Data settings for iPhone in UAE

[Samberino]

Ok children, lets move on already.

The good news: will be getting an iPhone 3G (legally unlocked :-)
The bad news: have to wait a month or so until it is in my hands :-( and my wallet is not too pleased either.

Not sure if this should be a new thread, or just leave this post in here, but what I would like to discuss is the best option (bang for buck) for 3G data connectivity here in the UAE. With EDGE we already established Du was the better option charging AED 0.1 (1 fil) per kb (this ofcourse is for data in and out), where as Etisalat was 2 fils per kb - prepaid, pay as you go.

With Etisalat, the only realistic options worth considering in terms of usage are the 3.5G 200MB and Unlimited (10GB) Broadband Bundles, which cost AED 295 and AED 465 respectively. Bearing in mind that this includes data in and out, I am leaning towards the 10GB package, but the cost is just not right.

It would be great to truly utilize the iPhone 3G to its full potential, and tether the connection to my laptop as well, but the cost is too high. For that price I would expect text messages, and a certain amount of minutes included as well.

Any comments, suggestions?

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by Samberino

Ok children, lets move on already.?

Thank you, thank you

[larsd]

Originally Posted by Samberino

Any comments, suggestions?

Well its unfortunately fact that the prices in the UAE for mobile data are high compared to the prices in Europe or US where some mobile and landline calls are for free meanwhile because the operators understood that the money is not in traditional communication anymore. (Which is the reason why Skype is blocked to artificially keep up the value of traditional communication)

However you said that you want to use the new iPhone to its full potential which means you will have to subscribe to a data package >= 200MB. I personally believe that 200MB is enough if you just want to use this package for the iPhone. Just calculate how much time it takes to transfer 200MB over 3G and you might know how much online time you need per day. Keep in mind that you dont need online time all the time the iPhone is switched on. I have the 50MB package and I am fine with it and I consider myself as an active user.

[chefmerrick]

rajiv,
u mentioned if those settings are used ill be charged like blackberry. but which plan because blackberry has 3 plans. would be a total monthly amount or would it be charged as per usuage

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by chefmerrick

rajiv,
u mentioned if those settings are used ill be charged like blackberry. but which plan because blackberry has 3 plans. would be a total monthly amount or would it be charged as per usuage

Blackberry plans are different and cannot be used with iPhone.

[larsd]

Originally Posted by Magnus

Blackberry plans are different and cannot be used with iPhone.

In fact you can easily use them. But you will be surprised about your bill in the end

[kynddaze]

The consensus seems to be that the best data packages for the iPhone are either the 200MB or 'Unlimited' packages offered by Etisalat, or the 200MB offered by Du.

Does anybody know if there is anything comparable to the BlackBerry unlimited international package? I do a lot of traveling outside the UAE, so would ideally like a data package that worked outside the country.

I also realize from the many responses on this thread, that the BIS package doesn't transfer to the iPhone. Do you know if that's true just in the UAE, or if it also applies internationally? I'm just curious if the servers required to authenticate the handset work when going through other Telco's first, or if they just assume that all international data traffic on a BIS package is actually coming from a blackberry.

Thanks.

[chris773]

Great question kynddaze...

It seems that Data packages outside of BB are just ludicrously expensive.
I heard a podcast recently (prior to 3G launch), and the consensus on data usage was that "normal"/active users never went over 60MB per month, and heavy users rarely over 100MB per month in the US. Remember, this, in a market where the nearest Starbucks can be called up from Maps and linked to mail, safari or your phone to call ahead and order that Frappucino!

So, for us users here that are mostly only likely to use the mail app extensively (or You Tube during lunch!) the 50MB package seems ok. Not cheap, but OK.
We do need a "Roaming Data" plan though.

Peace.

[marwan]

hi guys, i have a 3G 16 GB iPhone, unlocked and it's working fine on EDGE, im using a 3G SIM card, and 3G is enabled, yet i only get a EDGE connection...am i doing anything wrong?

thanks!

[bence8810]

Originally Posted by chris773

Great question kynddaze...

It seems that Data packages outside of BB are just ludicrously expensive.
I heard a podcast recently (prior to 3G launch), and the consensus on data usage was that "normal"/active users never went over 60MB per month, and heavy users rarely over 100MB per month in the US. Remember, this, in a market where the nearest Starbucks can be called up from Maps and linked to mail, safari or your phone to call ahead and order that Frappucino!

So, for us users here that are mostly only likely to use the mail app extensively (or You Tube during lunch!) the 50MB package seems ok. Not cheap, but OK.
We do need a "Roaming Data" plan though.

Peace.

I dont know about that podcast, but I can tell you from experience, that I am using nearly 100MB/months, and I am on the 120MB plan at Etisalat. All I am doing is Email, and its set to download emails every 30 minutes. That might be the big consumer, but still I feel that 50MB is not enough for even emails, not mentioning Youtube, etc.

Cheers

Ben