The Unofficial Speak Out Wireless Canada Consumer Page - Topic: Web browsing charges

jang on Web browsing charges

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:36:13 -0700

UPDATE:

It seems that SpeakOut has removed the general web browsing capability from the service. Loading the web browser still generates the $0.04/Kb charge notice, but does not allow browsing to any web page outside of the ztar.clearmode.com domain. It appears that browsing the mobile store does incur web browsing charges.

P.S. Correction: It's not $0.04 per KB (kilobyte), as we were discussing above. It would be measured in the standard web data unit, bits (verified - the SpeakOut price notification displays a lowercase "b", indicating bit; byte would be denoted by a capital "B"). So the price SpeakOut charges is actually $0.04 per kilobit. Keep in mind that there are 8 bits in a byte, therefore the cost per GB is $320,000.

jang on Web browsing charges

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:11:55 -0700

I would assume you can get data service (ie. use apps, etc). But the fact remains that it's incredibly expensive, and I wouldn't recommend using any apps with it ATM (eg. 1 MB photos downloaded by the app = $40 airtime).

Jumangi on Web browsing charges

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:00:59 -0700

I would be so Happy if they Had a unlimited plan for say , 5-7 dollars per month.,
So is this JUST web browsing?
Can you use APPS on your phone?
Damn, 0.04 Sucks!

bylo on Web browsing charges

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:53:28 -0700

ISTM that this could easily backfire on SO. Their $0.04/KB works out to $1 per 25kB. Imagine that someone sends you an e-mail with an embedded photo. You open it and end up downloading a 1MB JPEG. There goes $40 of your airtime.

That's got to be a guaranteed way to really piss off your customers. It also makes the "evil triumvirate" of Robbers, BHell and Trickus look good by comparison.

What were you thinking SO?

iamdrumming on Web browsing charges

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:40:39 -0700

That is true. I hope they wake up, and see how much it will really cost. At least they should have a set dollar amount for unlimited browsing.

bylo on Web browsing charges

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:41:13 -0700

a page opened stating the $0.04/KB charge

Well to their credit at least they warn people that they're about to be raped. But still, it won't take long for the math-challenged to use up $100 of airtime.

jang on Web browsing charges

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:05:40 -0700

bylo said:

$0.04/KB for web browsing, which is a ridiculous rate

Yup. That works out to a mere $40,000 per GB! Compare with the $30/month, including a GB bandwidth, that Rogers charges for its Internet stick.

BTW there's nothing on SO's website that indicates general web surfing is now available or the rate they charge for it. Where did you see that rate, or did SO CS give it to you?

When I opened the web browser yesterday, instead of going straight to the mobile store, a page opened stating the $0.04/KB charge. I tried opening up Google and it worked.

iamdrumming on Web browsing charges

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:02:09 -0700

Yes, that costs way too much for their data plan, if indeed they do have one now. We'll see how much it will ultimately cost once it's posted on their site. I agree that $0.04/KB is ridiculous. Probably the same marketing people at SpeakOut that thought up the $15/30 day expiry

bylo on Web browsing charges

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 09:59:48 -0700

$0.04/KB for web browsing, which is a ridiculous rate

Yup. That works out to a mere $40,000 per GB! Compare with the $30/month, including a GB bandwidth, that Rogers charges for its Internet stick.

BTW there's nothing on SO's website that indicates general web surfing is now available or the rate they charge for it. Where did you see that rate, or did SO CS give it to you?

jang on Web browsing charges

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:37:24 -0700

ZTAR now charges $0.04/KB for web browsing, which is a ridiculous rate.

The good news is that regular web browsing is now available - you can browse any site as opposed to being restricted to their online store.