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GiffGaff launch 4G at a premium


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Old 01-11-2014, 17:49
jabbamk1
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Whilst parent company O2 have launched 4G at the same cost, GiffGaff have decided to start charging extra for their 4G tariffs which will launch on November 12th 2014.

4G Launch

After a long wait from the original launch date of March, GiffGaff announced that they would be rolling out 4G to everyone later this month and introduced a number of new 4G only tariffs. One of the notable differences was that GiffGaff did not introduce an unlimited data 4G tariff. Unlimited data on GiffGaff has been a hot topic recently with the MVNO blocking 0.2% of it's userbase because of "abusing" the unlimited data package.

GiffGaff is focusing on customer experience this year and they say their 4G packages allow users to get the best experience at a great price.

Goodybags

GiffGaff are offering 500 minutes, Unlimited texts and 1GB of 4G data for £12pm which is £2 more than the equivalent 3G package. 3GB is available for £15 which is a £3 increase over their 3G goodybag. 5GB is available for £18 which again is a £3 increase. GiffGaff confirmed that their 3G packages will still sit alongside their 4G packages and allow users to choose between a 3G or 4G package.

There is no data package with more than 5GB data which is slightly disappointing as every other network provides 5GB+ and GiffGaff are known for providing great value data plans for users on a budget. There is no unlimited data plan on 4G but you can still buy Unlimited data on 3G for £18. This price is due to increase to £20 in the new year.

Image containing 4G goodybag prices.

Data Experience

Along with the 4G launch, GiffGaff announced that they will be implementing their new data management tool, Traffic Flow. Traffic Flow is designed to manage the data experience and ensures that network resources are shared evenly and fairly between members.

GiffGaff confirmed that over 2,500 members have been blocked from purchasing an unlimited data goodybag for using too much data. They will continue to block users who abuse the data network.

As well as this, GiffGaff will continue to block tethering and will now introduce a 300Kbps speed cap for those using too much data during peak times. GiffGaff have not given a usage limit before the throttle will kick in but explained that the speed cap will only apply during peak times*. P2P traffic is also being throttled to 100Kbps at peak times.

Video optimisation is something that GiffGaff are looking into to also improve the data experience for users.


giffgaff is the mobile network run by you. It is founded on the belief that there is a better way to do mobile and boasts a consumer centric approach that puts members (customers) at the heart of the brand’s offering and is setting new standards for member (customer) satisfaction. giffgaff has recently been named Which? top provider in the industry based on an overall 76% customer satisfaction score for Contract and 79% customer satisfaction score for PAYG. GiffGaff has over 1.2m registered customers as of H1 2014
*Peak times are from 3pm to midnight
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Old 01-11-2014, 18:07
Mancunian01
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It's a shame, they used to offer such good value. Not much sets them apart these days, other than payback.
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Old 01-11-2014, 18:09
The Sack
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The 6 weeks i recently experienced with GiffGaff were the worst i have had in 20 years of owning a mobile, i cant see 4G helping matters.
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Old 01-11-2014, 18:22
Thine Wonk
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I tried 4G on the trial and it was ok, O2 doesn't yet have 4G in my area but I see planning applications so it is coming in the next couple of months.

I might try it again, but really there's no big reason to, they were meant to be cheaper because of no stores, no customer service etc.

Nearly 1/4 of all customers are dissatisfied, that's a high amount for a network built on community.
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Old 01-11-2014, 18:36
wavejockglw
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I only use GiffGaff as a secondary network for Voice and texts and have had a decent experience both with coverage and reliability. I don't use their data as I have no need to with an EE 4G contract and Wi-Fi availability most of the time but I am pleased that they are implementing some rules to make sure that customers can't use their network as a fixed line broadband alternative.

I think existing customers get a slightly better allowance for £12 a month when they buy a 4G goodybag which is good news for those simply upgrading their SIMs to get 4G.

For voice and text customers Giffgaff still offer a decent deal compared with others and their recent subscriber growth seems to confirm that there is a demand for what they offer in the marketplace.
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Old 01-11-2014, 18:41
Thine Wonk
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Hang on though Wavejock, whilst I agree with stopping people use 100's GB or using tethering all the time, users are getting banned for using just over 10GB a month on the phone, not tethering on an unlimited plan, not just speed limited, but banned - that's naughty.

The top highest package being 5GB is not much, 4G is meant to be about gaining access to video content on the go and a richer experience.

Also there's really nothing special about the pricing or the performance now surely. 4G at a premium when the parent network gives it away to customers included so I've heard.
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Old 01-11-2014, 20:52
d123
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I think existing customers get a slightly better allowance for £12 a month when they buy a 4G goodybag which is good news for those simply upgrading their SIMs to get 4G.
Only until January...
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Old 02-11-2014, 12:16
duffman25
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Ee seems to do some of the best deals now with 3 wile giffagff who I use to like a lot go down hill Ee every 3 months you can pick more data plus you get the 100mb free
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Old 02-11-2014, 12:26
Dean Lambert
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Only problem with EE is the amount of data that they offer.

I've looked at their latest offer of £15 for unlimited calls and texts but it only has 2GB of data, and that for me is certainly not enough.
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Old 02-11-2014, 12:35
jonmorris
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Giffgaff is a network run by 'us'? And we chose for these new limits, speed caps and traffic management with the ability to cut people off...?

That would make us idiots!
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Old 02-11-2014, 12:41
toofast
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Only problem with EE is the amount of data that they offer.

I've looked at their latest offer of £15 for unlimited calls and texts but it only has 2GB of data, and that for me is certainly not enough.
The same goes for most 4G plans around. 4G is pretty pointless in my opinion when the amount 0f data one can download is so limited here in the UK. It's akin to driving a supercar and never breaking the speed limit. Kind of pointless.
I am sure that as time goes on phone providers will start to offer more realistic usage deals like 30-50gb.
I wonder how the networks will act when 5G is released...when you can download a movie in HD in seconds.
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