Monthly Archives: September 2009

Tesco Mobile to launch advertising campaign

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Tesco Mobile will soon introduce a campaign for the purpose of promoting its unlimited pay monthly tariff. It will use a number of mediums including the television adverts for this purpose. On 19th September, this television advert will be screened. This step is taken for the promotion of the simplicity and value for money of its ‘unlimited’ tariff. Tesco Telecom has also declared the new Sim-only tariff. It includes unlimited mobile usage worth £500 per month by paying just £30 a month. Since, it is SIM-only tariff so, it can fit any mobile phone which you own. This offer comprises of calls, texts as well as Internet browsing. Although, now only calls and texts are referred in the advert. The chief executive of Tesco Telecoms and Tesco Mobile, Lance Batchelor believes that the advertising campaign is ‘light-hearted’, but still it will convey a serious message to all the consumers.

Nokia to roll out new luxury phone, Erdos

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nokia n900 phoneThe new mobile phone is set to launch in Autumn

Nokia, the giant mobile manufacturer is scheming to usher in an all new luxury mobile phone in its 8800 series.

Nokia has been keeping quite occupied these days with the launch of its two mobile handsets N900 and X6. The manufacturer is simultaneously taking care of its luxury segment mobile phones and is launching one in the coming months.

The luxury Nokia Erdos will be a welcome breather in the times of financial crunch. The mobile phone is said to run on Symbian S60 operating system. The handset is made from a single piece of stainless steel and also comprises of a piece of glass. The glass piece would hide the display when the phone is on a standby mode and becomes visible when the handset is in use. The frame of the mobile phone also embodies a ‘rising keypad’ that lifts to meet the display level when the sliding case is opened fully.

The other striking features of Nokia Erdos include a A-GPS, five-mega pixel camera with auto-focus, dual LED flash, 2.4-inch OLED display, Wi-Fi and 8GB of internal memory.

O2 to offer unlimited text and web access on PAYG tariff plans

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The mobile network provider, O2 in an attempt to lure more users has announced a new lucrative PAYG tariff plan called ‘text and web’. The plan allows customers to send unlimited text messages and internet browsing.

The new tariff plan will be made available on the entire range of O2 PAYG handsets. For the first month the user would need to fork out £15 to acquire the plan. But after October 31, customers would need to spend £30 per month so as to get benefited by the plan.

Jean-Michel Maltais, the head of O2 pay and go propositions has stated, ‘Our customers are connecting with people more and more through social networks and need constant access to online sites, so we’ve built Text & Web with them in mind.

‘The unlimited web access means interacting with the internet is now even easier – they also get a rich text allowance which offers great value.’

Vodafone to announce the launch of its mobile broadband router, MI-Fi

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After the much liked Wi-Fi broadband network, Vodafone has followed the footsteps of 3 in announcing the launch of its own version of Mobile broadband router named Mi-Fi.

The new Mi-Fi 2352 also called the Vodafone Mobile Broadband hot spot is a credit card sized device, that will allow multiple users (up to 5 laptops or smart phones) to connect to the internet using a single 3G mobile broadband connection.

The Mobile broadband router offers download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and has a 10 meter range. After its launch in UK, the device is expected to roll out at a price of £25.

The built in memory of the device will tender up to four hours of wireless browsing on a single charge. The Mi-Fi broadband router can also be used directly as a mobile broadband modem when plugged into a single laptop.

The date of launch of the device in UK is yet not confirmed. But it is believed that the gadget will first break out in Germany, Spain, and Romania at a price of €29.

It is also believed that 3 will introduce its landmark Mi-Fi device before the fall of Christmas.

Users on unlimited broadband packages oblivion of broadband download limits

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A research in UK reveals that around 8 million broadband users in UK are not aware of their broadband download limit.

A new research in UK has divulged that around 8.1 million broadband subscribers on unlimited broadband packages in the country are oblivion of their download limit. This puts the users at peril, as this may lead to exceeding the “limits” of their fair usage policy. The number was limited to 7.5 million last year, that now has reached over 8 millions.

It is also revealed that notwithstanding the immense criticism over the advertising of “unlimited” broadband packages with a fair usage policy, a striking 39 per cent of broadband customers in UK are still under the impression that their broadband package is completely unlimited.

The research has also claimed, that around 70 per cent of the major ISPs in UK are scheming to disconnect the users who constantly exceed their limit.

Out of all the major Broadband providers in UK, Sky broadband is the only provider that offers truly unlimited broadband packages to its users on its up to 20Mb Unlimited tariff plan. And only three major broadband providers clearly advertise the limits of their packages.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “It’s vital that consumers know the limits of their broadband. Even if you’re not on a set download allowance – so you won’t be charged for exceeding your allowance – you could still have your connection throttled at peak times or even be forced to move to a more expensive package.

“Sky does offer the UK’s only truly unlimited broadband package, but Be Broadband (www.BeThere.co.uk) and O2 Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) both have very generous fair usage policies, while TalkTalk Broadband (www.TalkTalk.co.uk) lets you boost your monthly download allowance from 40GB to a massive 80GB for £4 a month.

“Install our free Broadband Download Monitor to keep an eye on your limit if you’re concerned,” he advised.

click for O2 broadband and BE Broadband Deals

Energy bills in UK did not dip with dipped wholesale prices

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Market analysts in UK believe that the major energy suppliers in the country are not reducing the energy prices despite of the dropped wholesale costs.

According to a new data as revealed by the energy market analysts ICIS Heren, the major energy suppliers in UK such as British Gas, EON, N power etc are not passing the benefits of the reduced wholesale prices of the energy, on to the customers.

It has been divulged by ICIS Heren, that the average prices of gas nose dived to 25.5p per therm during the period from 1 April to 24 August this year, from the average price of 58.47p. per therm during the same period last year, 2008.

However, the similar plunge in the prices is not reflected in the prices at which the customers are supplied the energy.

A spokeswoman of Heren has said “I would have thought that companies should be revising downward their household prices. Prices on the forward curve are a long way back from where they were last year.”

Though few suppliers did make an effort to push down the price benefit to the customers. British gas cut its gas prices by 10% in the month of February, while Scottish and Southern dipped their gas prices by 4 % in march.

To level out the difference between the the two prices, customer Focus has also called for a cut of around £100 in gas and electricity. It has also declared that in order to avoid any accusation the energy companies should immediately stop treating consumers unfairly and they “must make immediate price cuts.”

Energy expert for the watchdog, Robert Hammond, said: “The fact that wholesale prices are at a three-year low adds to the already heavy weight of evidence that greater energy price cuts are needed.”

Although the Energy Retail Association (ERA), that represents the “big six”, has rejected the claims and insisted that prices were fair given the current uncertainty.

The chief executive of the ERA, Garry Felgate said, “Energy prices have come down for most customers this year following falls on the wholesale market.”

More discounts on making energy payments via Direct debit Method

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Energy users who opt to not to pay their energy bills through direct debit payment method can lose out on suppliers’ discounts of worth £33.5million.

According to a recent survey a number of energy consumers nowadays are dismissing the direct debit payment method while choosing the other methods.

The survey by uSwitch.com has revealed a drop of 7.3% energy switchers opting to pay their gas and electricity bills by direct debit.

Ann Robinson, the director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com has said, “Paying by direct debit opens the path to the cheapest energy prices in the market – this is not something to give up without a fight.”

The number of uSwitch.com customers paying monthly energy bills through direct debit has gone down from 92% last year to only 85.3% this year.

It is indicated on the basis of analysis that if dip continues, then a total number of 342,000 households may change from direct debits this year, this may cause them to lose billing discounts of worth £33.5million.

Of gem, the industry regulator has indicated that almost 40 % of the households in UK choose to pay their monthly energy bills through direct debit method.

The ‘big six” energy suppliers of Britain are being criticized for charging unreasonably high direct debit bills and making profits from the interests thereon.

Ofgem has promised to cease the payment of unnecessary high direct debit bills before the offset of winters.

According to commercial manager at Energychoices.co.uk, “Signing up to pay your bills by direct debit will save you money because suppliers offer discounts for paying this way – but you need to be careful. As payments are usually fixed, it’s easy to fall behind and get in to debt with your supplier if your usage or prices rise.”

Eagle continued, “Customers should continue to pay by direct debit, but be sure to take regular meter readings and give them to your supplier. This way, payments can be adjusted if necessary, and there’s less risk of falling into debt.”

Another study by figures from Bacs, the organization responsible for managing direct debit payments has indicated a rise of 3.75 % customers who choose to make payment by direct debit.

Mike Hutchinson, head of marketing commented on Bacs figures, “Our absolute processing figures show an upturn in the number of direct debit payments for energy bills year on year. We do not have the data uSwitch.com used to draw their conclusions from so are unable to identify why their figures reflect such a stark contrast to the Bacs processing figures for direct debit.”

Direct Debit payment to be the most promising payment method

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According to a latest survey, customers who opt to not to pay their energy bills via direct debit payment method can miss out on suppliers’ discounts of worth £33.5million.

A recent survey has revealed that many energy consumers today are turning down the direct debit payment method for the other methods.

The survey by uSwitch.com has divulged a dip of 7.3% energy switchers opting to pay their gas and electricity bills by direct debit.

The director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, Ann Robinson has said, “Paying by direct debit opens the path to the cheapest energy prices in the market – this is not something to give up without a fight.”

The number of uSwitch.com customers paying monthly energy bills through direct debit has dropped from 92% last year to only 85.3% this year.

It is indicated on the basis of analysis that if dip continues, then a total number of 342,000 households may change from direct debits this year, this may cause them to lose billing discounts of worth £33.5million.

Of gem, the industry regulator has indicated that almost 40 % of the households in UK choose to pay their monthly energy bills through direct debit method.

The ‘big six” energy suppliers of Britain are being criticized for charging unreasonably high direct debit bills and making profits from the interests thereon.

Ofgem has promised to cease the payment of unnecessary high direct debit bills before the offset of winters.

According to commercial manager at Energychoices.co.uk, “Signing up to pay your bills by direct debit will save you money because suppliers offer discounts for paying this way – but you need to be careful. As payments are usually fixed, it’s easy to fall behind and get in to debt with your supplier if your usage or prices rise.”

Eagle continued, “Customers should continue to pay by direct debit, but be sure to take regular meter readings and give them to your supplier. This way, payments can be adjusted if necessary, and there’s less risk of falling into debt.”

At the same time, another study by figures from Bacs, the organization responsible for managing direct debit payments has indicated a rise of 3.75 % customers who choose to make payment by direct debit.

Mike Hutchinson, head of marketing remarked on Bacs figures, “Our absolute processing figures show an upturn in the number of direct debit payments for energy bills year on year. We do not have the data uSwitch.com used to draw their conclusions from so are unable to identify why their figures reflect such a stark contrast to the Bacs processing figures for direct debit.”

Orange Mobile Broadband to tender boundless overnight download packages

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Broadband biggie Orange announces to launch a range of lucrative mobile broadband packages with unlimited downloads during non peaks hours.

Orange mobile broadband has announced a new range of benefits for its users. The customers on Orange Mobile broadband’s early bird tariffs will be availing special download offer along with the set monthly download allowance. The offer is to get unlimited overnight downloads between midnight and 9am.

These new mobile broadband packages will come with a free mobile dongle or USB stick and a contract of 12 months. The prices of the packages will range from £12.72 a month for a 3GB monthly download allowance and go up to £17.62 a month for 5GB and £27.40 a month for 10GB monthly allowance.

Over and above the fixed monthly download allowance, the customers can also buy more data in bundles of 1GB, 3GB, 5GB or 10GB with prices ranging from £5 for 1GB and going up to £20 for an extra 10GB.

According to the Michael Phillips, product director, BroadbandChoices.co.uk, “Orange is the first provider on the market to offer this kind of deal. Mobile broadband packages typically offer far lower download allowances than fixed-line connections, and customers often exceed their limit.

“Orange’s new tariffs will make a real difference to mobile broadband users,” he said. “You can now set your downloads to run overnight without breaking into your precious monthly allowance.

“Orange also offers the cheapest additional data bundles on the market – charging around £10 less than its rivals for 1GB,” added Phillips.