Katie Marsal
Apple's exclusive iPhone carrier in the UK announced Wednesday that its Pay & Go customers can purchase a new iPhone 3G without a monthly contract for just 299 euro, but that data use isn't guaranteed with the plans.
Those who spend a minimum amount filling their accounts with call times can also choose from any one of several plans that add "free" features on top of their normal calls. Customers spending between £10 to £14 per month can add 500 minutes of bonus calling time whenever they call from a registered postcode, such as their homes or offices; they can alternately choose a text package that adds 300 SMS messages within the UK, an evenings and weekends package that adds 50 minutes regardless of area, an unlimited O2-to-O2 SMS package, or 100 minutes of international calling from the UK.
Those spending more get additional time, culminating in a £30 minimum that either gives unlimited calls from a specific location and between O2 users, unlimited UK messages, 300 evening and weekend minutes, and 200 international minutes. Most of the plans are only available through O2's online store.
Those prices include unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi for the first six months after customers activate the phone, but are discontinued after the initial period. Customers will afterwards need to spend an extra £10 per month beyond their prepaid voice to maintain the unlimited data access.
At the end of the six months, O2 says it will notify customers at the end of the six month period by text, which will allow them to easily unsubscribe if they choose to do so. Data roaming is allowed but costs as much as £3 per megabyte in European Union nations and £6 elsewhere.
O2 doesn't say whether the Pay As You Go options will be available outside of its official outlets but may depend more heavily on these than on contract signups for its sales: a company official has warned that Apple retail stores may be forced to offer prepaid iPhones without the infrastructure in place to process contract subscribers.
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Charles Martin
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63 Comments
I wish the iPhone's US carrier AT&T come up with such a pre paid plan. I'm ready to pay more money upfront instead of signing up a contract with any wireless carrier. I've a pre paid phone I got from T-Mobile and I get 500+ minutes for $50. Those minutes last for 3 months easily for me. I use cell phone only when its necessary. For people like me, pre paid cards works best. No contract. No monthly wireless bills. No need to track ur minutes around the end of billing cycle.. Imagine getting a top of the line phone along with a worry-free mobile service. And use the Wi-Fi to get online.. Its no secret that Wi-Fi browsing is faster than 3G.
So the unsubsidised, retail price of the phone is over $600. Where are all the morons who told me I was pulling figures out the air when I suggested this two weeks ago? They wouldn't know analysis if it chased them down the street and bit them on the arse.
I still can't understand why people keep on referring to the retail price of the phone at $199 when it's clearly not.
So if you call from home or work (registered) OK but anywhere else how much does it cost. Also what does brower or WIFI actually mean? Confused from N16.
Pretty good from O2, I believe. 300 UK texts + £10 call credit would suit me just fine, especially with 5p calls.
Also @ iDaq, the word "brower" isn't in the article, and WIFI is the term used for a wireless local network, such as internet access in a Starbucks.
why don`t they just work out a fair plan, without all the traps.
I can upgrade to the new 3G phonr for just £10 per month, and pass on my v1 iphone to my daughter
as a pay as you go. seeing this plan she may as well forgo the visual voice mail and sign up for a standard plan with any other provieder.