When I heard that Vodafone would be offering the iPhone in Ireland in 2010, I signed up to the news mailing list to get informed of any announcements. Vodafone phoned today to offer an early subscription to the iPhone before it rolls out fully in the near year (I presume they called everyone on their mailing list, I’m not special!). Here’s some of the price plan details:
- Plan 1: €35 per month. 16GB iPhone 3Gs costs €199.No included any network minutes or texts.
- Plan 2: €49.99 per month. 16GB iPhone 3Gs costs €199. 150 any network minutes, 150 any network texts.
- Plan 3: €64.99 per month. 16GB iPhone is ‘free’. 300 any network minutes, 300 any network texts.
Each of these options include 2GB of data download per month, free Vodafone calls and are subject to an 18 month minimum contract. There are more expensive options available but I didn’t get the details.
Looks like Vodafone might give O2 a run for their money.
16 Comments
It doesnt look like vodafone will give o2 a run for their money. I’m on a plan for 65 euro per month, for this i get 1 gb which is more than enough plus 350 any network minutes and unlimited free texts to any network ! how is vodafones better than that ?
The lowest plan for the iPhone on O2 is 45 euro, with Vodafone its 35. The reduced barrier to entry will be attractive to people who don’t make a lot of calls on their mobiles (or make use of the free Vodafone-Vodafone calls) but would make good use of the data plan. I’ve heard that the data allowance will cover you while roaming too which I don’t think is the case with O2 (but I could be wrong on this). 2GB is quite a lot, but if Vodafone allow tethering to your computer (which is another rumour going around) it would be pretty easy to use it up.
Vodafone are a more popular choice for Irish mobile subscribers and I’d be surprised if they don’t benefit substantially from the iPhone. Even without being able to offer the iPhone, Vodafone have a 43% market share in the Irish mobile phone subscription market compared to O2s 33%. I’d bet on this gap increasing when the iPhone becomes available.
To be honest it looks like Vodafone aren’t attempting to compete with O2 but they are happy if they get 50% of new iPhone customers. It’s a joke the level of price-fixing (they may not be talking to each other but are happy not to rock the boat so the other doesn’t further under cut them) that goes on in the mobile sector in this country….
I’d predict they’ll get more than 50% because people seem to prefer Vodafone over other networks, but I agree with the price-fixing point and it’s very frustrating. I’m actually with Meteor although I can see myself changing in the near future. It’ll be interesting to see who’ll be offering the HTC Nexus ‘Googlephone’ when it becomes available over here.
I spoke to vodafone todaygetting an iphone. I was told they were out of stock at the moment but, they would notify as soon as they are back in stock. They expect new stock in the middle of feburary. As a business customer I will be entitled to a free a iphone according to the operator. The plans are as follows
The number directly under the plans are texts, its just the way it pasted in.
Personally I was really excited about getting an iphone until I realised it was on O2. So after waiting this length I may not have bothered with one if it wasn’t for the apps.
Thanks for the updated information Frank, I presume the last number on each lines is the number of texts included?
The Idea that either O2 or Vodafone are more competitive than the other is realy only a falacy. Either company will have maybe 5 or 6 different price levels but there are probably 15 different customer spending levels which. I dont think either of the two have ever changed their price plans to match exactly the others at a lower price. They compete for customers at different Levels.
Vodafone probably will not price to smash the market, They probably wont change their current price plans for the i-phone and the handset pricing will probably be exactly the same as o2 but I suspect they will have a huge marketing campaign (which o2 didnt do) and people will change over. Also if one of their packages is on the money for customer at a particular level they will also win customers. (unlimited vodafone to vodafone is a big cherry.).
Hey how come wen i called up the customer services today they told me that the iphone wouldnt be availibe untill at least march…. then they proceeded to offer me the 360 thingy…… the reason i called was i seen the iphone offered on vodafone uk and assumed that it was here too!!!
is it available here or not?? because according to some of the other posts above it is !! its all very confusing!!
thanx btw all the info that has been supplied already has been 10X times more enlightening than the 20 min call to customer services!!
As far as I know it’s not on general release yet – Vodafone contacted people who registered their interest before Christmas (through their website). It is available to some people, just not the general public yet.
Hi every body !
I have a question…
Can you get from Vodaphone Ireland an Iphone but with prepaid card ?
I mean no plan, just a card you need to recharge if you spend all you phone credit like the one I have here in Budapest.
The reason is that I might moving to Ireland in March 2010 to work.
Thanks for any further info…
FYI I was just googling about the iPhone in Ireland and came across this page. Currently O2 are offering the GS for E40/month with 150minutes and 100texts which already looks like a better deal to me than the lowest plan on Vodafone?
@Diarmuid – I saw that too. Wonder if Vodafone will tweak their price plans a bit when they make the iPhone officially available?
Since this is one of the highest ranking google hits for anyone looking at getting an iPhone in Ireland, it’s worth mentioning that the comparisons above are no longer valid.
O2 have recently substantially improved their iPhone packages. For a start, they have removed their data cap, so that now [subject to fair use blah blah] the iPhone has unlimited data. It also costs less upfront, and the monthly talk/text bundles are very similar.
Thanks for the info Eoghan. This discussion on Vodafone’s tethering policy might also be of interest too. It looks like both O2 and Vodafone have an additional charge for tethering but if you’re on one of O2’s older plans you don’t get hit.
Has anybody questioned O2 about the Iphone Tariff, as in O2 are my services provider not Iphone and if I want to upgrade my phone and keep my current package, i should be able too, I heard when asked to put it in writing that Iphone are the service provider, O2 give them the Iphone with their current Package €25 per month?? On an upgrade.
hello everyone i’m new to iphones and all that and i was wondering would some one with a bit of knowledge tell me to go with o2 or vodafone plan for the iphone 4 advise would be appreciated!