[Ben]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/30/vodafone_tariff/

Anyone who isn't paying for mobile broadband can have a free shot tomorrow, as Vodafone is giving away access to publicise the launch of the network's new 50 pence tariff.

Until tomorrow, punters wanting to dip into the internet on a Vodafone connection would be skinned a quid for the privilege. Now they'll be able to do the same thing for 50 pence, though tomorrow even that charge is being waived.


Vodafone is far from alone in offering a daily rate for internet access, though most operators hover around the £1 mark. Virgin is the notable exception with a 30-pence tariff, so Vodafone's 50p offering is a good deal but not a great one.

The company tells us that Facebook, Google and the BBC are the most popular destinations for those on the move, with YouTube being another popular choice - which must bear some testament to the quality of connection. Once punters get to Google they search for Facebook, Bebo, eBay and suchlike - denoting a reluctance to type URLs - but eighth most popular search on Google is "google", which surely denotes a basic lack of intelligence.

But if you fancy visiting any of those sites, or even the rest of the internet (excepting the naughty bits, unless you're prepared to prove your age) then it will be free all day tomorrow on Vodafone.

[Ben]

Provided 50p is a cap, not an immediate charge for any data usage, I'm on board.

Caps are good. Charging a flat fee irrespective of usage is not.

[solo12002]

Pay as you browse – just 50p per day
From 1 May 2009 we’re changing our pay as you browse day rate to just 50p a day - and increasing the daily limit to 25MB.

A day is calculated from midnight to midnight. And you only pay for the days you browse.

The mobile internet Value and Flexi packs are not affected by this price change.

25MB limit

The 50p daily rate gives you up to 25MB data per day. Most customers never reach this limit. If you’re a very heavy user, and you exceed this limit, you may be charged for your extra usage.

[Hands0n]

Hmmm, an interesting offer from Vodafone - are they finally getting the message? I'm not so sure ...

At £0.50p per day (albeit for 25MB which isn't dreadful) across a 31-day month that works out to £15.50 for 775MB. Hmmm, something not right there. On the same network for £15 you can get 3GB.


If you’re a very heavy user, and you exceed this limit, you may be charged for your extra usage.
This should be written in large bold red letters - becasue Vodafone's out of bundle data charges are legendary at £2 per MB. Yes, thats right, £2 per MB!

That MB figure is measured across data in both directions - i.e. 750KB down + 250KB up will equal that 1MB figure. Also, go a byte or two over and thats another £2.

But to put some balance on all of that - this is a tariff for light users only. If you have any notion of tethering your handset to a laptop, spend endless hours on Facebook, fancy watching BBC iPlayer and suchlike, then this tariff is most definitely not for you.

Otherwise, I'd say this is a perfect tariff - and bargain basement at that - for the occasional data user.

Where is this all going to end?