[Striker]

Hey all,

I've read through some threads, and people seem to like both Vodafone and 3 for networks (in comparison that the rubbishing that Optus sometimes receives).

I'm planning on buying my 3GS very shortly, but am still undecided onw hcih of these two networks I would join.

I'm based in Sydney's west, well within 3's coverage area, but am a little concerned about the roaming in buildings and carparks.

I was hoping that people here would have some experience with the two networks, and be able to make a recommendation for one or the other.

If you have experience with both networks, I'd love to hear a comparison.

--Striker.

[stallie]

I'm in the same boat.

Other factors for me are:

International calls - included in 3's [current] caps but NOT in Vodafone

3 voice roaming onto Telstra is free and gives greater coverage. Voda not as great coverage (and if it does roam in Vic costs $$)

Voda outside of cities (where there is coverage) data is included. Three roams ($$) for data.

And I am sure there's more. It's a matter if weighing up all of these.

[decryption]

Roaming isnt' really a problem unless you use data in that roaming area. Calls and SMS are the same price and included in your cap. Data however, is charged extra.

Most people in metro areas, using 3, don't seem to roam very often on their iPhones.

With Voda, you don't have this concern.

[ParisHilton]

Personal opinion: Vodafone has much better customer service.

Been with them for 5 years, no problems.

Plans/rates/coverage between the 2 etc no idea, but the 3 rep (enquiring about mobile internet) was very rude.

First opinions last.

[Secoa]

I live in the country so I only have Telstra to choose from. I plan to get a iPhone 3gs but the plans from Telstra are prohibitive. Is it true thta if I get a 3 plan it uses the Telstra next G network when the 3 network is not available?

[Exocet]

^^ Yes, but you're charged 50c/mb for the privilege. Really if you only stay in metro areas three are probably the better choice. I'm outside of Brisbane about once every 3 months...why bother paying for excess coverage I'm rarely going to use?

I'm very happy with 3.

[Secoa]

50c per Mb what a rip off. I wish I had an alternative from just Telstra but I live out side the metro areas so I don't have a choice. Bummer

[Exocet]

I was told by our company's 3 account rep that 50c is what Telstra charges 3 for the data...and 3 just passes the cost directly on to customers. However, he is a salesman so who knows how much you can trust him

Again - doesn't really affect me...the few times I go outside of metro coverage is generally when I'm on holidays and don't want to have my phone buzzing with email all the time

[wmyeoh]

Vodafone vs 3 coverage?

[scruffie]

i can't fault either one. i think 3 offers better value for money e.g. i add a $5 international talk pack to my call plan on 3 and i get 100 minutes to call my folks in the uk. fabbo!

if you are using 3, and you dont want to use data whilst roaming on telstra, you have to manually change the apn to something wacky. afaik the option to turn on/off data roaming does not work with 3/telstra's arrangement.

it sounds like you are getting an iphone outright. best bet is to just buy two prepaids, go through your normal usage and see what is the best for you.

if you do join three, do a quick research on buckscoop/moneybackco for cashback offers and stuff. when i joined 3 i got a $25 off from 3 refer a friend program, $100 off the first bill 3 promo code, and $64 cash back from moneybackco. who doesn't love discounts?

[Bosox76]

Originally Posted by scruffie

if you are using 3, and you dont want to use data whilst roaming on telstra, you have to manually change the apn to something wacky. afaik the option to turn on/off data roaming does not work with 3/telstra's arrangement.

It's true manually turning off the roam option doesn't apply here because of the agreement between 3 and telstra, however if you manually change the apn , then you won't be able to access data when within the 3 coverage zone either.

I guess the question you have to consider is will you have push turned on, and therefore run the risk of having data pushed to your phone when roaming for whatever reason.

IMHO it doesn't roam too much anyway, and I have pushed set manually now, mainly to conserve battery life, and I haven't run up any extra charges. Also the international included calls is great.

As some other posters have suggested, why not et a pre-paid sim with each and check it out for yourself.

[MikeELL]

Firstly, Any word on whether three is supporting Visual Voice mail? No mention of it in the pricing structure.

Also I'm trying to work out whether there is any discount for three customers who are off plan: I've been holding off buying a new phone until I saw what Three's pricing was (36 months on a $29 cap so far . My gf is on vodafone and considering how similar the plans are total cost wise, I'm thinking I'll switch to Vodafone if I don't get some discount from three - especially if they're not supporting visual voice mail.

The $49cap on 3 (total cost) is $63 for the 16Gb and $67 for the 32Gb, where as the $69cap on vodafone has the free 16Gb 3GS included, with 1Gb data as well.

Any thoughts?

[K3G]

Originally Posted by MikeELL

The $49cap on 3 (total cost) is $63 for the 16Gb and $67 for the 32Gb, where as the $69cap on vodafone has the free 16Gb 3GS included, with 1Gb data as well.

Any thoughts?

Well I personally must have a 32GB 3GS. If I am going to be stuck with something for 2 years its the best option.
the 3 plans are sliiiightly better value than voda for the 16 and heaps better for the 32 (assuming you want to spend as little as possible for a decent amount of calls and txt)

For the 32GB 3GS:
the 49 on 3 nets you 750MB (250 + 500)
the 59 on voda is 500mb

same amount of cap value, however voda does have the 100 free txts (but they are 28c/txt. with 3 is 25c)

don't forget that voda charges an extra $15 on top of both the 59 and 69 for the 32GB

*edit*
Maybe some clever kid will figure out a way to turn off NextG roaming data charges for 3 (or if we are really lucky. A carrier update will fix this)

[WarWraith]

However.

If you're an RACV/NRMA/etc member, you can get a discount with Vodafone.

Two months free access, + 10% off your monthly access fee for the life of the contract (but you have to order over the phone)

On the $79.00 Vodafone plant, the 32Gb is $10 per month.

Total: $89.00 p/m

Subtract 10% = $81.10 p/m

However, if you take the two months free ($79x2=$158), and divide that across the contract ($158/24=$6.58), then subtract that...

I'm effectively paying $74.50 a month for a 32Gb iPhone, including 1Gb of data - and it doesn't roam to Telstra at 50c/Mb

The coverage was what pushed me over the edge. I live three streets away from the edge of the 3 Broadband zone and my phone roams constantly.

Basically, I'll be paying 50c per month more for my iPhone than I paid for the K800i.

[W9cae]

I moved to Vodafone for my 3GS & cant really notice any difference in coverage from my Telstra 3G iPhone. I felt the Visual Voicemail & free tethering to be the winning features for me.

[K3G]

Originally Posted by WarWraith

However.

If you're an RACV/NRMA/etc member, you can get a discount with Vodafone.

Two months free access, + 10% off your monthly access fee for the life of the contract (but you have to order over the phone)

Dude that's awesome! Cheers for the tip.
I was leaning towards 3 but that just pushed me back towards Voda
I really don't spend that much on calls so the 59 +15 plan (32GB) is only $1450.4 on Voda compared to 3's $1608

*edit*
okay it turns out the handset repayment isnt included so its really $1516.4

[K3G]

Originally Posted by W9cae

I moved to Vodafone for my 3GS & cant really notice any difference in coverage from my Telstra 3G iPhone. I felt the Visual Voicemail & free tethering to be the winning features for me.

Where exactly do you live/work/commute?

^^^that sounds way too creepy...

[jaredtomas]

The only place I have a problem with Vodafone's reception is downstairs at my work. For some reason I cannot get anything there. One of my colleagues who is with Telstra only gets one bar of 2G signal so I'm not sure what's going there. Odd, indeed.

Besides that, I've never had dropouts or anything of the sort.

[K3G]

Originally Posted by jaredtomas

The only place I have a problem with Vodafone's reception is downstairs at my work. For some reason I cannot get anything there. One of my colleagues who is with Telstra only gets one bar of 2G signal so I'm not sure what's going there. Odd, indeed.

Besides that, I've never had dropouts or anything of the sort.

I would assume that you have a lot of magnetic interference down there. My house's theatre room (which is half under ground) only gets Telstra reception (barely).

[WarWraith]

On the downside...

On Monday when I placed my order, I was told "the online ordering department has stock. The phone will definitely be shipped in 2-5 working days"

I rang back yesterday to query whether I'd passed the credit check, to be told it hadn't been processed, but Vodafone had stock, and I'd definitely receive the phone within 2-5 working days.

Today I rang, and found out that I have passed the credit check (no email received to advise me), and the phone will be delivered in ... 15-18 working days. Definitely no stock, and no deliveries until the 24th of July.

I feels a lot like a bait and switch, but...

:S