O2, exclusive carrier for Apple's iPhone 3G in UK, has finally announced after much speculations that they will be offering its pay-as-you-go (prepaid) tariff plans for iPhone 3G from 16th September.
As you would expect the pricing for the unsubsidized iPhone 3G will be a lot higher than the iPhone 3G which comes with a contract.
Here are the pricing details for the iPhone 3G on pay-as-you-go (O2 calls it Pay & Go) tariff:
- The 8GB iPhone 3G model will cost you £349.99 (approx $631) while the 16GB model will cost you £399.99 (approx $721).
- £10 and £14 ($18 to $25) each month will give you 500 bonus minutes of call time to any UK home phone or O2 cellphone.
- £15 and £29 ($27 to $52) each month will give you 1000 bonus minutes of call time to any UK home phone or O2 cellphone.
- £30 or more will give you unlimited calls to any UK home phone or O2 cellphone.
- Calls past the prepaid amount will cost 5p per minute.
- You also get unlimited Internet access within the UK (though an "excessive usage" policy still applies), including 3G and O2 Wi-Fi, for free for the first year of service but will cost £10 per month after the first year.
- Text messages aren't included with the plan
similar to the plans with a 2-year contract. A text message will cost 10p each inside the UK.
- The visual voicemail and call merging features will not be available through Pay & Go plan.
- You will also be able to switch tariffs. However, I don't think you can move from an iPhone 3G with a contract to an iPhone 3G on Pay & Go tariff.
The change of strategy seems to be O2's attempt to widen the customer base in UK, where pay-as-you-go tariff plans are quite popular.
It will be interesting to see if folks in UK are willing to shell out the high premium to avoid the 2-year 18 months lock-in (O2 offers iPhone 3G 8GB at no additional cost on £45 and £75 per month tariffs and charges just £99 for iPhone 3G 8GB on £35 and £30 per month tariffs when you opt for a 2-year 18 months term contract).
What do you think?
[via Apple Insider]
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It is good news to hear, however I have already signed up a contract… (just can't wait..
And I would like to corrent the following;
"Text messages aren't included with the plan similar to the plans with a 2-year contract. A text message will cost 10p each inside the UK. "
Actually text messages are included in any contact price plan, and the minimum contract period is 18 months not 2 years.
I believe O2's payg price for iPhone 3G will be very popular, and just wondering how it is going to reflect the selling price on eBay…
Hey Dereck,
Thanks for your comment and highlighting the error.
I have updated the post accordingly.
Thanks again.
cheers!
Did anyone get one of those?
Is it sim locked?