Mobile rate cut may spur a price war
Vodafone Qatar announces the promotional international call rate of Dh50-a-minute to any network in the world
The stage is set for a price war in Qatar’s telecom sector. Vodafone yesterday announced that its customers could call any country, any time at just Dh50 a minute until September 30.
Qatar’s second mobile phone service provider has also hinted at a “special rate” for international calls (permanently) after the “Dh50 a minute” promotion.
The promotional rate will apply to calls originating from the Vodafone network in Qatar to any country.
Vodafone Qatar chief marketing officer Michael Portz said the service provider’s current and new customers could benefit from the promotion.
He said Vodafone Qatar customers’ get the promotional international call rate (Dh50 a minute) to any network in the world. However, Vodafone Qatar customers on roaming cannot avail of the special price. They will have to pay for international calls at “notified roaming rates”.
Vodafone Qatar has three zones of countries to determine the roaming rates.
Portz said customers who had signed up for Vodafone’s Flexi plans would pay “even less” than the Dh50 per minute for international calls.
“Effectively, they get more with the additional value we provide on every Flexi plan,” Portz said. “For example, our customers on Flexi 35 will effectively pay only Dh47 and those on Flexi 550, Dh32 a minute for international calls during the promotion. Our rates are significantly lower than Qtel’s Dawli (pre-paid international calling) rates,” he said.
“We are in the middle of the holiday season and approaching the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr. Vodafone is excited to give customers the opportunity to keep in touch with their family and friends across the world, for no more than what they pay for a local call,” Portz added.
Vodafone head (consumer marketing) Daniel Horan said customers could either join the service provider’s network through its online shop – www.vodafone.com.qa or some 28 outlets across Qatar.
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=304353...
I purchased my new Vodaphone sim last night.
My review:
Pro:
- Very cheap international rates 0.50 Dh per minute
- Cheap cellphones available upon purchase of SIM. (I bought mine for 115 QR, with a 50 QR discount - making it 65 QR only)
- The Flexi plan comes with free (Vodaphone to Vodaphone) calls.
eg. I purchase a 55QR Plan. ASide from the usual 60QR (55+5QR bonus), I also got another 55QR for V to V calling.
Cons:
- Due to a large sellout, it takes few hours to activate account
- To avail of their postpaid, you have to have a Credit card
- I'm getting a very weak signal here at work (Ras Laffan)
- The 0.5 Dh is temporary (until sept)
Overall judgement:
I'll be trying this for a few months. I will still keep my Qtel with me. I might revert from QTEL postpaid to QTEL prepaid.
Having worked extensively in Telcos, I can tell you that neithr side wants to enter into a long term price war. These are "gimmicks" to get subscribers on board.
Always remember that Vodafone is a private company with a duty to its shareholders.
can we get a postpaid connection from vodafone? or all ocnnections have minimum monthly charges?
I doubt that, it might be a marginal profit (as compared to QR 2.50 p/m) but looking at their extensive network in other countries and comparing international calling rates from other countries (via various operators), I won't be surprised if the actual cost per minute is around 10-15 dhs per minute! Vodafone has, for eg, abolished roaming charges in Europe (for UK Connections).. actual costs are definitely way less than we know :)
I will wait and see what will be the real rate after the promotion.
WHO care
I top-up 100 QR with HALA for 3 months and still have 80 QR in my credit
Not work for me
It is clearly a loss maker to generate hype and new customers. Impossible to sustain something like that. Enjoy the cheap calling now because it ends at the end of September...
Im enjoying their rate now .50/min...Oh thanks Vodafone! Though the sim card registration took around 3-4 hours before i had signal...I was almost disappointed...Till i started talking to my family in the Philippines.
Vodafone is way cheper for QR.50/min!
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mai lain pa!
I can honestly say that this offer blew me away..
I just spent the last two hours calling my folks back home..
Only dead fishes follow the stream..
I hate VODAFONE since I was in Australia. I had enough experiences.
Not different to me eventhough VODAFONE gave me 1 Drn per min. I am not going to use.
Hahahahahahaha
Internet Video calling is free PC to PC so we can see each other when we talk.
VODAFONE should try some other ways for marketing but I believe that this is not so easy to nego. with Qtel
now lets wait for QTEL response to catter this vodafone offer...
This is good competition, not the badmouthing and mud-slinging they did before.
CONGRATS to all EXPATS living in QATAR. I was really shocked to see INT'L RATE by VODAFONE. QTEL will be biting its nails in concern LOLZZZZ
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I always believed in VODAFONE and knew that they will bring a huge change right after they will get settled in QATAR market.
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Good work VODAFONE and like others, i'm hopeful that their customer svc will not be headache as QTEL's
yeah but now i am more happy as rate went down too much... from QR2.50 - QR 0.50 huge difference...
so no worries ... lol
a very good offer from Vodafone... A BIG DIFFERENCE... now actually this will draw user attention towards them... with the launch Vodafone is now putting QTEL in a defensive position...
vodafone does not deal with cash at this time, they only accept credit card/bank account, direct debit..
1 Mins ?
Now wat m i suppose to talk in just 1 min ?
Hello, how u doin darling and DANG!! :(
No no not a good deal...:(
This is a bit suspicious, why not take cash?!
Is this going to be forever?
RESPECT
your CC number.
only you have to transfer you credit to my number... I will give you my VF sim to make a call to Bella for just 1 min. :-D
How is the deal?
If it is post paid, u have to giv ur Cr. Card no. !
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tEaCh Me RuLeS, i'Ll TeAcH hOw To BrEaK iT ..
rMs..!!
They said they want a copy of my credit card, I had to walk away. Did you guys give your credit cards also? Can't we pay in cash?
RESPECT
Q-tel guys may be working to combat this but as of now, NO Rizks you cannot make calls at that rates , its exclusively for Vodafone customers!
Best offer from Vodafone to kick start the competition, first time!
Can i make international call from my prepaid number (Q-tel) with the same rate ?
:D....
yeah Vodafone Rocks....:D
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Have Courage To Live.
Anyone Can Die.
Great offer..
First time in Qatar History !!
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tEaCh Me RuLeS, i'Ll TeAcH hOw To BrEaK iT ..
rMs..!!
for the first time, we can feel some competition... Good move by VODAFONE..im really enjoying it since yesterday...
Marlboro Lights - Selected fine Tobaccos
At the end of the day Customer is the king...
They're probably making very less profit out of this but definitely a lot of people will make the switch now! Fantastic rates..!
I loved it...I call my home coutry and it was amazing..it is really QR 0.50/min....
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Have Courage To Live.
Anyone Can Die.