11 replies to this topic

[Firaas]

Orange (and other network ops) have confirmed (likely to be in response to the Oftel ruling re: reduction of call charges) that as of the 1st of April 2003, phone subsidies will be reduced by approximately £40, thus increasing phone prices at external dealers by around the same amount.

Additionally, subsidies are expected to be removed altogether around Q3 2003 (August).

In for an expensive SPV replacement, then...

Edit: This'll only affect UK customers, many of our European friends are already paying full prices...

[PaulOBrien]

I guess that will mean phones are sold without a SIM lock tho?

P

[Monolithix]

They had better be :/.  Is that the way it is in Europe, becasue i can see little details like htat not being implemented for a while...

[Firaas]

Presumably after August, otherwise Oftel would step in.

Also, 12 month contracts may be a thing of the past...

[Firaas]

Quote

They had better be :/.  Is that the way it is in Europe, becasue i can see little details like htat not being implemented for a while...

European networks aren't as strictly enforced by people like Oftel as we are.

Oftel are the ones to blame for the whole subsidy April/August thing...

[Monolithix]

In their defence they're also to blame for BT finally getting its arse in gear over the consumer ADSL rollout, even if they are still dragging their heels :/

[Firaas]

Mmm.

I suppose we also get cheaper calls out of this.

/me calls off the protests.

[skel28]

That's a bugger, I got my SPV for 99p as I took out a new contract at the time. Ho hum.

[pete1312]

I'm personally all in favour of paying for what you get, i.e. Handsets & Calls.

Handsets should be sold as per Washing Machines etc.

Service Providers should sell their wares based on their Services.

We all then have a choice to pay the "going rate" for whichever Handset/Service we choose.

Competition should hopefully keep prices competitive.

(If only)

[Gorskar]

If phone subsidies are to be scrapped, then I can see me keeping my spv for a very long time.

[Firaas]

Heh just realised phone subsidy reduction day is also April fools' day.

I hope they are playing us about, for my pocket's sake

[Monolithix]

Just noticed that as well ;p