Dissecting the i-Plans
Warning, geek post alert. For people who aren’t interested in intellectual findings or shallow in nature, you might experience nausea, drowsiness and loss of focus in reading. You may also yawn, scratch your backside or attempt to dig your nostril before you stop reading. Viewers’ discretion advised.
The recent iPhone hype is no doubt phenomenal. Everyone is rejoicing over the much awaited sleek gadget from Apple arriving officially in our region. However, to get the original unit, one can only possess one by committing to special plans created by telecommunication companies.
In Thailand it’s via TrueComm and in Malaysia, it’s by Maxis. No doubt an Apple iPhone is very desirable in nature, but if we’re to truly analyze it, it’s just a 3G phone which is designed in a very fancy way with some fancy extra features (not to mention the man-made hype for it). What many of us fail to understand about the iPhone is that it is a phone meant for people with more disposable income or rather, a luxury item to afford and use in the current state of economy.
Let’s take a look at the iValue plans that Maxis came up specifically for iPhone 3G distribution.
Click to enlarge
Let’s put the phone costing aside and check out what are you getting back in return for you monthly commitment.
For iValue 1, you’re paying RM100 each month for 333 minutes of talktime and 500MB of data. That translates to RM0.30/minute for each call you make while to be honest, if you’re heavy user, 500MB of data would be used up within 2 weeks. The same applies for iValue 2, 3 and 4 which translates to RM0.23/minute, RM0.17/minute and RM0.15/minute for calls.
Forking out RM375 each month for a minimum commitment of 12 months only gets you a rate of RM0.15/minute for your first 2500 minutes of the month isn’t exactly the best rates you can get around these days for postpaid deals. The last I check, DG50 which I’m currently on, offers you call rates at RM0.13/minute and even that covers more talktime than the lowest iValue plan (384 minutes for RM50 monthly compared to 333 minutes for RM100 monthly).
Many people who do compare prices in advanced do realize the long tail for these iValue plans which of course requires them to pay more just to get their hands on iPhone 3G. But in the current state of economy, are there no other alternatives for the iPhone when it comes to 3G services? The answer is no as recently DiGi just launched Phone Bundling Plans.
They’re offering 4 different types of mobile phones with 3G at a very affordable price with no ‘special made’ call plans for mobile users who are in need of 3G services. Let’s check out the chart below.
Click to enlarge
Yes, the chart only shows the price of the phones when you commit to a specific postpaid plan by DiGi and not the rates you get from the plans. Note that the postpaid plans requires you to commit that particular amount each month and any calls and SMS you make during each month are charged based on the following chart.
Click to enlarge
In case you’re a nutshell who hasn’t been in a postpaid plan before, RM50 is not a service charge which you have to pay in extra to your call charges. It’s merely just a commitment fee to entitle you to great rates for calls and SMS.
So if you do compare, the iValue plans you need to get on to get an iPhone is really not a wise money bargain. Take the lowest range to compare if you wish to. Let’s just say I normally make calls that amount to about 400 minutes each month which is a little bit extra on my DG50 plan which will make my bill about RM52. If I’m on iValue 1, that will cost me RM110. The RM50+ difference if you’re to multiply by 12 months (lowest commitment duration) will amount to RM600 which if you add on to the price you’re paying for the iPhone makes it back to RM2,500. Hmmm… Did you actually save on the price of the iPhone? Think again.
All in all, I wouldn’t blame Maxis for coming up with these plans just to make the extra bucks. After all, it’s a business organization and when it’s business, it’s always money making. After all, bringing in the iPhone 3G exclusively into the country must have cost them quite a sum as well. So they have to pass the cost sustained earlier to the customers, right? The consumers shouldn’t be blame as well since it’s iPhone 3G we’re talking about. An object of desire for most of us, be it men or women. So I’m pretty sure there are many who have already got their hands on these babes just because it’s iPhone and not because of the plans they come along with.
However, for consumers who are interested in iPhone 3G in Malaysia I think it’s important for us to differentiate our needs and wants clearly in life (especially when the world is having a recession). If you need a 3G phone then get one which will bring the best benefit for you and cost saving as well. If you want an iPhone, well.. if you have disposable income ready for some wastage here and there, take it up. I’m sure that will earn you some bragging rights but those bragging rights sure don’t come cheap to your wallet in the whole package.
P.S. Incidentally, another blogger in Bangkok is having financial worries when his boyfriend suddenly made an iPhone purchase through a commitment plan by TrueComm. Read about his story here.
P.P.S. An interesting thread has sprouted in Lowyat Forum regarding this issue as well. I have to agree with some of the points raised by Jason Lioh. Click here to find out more.
Cheers
Robb
The recent iPhone hype is no doubt phenomenal. Everyone is rejoicing over the much awaited sleek gadget from Apple arriving officially in our region. However, to get the original unit, one can only possess one by committing to special plans created by telecommunication companies.
In Thailand it’s via TrueComm and in Malaysia, it’s by Maxis. No doubt an Apple iPhone is very desirable in nature, but if we’re to truly analyze it, it’s just a 3G phone which is designed in a very fancy way with some fancy extra features (not to mention the man-made hype for it). What many of us fail to understand about the iPhone is that it is a phone meant for people with more disposable income or rather, a luxury item to afford and use in the current state of economy.
Let’s take a look at the iValue plans that Maxis came up specifically for iPhone 3G distribution.
Click to enlarge
Let’s put the phone costing aside and check out what are you getting back in return for you monthly commitment.
For iValue 1, you’re paying RM100 each month for 333 minutes of talktime and 500MB of data. That translates to RM0.30/minute for each call you make while to be honest, if you’re heavy user, 500MB of data would be used up within 2 weeks. The same applies for iValue 2, 3 and 4 which translates to RM0.23/minute, RM0.17/minute and RM0.15/minute for calls.
Forking out RM375 each month for a minimum commitment of 12 months only gets you a rate of RM0.15/minute for your first 2500 minutes of the month isn’t exactly the best rates you can get around these days for postpaid deals. The last I check, DG50 which I’m currently on, offers you call rates at RM0.13/minute and even that covers more talktime than the lowest iValue plan (384 minutes for RM50 monthly compared to 333 minutes for RM100 monthly).
Many people who do compare prices in advanced do realize the long tail for these iValue plans which of course requires them to pay more just to get their hands on iPhone 3G. But in the current state of economy, are there no other alternatives for the iPhone when it comes to 3G services? The answer is no as recently DiGi just launched Phone Bundling Plans.
They’re offering 4 different types of mobile phones with 3G at a very affordable price with no ‘special made’ call plans for mobile users who are in need of 3G services. Let’s check out the chart below.
Click to enlarge
Yes, the chart only shows the price of the phones when you commit to a specific postpaid plan by DiGi and not the rates you get from the plans. Note that the postpaid plans requires you to commit that particular amount each month and any calls and SMS you make during each month are charged based on the following chart.
Click to enlarge
In case you’re a nutshell who hasn’t been in a postpaid plan before, RM50 is not a service charge which you have to pay in extra to your call charges. It’s merely just a commitment fee to entitle you to great rates for calls and SMS.
So if you do compare, the iValue plans you need to get on to get an iPhone is really not a wise money bargain. Take the lowest range to compare if you wish to. Let’s just say I normally make calls that amount to about 400 minutes each month which is a little bit extra on my DG50 plan which will make my bill about RM52. If I’m on iValue 1, that will cost me RM110. The RM50+ difference if you’re to multiply by 12 months (lowest commitment duration) will amount to RM600 which if you add on to the price you’re paying for the iPhone makes it back to RM2,500. Hmmm… Did you actually save on the price of the iPhone? Think again.
All in all, I wouldn’t blame Maxis for coming up with these plans just to make the extra bucks. After all, it’s a business organization and when it’s business, it’s always money making. After all, bringing in the iPhone 3G exclusively into the country must have cost them quite a sum as well. So they have to pass the cost sustained earlier to the customers, right? The consumers shouldn’t be blame as well since it’s iPhone 3G we’re talking about. An object of desire for most of us, be it men or women. So I’m pretty sure there are many who have already got their hands on these babes just because it’s iPhone and not because of the plans they come along with.
However, for consumers who are interested in iPhone 3G in Malaysia I think it’s important for us to differentiate our needs and wants clearly in life (especially when the world is having a recession). If you need a 3G phone then get one which will bring the best benefit for you and cost saving as well. If you want an iPhone, well.. if you have disposable income ready for some wastage here and there, take it up. I’m sure that will earn you some bragging rights but those bragging rights sure don’t come cheap to your wallet in the whole package.
P.S. Incidentally, another blogger in Bangkok is having financial worries when his boyfriend suddenly made an iPhone purchase through a commitment plan by TrueComm. Read about his story here.
P.P.S. An interesting thread has sprouted in Lowyat Forum regarding this issue as well. I have to agree with some of the points raised by Jason Lioh. Click here to find out more.
Cheers
Robb
4 xtra squirt(s):
please ask digi to come out with blackberry!
i do agree that iphone really do cost a bomb even here in the uk. but really, you could see loads of young lads using them, even some of my chinese friends too. so i guess that a desire had become a neccessity here if you have the money.
iphone is more like a 'showoff' phone. Just like any other phone above rm2000
Eessh, my name is there but not my link. And happy birthday! :D
Post a Comment