Archive for 2013

Three announces new PAYG plans

Three have always been a good value for money network, especially where data use is concerned. However, today Three have announced a new Pay As You Go plan that could well be game changing. Not only are the rates extremely competitive but they are also much easier to understand.

• Simple rates and clear value of 3p a minute, 2p a text and 1p a MB.
• Flexibility that lets you pay only for what you use without the need to convert your credit.

Today, Three launches a new simplified Pay As You Go offer with rates that will allow customers to top up and get great value across voice, text and internet use, paying only for the services they choose to use.

In a market with a confusing 179 Pay As You Go combinations currently available, Three customers now have the flexibility to use their top up as they choose based on clear and simple basic rates of:

• 3p a minute
• 2p a text
• 1p a MB of internet

Customers will not be forced to pick one value option over another. Pay As you Go price plans typically push people to make value trade-offs and choose between weekend or weekday use, UK or international calls, and use of texts, calls or data. Three’s new approach puts an end to confusing tariffs and value trade-offs by bringing Pay As You Go back to its roots. There’s no need to convert your credit to a 30-day add-on to get the best value. Credit lasts until the last penny is spent.

As the network built for the internet, Three’s cost per MB provides significantly better value than competitors’ standard rates.

Thomas Malleschitz, marketing director at Three said: "The number of complex Pay As You Go tariffs, Add-ons and options available is mindboggling. Consumers are forced into choosing where they want best value – whether that’s calls, texts or internet. Our new rates strip things right back to basics with a simple, clear and transparent rate for calls, texts and internet use that offers clear value across the board. It’s important to us that our Pay As You Go customers can use our Ultrafast network to chat, text and enjoy the internet without making a trade-off on value. This is Pay as You Go in its purest form.”

Once customers top up, they can use credit for talking, texting and the internet, safe in the knowledge that if they send more emails than text one month they won’t be penalised for doing the things they love on their smartphone.

Existing Three Pay As You Go customers can also enjoy Three’s new rates without having to change their tariff and they will be able to use their remaining credit as they wish. “We’re not just saving this for our new customers,” added Malleschitz.

Posted by: Matt

Huawei doing a new tablet this a confused identity

It looks like Huawei didn’t want Sony, LG and Samung to be the only brands to carry a supersized, crazy phablet category device. On the same day that Sony announced their new Xperia Z Ultra 6.44-inch phablet, Huawei just announced a 7-inch phone called the MediaPad 7 Vogue. We will simply share the press release (with specs bolded).

Some will call it a phablet and others a straight up tablet, but lets not forget that 7″ tablets do frequently come with a 3G modem, an ear speaker at the top, a microphone at the bottom alongside the ability of make calls. This doesn’t enter the tablet into the phone arena.

EE adds 4G to 11 more towns

Everything Everywhere have been busy updating their 4G network and have enabled 4G coverage in a further 11 towns in the UK, bringing the total to 85.

• 4G arrives in Aldershot, Basildon, Basingstoke, Bracknell, Hitchin, Horsham, Leatherhead, Letchworth, Stevenage, Warrington and Weston-super-Mare
• EE now delivering superfast 4G mobile to businesses and consumers in 85 towns and cities across the UK
• 4G reaches more than 55% of the UK population, just eight months after launch

June 27, 2013 – EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced that 4G is available in 11 more towns across the UK. The superfast mobile network now covers 85 towns and cities across the UK.

Today, EE 4G is being switched on in Aldershot, Basildon, Basingstoke, Bracknell, Hitchin, Horsham, Leatherhead, Letchworth, Stevenage, Warrington and Weston-super-Mare as the rapid pace of the roll out continues. 4G from EE now covers the homes and businesses of more than 55% of the UK population.

Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said:

“Today’s launch sees us continue to extend the reach of superfast 4G mobile to more consumers and businesses across the UK, from Warrington to Weston-super-Mare. With double-speed 4G launching this summer, as well as Shared 4GEE plans and Pay-As-You-Go 4G Mobile Broadband, we continue to innovate and enable the best possible digital experience for our customers.”

EE 4G mobile customers have instant web access while on the move: can download large files quicker than ever, watch live TV on mobiles without buffering and play live multiplayer games on the go. Consumers and businesses have access to the UK’s widest range of 4G mobile handsets, tablets and dongles including iPhone 5, iPad mini, Huawei Mobile Wi-Fi, Blackberry Z10, HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4, all available from EE stores and ee.co.uk.

Posted by: Matt