writes...

How do you reach a decison that consumers are being ripped off?

So you feel as though everything is fine? really?

Telstra next G data packs are value for money? Optus and Voda data plans are terrific with great coverage across the country?

I cant believe I am getting resistance about this – compared to the rest of the developed world we are always behind – especially when it comes to data..

And in any event all I was seeking was not consensus – but rather if anyone new of a way where I could voice my opinions directly with the telco's... as their websites dont make it easy..

I feel Telstra prepaid is value for money and most of the other carriers are ripping you off. 2500 mins per 30 days – 3, Vodafone and Optus don't come close...
/sarcasm

But seriously, If you don't like Telstra – don't use them. Buy the iphone outright, unlock it and use 3 or whatever. And if its out of stock, fly to Sydney and the apple store there and get it...

Just because you are'n't willing to pay those prices doesn't mean others won't. That's what it means to be a first adopter. Look at the price of the PS2 at launch to what it costs now. The carriers price will drop when there is more competition (wlan?), but until then, they are trying to make back their ROI and then some. I see no problem in that. They are a business, not a charity

whinge-whinge writes...

A compnay supplies goods or services and consumers decide whether they wish to purchase or use them.

That's great when it's an even playing field.

Complain through your wallet.... choose not to use those companies.... if enough people do that then those companies may change their pricing due to falling customer base and usage.

Which I have. I wont touch Telstra unless I really have to. I've boycotted all their products.

I've only recently bought a prepaid phone to use when I'm in areas not covered by 3 for small amount of mobile data (lets face it no one can afford large amounts of their mobile data).

The stupidity of it is that Telstra's mind set is they have the coverage so they will charge what ever they like. The government caused this.

If Telstra decreased their data costs they'd pick up more satisfied customers and increase their revenue.

Backwards thinking at it's best.

Cheers

Prof. Wiggley writes...

So you feel as though everything is fine? really?

I don't think it's too bad. I'm happy with the current per GB rate I'm paying for wireless data.

Telstra next G data packs are value for money? Optus and Voda data plans are terrific with great coverage across the country?

I cant believe I am getting resistance about this – compared to the rest of the developed world we are always behind – especially when it comes to data..

And the cost of covering the Australian continent with a 3G/HSPA mobile network can't legitimately be compared to that incurred by telcos operating in "the rest of the developed world".

Personally, Telstra's pricing of $119 for 3GB of high-speed wireless data over the Next G network seems good — considering the remoteness of some of the locations which are covered by it.

The only complaint I have is the exorbitant rate charged for excess usage once you exceed your plan's data allowance. I think the cheapest excess usage rate is 10c per MB, which is $100 per GB (on 3... and perhaps Vodafone?).

Virgin is the worst offender with its excess usage fees of $15,000 per GB (or whatever the figure per GB actually is). Moreover, Virgin doesn't make this ridiculous rate for excess usage clear to when marketing its product to average, non-technically minded consumers.

Horry writes...

And the cost of covering the Australian continent with a 3G/HSPA mobile network can't legitimately be compared to that incurred by telcos operating in "the rest of the developed world.

What's wrong with comparing it to Canada? Similiar populations and area (Aus 2.6 people/sq.km, Canada 3.2). In Australia, the majority live on the east coast, in Canada the majority live on the US border. After living there last year, I can say it is very similiar geographically.

In Canada, the country's only iPhone seller, Rogers, reduced its iPhone data prices from $C100 ($103) a month for six gigabytes to $C30 for the same amount after a widespread backlash and claims of price-gouging. – The Age

The only complaint I have is the exorbitant rate charged for excess usage

Agree with you there. How can Virgin justifiably charge $15 for the first gb, then $15,000 for each gb there after?

Craig Davis writes...

That's great when it's an even playing field.

why is it not an even playing field? Every telco can make the decision to invest in infrastructure to grow their coverage

whinge-whinge writes...

why is it not an even playing field? Every telco can make the decision to invest in infrastructure to grow their coverage

And pay for that infrastructure unlike Telstra had to. Yes very even, but that's also going off topic.

Timpa writes...

$69 for 5gb from internode

http://www.internode.on.net/residential/internet/home_adsl/plus/pricing/

You chose the worst plan interms of internodes adsl plans to compare.
an extra $5 gives another 5GB. And its so high because of the amount telstra charge for the port. (Adsl2+ is cheaper.) I get 25GB for $59.95 at ADSL2+ speeds at home so not even comparable. (and yes that is with internode)

and this

$49 for 6gb from 3

is only in 3 zones i.e. not roaming.

just 50MB in non 3 zones would cost you another $82.50
As well as the fact that i'm sure that 3 deal is on a 24month contract, and internode's is only 12 months.

your obviously trying to push the current plans. they are definately not good deals really.

nibennett writes...

your obviously trying to push the current plans. they are definately not good deals really.

I was thinking he was trying to point out that the 3 price isn't that bad really as he was comparing it to an ADSL product which should be a lot cheaper in comparison.

Craig Davis writes...

And pay for that infrastructure unlike Telstra had to.

I hope we are not going down this stupid debate road again.

whinge-whinge writes...

I hope we are not going down this stupid debate road again.

Nope.

I'm sure Telstra wouldn't appreciate me taking up your time going down that road.

Cheers

hadley writes...

What's wrong with comparing it to Canada? Similiar populations and area (Aus 2.6 people/sq.km, Canada 3.2). In Australia, the majority live on the east coast, in Canada the majority live on the US border. After living there last year, I can say it is very similiar geographically.

And what percentage of the Canadian landmass does the Rogers network cover?

Horry writes...

And what percentage of the Canadian landmass does the Rogers network cover?

94% of the population.

Craig Davis writes...

I'm sure Telstra wouldn't appreciate me taking up your time going down that road.

why would it worry them?

hadley writes...

94% of the population.

I'm pretty sure that is only GSM, and not UMTS850.

EDIT: Apparently it is "more than 60% of the population, and that would be a VERY, VERY, SMALL part of the landmass.

http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=155981

Horry writes...

And the cost of covering the Australian continent with a 3G/HSPA mobile network can't legitimately be compared to that incurred by telcos operating in "the rest of the developed world".

hadley writes...

What's wrong with comparing it to Canada? Similiar populations and area (Aus 2.6 people/sq.km, Canada 3.2). In Australia, the majority live on the east coast, in Canada the majority live on the US border. After living there last year, I can say it is very similiar geographically.

Horry writes...

And what percentage of the Canadian landmass does the Rogers network cover?

spel writes...

EDIT: Apparently it is "more than 60% of the population, and that would be a VERY, VERY, SMALL part of the landmass.

According to that piece from unstrung.com:

"[Rogers'] HSPA [network] is nationally available in the top Canadian urban centers from Vancouver to Halifax, covering more than 60 percent of the population."

If that's correct, it's not comparable to Telstra's Next G network.

Indeed, it seems that Rogers' 3G network coverage in Canada is similar to that of '3' here in Australia.

In Canada, they don't even have an extensive HSPA network that compares to Telstra's Next G network (let alone a comparable network with cheaper prices).

Prof. Wiggley writes...

So, last nite I tried to provide this feedback to Tel$tra – but alas, their website is pretty useless when it comes to this sort of feedback.

So, are you a Telstra customer?

If not, why would they care for your feedback?

I use one ISP only, would there be any point in me writing to the other 999 and telling them why I don't use their service instead?

Your viewpoint is puzzling.

Craig Sc writes...

The problem is a catch 22. Many consumers don't use data from their handset due to the high prices but carriers will not reduce the price until more people use it. The more people use the service, carriers can then spread out the costs of operating the service.

Do you really think the carriers don't have the price points correct?

I am sure that they are maximising their return with the current price points set.

Prof. Wiggley writes...

this happens all too often and what is worse, we dont seem complain too much..

People complain, but more often than not to the wrong places.

-double post-

michael j writes...

So, are you a Telstra customer?

If not, why would they care for your feedback?

I am a telstra customer and all I wanted to do was to voice my dissatisfaction with their Next G data plans and suggest to them that as a current customer (ie home phone, 2 mobiles and Cable modem) there is little incentive to use these over (lets say) Optus..

Thread seems to have gone off the rails a little – I was looking for "where" to voice my dissatisfaction.

Wasn't seeking anyone's approval or commentary really – but if anyone knows where exactly I can lodge my feedback regarding my views on the price gouging nature of Telstra's Next G data plans then I for one will use it – whether it has ANY effect other than making me feel better will be unknown – but I feel strongly about this and wish to voice this.

Prof. Wiggley writes...

if anyone knows where exactly I can lodge my feedback regarding my views on the price gouging nature of Telstra's Next G data plans then I for one will use it

Whitepages.com.au returns:

Complaints

If our service has not met your expectations,
or you have a concern with Telstra,
please contact us.

13 2200 Home Phone Services

13 2000 Business Services

12 5111 Telstra Mobile Services

13 7663 BigPond

Here in Canberra, the area manager for tel$tra used to (and may still) have a regular spot on ABC morning radio copping flak from left, right and centre and always undertook to look into seemingly valid concerns.

I have voted with my feet and my wallet and dispatched tel$tra to the bad memories box.

Horry writes...

In Canada, they don't even have an extensive HSPA network that compares to Telstra's Next G network (let alone a comparable network with cheaper prices).

After being back for holidays last month I'd have to agree. In fact they only have one 3G network (not even HSDPA) – Rogers/Fido (same network) but the coverage is bad by Australian standards. I was only in the GTA (pretty much like being in Sydney in terms of it being the most densely populated area in the country) and yet I'd not get any coverage in a lot of different areas.

However, Rogers has a lot of ways of charging Telstra like fees. A friend of mine singed up for their $30 iphone plan, and it ended up being $42 with all the taxes and "system access fees" + he found out that the stock program in the iphone uses data whether you want to or not, and by using 3 megs he'd already accumulated about $15 worth of charges (or at least that was the estimate) so he ended up going to a $30/ 6Gb plan (there is no smaller amount of data for less money). Meaning his original $30 plan ended up becoming $79 including all fees.