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by Jesada Chandraprasert, Thailand

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True Move says "No discount for you" on current-generation iPhone 3G phones

Jun 15, 2009 22:59

Rounding up the news streams stemming from the 3.0 firmware and 3G S release, here is the latest coming out of Thailand: Thailand's True Move comes out dispelling rumors of a reduction in price for its iPhones.

Quoted in the Bangkok Post this morning and the Nation late last week, Papon Ratanachaikanont, deputy chief commercial officer, claims that the US$99 reprice for the 8GB iPhone 3G is "... just a promotional tactic of the US cellular operator AT&T", and that with the associated contract and fees, the final cost of ownership equates to as much as 67,000 baht. This is in contrast to TrueMove's offering which totals to only 37,000 baht.

Headlining this story was True Move's target to move 1 million iPhone 3G units within two years' time. The article does not identify if this figure includes the iPhone 3G S model or not. Speaking to some industry insiders and domestic enthusiasts, there is some speculation that True Move still has a surplus of 3G models and that the there may be a delay with introducing the 3G S model in order to "persuade" would-be purchasers to what is currently available in order to take advantage of the new 3.0 firmware.

iPhone 3G S imminent
Speaking on the iPhone 3G S, Ratanachaikanont did confirm that there are no plans for a reduction in price for the current-generation 3G despite the 3G S becoming officially available from True Move in August. He also confirmed that the 3G S will be coming at a higher price range for both the 16GB and 32GB models. Owners of the current-generation 3G can come in for a free upgrade, firmware upgrade to 3.0 that is, at True Move shops all over Thailand. (Honestly, unless you do not have access to the Internet, an iPhone update is easier than setting up Exchange syncing on the darn thing, so I don't see the need to make the trek down to one of its shops.)

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stdennis2

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stdennis2 says...
3G service is still not available in Thailand and this fact doesn't seem to be changing soon, thus making all 3G phones overpriced!!
And getting political here (can I get sued for this?), I'm still stunned that the ICT minister is a nurse, who was previously deputy Finance minister, all of which because she is the wife of a big-time politician, so she is like a proxy or something.
Hurr........

Jun 16, 2009 11:46

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Jesadac

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Jesadac says...
HI stdennis2
True Move's 3G is available in certain areas and buildings. According to their website its at:
Rama I Road, Rajadamri Road, Phayatai Road, Rama IV Road, Sathorn Road, Silom Road, Siam Square, Chulalongkorn University, Lumpini Park, Lumpini Night Bazaar, Siam Paragon, Emporium,Central World, Ma Boonkrong, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Gaysorn Plaza, Central Silom, Big C Rajadamri, True Tower, CP Tower

This is on 850MHz so the iPhone 3G and 3G S would be capable of using these "oasis" of 3G coverage for free as part of the TrueMove monthly package. Anyone on TrueMove with a 850 capable 3G phone should also be able hop on.

As for qualifications of Thailand's ministers, please don't get me started. Most of the time its party affiliation or party sponsorship that out ranks experience or direct knowledge in the field you're supposed to be managing.(sigh...)

Jun 16, 2009 12:44

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