Painful Divorce From a Mobile Phone Company

I've been an Orange / Three (3) subscriber for almost seven years. It ended when I got fed up of the soaring charges I get every month. My last months with this network were characterized with unexplainable charges that I never really anticipated. My monthly tarriff often ballooned to more than double even if I don't use too many minutes in airtime.

Perhaps I was enticed by the free Sony Ericsson K610i phone on offer. By taking the free phone when I signed a two-year contract, I tied myself to commit paying to this company whatever amount it wants to charge me. It turned out that this mobile phone unit is very user unfriendly in my opinion and ultimately I switched back to Nokia. I noticed that the phone is also etched with the 3 symbol as if I can't use other SIM cards on it.

I had thoughts of switching to other networks but I guess I was just too loyal. After all, I've been using this line for the past six years and when I am lost in Hong Kong, unable to report for work or make overseas calls, this phone line has been helpful in addressing those concerns. But the price of being loyal can be so expensive.

Three prides itself as a pioneer in 3G service in Hong Kong (where its name is derived), which I think is a huge flop. It continues to offer video services as "part of the package" even if subscribers aren't interested in using them. Maybe that's a way for them to justify their costs.

When I decided to cut off my association with Three, I was charged HK$1,600 "for breaching the agreement". Good thing I am able to retain my old number to make the switch.

Now, the hugely popular iPhone 3G will be launched in Hong Kong on the 11th and Hutchison Telecom which owns Three has the right to distribute this gadget. It is being promoted as "free" just the same that free Sony Ericsson K610i. Those who are interested to get the "free" iPhone 3G must be prepared to lock into a two-year contract that will cost HK$498 a month with unlimited use of mobile data and basic airtime of 2,200 minutes.

For a free 8-gigabyte iPhone 3G subscribers must pay HK$4,680 upfront; a 16-gigabyte iPhone 3G handset costs HK$138, but the upfront payment is a further HK$5,322. When Apple chief executive Steve Jobs launched the iPhone 3G last month, he said the 8-gigabyte model would cost US$199. You do the math.

If you are wary of these costs and your interest in iPhone 3G will wane (very likely within the two-year contract period), you must think more than twice.

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg