Hi all,
Thanks very much for your replies so far. We wanted to provide answers to some of the questions which have come up:
I’d like to stay on 3G, how does this impact the 3G goodybags?
There is absolutely no impact on the 3G goodybags whatsoever – all of the 3G goodybags will remain exactly as they are and there will still be unlimited 3G data on the £12, £15 and £20 goodybags. The new 4G goodybags are simply additional options which are open to members with a 4G ready phone and SIM card.
What prevents giffgaff from offering more data on 4G?
At giffgaff, we try to offer you good value goodybags which are sustainable for us as a business and which offer a good level of service for members.
There are a number of factors which we need to take into account when setting a goodybag allowance. First of all, like all networks we have a limited network resource and we have a responsibility to ensure that it’s working hard to meet the ever growing needs of our members.
In addition, every MB of data usage on the network costs money for giffgaff as a business, so data allowances need to be carefully thought through from a financial perspective to ensure that we continue to be a sustainable business.
What this all means is that we need to be focused on using our network resource intelligently, to deliver what is most important for our members rather than try to be all things to all people. In the member survey, the majority of members prioritised having a high data allowance over high data speeds, so we wanted to make sure that we continue to offer great value 3G data allowances, particularly our unlimited data goodybags. This is even more important since we know that only a minority of members currently have a 4G ready device, so many of you probably won’t be moving to 4G for launch.
We feel that the allowances which are being launched for the 4G trial period still represent good value to members, but they also allow us to continue offering unlimited data on 3G and a good level of service to members.
What happens at the end of the trial period?
For anyone who signs up to the 4G trial, you will get access to a members only goodybag which is available until 31st October 2014. At the moment we have no plans to extend this, but of course we will be reviewing our 4G plans throughout the trial period, based on your feedback.
How much will it cost if I go out of bundle?
Out of bundle costs will be exactly the same for 4G as 3G. Provided that you are within your goodybag validity period, if you run out of inclusive data then any further data usage will cost 2p/MB. Some of you have shown an interest in being able to re-purchase your goodybag early – as a result of your feedback we will look at how we might be able to deliver this and update you in the coming months.
Will 4G work on the iPhone5?
Unfortunately, the iPhone5 is not compatible with 4G on giffgaff, although newer models like the iPhone 5C and the iPhone 5S will work just fine.
We hope that this helps - it’s great to hear so many opinions here so please keep them coming so that you’re helping to shape 4G throughout and beyond this initial trial period.
Mark.
