tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post8620455303747790711..comments2024-03-28T09:19:27.451+00:00Comments on RevK<sup>®</sup>'s ramblings: What do you pay for your mobile?RevKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-37645337645614648112014-05-22T18:35:02.725+01:002014-05-22T18:35:02.725+01:00Well, we have the voice SIMs on O2 and Data SIMs o...Well, we have the voice SIMs on O2 and Data SIMs on three, but are very close now to the roaming SIMs that work on any network (cost more when no O2 available). Watch this space.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-59019171395741184852014-05-22T18:32:57.671+01:002014-05-22T18:32:57.671+01:00There's so definitely a market for these.
Tr...There's so definitely a market for these. <br /><br />Tracker units for vehicles and remote monitoring alarm systems. <br /><br />Currently there is no decent way to support a cheap data card for these. You end up paying more than £5 a month for, hopefully, nothing! You only care about the cost when used, & since that is either an alarm event or a tracking requirement, you really don't care at that point. <br /><br />Certainly I could sell these with a system and a one year contract for system plus £40 all in. <br />(PAYG is just a total pain without a screen and a phone with a key pad! Plus I don't really want that job, especially on site. )Nigelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16570349252948836345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-75664228117278760992014-03-24T16:20:08.181+00:002014-03-24T16:20:08.181+00:00"These days there are always some black spots..."These days there are always some black spots and some places with one network beating another, but coverage is ubiquitous for most. Am I right?"<br /><br />Come to Suffolk (or Norfolk) outside the city coverage is dire no matter what network you are on. I even asked T-Mobile if I could buy a femtocel and they said only if you've got poor coverage because we've turned a mast off. <br /><br />WTF - I wasn't even after a free one, I was willing to pay them to improve their coverage. <br /><br />Fuzzycathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02901559831822343219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-43954063243450313822014-03-24T13:01:28.549+00:002014-03-24T13:01:28.549+00:00I think I'm paying about £18/month on 3, to ge...I think I'm paying about £18/month on 3, to get 3GB data and a minimal number of minutes and texts - mostly use it on the commute to/from London, so the data costs would be about £40-60/month for me alone :( I'm also presuming you'd not do the whole "no tethering" thing which for some reason mobile operators have a thing about even if you're paying by the GB? The other thing that would put me off would be not being able to keep my existing number - I've had the same number all my life, and I don't particularly want to change now :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09625342504150498373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-25317477482378853132014-03-23T16:42:54.080+00:002014-03-23T16:42:54.080+00:00We'll ask.We'll ask.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-29468674723524688572014-03-23T16:23:10.262+00:002014-03-23T16:23:10.262+00:00SIM lock solves a different problem and for the id...SIM lock solves a different problem and for the idea to work, a soldered in or glued SIM wouldn't be suitable. <br /><br />I guess if data was delivered to us over L2TP we could control that and if an API enabled SMS on/off was available then we'd manage... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-2676646712970512712014-03-23T09:21:36.943+00:002014-03-23T09:21:36.943+00:00That could be done, by the operator tying the SIM ...That could be done, by the operator tying the SIM to a specific IMEI number - much the same way they blacklist stolen handsets now. Would there be enough advantage in doing that, as opposed to just putting a PIN lock on the SIM or fitting an 'embedded SIM' (tiny version of a regular SIM which you solder into the device) - or indeed just supergluing the SIM card into the handset?<br /><br />Having got mine yesterday, I think the things I'd most like to see next are the roaming facilities, 'better' data (i.e. more like the A&A data-only SIMs) and 07 numbers. I can more or less achieve the last two for myself (VPN home, connect my old SIM to my Asterisk server) though...jas88https://www.blogger.com/profile/05563592458314214904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-38928538670938972912014-03-22T18:22:22.348+00:002014-03-22T18:22:22.348+00:00Another thought occurs to me... I can think of a g...Another thought occurs to me... I can think of a good business opportunity, but it does require that the RevSIM can be used in only one phone (specifiable by me) - so that even if Joe Customer takes the SIM out, it won't work for them (and potentially cost me £££s) in any other device. Is that even possible?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-90867962126108716662014-03-21T19:27:15.721+00:002014-03-21T19:27:15.721+00:00I don't think I consider "text" to b...I don't think I consider "text" to be "out" - sure people use stuff like imessage if they love Iphone or whatsapp etc, but I only really use those to avoid paying 25p for an mms (seriously, what is that about?)... by far and away I use text the most - thousands a month (not hard when you have multipart ones of course.<br /><br />What I've wanted for a long time (and still want) is ONE number on MULTIPLE phones - eg the same caller ID for texts sent, regardless of phone, and the same for calls made/received. I could live with some sort of "code" to set which one should receive incoming messages/calls, but I want many sims, many devices, one number.The Backup Exec Goathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16532538047698437455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-19564716017186516502014-03-20T20:56:26.830+00:002014-03-20T20:56:26.830+00:00Some API stuff is doable, yes, and we'll be ad...Some API stuff is doable, yes, and we'll be adding that for resellers.RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-22592684203913408332014-03-20T20:41:02.624+00:002014-03-20T20:41:02.624+00:00For what it's worth...
There's no way I ...For what it's worth... <br /><br />There's no way I could replace my primary SIM with a RevSIM - I'd be paying well over £100 a month just for data (currently on a very old T-mobile £22/month all you can eat calls/text/sms tariff) - the problem is that once you are used to data being available whenever you need it, you get used to using it. That having been said, despite being on an el-cheapo tariff, RevSIM data is well over the odds cost-wise.<br /><br />The other killer for me is not having an 07 number - have you ever tried arguing with company after company who point-blank refuse to accept any other number as a valid mobile?<br /><br />And one final killer - to make RevSIM in any way re-sellable, we'd need live CDR data and the ability to block both SMSs and data immediately via an API. <br /><br />Ok, all that sounds quite negative, but I can see several very good uses - specifically in my case for M2M purposes. Having a data SIM that has a very low base cost and charge-on-use is ideal for a few things we do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-16770398249508994722014-03-20T20:35:54.697+00:002014-03-20T20:35:54.697+00:00I am currently on T-Mobile (EE) pay as you go, I m...I am currently on T-Mobile (EE) pay as you go, I make very few calls/texts (pennies a month) but use 500-600Mb data. I buy the 6-month data pack, it's £20 for 1Gb/month, so £3.33/month.Garethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02575622887669793171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-49465478614314635612014-03-20T20:09:44.952+00:002014-03-20T20:09:44.952+00:00I really appreciate all of the comments - I think ...I really appreciate all of the comments - I think there are plenty of business examples where the SIP2SIM is invaluable, even when more expensive, and quite a few cases where the pricing is good for lower usage and even a more domestic user. Sadly, as many of these examples show, there are plenty of plans which would be cheaper and more predictable than SIP2SIM. I think, however, we do have a sensible product still, and it can only get better :-)RevKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12369263214193333422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-56446107654741015502014-03-20T15:41:07.345+00:002014-03-20T15:41:07.345+00:00> Mins 685 [SIP2SIM cost] £13.7
Don't forge...> Mins 685 [SIP2SIM cost] £13.7<br />Don't forget the VAT and if I understand the service corrently the 2p per min is on top of whatever VOIP charges there are for the call. So the minimum cost of 685 minutes is £26.72 assuming that you register the SIP side with A&A's VOIP server (2.4p/min for the GSM leg and 1.5p/min for the VOIP leg to landlines).<br /><br />As it stands SIP2SIM looks good against typical PAYG rates and OK against the cheaper monthly deals if you have a low usage. The basic cost for a SIM plus number rental from A&A is £3.60/mo. Given you can get a SIM for £6.90 from three that would be 84 minutes (to landlines) or 34 texts or 165MB of data - if your usage is below this then it might well be a good deal (adjust for other tarrifs obviously).nowtotallyhackedoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06687184924812362495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-56428038707840333222014-03-20T14:42:58.634+00:002014-03-20T14:42:58.634+00:00March A&A Cost Feb A&A Cost Jan A&am... March A&A Cost Feb A&A Cost Jan A&A Cost<br />Mins 685 13.7 908 18.16 400 8<br />SMS 164 3.2 8 136 2.72 94 1.88<br />Data 1819 36.38 1395 27.9 10417 208.34<br />Total 53.36 48.78 218.22<br /><br />Unfortunately, just based on my last 3 months bills the SIP2SIM would be a non-starter. for me All the bills cost me £15 on the "one plan" from 3.<br /><br />As the Rev has said in another comment, it is the data the completely kills it. Parknookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03248037932033104332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-7803772809301156102014-03-20T12:56:39.364+00:002014-03-20T12:56:39.364+00:00Moved to 3 PAYG to use my own sourced handset (Xia...Moved to 3 PAYG to use my own sourced handset (Xiaomei)<br />All-you-can-eat data<br />300 minutes<br />3000 texts.<br /><br />Don't use texts much. Tend to use messaging apps or email mainly. Music and Video streaming on long train journeysAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-81194988354219208522014-03-20T12:34:27.026+00:002014-03-20T12:34:27.026+00:00I pay GiffGaff £10/month and rarely use any of my ...I pay GiffGaff £10/month and rarely use any of my data allowance, so Sip2Sim would probably make financial sense to me.<br /><br />The only blocker is that I'd really want to move my 07 number to your VOIP service as I've had it for over a decade. Any progress on persuading Ofcom to let you sell 07?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-80487984665758736422014-03-20T12:33:06.300+00:002014-03-20T12:33:06.300+00:00I'm paying GiffGaff £10/month at the moment an...I'm paying GiffGaff £10/month at the moment and hardly ever need mobile data, so I suspect it would pan out well for me.<br /><br />The only thing stopping me from trying Sip2Sim is that I really need an 07 number - preferably the same one I've had for over a decade now. Any progress persuading Ofcom to allow you to sell 07...?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-57304946959923202092014-03-20T12:23:23.679+00:002014-03-20T12:23:23.679+00:00Coverage certainly is still an issue - I don't...Coverage certainly is still an issue - I don't always have a 3 signal here at home, for one thing (currently 1/5 strength). There are parts of my regular commute where I just don't get a signal on Three; for at least part of the gap I get "112 only", so some other network does have coverage and UK roaming would give me a working service. (There's usually WiFi on the train too, so iMessage will still work anyway.)<br /><br />My usage looks like it would be about £6/month of data on A&A; maybe £1 of SMS and £4 of calls (using Localphone not A&A for the VoIP service), so not far over the £8 I pay 3 at present. I'd move most of the SMS/voice usage over to WiFi, too, given the option (can't do that with 3 of course).<br /><br />Since I'd either use WiFi or tether to my iPad (£8/month for 10 Gb, on a special tariff) for 'significant' data, I'd be happy with the current A&A pricing. If I could port my current 07 number in and have it work, I'd be there like a shot (particularly once the UK roaming is set up); as it is, I'll probably order one and give it a try. I do wish the UK used 'proper' numbers instead of having given mobiles their own premium rate range, but I don't know how well a geographic-numbered mobile will work with registration systems in practice.jas88https://www.blogger.com/profile/05563592458314214904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-41996846862871205722014-03-20T10:41:45.259+00:002014-03-20T10:41:45.259+00:00I'd say coverage is still an issue in some par...I'd say coverage is still an issue in some parts. My 'litmus test' is that I like to stream radio or Spotify over the car's Bluetooth. Until a couple of months ago I was on O2 and found their 3G coverage abysmal - on a trip along the M1 between Leeds and Derby the streaming spent more time buffering than playing.<br /><br />I moved to EE on PAYG as a test and the coverage was massively better than O2 - they have decent 4G in places I couldn't even get Edge. I used to think it was just that iPhones aren't particularly good phones but this proved otherwise.<br /><br />I'm now trialling 3 on the One Plan and again the coverage seems pretty good, although maybe not as good at penetrating buildings as EE. It passed my M1 test yesterday streaming radio and only briefly dropping out once.<br /><br />I believe 3 are also rolling out 4G at no extra cost although my iPhone 5 doesn't support the frequencies they'll be using but for my use their 3G is more than fast enough.Andy Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12782795872146130964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-69881298834907978352014-03-20T10:35:27.956+00:002014-03-20T10:35:27.956+00:00I get (from three for £10.mo inc VAT):
3GB data (...I get (from three for £10.mo inc VAT):<br /><br />3GB data (use about 1.5GB)<br />500 minutes (use about 100)<br />5000 texts (use about 2000)<br /><br />So on SIP2SIM I would pay £2 + £1 + 3000p (for data) + [200p+100p] (for calls) + 4000p (for texts) = £76/mo<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-17654704515980089142014-03-20T09:49:30.946+00:002014-03-20T09:49:30.946+00:00I'm on three's payg at the moment - 3p / m...I'm on three's payg at the moment - 3p / minute, 2p / text, 1p / megabyte. Most of my money goes into the 1p / megabyte and I have a reasonable number of incoming calls too, so I guess this wouldn't be cheaper for me.<br /><br />O2 seem to have a bad reputation for coverage around here (Glasgow & surrounding area), but I'm not sure if that's just historical.<br /><br />Joseph Heenanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09814744420039144545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-20081731613901808492014-03-20T09:34:30.655+00:002014-03-20T09:34:30.655+00:00I used to be on Three's 3Pay PAYG tariff a few...I used to be on Three's 3Pay PAYG tariff a few years back - you got 150MB (which lasted up to 90 days) free each time you top up your balance, and you could buy a 2GB bundle (which lasted up to 30 days) by taking £5 from your balance.<br /><br />Then they changed that tariff so the 150MB expired after 45 days and the £5 bundle was 500MB instead.<br /><br />I'm now on Three's 321 PAYG tariff - 3p/min for calls, 2p/sms and 1p/MB, which seems like a pretty reasonable deal to me and they still do the 150MB free with each top up. I don't make many calls or send many SMS messages and my 3G data usage seems to be reasonable low most of the time since I'm mostly within range of wifi, so this costs me well under £5 a month.<br /><br />Obviously my phone wasn't subsidised by Three - since no one in the UK does Android phones with keyboards these days, I ended up importing a phone from the US myself.<br /><br />My only real complaints about Three are that they don't do *any* GPRS/EDGE data service, so if you're out of 3G coverage then there's nothing, and that their call centre is foreign and with such strong accents that I struggle to understand them (and they don't seem great at understanding me either!). Oh, and for some reason they charge for SMS return receipts.<br /><br />Its worth noting that the call cost of doing SIP over 3G is tiny - assuming you're doing 11Kbps Speex, the worst case is 11Kbps in each direction for full duplex (== 22Kbps) plus overhead. Even if we assume a 50% overhead that's 248KB per minute, or about 0.25p/minute. In practice, since Speex is a variable bit rate codec, it would be much less than that, and that's ignoring the 150MB that comes "free" each time you stick a fiver on your balance. (However, in my experience, SIP over 3G isn't as reliable as a real cellular phone call when in poor signal areas)Steve Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09798286430189689578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-17708676268405233072014-03-20T09:25:39.641+00:002014-03-20T09:25:39.641+00:00I am paying quite a bit for my contract as I got i...I am paying quite a bit for my contract as I got it when the S3 came out so paid a premium. In about 3 months it ends and I have no real desire to upgrade the phone. I was planning to switch to Virgin as I can get a contract for £5 as I have other services with them. I make and receive very little calls and most data is on wireless. If I went with yourselves I think I would be paying the £2.50 for the contract (inc vat) and probably about the same for data so overall about the same cost. Being able to route my landline to my mobile (i have a voip pbx at home) would be an advantage.Gareth Bladeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01109177395639328580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3993498847203183398.post-10221026963130533792014-03-20T09:15:03.801+00:002014-03-20T09:15:03.801+00:00I'm with the Three "One Plan" - whic...I'm with the Three "One Plan" - which was £16/month when I signed up, but is now £20/month (£23/month if you don't sign up for a year).<br /><br />2,000 minutes<br />5,000 Three-to-Three minutes.<br />5,000 texts <br />Unlimited Data<br /><br />I use about 2GB per month. So that would be £40/month through you.Andrew Duckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06566110014858668221noreply@blogger.com