Review of Truphone

[tux]

Originally Posted by Marschel

They aren't the fastest people and this must happen in the last few hours.

They have to update their website since the 1st July...

[Marschel]

Have to but didn't update it since a view days ago.

[Stu]

While we are on the subject, look at what Vodafone AU has just done:

Vodafone launches $5 global roaming flat rate - News - iTnews Mobile Edition

That will have to hurt Truphone.

[Marschel]

Not really. This offer is limited to a special circle of people and it has another issue to "The $5 a day “Roam Like Home” offer will be available in new plans that Vodafone will unveil in August". I prefer the way how Hutchison treat their customers. Especially from Austria. I think more operators who provide(s?) service in several countries should act like Hutchison 3.

[Stu]

Marschel,

I am familiar with the no roaming on the Three network deals in some countries, but could you elaborate about what 3-Austria is doing?

The problem with the offers at the outset will be the people who buy third country SIMs as a replacement for roaming SIMs. This will force carriers to either push costs up or restrict entry. I am guilty of doing this in 2009 when I took a Baltic Cruise. Vodafone UK had a deal where you could use your Vodafone SIM anywhere in the EU like you were home. I had a friend grab me a couple of them at the local market and ship them to me in the US. I used the SIM in the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia and then pitched it. I setup a UK dial-in and call through it to the rest of the world via my Asterisks box. I set my VOIP dial-in as a "favorite."

[Marschel]

Originally Posted by Stu

[...], but could you elaborate about what 3-Austria is doing?

I'm sorry but I can't followe you with this question.

Originally Posted by Stu

The problem with the offers at the outset will be the people who buy third country SIMs as a replacement for roaming SIMs. This will force carriers to either push costs up or restrict entry.

I think this is good. Why should I pay an extra fee if my carrier covers other countries too and I'm on vacation within these countries.

Originally Posted by Stu

Vodafone UK had a deal where you could use your Vodafone SIM anywhere in the EU like you were home. I had a friend grab me a couple of them at the local market and ship them to me in the US. I used the SIM in the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Estonia and then pitched it. I setup a UK dial-in and call through it to the rest of the world via my Asterisks box. I set my VOIP dial-in as a "favorite."

What's your point! Again, sorry I don't get it. I think you don't have to feel guitly or something like that.

P.S I do apoligize for my bad English!

[davidtheprof]

Truphone seems to have reduced their rates in Europe for non-EU residents, and the rates for USA residents, at least, are now the same: 32c/min outgoing, 9c incoming, and 55c/MB.
This is now much more competitive, though Piranha is still cheaper for outgoing, esp. from Europe to rest of world. If you don't mind call-back system.

Surprised that there was no publicity about this on Tru's site or Trutower. Maybe they didn't want to highlight their earlier price discrimination policy!

[Stu]

Originally Posted by davidtheprof

Truphone seems to have reduced their rates in Europe for non-EU residents, and the rates for USA residents, at least, are now the same: 32c/min outgoing, 9c incoming, and 55c/MB.
This is now much more competitive, though Piranha is still cheaper for outgoing, esp. from Europe to rest of world. If you don't mind call-back system.

Surprised that there was no publicity about this on Tru's site or Trutower. Maybe they didn't want to highlight their earlier price discrimination policy!

TruTower has a small piece on it.

http://www.trutower.com/2013/08/17/t...-new-low-rate/

[tux]

It seems that with their latest platform upgrade, in order to keep your number you'll have to renew it each month. Until two days ago, it wasn't necessary to do so...

Anyway they unveiled - by putting them in their website country menu - the next countries which they're going to cover during the next months (officially, this time): Germany, Spain, Poland. Some of you could point out that this is a non-news, but I think that it is a news, as long as you consider that Truphone are back in business after months of... nothing

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by tux

It seems that with their latest platform upgrade, in order to keep your number you'll have to renew it each month. Until two days ago, it wasn't necessary to do so...

I did not notice that. I am in the US [California]. I tried starting the process to order a SIM and if you are getting US phone number you choose a state and then there is a drop down box to choose an area code. Also, states that do not have numbers currently available [like New York ] do not show in drop down box.

Also, log in and check your balance. Anything interesting there? The 'issue' has now been brought to their attention [thank you very much] and the person whom I talked to was able to look up my correct balance. Some issue with the migration apparently.