T-Mobile UK has announced a flat-rate version of its data tariff, aimed primarily at business users.
The release of Web'n'Walk Professional coincides with the introduction of a new data card, which will take advantage of T-Mobile's upcoming next-generation 3G service.
Not only is it the first HSDPA-enabled data card to be offered by a major network in the UK, but it's also quad-band and has integrated Wi-Fi. T-Mobile is currently offering the card with a voucher that allows free use of its Wi-Fi hotspots for 12 months.
The company's HSDPA trials are currently in their internal phase, with no set date as yet for external trials. The service is expected to be rolled out in late summer, with its coverage mirroring the mainly metropolitan footprint of the provider's current 3G network.
"We're trying to focus on where we already have 3G coverage, to build strong in-building coverage," Rob Langton, T-Mobile UK's data marketing manager, told ZDNet UK.
T-Mobile anticipates that the first phase of HSDPA will see consistent speeds of around 1Mbps with the possibility of 1.8Mbps, but hopes for speeds of over 7Mbps by the end of 2007.
Such high speeds would seem to make the new data card ideal for applications such as Internet telephony and instant messaging. However, the fine print for Web'n'Walk Pro reveals that these are explicitly banned by T-Mobile, and any user caught running the applications risks expulsion from the network.
"It's a commercial decision that we took," admitted Langton. "We charge two and a half times less than our competition. We're aiming at the business network. We spoke to our customers and it's not key to them," he told ZDNet UK last week.
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However, Langton didn't rule out the possibility of an eventual solution that avoids losing out to third-party clients. "If we find customers are coming to us and saying that they want messaging, well, T-Mobile is not about to tell them they'll never be allowed to message," he said, adding, "It might be a T-Mobile client."
Tony Lock, chief analyst at Bloor Research, believes that the launch of a T-Mobile VoIP client is a possibility.
"T-Mobile has its own VoIP solution that I suspect it'll be bringing out," he told ZDNet UK on Monday.
Lock cast doubt on the sustainable viability of a mobile operator banning VoIP from its network. "I think that eventually, if there's customer demand for this, it will happen," Lock said. "Other organisations will come along allowing VoIP. Who do you think is going to win?"
Philip Hale of AOL, which provides both VoIP and IM services, acknowledged that T-Mobile is being "straightforward" about their conditions, but warned that "if IM is a key factor for a customer, then [we] would expect them not to choose this service".
The Web'n'Walk data card is free with a new 18- or 24-month contract, £50 on a new 12-month contract and £170 SIM-free through T-Mobile itself. Existing customers with an older 3G card can upgrade to the new technology and tariff for £99.
Using the data card on the Web'n'Walk tariff will cost £17 + VAT per month, while simply adding the data service to the voice tariff on an HSDPA-enabled phone will cost £8.50 + VAT per month.
Talkback
So... no point in getting their card then.
They make the rules - so I guess they have to live with the consequences, 'cause the whole thing will not sell...
Hey guys i have this GREAT new product, its an amazing lorry, it has the most powerful engine in the world it has a luxurious living space in the back sound proofing and beautiful seats.
It is even 3 times cheaper than any other lorry out there.
However part of our sales pitch is that we are going to ban people from attaching trailors to the back of it and hauling goods with it cos thats just abusing our good nature.
Fucking retards.
T-Mobile bans VoIP from super-3G service
Look you bunch of cheapskates.
If it's significantly cheaper than the opposition , and this is a condition, you can always pay more , and get what you want.
Its the equivalent of paying for a mini and and demanding a ferrari .
Ah. So no SIP on that 3G network then? OK, one might take that as a market signal that perhaps more traditional rates are overrated but ofcourse there are always the ones that need to learn the painfull lesson.
Say, how much are you wasting on mobile phone costs? Errr, about half my allowance. Gee, shouldn't you switch to a provider with a flat-fee high Internet deal then that does support VoIP and SIP? You know, even if you stop using your current phone today and get another one instead you're likely to be cheaper of overal. You might very well be helping the EU IT innovation market that way.
Lesson of today: many small ones still make a huge one. But a few big ones don't make for much over time.
Well I've signed up and got the card and have been using it for about a month now - Brilliant tariff compared to the other networks - Free card too!
In time I suspect t-mobile will allow the VoIP and MoIP when their HSDPA network is up to full capacity and the competition begin offering those facilities.
There does seem to be a bit of confusion about IM (Instant Messaging) and MoIP (Messaging over Internet Protocol) - Look them up in google and you'll see that MoIP is the video messaging standard for mobiles and probably justifyably banned due to the high bandwidth required, whereas IM is OK - I've certainly been using it without any issues.
t-mobile have thrown down the gauntlet to the other networks with this package - lets see what happens next!
T-Mobile are very keen on the smallprint. I am currently in dispute with them to the tune of nearly 60 pounds they are claiming off me for no service