In addition to the Smart S, M, L etc. contract packages, Vodacom now also offer what they call "Smart More Data" packages, in 2Gb, 4Gb and 6Gb varieties.
I'm currently on a Smart L package where I get 500Mb of data p/m. When I upgraded two years ago, there was a special promotion at the time where you got an additional 500Mb p/m for the full 24 months. I am now done with those 24 months and do not want to go back to only 500Mb p/m, so I thought one of the Smart More Data packages would be the answer...until I saw the pricing.
They basically offer you less free minutes and more data, which is a great idea in theory, if you don't phone that much but rely more on data.
But let's look at the Smart S and Smart More Data 2Gb. Smart S is R209 p/m with 75min, 75 SMS and 200Mb of data. Smart More Data 2Gb is R349 p/m with 50min, no SMS, and 2Gb of data. Even though the minutes are less, I could still make sense that you pay more for the extra data.
The real trouble comes in when you want to add a handset to it. Was looking at the iPhone 6S 16Gb. On the Smart S, handset installment is R320 p/m, so a total of R529 p/m whereas on the Smart More Data 2Gb the handset installment is R460 p/m, for a total of R809 p/m.
I don't understand why the handset is more expensive (so less subsidized?) on a higher package?
I'm currently on a Smart L package where I get 500Mb of data p/m. When I upgraded two years ago, there was a special promotion at the time where you got an additional 500Mb p/m for the full 24 months. I am now done with those 24 months and do not want to go back to only 500Mb p/m, so I thought one of the Smart More Data packages would be the answer...until I saw the pricing.
They basically offer you less free minutes and more data, which is a great idea in theory, if you don't phone that much but rely more on data.
But let's look at the Smart S and Smart More Data 2Gb. Smart S is R209 p/m with 75min, 75 SMS and 200Mb of data. Smart More Data 2Gb is R349 p/m with 50min, no SMS, and 2Gb of data. Even though the minutes are less, I could still make sense that you pay more for the extra data.
The real trouble comes in when you want to add a handset to it. Was looking at the iPhone 6S 16Gb. On the Smart S, handset installment is R320 p/m, so a total of R529 p/m whereas on the Smart More Data 2Gb the handset installment is R460 p/m, for a total of R809 p/m.
I don't understand why the handset is more expensive (so less subsidized?) on a higher package?