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The end of unlimited for Giffgaff?


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Old 16-11-2010, 14:46
Thine Wonk
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11...f_comes_clean/

Not a big surprise to anybody I've said it many times over on these forums
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Old 16-11-2010, 14:58
TheBigM
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You've been talking about data. Unlimited data is only really a cost to the company in terms of cell site capacity. This was their unlimited everything bundle including unlimited calls. Most networks have an FUP of about 3,000 (for minutes and texts each). Three's one plan is like that.

Giffgaff want true unlimited to be consistent with their data unlimitedness. Clearly some customers took the piss.

I don't disagree with the idea that they may well have to introduce something to those who take the piss on data usage whether it's traffic management or capping or whatever but this isn't about what you've been saying.
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Old 16-11-2010, 15:55
Hardstyler
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call down op, giffgaff are only strappi the £30 goodybag with effect from tomorrow
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Old 16-11-2010, 15:56
Appleseed
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O2's unlimited plan FUP is 12,000 mins each of mins and texts, a CS rep once informed me. I'm not sure about data.
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Old 16-11-2010, 16:46
call100
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http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11...f_comes_clean/

Not a big surprise to anybody I've said it many times over on these forums
The report in the register is not accurate....I know you are rabidly anti gg for some reason....
The minutes were only unlimited in the one package that is being changed..The data is still unlimited in all the packages.
Personally, I don't care who your provider is, you are obviously happy with them. I don't feel the need to run them down just because I am not with them.
As I've said before. While it remains to my advantage I will pocket the savings while you continue to pay over the odds......
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Old 16-11-2010, 17:27
Thine Wonk
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You've been talking about data. Unlimited data is only really a cost to the company in terms of cell site capacity. This was their unlimited everything bundle including unlimited calls. Most networks have an FUP of about 3,000 (for minutes and texts each). Three's one plan is like that.
That's not true they have to pay transit data rates to anyone they don't peer with. Obviously they peer with a lot of people but there is still a fair bit of transit data too.

On top of that cell site capacity costs money, data and calls cannot stay unlimited on Giffaff.

Yes I've been talking about data, the unlimited data wont last. I'm just highlighting this as an example of the fact they are starting to cancel the unlimited packages just like they did on O2 and just like O2 did when they reduced other packages too.

The reason why I feel the need to highlight this is because Giffgaff fans rage on and on about deals and I try and warn that they aren't sustainable and can't last, I'm told by the Giffgaff fans that I'm wrong.

There will be a FUP or data cap within months, I'll quote this post when it happens. So think carefully before you switch, bear in mind that there are generous offers by a new brand 100% owned by O2, bear in mind their actions in the past and use those to make a judgement.

If you are joining because you like the community great!, but if you are joining specifically for the unlimited packages consider both points of view, that of the hardcore giffgaff fans and the people who take a general interest in the mobile space and post here about all sorts of mobile discussions.
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Old 16-11-2010, 18:06
Daveoc64
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Yes I've been talking about data, the unlimited data wont last. I'm just highlighting this as an example of the fact they are starting to cancel the unlimited packages just like they did on O2 and just like O2 did when they reduced other packages too.
O2 still offers unlimited call packages, so that doesn't make any sense.
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Old 16-11-2010, 18:17
Thine Wonk
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O2 still offers unlimited call packages, so that doesn't make any sense.
O2 no longer offer the unlimited packages, end of. If you are on an old tariff you get to keep it, new ones are called unlimited but subject to a FUP.

Giffgaff didn't have an FUP it claimed to be totally unlimited. They have found some users were absolutely trashing their phones in some cases using 9 days of constant call time per month - that's something like 7 hours a day and costing them hundreds of pounds in termination fees for a £30 odd tariff.

Data is being used in the same way by some customers, they are attracting heavy data users on the network in the UK that is least able to cope. Something has to give.

Contrary to some posters claims they do have to pay bandwidth bills for data, and they have to pay in to cell site capacity too as data rates grow. The truly unlimited data plans will go soon, it is completely unsustainable long term and something they did to sign up customers to a new brand.
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Old 16-11-2010, 19:51
Pencil
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If something's unlimited, there's no such thing as 'taking the piss'.

In fact, a company shouldn't be able to monitor how much data individuals download. The only purpose that serves is to put customers on edge, while The Man sits in his office, on his computer, moaning "I can't take this anymore! Customer 16408 - YOU are in the 1%. I will limit this service eventually, because of you".
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Old 16-11-2010, 21:51
psionic
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If something's unlimited, there's no such thing as 'taking the piss'.

In fact, a company shouldn't be able to monitor how much data individuals download. The only purpose that serves is to put customers on edge, while The Man sits in his office, on his computer, moaning "I can't take this anymore! Customer 16408 - YOU are in the 1%. I will limit this service eventually, because of you".
GiffGaff doesn't get capacity for free though. If some customers are using 13,000 minutes it is taking the piss no matter how you look at it. Reckon they could get that many minutes from any other mobile operator for £30? It's people taking the piss that will ruin it for the vast majority that don't take the piss.
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Old 16-11-2010, 21:56
EleanorRigby
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There are always some who will ruin it for everyone.

The company tries to provide a good deal and gets some customers who abuse the deal and then everyone suffers.
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Old 16-11-2010, 22:28
moox
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In fact, a company shouldn't be able to monitor how much data individuals download. The only purpose that serves is to put customers on edge, while The Man sits in his office, on his computer, moaning "I can't take this anymore! Customer 16408 - YOU are in the 1%. I will limit this service eventually, because of you".
Why shouldn't they? It comes as part of running and monitoring a mobile network. It would probably be a lot more work to not collect and store this data.

If someone is causing a problem for the network, such as using the service in a way it was not designed to be (i.e using a "unlimited" data service for phone browsing, as a home broadband replacement) then they should be able to detect this and take action. Especially when it costs money to handle the load.

From looking at the comments to the Register article, it appears that giffgaff can and do kick people off for "extracting the urine" on unlimited services.

I don't think it will be long until O2 tells the "independent" giffgaff to tighten the screws up.
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Old 17-11-2010, 00:22
Chocdoc
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call down op, giffgaff are only strappi the £30 goodybag with effect from tomorrow
You wrote that on your phone didn't you
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Old 17-11-2010, 09:42
AxeVictim
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You wrote that on your phone didn't you
He needs to enable that spellchecker on his Wildfire
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Old 17-11-2010, 11:20
Hardstyler
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You wrote that on your phone didn't you
yes i did
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